When Hitori Gotoh opened her eyes, everything in front of her was red.
There were even things drifting in the air, like clouds.
She didn't know where she was, but one thing was for sure.
This definitely wasn't her house, and it definitely wasn't the comfort of her favorite cabinet.
"Wait, don't tell me… I've been kidnapped?"
"B-but I don't have any talents except guitar. I'm not cute, and I can't even talk to strangers properly…"
"What would anyone even want with someone like me?"
Muttering in a near-resigned tone, Hitori finally realized something.
There was no one else around.
So… probably not a kidnapping.
She slowly got to her feet.
The sky above was red, the ground covered in scraggly weeds, and the whole place didn't even feel like Earth.
"Is this… like one of those anime or light novel things? Did I get isekai'd?"
"Why now, of all times…"
If that really were the case, Hitori would feel a pang of regret.
She'd always been a quiet kid, and by the time she grew up, that turned into full-blown social anxiety. From preschool to high school, she'd never made a single friend.
Then she discovered rock music. And guitar.
Just yesterday, she had finally mustered up the courage to carry her guitar to school. A senpai noticed and talked to her. Before she knew it, she'd been invited to fill in for a band.
It was her first real step toward overcoming her anxiety.
Her first time making friends.
Even her first nickname.
Bocchi-chan.
And now? Now she'd switched worlds before she even had a chance to live in this one.
Hitori let out a long sigh.
Then, almost instinctively, she wrapped her arms around herself and started trembling.
The unfamiliar landscape, the eerie colors… she was finally starting to feel afraid.
In the distance, beyond the red skies, was a river that looked like it was made of blood.
There was only one word that could describe the scene around her:
A sketch straight out of hell.
"What do I even do now…"
No friends. No family. No one around at all.
I'm going to die here, aren't I?
Will anyone even notice I'm gone?
The dream I had to shine on stage, even if I was gloomy and awkward off it… was that just a dream after all?
Maybe my whole existence is like a microbe clinging to someone else's life ignored, unnoticed, whether I live or die... it doesn't matter.
Her thoughts spiraled deep into despair.
She'd always been like this.
And now, stuck in what seemed like a literal hell, she couldn't even summon the will to survive.
"Woof! Woof!"
Two small barks snapped her out of her thoughts.
Startled, Hitori looked toward the sound and spotted a strange little creature in the distance.
It was short and round, like a stubby little dog… only completely red.
And the most eye-catching thing was its head.
There was a long chainsaw blade sticking straight out of it.
"Woof woof!"
The chainsaw dog barked twice again, then turned and ran off.
Hitori's eyes widened.
As the dog scampered further away, something in her stirred. She shouted without thinking.
"Wait!"
Maybe it was survival instinct.
Maybe it was just impulse.
But at that moment, she stopped waiting around for death.
She ran.
That little dog was the only thing the only thing she could cling to in this hellscape.
She had no idea how far she ran.
Hitori had never been athletic. She preferred staying home, hiding in dark corners.
But somehow, just chasing after that little creature, she found herself deep in tall grass.
Compared to the lifeless wasteland before, this patch of green actually felt… kind of alive.
But.
The dog was gone.
The red, round creature with a chainsaw sticking out of its head had vanished.
"Where did you go…"
Now aimless again, Hitori stood frozen.
Thinking back… I really just ran off without thinking. Where even am I?
But since I'm here, I can't exactly go back now.
Guess I'll keep walking and see what I find.
She trudged forward, brushing through the grass.
After what felt like another stretch of wandering, a building finally appeared in sight.
A small wooden cabin.
Is someone… living here?
Maybe I can ask them where this place is…
But can I really talk to a stranger?
Come on, Hitori Gotoh, pull yourself together. This isn't the time to panic about that!
Taking a few shaky breaths, she reached for the door.
Just as she was about to knock
Creak.
The door swung open on its own.
Hitori froze.
Standing in the doorway was a tall, broad figure in black.
He was at least twice her size, and though his face was hidden in shadows, his back bristled with some kind of heavy gear.
They looked like… metal rods?
With a voice so deep it echoed like a low drum, he spoke.
"Welcome."
"I...I, um…"
Hitori couldn't form a coherent sentence.
The man said again, "Come in."
Then turned and walked further into the cabin.
"S-sorry for intruding…" she whispered, stepping in hesitantly.
The soft sound of water echoed inside.
She looked and saw the man standing beside a well, scooping up water in a ladle.
"You must be thirsty," he said. "Drink."
"O-oh… thank you."
She was, actually. After all that running, her throat was dry.
The ladle of water was crystal clear not at all like the blood-red river she saw outside.
She took a cautious sip, then, realizing it was just clean water, drank it all.
The man didn't look away. He simply stood there, watching.
"S-sorry…" Hitori spoke again, almost inaudibly. "I… I think I'm lost."
"I see," he replied with a nod.
"I… I haven't introduced myself. I'm Hitori Gotoh. Or… uh, you can call me Bocchi-chan, I guess…"
"I know. You're Bocchi."
"You do? Then… who are you?"
"I'm the Gun Devil."
"Uh… wait. What? Gun? Devil?"
In that moment, Hitori realized.
The rods on his back weren't rods.
They were guns. Dozens of them, embedded in his body.
"Nice to meet you, Bocchi. I'd like to ask you for a favor."
The Gun Devil raised his arm.
At some point, his forearm had transformed into a pistol, its barrel aimed straight at her forehead.
"I want you to die," he said.
Hitori's mind went completely blank.
This feeling wasn't fear.
It was something beyond fear. Something so far removed from anything she'd ever understood that her brain just… shut down.
Until she heard that familiar voice.
"Woof woof!"