That orphanage—the place where Kyle spent his childhood—was one he had never actually seen.
Seventeen-year-old Kyle sat alone beneath the rain on one of the orphanage's benches, lost in memories of his past. That cursed scarf, tightly wrapped around his face, covering his eyes and forehead—it wasn't merely a piece of cloth. It concealed what remained of his true self, the part he'd always desperately wanted to keep hidden from everyone. All Kyle could recall were those children who'd constantly mocked him for being blind—those children who'd aimed to break him. And perhaps… they'd succeeded.
Kyle lifted his head and smiled, speaking softly to himself:
"Why do I still smile, even though nothing has ever happened to make me happy? I can't even change this…"
His thoughts were interrupted by a voice—the caretaker from the orphanage calling out to him. Before Kyle could react, the man reached him, gripped his shoulder firmly, and gently guided him inside to keep him from falling ill.
Kyle retreated once more into his thoughts:
"I don't think he did that because he cares about me. Even his intention wasn't truly to help me. I'm certain he only did it because it's his job."
"That's how all humans are. They won't lift a finger unless it benefits them. In the end, everyone runs after their own goal… but I have none."
At that very moment, Kyle collapsed, unconscious. People quickly gathered around him and rushed him to the hospital.
After a long examination, the doctor's expression offered no hope. Finally, he spoke, turning to one of the orphanage workers:
"He's not dead. He's in a coma."
The worker asked anxiously, "Will he wake up soon?"
The doctor replied gravely, "I can't guarantee that. The number of people falling into comas like this has been rising. Some have been unconscious for twelve years and still haven't awakened. Others… died before ever regaining consciousness."
Meanwhile, Kyle found himself standing in a long, white corridor flanked on both sides by utter darkness. His body moved involuntarily—or rather, it truly was moving on its own. Kyle walked down this corridor, unaware of his destination. He heard the sounds of other people moving beside him, their fear palpable. Behind him walked a red-haired boy named Subaru, visibly anxious—sweat dripping down his face, his breath ragged with tension.
Suddenly, Subaru's body accelerated until he stood beside Kyle. With great effort, he turned his head and was stunned to see Kyle's ever-present smile.
"What… why are you smiling?"
Both halted before a crossroads—four paths stretched ahead. Subaru hesitated, then chose one and stepped forward. Instantly, his body returned to normal. He turned back—only to be struck by utter horror.
Kyle's body was walking straight into the darkness.
"Hey! You—!" Subaru shouted, sprinting back, but an invisible barrier blocked his path. He screamed desperately, "Wait! Stop! STOP!"
Hope drained from him as he watched, eyes wide with disbelief. Kyle slowly vanished into the shadows until he disappeared completely. Subaru's body froze, trembling uncontrollably. Instinctively, he turned once more—and saw a brilliant light at the far end of the corridor. Resolved, he stepped into it.
He emerged into a vast garden. A gentle breeze stirred his clothes and hair. The air was pure, crisp—as if he'd stumbled into a "lost paradise."
Elsewhere, Kyle also found himself lying on the ground in this strange new world. But unlike before, he wasn't just hearing—he was feeling, sensing, even seeing. Strange energies swirled around him, shifting shapes constantly. For the first time, he moved freely, without needing anyone's help. A strange energy pulsed through him, filling him with joy—until a sudden wave of anxiety gripped him. He didn't understand why.
He lifted his head toward a nearby village—one he hadn't sensed before, despite its closeness.
Inside that village stood a grotesque creature, stepping over corpses and pools of blood—victims it had slaughtered. In its hand was a bizarre weapon: a white scythe shaped like a paintbrush. Everything about it seemed ordinary—except its face, which resembled a monster driven only by the desire to kill.
Kyle walked toward it, unaware of what awaited him. When he finally came within sight, he was astonished by the creature's energy—unlike anything else he'd encountered. This energy was stronger… and far more terrifying.
The creature turned its monstrous gaze toward Kyle—then let out an ear-splitting scream and lunged, raising its scythe high for a deadly strike.
Kyle sensed the danger and barely dodged the blow, terror flooding through him. Before he could process what had happened, another figure intervened—a short, white-haired boy wielding a katana, radiating immense power. He stood firmly between Kyle and the monster, hand on his sword, ready to strike.
Kyle felt this newcomer's energy—and his fear deepened.
The monster charged again, but with effortless precision, the white-haired boy severed its arm. He then aimed for its neck, but the creature dodged—though not entirely. The blade sliced cleanly through its mouth. Kyle watched, stunned, as the monster's energy visibly weakened.
Confused and paralyzed, Kyle couldn't decide whether to flee or stay. The creature, realizing it was doomed, turned and fled at full speed.
The white-haired boy didn't pursue it. Instead, he turned to Kyle and said calmly,
"My name is Yami."
Still shaken, Kyle replied, "I'm Kyle."
Yami reassured him, "Don't worry. The danger's gone."
Kyle fell silent, listening.
Yami asked, "When did you arrive here?"
"Just a few hours ago," Kyle answered.
Yami's expression grew serious. "You should come with me. This place is hell."
Kyle sighed, surprised. "That's the last thing I wanted to hear… I thought I'd finally get a break from trouble."
Yami chuckled softly to himself. "I wonder… what brought you here?"
The two began walking together toward Yami's home, chatting and laughing about various things—until Yami suddenly asked,
"Why do you wear that thing over your eyes? Doesn't it bother you?"
Those few words were enough to erase Kyle's smile instantly. Yami immediately realized his mistake.
"Never mind what I said."
Kyle paused for a moment… then smiled again and continued walking.
After some time, they finally reached the house. Yami opened the door to find his guardian sharpening an axe. Yami entered casually—but the moment Kyle stepped inside and stood in the doorway, the guardian sprang to his feet, pressing the axe against Kyle's throat. Fear consumed him as he stared at Yami in horror.
"Yami, have you lost your mind?! You know exactly who this person is!"
Yami lowered his eyes to the floor, silently confirming it.
The guardian shouted, "Do you want us all to die?!"
Yami shot back angrily, "What's so wrong with that? In the end, you're just like him!"
The guardian roared, "Do you really think this boy can defend himself?! He'll bring nothing but ruin upon us!"
Yami's voice hardened with resolve. "I'll take full responsibility for him—even if it costs me my life. Will you accept that?"
The guardian's anger faded into grim resignation. "I won't refuse… but remember—your life isn't a game you can throw away for just anyone. If you're going to sacrifice yourself, do it for someone who truly deserves it."
He lowered the axe—and placed his hand on Kyle's stomach.
Instantly, Kyle was overcome by a chilling sensation. He began vomiting blood, screaming in agony, collapsing to his knees. His face started to distort—as if a hidden monster had finally been unmasked. To the guardian's shock, only Kyle's lower jaw had transformed; the upper part of his head remained unchanged. He assumed the scarf covering Kyle's eyes was the reason.
He reached out to remove it—but Kyle seized his wrist, gripping it tightly. Then, with unnatural force, Kyle drove his finger into the guardian's body. The man's once-solid flesh turned fluid, like water. He felt Kyle's blood pumping violently into him, freezing his entire being.
Suddenly, his consciousness was ripped away. He found himself standing on a raised platform in a vast expanse of blue sand—nothing else around.
"Where am I? What's happening? Why is he here?"