Have you ever stopped to wonder what truly lies beyond the final curtain of a human life? For me, it wasn't a radiant meadow of blooming flowers, nor was it the choir of angels singing hymns of praise from above. It wasn't even the searing agony of hellfire. Instead, it was a hollow, suffocating void that arrived in the form of absolute indifference. The world continues its mechanical rotation, utterly unconcerned with whose flame flickers out or whose soul is added to the tally.
Yes, I'm referring to both the world I inhabit now and the one I left behind. If someone were to hear me say this, they'd likely cast a bewildered glance my way. But they shouldn't—because that is the cold, hard reality. Once upon a time, I lived... but does that imply that I am now dead?
Indeed, I have reached the 'Game Over' screen once before. It was a laughably absurd demise for a recluse like me—someone who spent his days grumbling about the decay of modern society. Yet, for reasons I still can't fathom, whenever trouble brewed, I'd find myself plunging headfirst into other people's problems as if they were my own. I reminded myself countless times: "If it isn't your business, don't get involved." And yet, the cycle repeated itself. Despite that, I harbor no regrets. It was my own decision, made for my own solitary satisfaction... wasn't it?
And so, here I am, breathing once more. But this is not the world I once knew. Is there a difference between the two? Honestly, the answer is: not really. At least, that is the perspective of the average person. But as we know, the brighter the light shines, the darker and more concentrated the shadows beneath it become. In this world, the masses are blissfully oblivious to the fact that the society they inhabit is teeming with supernatural entities usually reserved for occult novels. Even if they were to find out, they would eventually forget—and that's the way it's always been. Every step upon this seemingly radiant path is littered with logical traps and multilayered masks. Those who strive to 'shine' never realize they are merely pawns moving across a pre-ordained board, living within a grand deception, unaware of the lurking dangers...
And yet—
Matsuda: "Hey, Hikitani! What are you doing? Move it!"
Motohama: "Yeah, exactly! This is the 'Golden Hour' where the girls are truly shining!"
Issei: "If we don't hurry and get a look, we'll regret it for the rest of our lives! Faster! The oppai are calling to me!"
It is because of scenes like this that I can still cling to a semblance of being a 'normal' human being... Excessive as it may be, this mundane normalcy is what defines a 'world'... well, I'd like to be able to say that, but—
Motohama: "Hey, what do you guys think of that girl over there?"
Matsuda: "Where? Whoa! She's definitely top-tier material!"
Issei: "Oh, sweet mercy! Oppai as far as the eye can see! I was born for this!"
Girl: "Ew! Disgusting! Get lost, you creeps!"
Hikigaya: (A long, weary sigh)
Yes, I called it "normal," but this is truly taking it too far. Especially you, Hyoudou Issei. Why am I singling him out? Because he is the 'Protagonist' of this story. Yes, you heard me right. This world is the setting of an light novel called High School DxD. To be blunt, it's a hentai series. How do I know about such a thing? Oh, don't misunderstand—it's not because I'm a fan; it's because of a certain 'friend' of mine... Zaimokuza. I once picked it up in his room out of pure boredom. After just a few pages, I immediately turned away. Why? You're better off not knowing... or rather, it's one of those things that we all 'just know'...
(Sighs again) Why... just why? Why does someone living an 'off-script' life like mine have to get tangled up with a perverted protagonist whose brain is composed entirely of breasts? God must truly have a grudge against me.
Matsuda: "Hurry up, Hikitani!"
Hikigaya: "Since when did we become such good friends? And for the last time, it's Hikigaya, dammit! Not Hikitani!"
If God truly exists, I hope He grants these people at least a shred of common decency...