Chapter 1: A distorted memory
Kano was running. He ran faster than he ever had before, panting harder with every step. He didn't know where he was, where he was going, or even why he had such a hollow feeling inside. All he knew was this: Ayano was in danger. Kano could feel his heart racing, and the blood pumping through his veins. He felt his body pulsing beneath him, ready to give up at any second and crumple to the ground. It felt as if he had been running for miles. But, he persevered, while staggering and flailing. His cat like eyes scanned the area around him desperately, but he could see nothing but darkness.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, he heard a scream.
"Kano!" shrieked the voice, and he could tell that it was the voice of the one person he cared about more than the world. The voice belonged to Ayano. His eyes suddenly became focused, and he was once again fully aware of his surroundings. Kano was on the roof of the school building, which he had visited multiple times before. He locked onto the position of the scream, and suddenly, he could see her. Ayano was hanging off of the edge of the building, one arm and her head barely visible as she clung for her life.
She let out another cry for help, as she and Kano locked eyes. He felt the adrenaline pumping through his body. The fatigue no longer affected him. He sprinted faster than ever before, and like a cheetah, he raced towards his goal. Unfortunately, his tremendous burst of speed wasn't enough, and as he skidded towards her, she fell. Kano jumped down onto his stomach and threw his hand over the edge to try and catch her, but he missed her hands. She fell further and further away from him, into the mouth of the giant snake of darkness.
The tears of Kano fell over the edge too, as he wailed and cried for her to come back. Then, from behind him, he heard a snickering. Kano quickly turned to face the voice of mockery. The older boy stood there, and continued to snicker with a sickening half smile. He had cold, dead eyes, and darkness hung below them. His eyes met with Kano's, but neither boy dropped their glares.
"You couldn't save her," claimed Shintaro "just like how you couldn't protect your mother. No matter how old you get, and no matter how well you act, you'll always be too weak," he threatened. "You'll never be able to protect those you love most."
"Why… Why didn't you help her?" Kano stuttered through his veil of tears.
"Because" answered Shintaro "that was your job. And you failed."
Kano quickly dropped his stare. Shintaro turned away from Kano, who was left paralyzed on the ground. Kano wanted to get up and punch him in his smug face, but he couldn't move. Because he knew he was right. He knew that he'd failed to protect everyone who mattered most to him, and when it really mattered, he was too weak to save anyone. So, instead of going after Shintaro, who strolled away, he sat in the same spot, and let the tears roll.