---
???: \[Death... war... you know\... I hate them all...]
????: \[It's okay, I understand what you're saying, I've been through it too.]
The monster, something seemingly made of black smoke, gently stroked the boy's hair with its soft and cold hand.
Boy: \[Do you think a day will come when there's no war at all?]
The dark creature gave a faint smile and looked around the boy's gray, dim room. Its smile was barely visible through the surrounding smoke.
Creature: \[Probably not. There's never been a time in history without war. These wars will only end when there are no humans left.]
The boy chuckled softly.
Boy: \[Your hand is cold.]
The dark creature gave a bigger smile.
Creature: \[So mean of you.]
The black creature paused for a moment and placed the boy on his white bed.
Creature: \[It's time to sleep.]
The boy looked at the creature with worry.
Boy: \[Will you come back when I wake up?]
Creature: \[That's something you have to figure out yourself. So until then... sleep.]
---
Life... or... death... which one will you choose? ...you'll find out your choice later... so choose wisely...
---
He threw his bag over his shoulder, walking slowly through the white and red hallway of the school, scratched and faded in places, heading toward the classroom. Other students began whispering as they saw him.
Student 1: \[Look, that's the boy who talks to himself like a lunatic.]
Student 2: \[With those creepy eyes of his.]
As the boy continued with a wide smile, he paused and winked at the students with his bright blue eyes.
Boy: \[Heh heh, such pretty girls. Want to come to the school's second lab after class? Maybe I'll show you some of the face collection I peeled off people. Hm? I know, tempting offer.]
The girls screamed and ran away.
The boy smirked and muttered under his breath.
Boy: \[People have no sense of humor. Why would anyone have a face collection anyway.]
He ran his hands through his yellow hair.
Boy: \[Well, I guess ti—]
He was interrupted by a familiar laugh.
???: \[Still talking to that simulator? You're such a loser, Touhito.]
(The boy's name is Touhito)
The hologram began to fade, and the scene shifted to a large, cold room with a leaky ceiling from rain. Touhito grinned and playfully said:
Touhito: \[Oh shut up, Haro. At least I don't talk to an AI as if it's my girlfriend.]
Haro blushed deeply.
Haro: \[Wha... shut up... at least I'm not always talking about some black creature that was my imaginary childhood friend.]
At that last sentence, Touhito's tone turned serious and angry.
Touhito: \[Hey bastard, watch your mouth. It wasn't imaginary. It was real.]
Haro was shocked by Touhito's sudden tone.
Haro: \[Hey Touhito... are you seriously—]
Touhito's fist slammed into Haro's face, throwing him to the ground. Haro started yelling.
Touhito: \[I said shut up! You have no right to talk about him. He's completely real!]
Touhito dropped to his knees, his hands began to shake, and he started crying hysterically.
Touhito: \[He... he's coming back... I'm sure of it...]
Haro's eyes widened as he saw the tears and held his face.
Haro: \[Touhito... after all these years? You're still waiting for a fake black smoke creature, you bastard.]
Touhito continued crying, his voice broken.
Touhito: \[I... he... I... chose... the first choice...]
---
Seven years ago, exactly seven years ago... the day the first meeting happened... the first choice... or rather, the most important choice...