Black and White

How would you react if you see a girl in a black dress standing in the rain a few meters away from you? The street completely silent, no other living being besides the girl standing there and you sheltering from the rain at a bus stop. A mirage? A hallucination? Ayumu didn't know how to explain that and to make it worse, he had the strange feeling that he had been in this same situation before.

The girl appeared out of nowhere and she was staring at him, something that had happened before, but the girl would always disappear in an instant. But not this time.

Ayumu watched that strange scene for some time and when he realized that the girl was still there, he decided to go to her.

The rain was still falling hard, no cars were passing on the street and the girl was still staring at Ayumu. A few steps later, he finally stood right in front of her.

"You'll catch a cold if you stay here."

“...”

The girl opened her mouth to talk, but no sound came out.

“Do you happen to know me?”

“...”

It sounded like she was trying to speak, but nothing came out.

“Or has something happened and you need help?”

"I…"

For the first time, Ayumu heard the sound of that girl's voice.

"Huh? What's it?"

“I… can finally talk with you!”

The girl spoke extremely excited, as if something spectacular had happened and Ayumu didn't understand the reason for that reaction.

“And is there something special about that?”

"Yes! I…!"

Before the conversation could continue, a being completely strange to this world appeared right behind the girl. That being raised its enormous claw and Ayumu immediately hugged the girl, placing himself between her and the demon.

A second later, the claw pierced them both, bringing the chill of death with it.

In his second year of high school, Ayumu yearned for change and he was working hard for it. However, sometimes changes come when you least expect them and without you having to do anything.

It was the third day of class, Ayumu had the mission to choose a club to join, but before the teacher started the class, he made an announcement.

“I know we are just starting this school year, but we have a new transfer student.”

The whole classroom was surprised and some students even started talking.

“Please come in and introduce yourself.”

The door opened, a girl entered the room and Ayumu was completely mesmerized with what he saw. Her hair was very long and white like the purest snow, a light and perfect skin, red eyes, medium-sized breasts and she was probably barely above Ayumu's shoulders in height. It was like a divine being had come to that school.

“My name is Akemi Endo, but forget the formalities and call me Akemi. I'll call you all by your first names too.”

Everyone in the classroom was silent as they gazed at that girl.

“Endo… I mean, Akemi, you can sit in that empty chair.”

Obeying the teacher, Akemi went to the chair that was just to the left of Ayumu. Ayumu who kept looking at the girl as if he was hypnotized.

After Akemi sat down, she turned to Ayumu and smiled. Ayumu’s face got red and he looked away.

Did she smile to me? And will she sit next to me? Is this…? No, thinking about these things is a waste of time. I don't stand a chance with a girl like her.

It seems that for the first time Ayumu became really interested in someone of the opposite sex.

"So, let's start today’s class."

The professor said that and a new school day begun.

When the bell rang annoucing the lunch break, Ayumu was getting up when Akemi talked with him.

“Your name is Ayumu, right? Ayumu, could you show me where the cafeteria is?”

She knows my name? Ah, she must have heard it when Ryou called me earlier.

“Sure! I have to buy something to eat too.”

"Oh, so let's have lunch together!"

“Huh? Oh ok, let's do that.”

Surprised, Ayumu looked at Ryou who should’ve be one of his lunch companions, but he just smiled and gave a thumbs up as if wishing him good luck.

Well, at least I'll try to be her friend.

The two went to the cafeteria and after waiting in line for a while, they bought something and went to eat in the schoolyard.

“Thank you so much for accompanying me. I still don't know the school well.”

“Oh, it was nothing. If you need anything else, just ask.”

And their conversation ended there.

This is not good! I need to say something!

If Ayumu wanted another friend, he would need to be more proactive.

“Akemi, why did you change schools today?”

Silence.

Maybe I shouldn’t have asked this.

"Ah... It's just that my father was suddenly transferred to another office for his job and we were forced to move to another city."

“Oh… So you don't know anything about this city?”

"Not a lot. I only walked around the neighborhood and looked a map to memorize the way to school. We just moved in, so even the house is still a mess.”

"If that's the case, if you need help with anything else, you can ask me."

Hearing this, Akemi giggled.

"What's it? Did I say something strange?”

Ayumu didn't understand the reason for that reaction.

“You are kind, aren't you?”

