Chapter 2: The Shattered Reflection
When I was just a naive ten-year-old boy, I can vividly recall the faces of my parents, their expressions filled with a peculiar mixture of disappointment and sadness, and my eight-year-old sister standing beside them, tightly holding onto my father's hand.
It was a moment etched into my memory, a moment that would shape my future in ways I couldn't yet comprehend.
"Ced, we'll be leaving for a family vacation in just a week," my mother explained gently.
"Mother, can I come with you?" I implored, my voice filled with hope.
"No, Ced, you can't. This trip is just for a week. You need to stay here," she replied, her words carrying a hint of finality. "Besides, you're not the 'Shining Star' we've been expecting."
I stared at the floor in shame, my young heart burdened by the notion of not living up to their expectations.
At that time, I didn't fully grasp the significance of the term 'shining star,' but as I grew older, its meaning became painfully clear. I was not the child they had hoped for, not the one who could make them proud.
My mother turned away, and with my father, they opened the door to leave. My sister, though just eight, gazed at me with a look that seemed to say she understood more about this "one-week vacation" than I did.
That week leading up to their departure was a whirlwind of anticipation. I did everything I could to prepare for their return, from daily baths to neatly combed hair to maintaining a spotless house and cooking simple meals to sustain myself during their absence. I was eagerly awaiting their return that Monday morning.
But as the clock struck 8 a.m., there was no sign of my parents. The house remained silent, and a gnawing feeling of unease crept over me.
I couldn't help but mutter, "Where are Mother and Father?"
I decided to prepare breakfast for the four of us, just as I had been doing all week. With small hands, I reached into the refrigerator and retrieved some hotdogs, eggs, and a few other essentials.
I cracked the eggs and cooked them alongside the hotdogs. Placing the meal on plates, I set the table with a plate for my mother, my father, and my little sister. I took my own seat, my anxiety growing with each passing moment.
Hours passed, and still, there was no sign of them. By 12 pm, the unease had turned into a knot of worry in my stomach.
I kept telling myself that maybe they were getting a surprise gift for me—a way to make up for leaving me behind. So I resisted the urge to eat, waiting patiently.
The clock ticked on relentlessly. 1 pm. 2 pm. And it was 3 p.m., and they had not returned.
I tried to reassure myself, "Maybe they're just running late. They'll be here soon." But deep down, I knew something was amiss.
I continued to wait, skipping breakfast and lunch, as the clock ticked on. By 9 PM, the food I had prepared earlier remained untouched.
Hunger gnawed at my stomach, but I stubbornly refused to eat. I would wait for them, even if it meant endangering my own health.
Morning turned to night, and it was Tuesday. The clock read 8 AM once more, but they were still absent. I continued to wait, my resolve unbroken, even as my body weakened.
By 10 PM, my strength was waning, and tears welled up in my eyes. I whispered to the empty room, fear and sadness in my voice, "What happened to Mother and Father? Did something terrible happen to them?"
I reached for a fork, my hand trembling with indecision. Should I eat or continue to wait? The inner turmoil was unbearable.
Finally, my hunger got the better of me, and I took a bite of the food I had prepared for them. Guilt washed over me, and tears mixed with my meal.
"I ate without them. They would be so disappointed," I lamented to myself, feeling like a failure.
I looked at their plates, still full, and realized that I would never be the 'Shining Star' they had hoped for. A suffocating darkness enveloped me, and I couldn't contain the turmoil within.
Desperation took hold as I stumbled toward the mirror. My fists clenched, and with a raw, primal scream, I unleashed my fury upon the reflective surface.
The mirror shattered into a thousand pieces, and the deafening sound of shattering glass reverberated through the room.
Blood welled up from my knuckles, mixing with the broken glass. The pain should have been excruciating, but I felt nothing. It was as if a cold, numbing void had taken hold of me.
As I gazed at the shards of the broken mirror, my reflection distorted and fragmented, I realized that this act was a manifestation of my own shattered soul.
