The evening sky hung gray, as if guarding a secret it refused to reveal.
When the school bell rang, Rio went straight home without waiting for anyone. His steps were quick, his eyes fixed on the ground — but his instincts were sharp.
He knew someone was following him.
Sure enough, Aihara was walking behind him, her steps quiet and cautious, as if trying not to be noticed. But Rio was not someone easily deceived.
When they were just a few meters from the gate, Rio suddenly sprinted. The wind roared past, whipping his hair. Aihara froze in disbelief.
"W-what the—? How can he run that fast?" she muttered, eyes wide.
Then, a soft voice came from beside her.
"Hello, Aihara. Why are you daydreaming at the gate?"
The voice was graceful — commanding, yet gentle.
Aihara turned, startled. In front of her stood Ayaka Minazuki, the student council president, known for her poise and wisdom.
"Oh, Senior! I was just… spacing out, haha."
"But why are you heading home already? Didn't you have a task from the principal?"
Ayaka smiled faintly and looked at the dimming sky.
"I've finished everything. And don't call me 'Senior.' Just Ayaka is fine. We're close enough for that, aren't we?"
"All right then, Ayaka-san. Uh, wanna walk home together?"
"Sure, let's go."
They walked side by side under the fading sunlight. Their small talk about today's lessons slowly shifted into something heavier.
"Ayaka-san," Aihara asked cautiously, "why does everyone avoid Rio? Is he really that bad?"
Ayaka fell silent. Her smile vanished, replaced by a faint shadow of bitterness.
"You really want to know?" she whispered. "Fine… I'll tell you."
---
One Year Ago
Class 2-B was usually noisy in the mornings, but that day, something felt off.
A student froze in front of the classroom door.
"Why'd you stop?" Takeshi sneered.
"I… smell blood."
The words silenced everyone. Their skin prickled.
Ayaka, who happened to pass by, saw a group of students standing awkwardly by the door.
"Why aren't you going in? Don't tell me you're skipping class," she said lightly.
"S-Senior, we… we smell blood inside," said Takeshi, face pale.
Ayaka sighed, half in disbelief.
"Oh come on, really? Fine, I'll check. You're coming with me."
As soon as she slid the door open, the metallic stench hit them — sharp, suffocating.
A few students gagged.
And there, in the middle of the room, stood Rio — holding two knives dripping with blood.
The floor was splattered red.
Beside him lay a motionless body.
"R-Rio… what have you done!?" Ayaka screamed.
Rio looked at them one by one. His eyes were hollow. His smile — lifeless.
Rio's hands trembled as the knife sank into human flesh — but he knew if he stopped, the monster would be born.
"I only killed someone who was already possessed," he said coldly.
The room froze. No one knew whether to believe or run.
Ayaka stepped forward, hand trembling — then smack! A hard slap struck his cheek.
"Monster? Don't make excuses! Do you even realize what you've done!?"
Her voice cracked. "I… I loved you, Rio. But now… I hate you."
Tears streamed down her face as she ran out of the room.
And from that moment, admiration turned into hatred.
"You're no friend of mine anymore, Rio," Takeshi said coldly. "I'll make your life a living hell."
The classroom emptied, leaving Rio alone.
The wind slipped through the window, stirring the curtains.
Rio lifted his gaze toward the sky outside.
"If only I hadn't been chosen as a hero… maybe they wouldn't hate me.
But if it's for the world's sake… then I'll accept their hatred."
A single tear fell, hitting the blood-stained floor.
---
Back to the Present
Aihara swallowed hard. The story was too insane to believe — yet she knew Ayaka never lied.
"So… that's why everyone hates him?" she asked softly.
"Yes," Ayaka murmured. "Even the teachers are forbidden to speak with him. Since that day, Rio's grades dropped to zero. It's like he's lost all purpose."
They continued walking in silence, their steps heavy — as if trying to bury the pain they had just unearthed.
But neither of them noticed that Rio was walking behind them.
He wore a black mask, his eyes empty as he looked up at the crimson sky.
"Hey, Verldo…" he muttered to the small robot beside him, "when will the monster from outer space arrive?"
"Maybe tomorrow, or the day after," Verldo replied. "But Rio… are you sure you're ready to face something you've never defeated before?"
Rio didn't answer. His gaze remained fixed on the bleeding horizon.
"You're always so quiet," Verldo grumbled, kicking his foot lightly.
Rio gave a faint smile — not warm, not kind. Just cold… and resigned.
"If I must save this world alone," he whispered,
"then let them hate me forever."
The evening sky reflected the color of blood.
And between the two figures walking away, the wind carried a silent prayer — one that would never be heard.