To memory lane...

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The haunting echo of footsteps reverberated through the desolate hallway. The woman who made her way towards them made for a grusome image. Her once-elegant attire now stained and torn by the macabre evidence of her fate.

Kazuhiro stood unflinchingly as the lifeless figure drew closer. Internally, a simple realization lingered: 'I... failed...' His thoughts echoed with cold clarity, acknowledging the inability to prevent this tragic outcome.

Suddenly, a thunderous BANG shattered the eerie stillness.

Kazuhiro glanced toward the boy, now sprawled on the ground, having been thrown back by the pistol's fierce recoil.

The bullet found its mark, piercing the staggering woman with pinpoint accuracy. She crumpled, rendered motionless by the precise shot, and her haunting advance abruptly halted.

In the deafening silence that followed, Toru steadily struggled to rise, clutching the pistol in hand. With determined steps, he walked a few paces before releasing the weapon, its clatter against the ground reverberating in the desolate halls.

Kazuhiro stood in place, observing the boy's actions.

Toru sank to his knees, his hand trembling as it caressed the lifeless face of the woman. "I knew this would happen." His voice wavered with grief, a lone tear tracing a path down his youthful face. "The only person who showed genuine care within my miserable life." Toru murmured softly, his thumb tracing the vacant spaces where her teeth once lay. His touch lingered on her bare gums, as a wave of memories flooded onto his mind, regretting the times of not spending enough time with her.

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[Tokonoso, Hoshino's residence]

[A year before the outbreak.]

The door eased open with a creak, revealing a young woman with a soft smile adorning her face and a welcoming expression as she anticipated the arrival of her guests.

"You've finally arrived!" Her voice carried a sense of warmth as she gently embraced the man in the suit.

"We almost missed our first flight, but luckily, we made it just in time." The man's smile widened as he reciprocated the hug, one arm embracing her while the other clutched his luggage.

"I can assure you that no time was wasted," Her chuckle was soothing as she withdrew from the embrace, her attention shifted to the figure standing beside the man.

"This here is Adam, my son." The man's smile softened as he introduced his reserved son, the boy extended a hand in a formal gesture, his expression unreadable.

The woman accepted his hand with a gentle smile. "Not much of a talker, hm? I already like you." She ruffled his curly blond hair.

The man chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah, he's been like this since his mother passed away." A hint of sorrow flashed across his face at the mention of his late wife.

"Oh... I'm sorry to hear that." Her expression softened in sympathy for the child who had endured such a loss.

With a pitiful smile, she straightened up and gestured for them to enter. "Please, do come in." Her invitation was warm and genuine. 

As they settled into the living room, sofas encircled a coffee table, the backdrop adorned by a welcoming fireplace.

"Oh, you didn't have to, Ayano." The man remarked as Ayano entered, bearing a tray of drinks and sweets for their visitors.

"My house, my rules, Harrison." Ayano replied, placing the tray on the table. Adam sat beside his father, his stoic expression unwavering.

Harrison briefly glanced at his son, slightly irked by his demeanor. However, he composed himself and reached for a drink.

"Adam." Ayano's voice carried concern. "You don't have to take any if you don't want to." She acknowledged his tragic loss, her tone gentle. "Your room is upstairs, the third door to your right if you wish to rest." Her words prompted the boy to stand, indicating his disinterest in the offerings as he slowly made his way to the room, his luggage in hand.

As the boy ascended the stairs, reaching halfway, he paused, and eavesdropped on their conversation.

"I'm sorry you had to witness the boy in such a state. It's been tough on him," Harrison expressed, his tone apologetic.

"For such a traumatic event, no child should endure this. I understand his demeanor. I feel sorry for him." Ayano replied, her voice laced with genuine concern.

"Yeah… Ayano, I know you're a teacher at Shintoko. I've heard it's one of the most prestigious schools in the country. I'd like to enroll Adam there." Harrison remarked.

Ayano pondered before nodding. "I can assist with the recommendation process, but the entrance exams will be up to him. Although you've boasted alot about his intelligence, then that wouldnt be much of an obstacle." she chuckled softly, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.

