Haruto Shimizu was out, walking to a nearby store, until he heard it—a scream filled with despair. He rushed over and called out, "Anyone here? Hello? Anyone?" No reply. Thinking it was his mind playing tricks, he turned away—but something was behind him: a being with no face or body, just a shadow.
"Huh..?" he muttered, then heard a whisper:
"Run, my child."
Trembling, Haruto ran—but he couldn't escape. He was sucked into a dark portal, like being drawn into a black hole, and his heart stopped. He died— or so he thought.
He then awoke in a different world. The beings were human-like but taller, stronger, with sharp teeth. Haruto ran until he came across a field of flowers. Sitting on a rock, he admired the view—until someone tapped him on the back.
He turned and saw a beautiful young woman with red hair in twin ponytails and sky-blue eyes.
Vanessa Kurotsuki introduced herself. Haruto replied with his name, smiling.
"That's a nice name, Haruto," she said. Haruto asked, "Do you like flowers?"
Before Vanessa could answer, a powerful snowstorm struck—stronger than anything in the real world. "We should probably get inside," Vanessa suggested worriedly.
She led him to a small cabin. Inside, with snow piling up outside and the temperature at –20 °C, Haruto offered to sleep on the couch. Vanessa insisted they share the bed to avoid hurting his back.
Later that night, Haruto sensed he was being watched. Outside the window, he saw a ten-limbed, dark, ominous creature. It smashed through, attacked him—biting off his arm. Haruto begged it to spare Vanessa, offering himself as a target.
"YOU CAN KILL ME, EAT ME, TORTURE ME, DO ANYTHING WITH ME! JUST LEAVE THE GIRL ALONE!" he pleaded, but the creature struck again—skinning him alive and eating him. Haruto died once more, though this time it certainly wasn't the end.