Wrapping papers were scattered all around the Christmas tree.
In the middle of it all, Touhito was visible, holding his new toy tightly in his little hands.
**Touhito:**
"Moooommm! I told you not to get me a toy that has a weapon!"
His mom, who was reading a book, replied in a careless tone.
**Mom:**
"Whatever. What's the difference? Just keep playing."
---
**Neglect… it can be worse than death for someone. Like poison, it seeps inside and destroys them from within… So, what do you think?**
---
**Speaker:**
"Car No. 3 is now moving."
The wagon doors started opening with a creak.
Haru slowly entered the crowded wagon, barely managing to squeeze himself in.
**Haru:**
"This damn wagon, and then there's Touhito... that idiot seriously believes in some imaginary smoke. What the hell is his problem?"
He gently placed his hand on his face.
**Haru:**
"Shit... that punch still hurts..."
The wagon stopped and the doors slowly opened.
**Speaker:**
"Fizuko City Station. All passengers for Fizuko, please get off."
Haru angrily headed toward the exit, cursing under his breath.
He climbed up the yellow subway stairs, stomping his feet loudly.
He paused for a second, and his voice cracked.
**Haru:**
"My best friend's losing his mind and I can't do a damn thing about it... Why am I so useless…? Guess Dad was right..."
---
**Humiliation... beating... yelling... Those sounds filled the entire house.**
**???**
"I can't believe trash like you was born into this family."
A man in a formal suit was kicking a kid who looked about 9 or 10.
The kid was crying silently, curled up like a ball.
The man spoke with a cold, harsh tone.
**Man:**
"Haru, I can't believe someone this useless came from our family. You should've been born dead. Just die already."
---
Haru's heavy steps blended into the noisy city.
The streets were packed with food stalls, and the noise was so loud it made his ears ache.
Tall buildings surrounded the whole city, like they were trying to trap someone inside.
**Vendor:**
"That'll be 700 yen."
Haru gave him the money and took the food.
Even through the container, the grease was obvious.
**Haru:**
"Touhito's probably starving... I better head back."
The sky was slowly getting darker. Night was getting closer.
Haru walked home, a little less angry.
**Haru:**
"Hope Touhito's feeling better. That idiot always pushes himself too hard..."
His thoughts were cut off by a woman's terrified scream.
**Woman:**
"No, please no! That's my whole month's salary!"
It seemed like a robbery was happening in a quiet alley.
A rough man's voice—probably the thief's—shouted.
**Thief:**
"Shut up! Keep screaming and I'll make sure you never breathe again!"
The woman's screaming stopped, and soft footsteps echoed in the background.
**Haru:**
"So? Somebody was saying some crap about murder and breathing? Or maybe I just misheard?"
The thief saw Haru and quickly reached into his pocket, pulling out a black gun.
**Thief:**
"Don't move! One more step and I'll shoot you and this lady too!"
Suddenly, a voice spoke right next to his ear—from behind him.
(Haru appeared behind the thief.)
**Haru:**
"And how exactly are you gonna do that?"
The thief turned around in horror and started shooting like crazy.
**Thief:**
"I-I got him? Did I get him!?"
Haru's body lay motionless on the stone pavement.
The thief, shocked, whispered:
**Thief:**
"I actually... killed him..."
The woman, crying and almost throwing up, stared at Haru's dead body.
**Woman:**
"No, no... he's dead..."
Suddenly, the thief felt an insane pressure on his head—like someone had dropped 900 kilos on it.
His brain exploded without a sound.
Blood splashed all over the walls and ground, like someone threw a bucket of red paint.
**Haru:**
"Or maybe it was just a little illusion that made you *think* I was dead.
Ugh... my food got ruined because of the damn bullets"