New Beginnings

The city of Shinkami shimmered under the early evening sun, its skyline glittering like polished glass. Sleek trains zipped across rails underground, neon signs flickered to life, and the sea wind rustled through a stretch of clustered residential buildings. Into this brand new vibrant city, we see a modest black car—dusty from the long drive, loaded with luggage, and on the road with two people riding inside.

Inside sat Kaizo Nekodaira, age fourteen, slumped in the passenger seat like a deflated balloon. His chin rested in his palm as he gazed out the window, eyeing the foreign city as if it had personally kicked his ass.

He sighed.

Mirei (his mother) (cheerful, trying): "Come on, Kaizo. Look at the city—it’s full of people your age. New faces, new friends, maybe even a chance to make a new life for yourself?"

Kaizo (sarcastically): “Another new life, huh? What would this be, my third reincarnation?”

Mirei gave a light chuckle, though her hands tightened on the steering wheel.

Mirei: “Well, this job is more beneficial for us. And your aunt called in a favor to get you into her school. You’re lucky, you know. Not everyone gets accepted halfway through the year.”

Kaizo (flatly): “Uh-huh.”

He didn’t even glance at her. But he did glance at the overhead mirror—catching a brief, unguarded look of concern on her face. A pause passed between them.

Kaizo (more softly): “Fine, I’ll try but no promises.”

Mirei exhaled, just a little. The tension in her shoulders eased.

The rest of the ride passed in comfortable silence—until Kaizo broke it again. But this time, not for her.

Kaizo (to the audience): “Hey, how are you guys doing? Yeah, I know, I know, you're probably asking how or why I'm talking to you.”

He tilted his head just enough to flash a smirk out the window.

Kaizo: “Yeah. I wonder that too. Maybe I’m just crazy. Or maybe… I’m just the only one self-aware enough to realize how weird my life’s about to get. And you guys get to witness this all well. Let's continue this chapter, shall we? Btw, no one ever remember what I said before to change my author's dialogue...”

When they arrived, he began to realize that their new home wasn’t that bad. In fact, it was bigger than Kaizo expected—it had an upstairs and downstairs, a quiet street, and a small yard that looked like it hadn’t been touched since the previous owner left.

Mirei (teasing as they walk in): “See? Told you it wasn’t some cardboard box. What do you think?”

Kaizo (grinning): “Alright, alright. You win. Just this once.”

The mood brighted as they explored the house. A silence settled when they entered Kaizo’s room—spacious, clean, a fresh canvas. Mirei leaned against the doorframe.

Mirei: "...Are you sure you don’t want a pet? I still think it would help with… you know…"

Kaizo paused. Then gave a small shake of the head, the same one he’d given her last time.

Kaizo: “Still a no, Mom.”

She sighed but didn’t press it.

Mirei (stretching, yawning): “Alright. It’s late anyway. Let’s rest. Tomorrow’s a big day.”

The next morning arrived faster than Kaizo would've liked. He walked to school on foot, adjusting his uniform sleeves and fidgeting with a breakfast bar he didn't plan on eating. He wasn't looking his best, and in high school, that’s basically an open invitation to trouble.

Bully (random upperclassman): “Watch your step, buddy.”

Kaizo didn't even have time to respond before his foot slid out, catching his ankle and sending him stumbling face-first into the hallway floor.

There were some laughter and snickers from some people passing by. A few girls winced and kept walking. Ah, a classic form of bullying.

Kaizo groaned, lifting himself up slowly. Then, as the crowd moved on, he turned his head… and looked directly at us.

Kaizo (deadpan): "...Really, man? We still bullying in this day and age? Some kids really need to grow the fuck up."

He dusted himself off, sighing again, louder this time.

Kaizo: "Honestly, you guys aren’t here to watch me get humiliated in front of hormonal teenagers, right? Nobody wants to read a story, manga or watch an anime about me going to school, right?"

He walked toward the classroom door, shoulders slouched.

Kaizo: “So I’m doing you a favor. We’re skipping ahead.”

A Montage Begins Where:

Kaizo fell asleep during math class, head tilted back like a deflated balloon.

Kaizo grabbed a cafeteria tray, took one look at the food, dumped it in the garbage, then drank four bottles of water in a row.

“Lunch,” he muttered.

Kaizo dozed off again, this time in history. The teacher calls on him. Without lifting his head, he mutters the correct answer, stunning the class.

By the time the last bell rang, Kaizo was already halfway down the road. His principal—and aunt—wasn’t in today due to some citywide meeting, and his mom wouldn’t be home for hours. So, he walked around, deciding to explore the new place he would have to call home.

The city felt bigger when you had nowhere to be. And as Kaizo passed the train station, a flashing billboard, and some random folks walking by the street, he muttered to himself.

Kaizo (to us again): "...Y’know what’s funny? This was supposed to be a fresh start. New school. New city. New chapter."

He stopped walking, looking up at the sky.

Kaizo: “But I’ve got a weird feeling this ain’t just a new chapter… It’s a whole new patch of bulls-”