The darkness that had consumed me was now a physical force, driving me to destroy the only image I had of myself.
I couldn't identify the source of this emotion that prevented me from feeling pain.
Was it anger toward myself or a sense of betrayal?
It was both. I was a disappointment, and they left me because of it.
That moment brought back a flood of memories. My little sister had always outshoned me, a constant source of brilliance.
I wondered, What had I been doing all this time as his older brother?
She was the family's prodigy, the shining star they yearned for. My parents knew it, and that's why they made the painful decision to leave me behind. Questions swirled in my mind.
"What should I do now? Should I strive to become the best and make them regret leaving me behind? Is becoming the perfect human the only solution, or merely a stepping stone?"
But I couldn't bear the thought of following the ordinary, mundane path. I yearned for a peak that was uniquely mine—a summit where I stood alone, unmatched.
How many years would it take to find that extraordinary peak, one that I could truly call "unique"?
Five weeks passed, and at last, a letter arrived from my parents. It carried cold words, delivering the harsh truth.
"We've decided to move to America and enroll your little sister in a prestigious academy there. You might be wondering why you weren't invited to join. Ced, you're a mistake. From now on, we'll provide you with a weekly allowance to keep you alive. Spend it wisely."
Reading those words didn't stir tears; I had steeled myself for this moment. I knew they would find a way to mold my little sister into the family's shining star. With determination, I pocketed the money they'd sent and headed to the supermarket.
The journey there, though long, gave me time to ponder my future. Upon entering the supermarket, I grabbed a shopping cart and searched for budget-friendly meals to sustain me.
My goal was simple: stay alive. As I selected canned food and hotdogs, I couldn't help but notice an animated display on a nearby TV.
It showcased a 2D character in a red robe, wielding a red sword. He moved swiftly, engaging in combat with his foes. Then he became serious, pushing an enemy back with his sword.
"I've had enough of this meaningless fighting. Let me share with you the ultimate technique I've mastered. But first, allow me to tell you a story about a man with a dream. People mocked him, called him a naive child for pursuing his dreams. He didn't aim to become a hero or a villain; he sought a role unique to himself, standing apart from the binary notions of good and evil."
I was captivated by this character's resolve, feeling a connection as if he mirrored my own aspirations.
Was it possible for me to achieve something similar in the real world we lived in, where everyone aimed to be a hero or villain? While I aimed for something different, it was a unique perspective, and I wondered if I could be the only one to pursue it.
The enemy he faced protested, calling him mad, and attacked. With unparalleled calm, he caught the enemy's sword with his bare hand, a hint of red mana glowing. The enemy's disbelief grew as their sword shattered, leaving the enemy defenseless.
In that pivotal moment, the enemy's voice trembled with disbelief as he questioned, "Who are you? How is this even possible?"
The crimson-cloaked character, draped in mystery, didn't say a word. Instead, he let his actions do the talking with unwavering determination.
Raising his sword high, the crimson figure's voice thundered and echoed across the battlefield, sending shivers down my spine.
His words weren't just noise; they were a powerful statement, chilling the enemy to the core.
"Behold! Witness it with your very own eyes—the ultimate power, nay, the ultimate technique. It shall be remembered into your body, etched into the very fiber of your being as you vanish from this world."
With incredible speed, the crimson-cloaked character lunged forward, thrusting his crimson sword into the enemy's heart. The enemy's eyes widened in terror as the blade pierced his chest.
And with the same determination, the crimson-cloaked character uttered his ultimate technique, "Crimson Cataclysmic Annihilation!"
In that very moment, the air crackled with anticipation as a dark-red whirlwind of energy formed a menacing circle around the doomed enemy.
It whirled and pulsed, menacing and powerful, threatening to devour everything in its path. Fear gripped me, and I couldn't look away from the TV.
Then, in a massive explosion of crimson energy, the enemy was obliterated. The shockwave that followed defied belief, leaving an indelible mark on the battlefield.