"That would be of great help! And, what about your family? Are they okay with the remarriage?" Harrison inquired, curious about her situation.

"They are accepting of the idea. I'm sure everything will be fine." she nodded, assuring him of her family's support.

Adam overheard it all, gritting at the news. He had expected this but felt frustrated, as his father hadn't informed him or asked for his opinion regarding the matter.

Entering his room, he left the luggage untouched, his face buried on the mattress, resenting the impending events. His fists clenched involuntarily gripping the sheets, a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil.

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[Tokonosu, Shintoko Academy] 

[A week before the outbreak.]

"This year's science fair winner is, Kurosawa Haruki!" The booming announcement reverberated across the school grounds and was met with an eruption of cheers and applause.

'As expected, I had a gut feeling that this would be rigged.' Adam sighed inwardly. He suspected that something wasn't right about the results. 

Due to his exceptional academic performance last year at Shintoko, Adam had garnered attention. The board had even devised a special test tailored for his advanced intellect, which he aced effortlessly.

However, this academic achievement also came with a price. His brilliance had stirred both admiration and envy amongst his peers. Among them was Haruki, a high-status peer with a very influential family background.

During Adam's first year at the school, his remarkable scores had sparked widespread speculation about his genius. The school itself was known for its rigorous standards and challenging curriculum. Graduating from such a place was a testament to one's exceptional abilities.

Regardless, as the results were announced, Adam couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Haruki's influence didn't directly rig the competition, but rather subtly maneuvered behind the scenes. It seemed that Haruki's connections or sway among certain faculty members had affected the evaluation criteria, altering the outcome just enough to tilt the balance in his favor.

"How does it feel to be in second place, Williams?" Haruki smirked as he sidestepped towards him to rub it in.

Adam remained silent, refusing to dignify Haruki's taunts with a response. His stoic silence seemed to unnerve Haruki, who clenched his fists in frustration.

"Adam!" The familiar voice sliced through. It was a girl his age, who weaved through the crowd to reach him.

'It's her again.' Adam mused, offering a mental sigh as Alice caught up to him. She stopped to take a breather beside him.

"D— don't let that hinder you! What you have done last year was—" She tried to comfort him over the loss, although unnecessary. Her sentence got cut off as Adam interjected.

"You're too loud, Ms.Maresato. It doesn't bother me in the slightest. Compared to what I have accomplished, this is nothing." Adam's flat voice cut through the air, drawing mixed reactions from those around him. Some were indifferent, while others harbored a mix of disdain and expectation, anticipating a breakdown over the loss.

Sighing softly, Alice responded against his interruptions, "I hate that attitude of yours. By the way, you can call me by my first name, Alice. Since you know we're-"

"Acquaintances, that's all it is between us. Just because we spoke from time to time doesn't mean we've become friends." Adam flatly rejected the notion of friendship.

"We are. You are just too shy to admit it." Alice pouted, her voice trailing off as she crossed her arms, acknowledging the futility of her attempts to bridge the gap between them.

"Well, if it isn't Alice. Are you here to congratulate me on my victory? " Haruki's snobbish tone accompanied his compliment towards the girl.

Not planning to stay any longer, Adam decided to leave, ready to head home as the event concluded.

"-Says the one who isn't in the top 10, let alone reach the top 5 where Adam resides. " She scoffed at Haruki's behavior. She turned to check on Adam only to realize that he was already gone.

'I have a feeling that something bad will happen.' Adam glanced briefly at Haruki. 'No doubt about it. That he might plot something against me.' he thought.

"You did great, Adam!" It was Ayano, his now stepmother, who approached to congratulate him.

"Thanks, can we go now, Hoshino-san?" Uncaring of his 2nd placing, his voice is monotonous and flat.

She Masked her frown with a smile, "Alright." It's been a year since they moved and a year since Harrison and her got married, yet Adam still preferred to call her name formally. "What about your project? Are you going to leave it here?"

"Adam! You forgot to take your project!" Alice approached, now holding on to the boy's work.

