The morning started like any other. Katsu rolled out of bed, stretched his arms with a yawn, then shuffled to the kitchen to whip up his favorite breakfast. While eating, he turned on the TV.
"We report that the serial robber Takumi Sato is still at large, responsible for multiple store robberies and fatal accidents over the past month. Police urge citizens to stay alert when walking home at night. We'll have more updates soon. Back to you, Akio."
"Jeez," Katsu muttered through a mouthful of toast. "A whole month? I couldn't even keep a streak like that for a week."
His alarm buzzed. Groaning, Katsu grabbed his backpack, umbrella, and paused briefly at the small shrine by the door. He pressed his hands together.
"Alright... let's make today not terrible," he whispered before biking off.
By the time he reached school, panic set in — five minutes until homeroom.
"OH SH*T, I'M GONNA BE LATE!!!"
He skidded to a stop, chained his bike, and bolted up the stairs. Just as he touched the door—
RING RING!!!
He collapsed into his seat, panting. His teacher, Mr. Hiroshi, walked in, scanning the room with hawk eyes. Katsu tried to look anywhere else.
"Mr. Fukuhara," Hiroshi said, voice cold. "My desk. Now."
The class went quiet, stifled giggles echoing as Katsu dragged himself forward.
"What's your excuse this time?"
"It's not like before," Katsu said quickly. "I actually made it in time! I just—ran, since I had only a few minutes."
"Right," Hiroshi replied dryly. "Like the time you 'almost' didn't make it because—"
"I KNOW, I KNOW! Can we not bring that up again!?"
"Then don't make me have to," Hiroshi snapped. "If you can't come early like everyone else, maybe don't come at all."
Katsu clenched his fists but sighed. "Fine... I'll come early next time."He mumbled something under his breath, trudged back to his seat, and slumped down.
🌟 It was the same routine — get scolded, promise to improve, forget by tomorrow. A cycle Katsu had grown used to. Maybe too used to.
The day passed in a blur. When the final bell rang, Katsu biked home, dropped his bag, and collapsed onto the couch. His phone buzzed — a message from his parents, vacationing across the country.
"We're having an amazing time! Can't wait to see you soon!"
He smiled faintly and texted back: "That would be nice. See you soon."
Hungry, he wandered to the kitchen. Empty fridge. Empty pantry.
"...Perfect."
Grabbing his jacket, he set out for the nearby convenience store.
The bell jingled as he entered.
DING-A-LING!
He grabbed a basket and started down the aisles.
Then, the door chimed again.
A large man in a bulky coat walked in. His steps were heavy. His breathing, uneven. And then—he reached into his coat.
"GIVE ME ALL THE MONEY AND NO ONE GETS HURT!"
The cashier screamed.
Katsu froze behind the shelves. His pulse quickened. It's him. The guy from the news.
He looked toward the emergency exit — a clean escape. His hand gripped the handle... then stopped.
🌟 He couldn't just leave. Not when someone was about to get hurt.
He swallowed hard. "C'mon, Katsu... think."
He searched for something — anything — to use as a weapon. A broom. A can. A—nope, just snacks.
Sneaking closer, heart pounding, he raised his hand... and karate chopped the robber's neck.
...Nothing.
The man blinked. The cashier blinked. Katsu froze.
What did I expect? This isn't an action movie!
The robber turned, furious. Katsu lunged, grabbing the gun — they struggled, yelling, shoving.
"You've got no chance, kid! Let go!"
"I can't! If something happens to her— I— I WON'T BE ABLE TO LIVE WITH MYSELF!!"
Their hands slipped —
BANG!
Silence.
The smell of gunpowder. The sound of a scream.
Blood. On the walls. On Katsu. On everything.
He stared at the body.
"I... I killed him," Katsu whispered, voice trembling.
Then, panic. He ran. People shouted. Sirens wailed in the distance.
"It was an accident!""I didn't mean to!""I'm not a killer!"
Tears blurred his vision. He stumbled into the street—
HOOOOOONK!!!
A truck blared.
Time slowed.
"Am I... going to die?"
His thoughts spiraled. I wasn't perfect... not even decent. Always lying, always running. And now... I'll be remembered as a murderer.
He exhaled softly. "But at least she's safe."
A faint smile.
"You're welcome."
Light. Warmth.
Katsu's eyes opened to a field of flowers, stretching endlessly under a bright blue sky.
Birdsong. A gentle breeze.
He sat up, confusion washing over him.
"W-where am I?"
🌟 And for the first time in his life... no one had the answer.
FUN FACT:
Katsu's name means "Victory", the name Katsu is strongly associated with heroism and masculinity, and Fukuhara means "Field of Fortune", "Field of Blessings", or "Lucky Field" (Very Ironic).