Ayumu couldn't answer that question and his face turned all red.

“Oh! You’re embarrassed!”

Akemi laughed a little again after saying that.

Seeing her laughing like that… She's really pretty.

The two continued talking until just before the end of the lunch break, when Akemi went alone to take care of a personal matter before returning to the classroom. With that, Ayumu returned first and upon entering the classroom he was intercepted by Ryou and Takashi.

“Ayumu, how was it?”

“Give us all the details!”

"What are you talking about? We only had lunch together!”

“My friend, she looked at you when she arrived this morning and then asked you for help! This is your chance!"

Ryou said that with sincerity.

"Do you really think that? She seems to be completely out of my league.”

Takashi placed his right hand on Ayumu's right shoulder and look at him.

“You can trust us. Don’t miss this opportunity!"

"That's right! Talk a lot with her and maybe something good will happen!”

Having closed himself off for so long, getting any advice would be good for Ayumu. And after class ended, Ayumu was so lost in thought with everything that happened that day, he completely forgot about the school clubs and left the school. However when he had barely crossed the school’s gate, a girl called him.

“Ayumu!”

“Huh? Akemi, what happened?”

He turned around and saw the girl who soon approached him asking a question.

"Do you live around here?"

"No, I need to catch the train."

"Really? So can we go to the train station together?”

"Sure we can."

"I’m so happy! I won’t have to walk alone!”

We are together again! And once again she came to me! Calm down, Ayumu! You need to take it easy! Do not rush!

The two walked together and soon they were at the station.

“Oh! So we take the same train!”

Akemi seemed happy to find this out.

"But it's a pity your stop is before mine."

"Unfortunately, we can't do anything about that."

Ayumu said while getting on the train along with Akemi.

The two talked for about ten minutes and then they had to say goodbye.

With a big smile on his face, Ayumu returned home.

The next day, after entering on the train, Ayumu was spotted by Akemi who soon went to him.

“Good morning, Ayumu!”

“Oh, Akemi! Good Morning!"

“How lucky we got on the same train! If we don’t change our timing, we can continue to meet like this!”

"That’s true…"

She keeps saying things like this with great joy! Is she just being friendly or is there really something more to it? I always get embarrassed and I don't know what to say!

The two headed to school together and during their lunch break…

“Akemi, are you going to buy something to eat again?”

Ayumu asked as she got up from her chair.

“Oh, I only bought something yesterday because I didn’t have time to make my lunch, but today I made it!”

Akemi showed a box she took from her bag.

"Really? So I see you later.”

"Wait! I made for you too!”

The classroom went silent. Students who were about to leave stopped midway, all activities ceased and everyone turned their eyes to Ayumu. And after a few seconds, everyone screamed together.

“What!?”

Completely lost, Ayumu looked at Ryou who gave a thumbs up while smiling. Then he looked at Takashi who looked like a father crying with pride for his son. And then he returned his eyes to Akemi who spoke once more.

"Let's have lunch together!"

The two headed to the schoolyard.

“Wow! Your food is really delicious, Akemi!”

“Glad you liked it! I’ll make lunch for you every day!”

"Huh!? You don’t have to do that!"

“Don't worry, I like to cook!”

"But…"

“It won’t be a problem for me!”

“If you insist, fine. But never feel obligated to make my lunch.”

"Right!"

She replied with a big smile.

Why did that girl get so close to Ayumu? He didn't know the answer, but the two became great friends. Ayumu even stopped thinking about joining a club, because he could walk back home with that girl every day. Akemi also soon became friends with Ryou and Takashi, and Ayumu's life changed.

Happiness. This simple word that he pursued so much was now present in his life. If everything could continue like this forever… But something was acting to stop it.

It was the last day of spring. Under a blue sky, Ayumu and Akemi were heading to the train station to return home. And then, Akemi suddenly stopped walking.

“Huh? What happened?"

Ayumu stopped too and asked that as he turned to her.

“Hey, Ayumu. There's something I wanted to tell you.”

"Something? What would it be?"

"That’s…"

It looked like Akemi was having a hard time putting what she wanted to say into words.

Wait, this situation…! No, it can't be that! Calm down, Ayumu!

Ayumu's imagination was running wild and he didn't even notice that the city was strangely empty.

"The truth is…"

Akemi seemed to be shaking and Ayumu's heart raced.

