Chapter 1 - Hollow Existence

There was a ruckus in this alley in Shinjuku. It was afternoon.

Usually at this time of the day, delinquents and gangs were out. As time went by, Shinjuku had become more and more notorious.

On this street, there were a handful of scum. About five of them. They all seemed to have something against a high school student who seemed much smaller than them. This student had his hands in his pockets. He had simple black shoes and short black hair with green highlights. He seemed very sober. His special feature must have been his red eyes.

He looked at the offenders who were threatening him with a bored look. He didn't seem to be afraid at all.

And his calmness seemed to piss off his assailants even more.

-" I suppose you have a good reason for stopping me? " He asked, looking glassy-eyed.

-" Son of a bitch... You have a short memory! "

-" Of what?" Asked the boy, wearily.

-" We came to AVENGE our buddy that you sent to the hospital last week! "Answered the apparent leader of this gang.

-" Your buddy, huh... What was his name... Hmm... Kageyama?"

-" It's Aoyama, asshole! "

-" Ah... "

The First Grade boy scratched his head and looked away. He really wasn't interested in this situation. His phone rang. Without even paying attention to the people in front of him, he picked up his phone. The name of the person calling him was "Nanami". But before he could pick up, the call ended.

-" Mm. "

The dark-haired high schooler put his phone back in his pocket.

Immediately afterwards, the ragheads, mad with rage, threw themselves at him, ready to beat him up until his mother couldn't even recognize him. He didn't even try to dodge. He simply threw a punch in the air.

The shockwave created by this violent punch threw the scum far away, leaving a long hollow on the ground, in relation to the direction of the shockwave's propagation. That it even dug the ground was the proof of its violence.

-" .... "

My name is Ayato Homura. What can I say...I have uncommon power. Nothing can resist me. If I feel like it, I can break down a building. I think I could even destroy Tokyo with my hands alone.

I was normal before, though. It wasn't until elementary school that this extraordinary strength began to manifest itself. If God did this, he should have given it to someone more capable of doing great things. I'm just a loser, personally. And I don't mind that. My mother left when I was a kid. According to my grandmother, she went to America to get money.

But it's been over ten years now. I wouldn't be surprised if she found a husband and started a new life there. Personally, it doesn't matter. I don't care the slightest.

But right now, I have to go visit Nanami. She is my girlfriend.

I met her last year.

Ayato Homura turned back. That call meant that this Nanami wanted to see him. Since he had nothing to do at home at the moment, he decided to pay her a visit.

After about ten minutes of walking, Ayato stood in front of an apartment. It was rather large and surrounded by a fence.

He rang the bell once or twice.

And someone came out.

It was the famous Nanami.

-" Hoy." said Ayato.

-" Ha. You can look more enthusiastic! "Said Nanami, as if to scold him.

-" Ah. I was born with this face, I guess. "Said Ayato, with a slight smile.

-" Heh. Come on in. I have a surprise for you. "

-"...Mm. "

As I followed Nanami, I realized one thing. She was really feminine. I'm not sure what she was trying to do by wearing only mini-shorts and that light t-shirt, but it didn't work. That being said, while I'm unmoved by it, I think she did it for me. I wonder what surprise she could be talking about.

We're heading to her living room now.

-" It's this way. "Nanami said.

Usually, I am hardly surprised, or I feign surprise. But the spectacle that was offered to me was indeed. I should ask her, just to be sure.

-" Nanami... Who are these people? "

-" Ah, that's right. I never introduced you to them. They are all my previous boyfriends. " Nanami replied with a smile, as if it was natural.

- "There are a lot of them... "Ayato remarked with his hand on his chin, counting.

-" Hihi! You're surprised, aren't you? "

-" Not really. " Ayato replied with a chuckle.

-" What do you mean? " Nanami questioned, suddenly serious.

Ayato raised an eyebrow.

-" Mmm? Shouldn't I? "

-" .... "

-" I'm saying it doesn't surprise me. I have quite a few of your porn videos in my computer, you know. " Ayato said, looking up, as if to remind himself.

-" ... "

-" You decided to do this to me because I didn't show up for our previous so-called date, right? You wanted to make me feel bad, huh? Mm? Nah. Actually, it was you who didn't show up on time. I'd been waiting for you for almost two hours, but you were busy with those guys. "

-" Stop talking nonsense! I respect our relationship, unlike you!!! "

-" Yet I got the video of you having sex with THOSE guys that same day. Haha! I'm too strong! "

Nanami had been silent for a few minutes. Ayato had noticed that, but he had deliberately kept talking.

