A frail and pale-looking child cladded in a plain tee and short with light brown backpack could be seen standing at the doorway of a classroom.
His head hung low as if bothered with invisible weight.
His hair is of a deep burgundy shade that falls to the length of his neck. It was straight but with subtle curves at the ends, featuring a few layers to enhance its texture.
Parted in the middle and creating a well-balanced appearance, it concealed his features just enough to evoke curiosity.
The warm light and hue in the hallway given way by the open windows and rays of sunlight penetrating through, melted and rhymed with his hair, casting a hollow glow which made his hair quite an art that could be confessed as nothing but beautiful.
Seiya stood planted at the threshold, gripping tight the straps of his backpack, his nervousness palpable as he hesitated to step inside.
Few seconds passed by before he finally slid aside the door, stepping in cautiously as if bracing for something inevitable.
Much to his expectations, two kids appeared on either side of him as if on cue, emptying their water bottles on him with practiced precision.
Seiya reflexively shut his eyes that were shaded with a square-framed pair of medicated glasses.
A gale of laughter sounded through the classroom as the kids saw and depicted what happened to be funny.
After a few moments, Seiya slowly opened his eyes, revealing soft, doe-like eyes filled with innocence and warmth.
The water clung to his long and lush lashes, clumping it up and making them glisten, enhancing the golden hue of his amber eyes that shimmered beneath the light.
The water also caused his hair to gleam more vividly, accentuating the soft glow it carried.
Without a word, Seiya removed his glasses and wiped his face with the back of his hand.
He then shook his hair vigorously, droplets flying off, yet he paid no heed to the mockery.
He remained calm, seemingly accustomed to such treatment. Gripping the hem of his shirt, he cleaned his glasses before slipping them back on.
His oval-shaped face, despite the traces of exhaustion and quiet sorrow, exuded an aura of peace.
His otherwise ethereal appearance was marred only by the plasters at the corner of his left eye and under his chin, loosened by the water.
Seiya pressed the plaster back in place and quietly walked to his seat. The taunts, the things thrown at him—all were met with indifference. He had learned to endure.
It was Friday, a day meant for outdoor activities and fun as the kids termed it though it's pretty obvious Seiya wouldn't term it the same.
2:30 P.M.
Seiya remained seated long after the final bell rang. While his classmates hurried out to meet their parents, eager for the weekend, he lingered as if reluctant to leave.
"Seiya" A soft voice called out.
A female teacher approached him with a gentle smile.
"Is your mom coming to get you?"
Seiya hesitated before offering a small nod.
"Alright, let's wait together, okay?"
"Mn" He murmured, his response barely audible.
In truth, Seiya knew his mom wasn't coming for him today as she had a prior engagement but he didn't want to leave just yet—at least not at the same time with the others.
Leaving at the same time would only mean more bullying.
The teacher busied herself around the classroom, making adjustments here and there before pausing.
"Seiya, earlier today, was it really an accident?" She asked, her voice soft yet probing.
Seiya's thoughts drifted back to when she had asked about his wet clothes. He had lied, claiming he spilled water on himself when he went to use the restroom.
Refusing to answer, he suddenly sprang from his seat and hopped forward cutely with two hands on his backpack straps.
"I forgot! Mama can't make it today. Bye bye!" He said hastily and dashed from the room, not giving the teacher time to respond.
As he ran, the teacher called after him, reminding him to be careful on his way home.
Though very young, it wasn't his first time walking home alone. Their house was quite a few blocks away from school though secluded and he had memorized the way by heart.
Walking along the familiar pavement, Seiya kept close to the wall, his path leading him past a grimy alleyway.
Despite the bright afternoon sun, the alley remained shadowed, it's air heavy with the stench of overflowing trash bins.
Flies buzzed lazily while insects scuttled the damp ground, exercising their rights like no man's business.
That freedom would have been for eternity for them all until a roach started crawling out onto the pavement and heading towards the busty road—testing it's God given freedom.
Just as its freedom was about to be crushed by a bike coming at full speed on the road beside the pavement, Seiya intervened by darting forward and quickly scooping up the roach and moving aside.
His movement startled the biker who swerved sharply, barely avoiding a collision with a lamppost.
The rider stopped, furious yet composed as he approached Seiya.
"What is wrong with you kid? Did I almost run over your pet or something?" He growled, his voice rough with irritation.
The man's eyes fell on the roach in Seiya's hands and his face contorted with disgust.
"You almost got yourself ran over for nothing but a pest?! Kids these days. Unbelievable!" He spat before storming off.
Seiya let out a big sigh of relief and squatted—more like his legs went limp.
"That was scary" He muttered under his breath, glancing down at the roach in his palm.
"And I wasn't going to get myself ran over or anything because I knew I could save you" He said with a small, reassuring smile.