“What I mean is this...”

Ayumu's eyes widened as he saw something, something that looked like it came straight out of a nightmare. Behind Akemi, a demonic being appeared just a few steps away. With its body as dark as the night, the contrast with the sunny world was great.

Ayumu's body moved automatically, as if by reflex, quickly moving forward and landing a punch in the face of that being who took a few steps back with the impact.

“Ayumu!?”

Akemi asked not understanding what was happening, but when she turned around she put her hands over her mouth to not scream.

“Get away from here, Akemi!”

"But and you!?"

"I'll just buy you some time and then I'll run away too!"

“There’s no way you can do that!”

There was no more time to talk, the demon had already recovered and was ready to attack again. And realizing this, Ayumu moved forward to attack again with a punch.

“Ayumu, you have to run away too!”

He didn't listen to her and continued to attack. A right punch, a left punch, a kick. Ayumu's movements weren’t the ones of an amateur, it was like he had spent years of his life training in martial arts, something that never happened.

Ayumu was extremely focused on his attacks. Fluid and fast attacks. Attacks that would surely easily take down an opponent. A human opponent. But that thing was different, that thing was easily dodging all of his attacks.

I can't hit it! What in hell is this monster!?

The sequence of attacks continued until the demon finally counterattacked with a kick so fast that Ayumu could do nothing but take the full impact on his chest.

“Argh!”

A scream of pain and a sound like a "crack" indicating that some of his ribs were broken with the impact that threw him to the middle of the street.

“Ayumu!”

There was no one on the street for some reason, so Ayumu wouldn't get hit by a car. Lying down, he tried to breathe while feeling an excruciating pain. There was blood in one corner of his mouth.

Seeing that its opponent had been defeated, the demon turned to its target.

“Akemi! Run!”

Saying that made Ayumu feel a pain he had never felt before and tears escaped from his eyes.

Akemi didn't move, she was paralyzed and the demon was approaching her, ready to cut her with the gigantic claw it had in place of its right hand.

What is the meaning of this? When it finally looks like I'm going to have a better year at school, when finally some change has happened, when I've finally got real friends, I reach an irrational end like this one!?

Ayumu could only lie there, watching his friend being taken away from him. In just a few moments, it would all be over.

And I couldn't even protect Akemi! Someone who is now always by my side! How could I accept such a ridiculous end!?

The demon was already right in front of the girl who would soon disappear from this world. It raised its claw…

If a demon can exist in this world, then I should be able to awaken some type of power now! That's right! Power! Just like the ones in animes! If I had some power…!

A strong desire, the mechanism that can pave the way for a miracle. The rules of this world have already been broken anyway, so twisting reality a little more wouldn't hurt. And as if responding to God's will, a glow appeared inside Ayumu's chest. He couldn't see it, but he felt its effects. His internal wounds started to heal, the bones started to regenerate, and then…

Ayumu got up.

It all happened in a split second. With the claw still in the air, the demon noticed something appearing right beside it.

There was no time to dodge, the punch with superhuman strength hit the demon's face and it flew away, crashing into a wall that fell to the ground.

“Ayumu, are you okay!?”

There was no answer, it was like Ayumu was possessed by something. Paying no attention to the girl he had just saved, he prepared for the next attack.

The demon quickly got up, gave a scream of rage and jumped towards Ayumu, trying to cut him with its claw, but he dodged it and the demon ended up in the middle of the street. When the demon turned around to face him one more time, the boy had desappeared. Suddenly, its head was hit from above by a punch so strong it ended up inside the asphalt.

A scream of pain cut through the air.

The demon tried to get up again only to get kicked in the face and thrown against a pole that nearly snapped in half.

Completely focused on his enemy, Ayumu didn't give it time to recover and threw an absurd sequence of punches.

When the attack finally stopped, the demon fell to the ground like a puppet that had its strings severed. Ayumu had won.

With his enemy defeated, as if he had just remembered to breathe, Ayumu began to pant heavily.

“Ayumu! Are you okay!?"

Concerned, Akemi went to him.

"I think... I am fine…"

The two looked at the demon on the floor that seemed to be turning into dust and disappearing.

“What… was this… thing...?”

Ayumu fainted, but before he could fall to the ground, Akemi caught him.

“Ayumu? Stay with me! Ayumu!”