"Oh my, What a nice friend you have." Ms.Hoshino chuckled behind her hand.

Adam shighed as he had no choice but to take the project with him as a kind gesture to his classmate who had brought it to them. It wasn't his concern, yet he didn't want to appear ungrateful.

As they drove back home, silence enveloped the car, broken only by the occasional small talk from Ayano. Adam stared out the window, lost in thought, pondering the events of the day and the brewing tensions at school.

"Adam, dear, it's okay not to win every time. What's important is participating and doing your best," Ayano offered, attempting to console him.

Adam remained silent, unmoved by her words. Ayano sighed as she parked the car in the driveway, her attempt to comfort him seemingly in vain.

Getting out of the car with the project in hand, Adam headed for the main entrance, soon meeting up with his father to his left, where the living room was.

"So?" Harrison inquired, his eyes fixed on the newspaper.

"Lost." Adam slipped off his shoes, and his reply met with an exasperated sigh from his father.

Harrison peered over the edge of his newspaper, eyebrows furrowed. "Is that how it is? Are you content with being a loser? I'm sure my son isn't one."

Adam's jaw clenched as he suppressed the urge to retort. "I'll do better." he later made his way past his father towards his room. Each step felt heavier than the last, laden with the weight of expectation.

Observing the scene, Ayano brows furrowed towards the man, "He did his best, you know?" Which was only received by the sound of newspaper being turned to the next page.

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As Adam retreated into his dimly lit room, the weight of expectations settled heavily upon his shoulders. His eyes drifted to the project, an unwanted reminder of the day's events.

Closing the door behind him, he dropped the project into the trash can, the sound of its descent a hollow echo in the room. It was his way of rejecting the reminder of his defeat.

He flopped onto the bed, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. The day's events replayed in his mind like a broken record, the taunts, the expectations, and the unspoken pressure that seemed to pervade every corner of his life.

Soft footsteps outside his door broke the silence, and then a gentle knock followed. Ayano's voice seeped through, "May I come in?"

He remained silent momentarily before giving a passive "Sure," the word uttered almost inaudibly.

The door creaked open, and Ayano entered, her presence bringing a soft warmth to the room. She perched on the edge of the bed, a gesture that bridged the gap between them but left ample space for him to breathe.

"Eventful day, wasn't it?" Ayano's voice attempted to lighten the tense atmosphere.

Adam stayed silent, still staring blankly at the ceiling.

"It's okay not to win every battle, Adam. Life isn't about winning every time. Sometimes, the effort itself speaks volumes—" she said, her tone gentle and reassuring.

"Haruki, he rigged the competition, did you not notice?" Adam cut in abruptly.

She sheepishly grinned, "I should have never doubted your smarts, and yes, I did notice it; others did as well, but what can we do? My family does have influence, but against the Kurosawa clan, we are nothing." She sighed, acknowledging the unfair reality.

"Besides, that squirt can't match up to you in terms of intellect. He's even below 20 in the rankings. " She laughed at her comment.

Adam smirked at the remark about Haruki, surprised by the lightness of the conversation despite the circumstances.

Ayano let out a soft gasp, witnessing a smile on his face for the first time since they arrived here a year ago.

"I never knew our moody Adam had that expression," she chuckled, trying to tease him, which prompted his signature frown to return.

"Ah, there's the Adam we know," Ayano teased. "Sometimes, a small smile makes a huge difference, you know?"

"Listen," Ayano's tone shifted, becoming more earnest. "You're carrying a lot on your shoulders, and I know it's tough, but please remember, your worth isn't defined by any competition or what others say. You're talented in your own right, and that's what matters."

Her words lingered in the air, and for a moment, a sense of comfort filled the room.

"I know you feel frustrated and perhaps misunderstood, but it's okay to let it out, to share what's on your mind," she continued softly, hoping to encourage him to open up.

Adam stayed silent, but the slight relaxation in his posture hinted that her words had resonated with him.

Silence reigned in the dimly lit room, broken only by a thin streak of sunlight piercing through the curtains.

