Part 1 — Yuta, The Awakening of the Stars
Yuta lived an ordinary life.
A law student at university, he still lived with his parents and didn't really have many friends. Not because he disliked others… he was simply reserved, uncomfortable with conversations.
Yet despite his discretion, he often drew attention.
His height, athletic build, and seriousness in class had made him something of a minor celebrity on campus. His sports club had even won a tournament thanks to him, which hadn't helped matters.
Yuta wanted to work in law for one simple reason:
he hated violence.
He dreamed of protecting the innocent without ever having to strike another person.
Outside of classes, he worked as a bartender in a small bar to help his parents make ends meet. It wasn't much, but he was proud of it.
That Monday, a particular tension hung over the entire campus:
the day of the semester exams.
When Yuta entered the room, he headed toward his usual seat. Barely seated, a classmate approached him.
— Yuta, you didn't even say hello today! Are you nervous?
— You were studying. I didn't want to interrupt.
— Come on… we all know you studied all night. Help us out!
— Ren, you shouldn't joke about this. These exams are important, Yuta replied, slightly annoyed.
Very quickly, a small group surrounded him.
— Yuta, can you explain this chapter to me?
— Yuta, I'm completely lost in math!
— Yuta, I didn't understand this text…
— Yuta…
— Yuta…
He sighed. This was exactly why he avoided social interactions.
He decided to be clear.
— Sorry, but the exam starts in a few minutes. And you don't cram at the last second.
The students immediately dispersed.
— Don't you think you were a bit harsh? his neighbor asked.
— Not really. They're used to it. It's the same before every exam.
— Hm… you're not wrong.
The professor then entered the room.
— Silence, please. You know the rules: no cheating, no talking. Good luck.
The exam began.
***
A few hours later, Yuta exited the building, feeling rather satisfied.
— Yuta! We're celebrating the end of exams at karaoke, wanna come?
— Sorry, Ren. I have work. Maybe next time.
— No problem. Good luck, buddy!
══ ✦ ══
— You're late, Yuta!
— Sorry, I had exams today.
— So? Do you think you passed?
— I think so, yeah, he said with a slight smile.
He worked his bartender shift late into the night.
As always, his parents worried about him being out so late.
Around 12:30 a.m., he said goodbye to his coworkers and headed home.
Normally, walking alone at night never bothered him.
But that night, something went wrong.
At the corner of a street, he heard an argument. At first, he paid it no attention… until a scream tore through the silence.
He rushed into a dark alley.
A girl from his university was being grabbed by a drunken man.
Yuta intervened immediately.
— Leave her alone!
But the man, incapable of reason, struck him violently in the head.
The ground vanished beneath his feet.
His vision blurred.
The world turned black.
In the distance, a panicked voice cried out:
— Hang on! I'm calling an ambulance! Don't fall asleep!
Then… nothing.
When he opened his eyes again, he couldn't understand what he was seeing.
An orange sky, scorched as if a dying sun were swallowing everything whole.
And around him…
the ruins of an unfamiliar city.