Midnight. An eerie yet peaceful silence envelops the city of Tenshima.
Elders and young children alike are in their homes, drifting off to sleep.
Yet, in the dead of night, one house stands apart from the rest.
Kurohiko stood alone in his bedroom, looking through the window, intensely focused on his own reflection.
"Who am I?"
'I am nice, and I would never kill someone so easily. I am also a God-fearing man, but at the same time, I'm a deeply curious person. I often wonder what lies at the end of life. I dream about who I'd like to become, and when I see others doing something I admire, I try to copy it. Slowly, I shape my character based on the things I've seen and liked in others.'
"I'm insecure about my looks and, for some reason, very lazy. Yet, I have this constant fear of failing and becoming nothing in life."
'I spend hours playing games. My mind is realistic and logical, but I only use it when it suits me.'
"I tell others to do things I don't tell myself to do, even though they'd benefit me too. I enjoy watching others and imagining myself in their place—singing, leading, or even being a mobster."
'I am dishonest, often pretending to be someone I'm not. Somewhere along the way, I've lost myself. I love picturing myself winning, but unconsciously, I also imagine myself losing. When I dream, I create stories, but they never go anywhere. I'm always stuck in the same loop I've designed.'
"I doze off often and rarely feel emotions—except for empathy, which hits me strongly."
'My chest tightens whenever I see someone unfortunate. Whether I know them or not, I feel an inexplicable pull toward them.'
"I've broken countless promises and lied to people for no reason. I am embarrassed by who I am. When I look in the mirror, I see someone else, not the person I think I am. That's why pictures of myself shock me—they don't match my reflection."
"I fall for others easily—or maybe I'm just easily attracted, especially if they show interest in me. Yet, I'd never approach them."
"I become arrogant when I feel like I'm winning. But in person, I'm timid and scared. If I face an altercation, I avoid escalating it."
'Yet, when I get home and sleep, I dream of myself as the victor.'
"I want everything in life, but I can't seem to do the work to achieve it. I give up easily."
'When I'm with others, I feel fearless, but alone, I falter. When I'm upset, the empathy in my chest turns into a burning rage, like my soul is crying out in anger.'
"I believe I'm the main character of this world, even though I know I'm not. Everyone has their own lives, yet I center myself in all of them."
"I have many regrets, especially for not taking action when I should have."
"I can be brave when facing unnatural entities, but I know I'm only pretending."
'When challenged, I maintain a façade of strength and avoid problems. But when problems arise, I talk big, knowing I can't back it up. I often lose and then dream of what could have been.'
"I've missed many romantic opportunities because of my timidity. I try to change, but no matter how much I cover it up, I revert to the person I truly am."
"I hate being looked down upon. My grandparents look down on me—I can see it in my grandfather's eyes. I refuse to call them grandparents and feel no kindness toward them."
'I'd be kinder to a stranger than to my own family.'
"When I'm pushed to my limit, I finally take action. In those moments, I talk big, act brave, and speak my mind."
"I fantasize about both men and women, and I question whether I'll make it to heaven."
'I am a God-fearing man, but I pray only when it suits me. I make promises to God and break them. My word is shaky, as is my confidence.'
"I hold many secrets. I ridicule others for things I secretly do or dream of doing."
"For example, I have thoughts about men. I fantasize about certain acts, but in public, I laugh at those who openly express such desires."
'I fantasize about women too. I dream of having children with them, feeling it's a way to claim them as "mine." Yet, I know I'd cheat without hesitation.'
"My curiosity and desires trouble me deeply. I know my God disapproves of these thoughts, and I feel condemned by them. Though I've never acted on these fantasies, they live in my mind."