"You know," Her voice broke the stillness, soft and tinged with a hint of reminiscence, "I used to dream of having a son. And growing up alongside my brothers, I suppose it influenced that desire in me." She chuckled.

Pausing, she gazed out the window, lost in a moment of introspection, letting the memory weave its path through her thoughts. The gentle trickle of daylight seemed to echo her quiet musings.

"Toru, Hoshino Toru." A faint smile graced her lips as she savored the imagined melody of the name. "It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?" She turned, her eyes seeking a response that remained unspoken.

"But life had different plans." she continued, her voice now laced with a subtle melancholy. "Instead, I was blessed with three incredible daughters and a loving husband."

A sigh escaped her lips, the warmth of her smile masking the fleeting sadness that danced in her eyes. "Yet, that happiness didn't last long." she whispered softly, her words hanging in the air, heavy with the weight of fleeting moments. "It taught me something invaluable: every moment spent with the ones you love is a treasure. You never truly realize how fragile it all is until it's gone."

Her voice trailed off, a weight of bittersweet nostalgia settling in the room, a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life's most cherished moments.

"Whenever you're ready to talk, I'll be here," Ayano assured him before rising from the bed. "I'll leave you to rest. Just remember, you're not alone in this."

With a reassuring smile, she exited the room, but before she did. A quiet voice beckoned her attention.

 "Thank you... for sharing." He said, still in bed as he gazed upwards at the ceiling.

These words, although few, triggered a smile within Ayano, who gently closed the door afterwards. Allowing him the space he needed to navigate the depths of his thoughts.

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[Shintoko Academy. Building C, Class 403]

[The day of the outbreak.]

The sound of the bell going off triggered murmurs amongst the students all eager to leave the class. "Don't forget to thoroughly revise chapters four, five, and six for the mid-term exams. These chapters will carry significant weight, especially in the final exams,"

"Adam, if you have a moment, I'd like to have a word with you," the teacher called out, prompting the boy to pause and retake his seat.

As the classroom emptied, leaving only Adam and the teacher behind, the soft hum of distant conversations filled the air.

"Is something wrong? You seem lost in thought throughout the whole lecture, I didn't call you out mid class since you are an excellent student." she asked, her concern evident in her voice.

"I don't feel well, Komuro Sensei. I have this feeling that I can't shake off." Adam confessed, his usual stoic expression revealing a hint of unease.

Ms.Komuro softly smiled. It's rare to see Adam share his thoughts. "If you aren't feeling so well, then you can go home and rest, Mizuki-san is not in today, so no one is operating the clinic for now, he's on an annual leave."

"Hn." He nodded and stood up from his seat on his way to the school's faculty.

As Adam left the classroom, Ms. Komuro sighed. "If only my son was half as smart as him" she mused, leaning back in her chair.

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Adam maneuvered through the bustling corridors, the usual symphony of student chatter echoing against the walls, a constant backdrop to his thoughts. Despite the lively atmosphere, an unspoken sense of foreboding lingered, casting a shadow over his movements.

Finally reaching the faculty room, his eyes sought out Ayano, who was engrossed in her work behind the desk. As he approached, the rhythm of her typing slowed, eventually coming to a halt as she noticed his presence.

"Adam, is there something on your mind?" Ayano inquired, her voice soft but filled with concern, her gentle smile a soothing contrast to the tension in the air.

"I— I'm not feeling well, I wish to return home and rest for a while." Adam expressed, the weariness evident in his voice.

"I see, then I'll drive us back." Ayano offered, before she started to pack up her belongings, concern etched across her features.

"It's fine, I'll go alone. Besides, you still have classes to teach." Adam responded, a faint smile gracing his lips.

"It's not safe to go alone. I will-" Ayano began, attempting to persuade him, worry creasing her brow.

"No, I'll take a cab. It's quicker. Thank you for worrying about me." Adam insisted, already making his way toward the door.

"If that is so, then stay safe and rest well." Ayano called after him, watching as he exited the room before settling back into her seat to resume her work.

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As Adam exited the school building, now onto the streets of Tokonosu. He hailed a passing cab, stopping as he got inside the backseat.

