{ In the city of Thamoud, a 16 year old boy with long gloves appears to be on the floor and receiving showers of kicks from some food vendors at an alley. The young boy's white hair ,dyed with blood and, cuts all over his face, makes him completely miserable. They leave him on the floor and begin to walk away as he looks at them in pain. He finally gains enough strength to get on his feet and walk towards his house. On his way home, people stare at him with disgust written all over their faces and others move away from him. A younger boy appears to be closer to him, but his mom pulls him away}
Woman(addressing her child) : Don't get close to that demon. Have you heard me?
Younger boy : Yes, mom.
{The guy continues to walk while wiping the blood stains on his body with his gloves and looks at the people around him walk away from him}
Boy: That look in their eyes, I see them everywhere I go. Even when I manage to earn a bit of their sympathy,...
{He pulls down his gloves and a black pattern of a snake, and a number seven is seen on his hand}
Boy:... They tend to forget I'm a human after seeing my cursed mark. My name, Kouda, is one I'm not proud of. Many years ago, a serious virus struck the world. According to the stories, making a cure for the virus was merely an impossibility since the virus could easily develop immunity to any medicine. I don't know why, but my mom named me after this particular virus. The last thing she left for me was a diary which I couldn't open,
a necklace and these gloves that that hasbeen taken as my signature of eviI anywhere i find myself. Apparently I have close to no memory of her. I've never been treated as a human since childhood, and I can't really blame people for that. Growing up, I was adopted by a group of assassins, and they taught me the thirteen killing techniques until I was ten. They tried making use of me, so...
{Kouda looks at the blood on his gloves and sees a memory of corpses on the floor}
Kouda :... I killed them. My first job broke me, but the subsequent ones got me used to the job, which of course , led me to losing sight of the value of one's life. Killing them was merely child's play. After some time, I realized that each time I killed someone, I lost a fraction of my humanity. Humanity has always been one of the major things that makes me feel like a normal human, so losing it is something I simply can't afford. I don't believe in good, nor do I believe in evil. Surviving is my only objective, and I won't stop until I find what I want but the question here is exactly what am I looking for?
{Kouda reaches the outskirts of the town and enters his wooden structure.}
Kouda: I'm home.
{He falls to the ground, raises his right hand, and stares at it}
Kouda(speaking to himself) : What's life? What's happiness? What's there to life if everyone's just gonna die at the end?
Voice (from outside kouda's home) : Those are interesting questions if you ask me. I'm glad to know that there's someone out there who has got the same mindset as I.
{Kouda quickly gets up and goes looks at the entrance}
Voice: I'm right here.
{Kouda feels a pat on his shoulder and turns his back only to see a guy about his age, wearing military attire and a mask}
Kouda: Who are you? And how did you get in without me noticing?
Guy: The name is Enmu, but tell me, how do you live in this matchbox in the name of a house?
Kouda: You havent answered my questions. The answer to your question has nothing to do with you. Now leave!
Enmu: And what if I don't? Will you kill me, demon?
Kouda: I have no interest in that. Besides, I don't think you came all this way dressed up like that just to ask me silly questions. So what brings you here, Enmu?
Enmu:I see, I was actually expecting you to come at me with some murderous intentions, but it seems you're quite different from what I was expecting. After all, you're Kouda, death's right hand man, right?
Kouda: I never knew I was that famous. But that doesn't change the fact that you've still not answered my question,and for the record, I don't kill over trivial stuff.
Enmu(sighs): Fine, we've had our eyes on you for a while now, and we'd like you to join us in our quest.
Kouda: Not interested.
Enmu: Hey, I'm not done yet,...
Kouda: I think I've had enough with secret organizations. My mind is made up. Now leave before the crazy girl comes.
Enmu : I've heard you, but that doesn't mean I've given up.
{Enmu takes his leave. A few minutes later, a young girl with blue-black hair, and is just about Kouda's age, arrives with a picnic basket containing food. Kouda welcomes her in. She brings out the food, and they both dig in. While eating,... }
Kouda(speaking in his mind while looking at the girl) : Ever since I moved to this town, Maya here made it her responsibility to take care of me. She always talks to me about how her day went and doesn't really care if I'm interested in what's she's saying, and if I'm being really honest, I enjoy her company since it makes me feel like I have a place
where I belong, but deep down, I'm afraid
something bad might happen to her all because of me. I've told her to stop coming over on several occasions, but she just wouldn't listen to me.
{Maya takes a serious look at Kouda with curiosity all over her face}
Maya: Hey, Kouda, do you believe in happy endings? My grandmother once told me that just as a bright day would come after the long night, happiness would find its way to who it serves right l, but come to think of it, I've never seen you smile evwn once, so tell me, what exactly makes you happy?
Kouda: I don't really know. Haven't given that much thought.
Maya: I can't say I wasn't expecting that for an answer. I'm so happy I got to meet you, and if we're to ever meet again, I'll be sure to value every second I spend with you.
Kouda : Hey, why're you talking as if you're about to...
{ Several needles suddenly appear pierces Kouda,causing him to fall unconscious. After some time, he wakes up and realizes he has been crucified. He looks in front of him and sees one of the palace guards in front of him with a sword. He looks around and realizes his hands have been locked in metallic containers. He turns to his right only to see Maya bleeding on a pole. She looks at him and tells him she's sorry as tears roll down her cheeks}
Kouda: What's happening? Answer me!