Gently, he placed the roach back in the alley, watching it scurry away.
As he gazed after it, a quiet sadness washed over him.
"You're considered a pest because of your nature but you're just trying to survive too" He whispered, his voice soft and reflective.
"I'm glad I was able to save you!"
_ _ _
When Seiya finally arrived home, he hesitated once more at the door, much like he had earlier at school. His heart pounded in his chest as he stepped in.
"I'm back" He announced softly in his tiny voice but the silence that greeted him confirmed what he already knew.
His mother wasn't back yet.
A weight settled on him, making it hard to breathe.
With heavy steps, he made his way to his father's office.
His father, a man with hair and eyes the same color as Seiya's, sat rigidly behind his desk, absorbed in his work.
Seiya spoke, his voice strained as though the simple act of speaking was a battle.
"I'm back".
Without looking up, his father asked.
"What did you learn today?"
Seiya was expecting that question but expecting it doesn't make it any easier to answer.
"It's Friday, so…we had.. activities.." He stammered, his voice faltering under his father's cold gaze.
"You can't even say what it was you learnt at school, useless!"
In a commanding tone, he asked.
"Whose is this?"
Holding up a crayon, his eyes remained zeroed on Seiya like he didn't want to miss even a breath.
Seiya's anxiety spiked because he had left that crayon in his father's office a week or so ago when his father was inspecting his books and because he was too scared to ask for it back, he just let it go.
Trembling, Seiya pressed his lips together.
"It's mine" He managed to let out with his head hanging low and eyes glued to the floor.
His head shot up the next second when he realized that was one thing his father detested—head hanging low when he's talking.
"I'm sorry" Seiya added.
With a disdainful click of his tongue, his father dropped the crayon to the ground.
Seiya hurried forward to pick it up, but before his fingers could reach it, a sharp pain shot through his hand. His father had stomped down on it with his shoe, crushing the crayon beneath the weight.
Seiya clenched his teeth, biting back the scream that rose in his throat. After a moment that felt like an eternity, his father lifted his foot.
"Out of my sight!"
Seiya grabbed the broken crayon and rushed out of the office, his hand throbbing as he sprinted to his room.
There, he collapsed onto his bed after dropping his backpack, heart pounding painfully against his chest.
"It hurts" He whispered, staring at the bruise forming on his hand.
He was drowning in sorrow and pain till he caught sight of the calendar his mom had pasted on his wall.
On the calendar, a date was marked in red, signaling an important occasion, Monday—his birthday.
Seiya sat up, a smile breaking through his sadness.
"It's my birthday on Monday! My birthday!" He cheered, excitement bubbling within him.
He thought about his older siblings. Although they rarely visited since becoming Humanity Saviors, they had promised they would come celebrate with him.
Being so young, for he could only vaguely remember the short time he spent with his siblings who are already Humanity Saviors.
Turning four on Monday, Seiya was nearing the age children awaken their powers, a pivotal moment in their world.
His older sister Hye Rin was now 13 and had awakened very early, earning the title of a prodigy.
His older brother, Ozai, now ten, however, awakened at the normal awakening age.
Seiya could barely recall the short time they had spent together after they left to pursue their paths as Humanity Saviour and could only pay him a few visits.
Despite the distance, Seiya idolized them and eagerly awaited their visits.
The weekend dragged on, Seiya's anticipation growing with each passing hour. He spent most of his time with his mother, his excitement for his birthday only intensifying as Monday approached.
***
On Monday morning when Seiya's eyes fluttered open, the bright digits of the clock on his nightstand read 10:18 A.M.
It was his birthday and today, he was allowed to skip school.
His heart raced with excitement as he leapt out of bed, his previous troubles momentarily forgotten.
"Mama!" He called out, his tiny feet pattering across the floor as he bolted into the kitchen.
His mother, who had just emerged with a tray, smiled at him.
"Careful, Seiya" She warned though her voice was warm with affection.
"Cake! Where's the cake?" Seiya asked, bouncing with uncontainable energy.
His mother chuckled and pointed to the table. "Over there".
Seiya's eyes lit up as he saw the beautifully decorated cake waiting for him.
"Wow! It's perfect!" he exclaimed, his big doe eyes sparkling with joy.
"Thank you, Mama!" He rushed to the door, eager to greet the day.
"Sei~" His mom called after him, her voice soft and tender.
"Your siblings will be late, so why don't we cut the cake and celebrate first?"
Seiya paused, glancing back at her.
Though she smiled, a trace of uncertainty lingered in her voice.
Despite their promises, she worried that Hye Rin and Ozai, busy as they are with their duties, might not make it.
But Seiya, ever hopeful, giggled. "It's okay, Mama. I can wait."
As the hours passed, Seiya and his mother spent the day together, passing time as they waited for his siblings.