 "Where to, kid?" the cab driver asked, glancing at the boy in the rearview mirror.

"Head straight for now. I'll lead you there." Adam said.

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The car ride was long and uneventful for Adam. The radio emitted nothing but static. The driver fiddled with the stations, managing to land on a couple that worked sporadically.

"Here will do, thank you," Adam instructed the driver as he paid the fee and stepped out onto the sidewalk. A few blocks lay between him and home, and he preferred the short walk.

Lost in thought, he pondered the unease that had enveloped him. 'I've only felt this foreboding once before. When my biological mom-'

"Walking back home, Williams?" A sneering voice sliced through Adam's reverie, drawing his attention to the owner of that voice.

'Haruki, figures, that removed a part of the uneasiness, but it's still there.' Adam sighed mentally, his frustration mounting.

"What's the issue this time, Kurosawa?" Adam's voice portrayed his fatigue, a hint of irritation underlying his words.

"You're quite the brain, Williams. Surely you dont need a hint?" Haruki's smirk widened, his lackeys approaching from behind the heir. In the distance, Adam spotted a black car, realizing Haruki and his friends were brought here.

"No, I believe I can handle this without any help, especially not from someone resorting to violence out of jealousy. I have no interest in Alice if that's what you're getting at." Adam's tone remained flat, unaffected by the escalating situation.

Haruki's composure cracked, his sneer faltering before he regained control. His friends edged closer, exuding an air of threat.

"You think you're hot stuff, Williams, but brains won't save you when things turn sour," Haruki spat, his voice dripping with disdain.

Adam sighed mentally, anticipating the unfolding situation, but something caught his attention. A figure walked a few feet behind Haruki. There was something off about that person.

"Just so you know this won't be-" Haruki's words were abruptly cut off as a hand landed firmly on his shoulder.

The sudden touch made Haruki turn sharply, his voice filled with a mix of confusion and frustration. "Hey, Mister. What's the meaning of this? Do you know who-"

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Blood...

Before Haruki could finish his sentence, blood sprayed from his neck. A bizarre and terrifying sight unfolded as the figure took a substantial bite out of Haruki, shocking Adam and the rest of the group around the Kurosawa heir, freezing momentarily in disbelief.

Adam's mind raced, his instincts kicking in. Without a second thought, he spun around, sprinting in the opposite direction, his heart pounding against his chest. The chaos behind him was unsettling, sending shivers down his spine. He needed to find safety, to reach the familiarity of his home.

As he reached the front door, his fingers trembled while trying to unlock it. The familiar click of the lock finally gave way, and he rushed inside, slamming the door shut behind him. Gasping for breath, he bolted the door and leaned against it, his chest heaving with exertion.

During midday, the sound of distant sirens pierced through the air, mingling with the faint shouts and hurried footsteps in the neighborhood. Adam, locking each entry point of the house, could sense the unsettling symphony of chaos outside.

As he secured the last window, the eerie quiet within the house settled heavily. Each lock clicked shut, reinforcing the feeling of isolation within the walls. His steps echoed faintly as he headed for his room, the house now a makeshift sanctuary amidst the brewing storm.

Collapsing onto his bed, Adam was engulfed in an uneasy silence, disturbed only by occasional crashes and sirens blaring in the distance. Despite the chaos lurking beyond the safety of his home, fatigue weighed heavily on him.

The distant sounds of breaking glass and the urgent wails of sirens served as a disconcerting lullaby, weaving a surreal ambiance around the unsettling stillness within his room. With a heavy heart and a weariness that permeated his being, Adam succumbed to an uneasy slumber, the threat outside echoing faintly in his dreams.

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Toru knelt by Ayano's side, tears streaming down his face as he caressed her lifeless corpse.

Amidst the overwhelming grief, a distant sound pulled Toru back to the desolate reality. He glanced up, startled by the sudden noise. A surreal sight met his eyes. A door materialized out of thin air, its presence defying logic in this desolate place.

Kazuhiro stood by the newly formed door, ready to depart. He has completed his mission.

"Kazuhiro-san," Toru's voice quivered, "May I... come with you?"

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