My cold body, and your warm neck

“The world is in ruins, disasters come one after another, eroding every civilization that exists. Yet despite all of that, they are still innocent! They did not wish to be born like this! To prove it… I will―”

*Crackle*

The sharp thunderclap drowned out the continuation of the commercial playing on the store’s TV display.

Raindrops began to fall, slowly soaking the city.

Yet, as if indifferent, a young man in his school uniform walked slowly through the heavy rain.

His footsteps continued, even as his whole body was drenched.

The dazzling lights of the colorful metropolitan city slowly faded and shifted into the view of a residential complex.

Karimura Ayato, a third-year high school student. He stopped briefly when he reached a shabby two-story apartment, glancing at one room where the light was still on.

His expression was unreadable, but an eerie sense could be felt.

Without saying a word of greeting, Ayato entered apartment room number 203.

CRASH!

A plate shattered, thrown at him, stopping him in his tracks.

“You stupid brat, do you even know what time it is!?”

The shrill voice of his drunken mother didn’t stir any reaction. His empty gaze locked on the disorderly old woman.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Turning away, the young man headed for his room.

“Hey! Stupid brat! You bastard!”

The woman suddenly rose and grabbed Ayato as he tried to open his bedroom door.

“Don’t you dare look away from me, you hear!?”

“Sorry…”

“Sorry, sorry, you think one word fixes everything!?”

SLAP!

“Here’s your sorry! You should know, I have to work to feed you and pay for this crappy apartment! And you dare come home this late—what am I supposed to eat if you don’t cook, idiot!?”

“I’ll change clothes first and then cook―”

SLAP!

“Too late, you fool! My work shift is already gone! Damn myself for having such a useless son! Oh right, my makeup is out, give me the money from your part-time job, you have it, right?”

“But this money―”

“Hurry up and hand me the money! Damn, you’re soaked through, what kind of idiot walks around in the rain like this?”

Ayato could only submit as his mother snatched the money he earned. He had deliberately come home late because today was payday.

After she was satisfied with slapping and extorting him, his mother staggered back to the living room to continue drinking.

Ayato’s cold gaze glanced at the gaudily dressed old woman.

It’s fine… even if this month’s salary is gone, at least the weekly pay I hid in my room is still there.

Disgusted by his mother’s behavior, Ayato had made a habit of stashing away weekly wages from multiple part-time jobs. This money was to fund his independence after graduating, of course hidden from her.

Since his bank account was controlled by his mother, he decided to hide the money in envelopes at different places, ensuring that if one was found, others might still remain safe.

But since he frequently changed the hiding spots, he had to be cautious, constantly checking if the money was intact, afraid she would discover his stash.

After entering his room and about to change clothes, Ayato felt a strange unease.

Earlier he noticed his mother having a small party while watching TV. But hadn’t she just said she hadn’t eaten? And wasn’t she usually too broke to buy such expensive food?

Could it be…?

Ayato rushed to check his emergency stashes. Not a single yen remained.

Impossible…

He collapsed weakly, staring at the vanished savings he had collected since his first year of high school.

No… way!

Eyes wide, Ayato stormed toward his mother who was laughing at the TV.

“Mother…”

“Huh? Why are you glaring at me like that?”

“My savings… did you use them?”

“Savings? Oh, you mean the treasure you stashed all around the shabby room? Hahaha, good thing I wasted my time cleaning this damn place today!”

“You can’t be serious…”

“Huh? It’s your fault for hiding mon―”

SLAM!

Her body was flung hard against the table, scattering beer cans and fancy snacks. She clutched at the spot where Ayato had struck her, shocked.

“You―”

“THAT WAS MY HARD-EARNED MONEY! THREE YEARS OF HOPE SAVED UP!”

Ayato’s fists rained down, not only on her face but her shoulders, stomach, chin—everywhere—each blow fueled with all the strength of a teenage boy.

“Spa―”

“I won’t let you beg for mercy. You have no right to say it!”

This wasn’t the first time Ayato felt this rage. Dozens, maybe hundreds of times he had suppressed it. But this time? He didn’t hold back.

Three years of savings vanished for a single night of pleasure by the one he hated most.

That was the final line no one could tolerate. Nothing could stop Ayato now.

His mother clawed at his grip on her throat, thrashing wildly, hoping someone would hear.

But fate was cruel. Storm winds raged, lightning flashing as if nature itself approved of Ayato’s act.

Slowly, her body lost strength. Her face turned blue from lack of oxygen.

His hands clenched tight around her throat, rain still dripping cold onto his body, when Ayato realized one thing amidst the gray darkness before him.

Warmth… is this what they call a mother’s warmth?

In his twisted thoughts, Ayato’s face grew calm, as if this horrific act was a form of relaxation.

And perhaps it was—an escape from the torment that had haunted him since childhood.

The ticking clock echoed, every second stretched unbearably long.

At that final moment, thunder roared again.