-" Get out of my house. " she ordered.

The gang of guys who had set up shop in Nanami's living room began to laugh. She turned back to them in a rage.

-" What are you laughing so hard about? "

They did not answer. They continued to laugh, non-stop. Ayato also seemed amused.

-" Since we met, I know you've been having relationships with these guys in your spare time. You've always been a bit of a nymphomaniac, you must admit. And no luck, they're part of a friend of mine's gang. So I asked them to film every.fucking.time. Don't get me wrong, I want to enjoy my girlfriend even when she's with other guys... "Ayato explained with a look of both amusement and indignation.

-.....gggghhh... !! "

There were no words to describe the rage Nanami felt. She had wanted to make Ayato suffer but the effect had just turned against her.

-" Ayato, scumbag!!! "Nanami shouted.

-" I guess I should be shaking? "

-" Son of a bitch... !!!! "

Ayato walked towards the exit of the house. Nanami grabbed a knife that was on a shelf and rushed at Ayato to stab him from behind.

But even though Ayato didn't have her in his sights, he predicted what she was going to do.

He didn't even try to dodge. He simply turned around, and grabbed the knife from her hands. No wounds. No blood. Not even a slash. He just grabbed the knife as if it were a common stick.

This high school student was a real monster.

At that moment, Nanami felt all her strength leave her. She fell to her knees in resignation.

Ayato had a touch of pity.

-" Everything I said was no truth, except for the part about knowing these guys. "He said, with a serious look this time.

-"...Ayato...idiot... "

-" On that note, farewell. "

-" What do you mean? "

-" I never felt the need to be with a girl whether it was you or anyone else. I just wanted to escape the boredom. "Ayato answered frankly before leaving.

As he left, Ayato waved goodbye.

I think that... I lead an empty life. I'm not interested in anything. Love. Girls. Alcohol. Movies. Fighting. School. None of this stimulates me. It's like I exist without existing. It's hollow. I wonder how I can escape this imperishable boredom. I don't even have the will to progress and become stronger than these scum. I have already gone beyond the limits of what a human being can do, by far. I don't even feel feelings like fear or frustration. I'm not a human being at all.

Ayato had nothing else to do. So he decided to go home. It was a little far away. It would take him about 70 minutes to get there. So he would get there at 7pm, give or take. Walking at night didn't scare him, and he had enough stamina. Even though his home was 10 kilometers away from his current location, he would get there without sweating.

As Ayato walked, the lights came on in the houses.

It was already 6:30 pm on his watch.

-" I should hurry. FullMetal Alchemist is on today. I wonder if Ed is going to... "

Ayato did not finish his sentence. He saw a strange shape in the shadows a few feet in front of him.

Aware of his superhuman strength, he didn't show any fear. However, he was surprised. He opened his beastly red eyes in surprise, as if to see more clearly.

-" Hey... Who are you, anyway? "He asked, hoping for an answer.

-" ... "

Unfortunately, he received no answer from the thing in the darkness.

And finally, a shape emerged from the shadows. It was a mysterious shadow creature.

Suddenly, the world vanished. Everything was gone in an instant.

Only an infinite space was left, full of all kinds of lights. Then a voice spoke to Ayato.

This voice came from everywhere, as if it was the universe itself that was speaking to him. But Ayato didn't show any sign of fear. He was simply fascinated.

-" Ayato. You look anxious. "

-" Me, anxious? And who are you, exactly? "

-" Me? I don't have a name. So you can call me whatever you want. "

-" Okay...let's say that. What exactly do you want from me? "

-" I simply answered your call, boy. "

-" My call? "

-" Yes. Are you not aware of it? "

-" No... ? "

-" You have become an uncertain factor. That's why I came. "

-" An uncertain factor? "

-" Yes. It means that the world is not big enough for you anymore. If you stay here, you risk breaking it. "

-" Huh. That sounds like me. So?"

-" I have several options. Delete you or send you to another world, capable of containing you. "

-" ... "

Ayato was suspicious until then. But he found it interesting what this entity had just said.

-" And where are you sending me. "

-" To a world big enough for you. "

-" Heh. "

I never would have guessed something like this would happen.

My only strength was absolute proof that supernatural things existed. But this thing is beyond my imagination.

-" It's not like I have a choice or can defend myself. As strong as I am, I doubt I'll be able to fight space itself or anything. " Ayato admitted with a smile, looking resigned.

-" Well?"

-" Do with me what you want, as long as it's fun. "

-" So be it."

Then a great light enveloped me. It had certainly traversed this entire universe in an instant. Then..