1: The Last Walk Home
EXT. CITY STREET – AFTERNOON – DAYLIGHT
The golden sun casts long shadows as SCHOOL KIDS flood out of a local high school. Among them walks a slim, nerdy 16-YEAR-OLD BOY, dressed in a slightly wrinkled school uniform, backpack slung lazily over one shoulder.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
This is YUKI. Sixteen. A proud otaku of the current generation. Comics, anime, games — that's his whole world.
YUKI strolls down the sidewalk, earbuds in, eyes dreamy.
YUKI (V.O.)
(Tired but excited)
Let's see… I finished Civil War last week. Maybe today I'll start House of M? Or should I reread Infinity Gauntlet?
He smiles faintly, clearly lost in thoughts of colorful panels and superhero showdowns. Around him, traffic buzzes, people pass by, but his mind is far away.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
He has a good life. A loving family. An annoying but caring big brother. School? Meh. But home? Home is where the comics are.
He approaches a CROSSWALK near a small intersection. The light is green for vehicles. Without warning, a SMALL GIRL, no older than 6, darts into the road chasing a rolling ball.
YUKI (V.O.)
Huh? What's she—?
Time slows. YUKI's eyes widen in horror as he sees a TRUCK racing down the road — not slowing down.
YUKI
HEY—! STOP!!
Without thinking, YUKI throws his backpack off and sprints toward the girl. Horns blare. The truck driver yells. People scream.
He reaches the girl, grabs her tightly—
SMASH!
Metal crushes. Tires screech. Everything goes white.
FADE TO WHITE.
NARRATOR (V.O.)
And just like that… the story of an ordinary otaku ended.
...Or maybe, it just began