Demon x Heroes volume 1 chapter 1 Betrayal: Mei's true colors

I, Kazuto Kurogane, had always despised my life. I never received the respect I deserved, enduring the constant shunning and relentless bullying that pushed me to the brink of death. However, amidst the darkness, there was one person who had always stood by my side, providing solace during my darkest hours – my childhood friend, Mei Aizawa.

Mei was the beacon of light that could lift my spirits when I felt completely lost. I trusted her with every fiber of my being, and as long as she remained by my side, I believed that everything would be okay. She was my reason to keep going, my source of hope and happiness. With her support, I managed to find some strength to face the challenges of life.

One fateful day, Mei suggested taking me somewhere special. My heart filled with excitement; it felt like we were going on a date. Being in her presence brought a sense of tranquility that I hoped would never change. I loved Mei with all my heart, and I would go to great lengths to make her happy – her smile was my most cherished treasure.

As we walked together, Mei led the way, her hand holding mine, urging me to quicken my pace. Her eagerness to show me this special place made my heart race with anticipation. However, upon turning the corner, my excitement turned to confusion and shock.

A group of boys, some familiar bullies from school, sat on a stack of crates, waiting for us. My mind swirled with questions. Why were they here? Was this the surprise Mei had in store for me? I attempted to ask her, but before I could utter a word, she looked at me with a gaze I had never seen before – a look of disgust.

"M...Mei?" I stuttered, my heart already sinking.

Ignoring me, she proceeded to walk toward the group of boys. Before I could intervene, one of them grabbed her waist and kissed her passionately. My heart shattered into a million pieces, and the world around me seemed to collapse.

"You're looking as beautiful as ever, babe," one of the boys complimented her.

She replied with a flattered smile, boasting about bringing me as she had been asked. It became clear that she had betrayed me, and the reason was more shocking than I could have imagined. They exchanged money as if I were some object they had acquired.

Was Mei only interested in me because of money? Did she pretend to be my friend all this time? The pain of betrayal was unbearable, and I couldn't fathom the reasons behind her actions.

"Hey, Mei, what's going on?" I tried to question her, seeking an explanation.

"Quiet, you piece of trash!" she snapped back, her words laced with venom.

Mei had never spoken to me this way before. My mind was overwhelmed, trying to process the revelations and the emotional pain that accompanied them.

"Mei, why did you—" I began to ask again, but my words were cut off by her relentless insult.

"You've always been a pain in my ass. Did you really think I was your friend? You're so pathetic! A trash like you could never be my friend – never in this life!" she spat.

Her words struck me like a knife to the heart. The pain from her betrayal mixed with the physical blows I received from the bullies left me defenseless and broken on the ground. Tears streamed down my face as they continued their assault, and the world blurred as my consciousness waned.

As I teetered on the edge of oblivion, the last thing I saw was Mei, laughing at my misery. The flame of hope that had kept me going had finally been extinguished, leaving me in utter darkness.