It wasn't until the early evening that the front door swung open, revealing two figures standing at the threshold.
"Seiya!" A voice rang out.
The next thing Seiya knew, his sister Hye Rin, had swept him into her arms, squeezing him tight.
"Seiya~~!" She sang, her voice brimming with affection.
"Née-chan!" Seiya called back gleefully, beaming at her.
"Call me 'Noona' not 'Nee-chan!'" She corrected, nuzzling her face against his.
Her dark hair, almost at the length of her waist with well trimmed bangs, swayed left and right as she nuzzled her face against his.
Being half Korean, half Japanese since their Japanese father is married to their Korean mother, Hye Rin leans more to the Korean culture despite living in Japan.
"Oh my pumpkin, I'm sorry we're late. Please forgive these worthless beings acquainted as your siblings"
She rained kisses on him non-stop.
His older brother, Ozai, entered behind her, grinning as he greeted their mother before turning to Seiya. "Me too! Hug me too!"
Before he could get close, Hye Rin pushed him away with a hand to his face.
"No, he's mine!" She declared, pulling Seiya closer.
"Oh my, Hye Rin, let's be mindful of time" Their mother reminded with a gentle laugh.
After they exchanged birthday wishes, the family, excluding their father who was out for work, gathered for cake.
Seiya was overwhelmed with happiness, especially when Hye Rin and Ozai presented him with his gifts: Figurines of different Humanity Saviours including one of Hye Rin herself.
Being the first to awaken at a younger age contrary to the accustomed age, Hye Rin had already made a name for herself, becoming a renowned Humanity Saviour—a prodigy.
Seiya admired her more than words could express.
Later after the cake was cut and the festivities settled, Seiya tugged at Ozai's sleeves. "Tell me now!" He insisted, his curiosity piqued.
Ozai smiled. "Alright, alright! I promised, didn't I?
He began to explain the intricacies of their world—the classes of demons, the roles of Awakeners and the delicate balance between heroes and villains.
Seiya listened intently, absorbing every word with wide-eyed wonder.
"I'll tell you more next time" Ozai assured him after a while, ruffling his younger brother's hair.
Seiya pouted but accepted the promise. "Okay!" He said, content for now.
Just then, Hye Rin called out, "It's time to go to the park!"
"Let me carry him!" Hye Rin scooped up Seiya
"But I want to carry him as well" Ozai protested.
"I carry him better!" With that, Hye Rin walked away with Seiya and Ozai followed behind.
"Come along with water" Hye Rin announced before they got far and Ozai had to go back for it before joining them.
With excitement bubbling anew, they headed out together, ready for more fun.
***
The sun was setting as they reached the park, its golden light casting long shadows over the playground.
Since it was late on a Monday evening, the park was empty, leaving the space entirely for the siblings to play.
"More space for us!" Ozai declared, setting down the pack of bottled water on a nearby bench.
"Right!" Hye Rin echoed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
She and Seiya began playing immediately, laughing as they chased each other around the playground.
Ozai joined them soon after, and for a while, the siblings enjoyed a rare moment of carefree joy.
At Seiya's request, Hye Rin used her awakened power: water manipulation, to lift him gently into the air.
"I'm flying!" Seiya giggled, his small arms spread wide as he hovered above the ground.
"You are!" Hye Rin laughed, her heart swelling with affection as she controlled the ring of water that held her little brother aloft.
Hye Rin's awakened power: Water Manipulation. Though not very unique and rare, she takes pride in it.
As the evening wore on, Seiya asked for a snack and Hye Rin sent Ozai to the nearby convenience store.
Though he protested, demanding Hye Rin be the one to get the snack so he spends time with Seiya, he relented and set off to buy the snack after Hye Rin gave him a deadly glare—leaving Hye Rin and Seiya alone.
With the way they both fawned over Seiya, it was pretty obvious they were quite obsessed with their little brother.
They continued playing, Hye Rin making funny faces and gestures to amuse her brother but in an instant, everything changed.
Appearing out of Hye Rin's line of sight without warning, something sharp sliced through the air— a weapon moving too fast to see, aimed directly at Seiya.
Hye Rin didn't have time to react.
The war-quoit, otherwise known as a chakram, plunged deep into the crook of Seiya's neck, cleaving down in a slit to his torso, in a straight diagonal line and splitting him in half.
Blood sprayed across Hye Rin's face, her eyes widening in shock and horror.
She froze, unable to comprehend the sight before her. Seiya's body or what remained of it, stood motionless for a moment before collapsing.
Time seemed to stop.
Hye Rin's breath caught in her throat, her mind refusing to process the sight of her brother's lifeless form lying at her feet.
The world around her faded, leaving only the sound of her heartbeat pounding in her ears as she stared.