A colossal crater remained, a testament to the crimson-cloaked character's overwhelming power.As the smoke cleared, The crimson-cloaked character vanished into the distance, his silhouette a stark contrast against the destruction he'd caused.
I stood still there, stunned and breathless. The title reappeared on the screen, "The Crimson Cloak: The King of Darkness," sending shivers down my spine. I knew this anime would stay etched in my memory forever, never to be forgotten.
Six years had passed, and I was now sixteen. I vividly remembered "The Crimson Cloak: King of Darkness." It all started with an anime based on a light novel.
There were just two seasons, and the eagerly awaited third season remained elusive.
The light novel had a staggering nineteen volumes. This series ignited my passion for light novels and manga, especially those tagged as Isekai, Fantasy, and Action.
What dampened my excitement, however, was the author of "The Crimson Cloak: King of Darkness" had gone on hiatus, rumored to be a part of a wealthy conglomerate family.
The author's true identity remained hidden behind a pen name, and speculation abounded.
Would that author ever return to finish the light novel, or was it destined for indefinite silence? It left me yearning for closure.
That light novel also had a game, and I found myself spending precious gems and money on it.
The character with the crimson cloak held an irresistible allure, even within the game. I couldn't help but invest heavily, sometimes sacrificing meals for in-game purchases.
I even endured a week of going hungry, all for the sake of that virtual character. The dedication bordered on obsession.
Amidst this fervor, a realization emerged from my journey through the anime, manga, light novel, and game: my path was clear.
I aspired to become a background character.
It was the unique route I'd always longed for. With each step, I felt closer to its summit, confident that no one could impede my ascent. I envisioned a solitary climb with no competitors in sight.
Yet, uncertainties lingered. Could I truly reach the pinnacle of being a background character?
Two popular girls embodied a growing threat. They stood like formidable barriers in my pursuit of this unique path, casting doubt on whether I could ever reach its peak.
It was around 5 PM, the first evening I had to spend with Kaori and Luna in Ouran Academy's dormitory room number 30.
I found myself on the sofa, squeezed between Kaori Sato on my right and Luna Hoshizaki on my left.
Luna had an iron grip on my left shoulder, while Kaori mirrored her with an equally tight grip on my right. Their fingers clung to me as if they had no intention of ever letting go.
With a smirk, Luna initiated the conversation, her possessiveness palpable as she tightened her grip on my left shoulder.
"Do you have any idea how we set all of this in motion?" Her words hung in the air, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping in.
"What do you mean, Luna?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity and confusion.
She continued, her grip growing even firmer, as if to underline her point. "Well, both of our families, my parents and Kaori's, have been rivals in the conglomerate world for as long as I can remember. We had countless competitions, maybe twenty or thirty; it's just that remembering all the details of who won which competition can get a bit boring when I always won every time Kaori and I faced off."
Kaori couldn't resist chiming in, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Luna, stop exaggerating. Those contests were mostly draws, and you know it. There's no need to come up with another story and hide the truth."
Luna's confident expression wavered, and it became evident that Kaori had spoken the truth. Their past contests were indeed tied.
Undeterred, Luna proceeded. "However, our families proposed an unusual solution. They witnessed a boy, you, Ced, gazing at a TV screen six years ago, eyes filled with an unusual darkness. My father, who owns that supermarket where you watched that TV, and Kaori's father struck a deal. They decided, 'Whoever wins the heart of this boy will be the ultimate victor in our long-standing rivalry.'"
I felt a rush of shock and uncertainty. Was I merely a pawn in their rivalry, a prize to be won and discarded once one of them claimed victory?
Luna seemed to sense my unease and cleared her throat, addressing the unspoken concerns that weighed heavily on me.
"Am I nothing more than a prize to you? Your expression betrays your thoughts, Ced. You appear worried. Remember, background characters shouldn't reveal such emotions. I thought you'd appreciate the chance to part ways once one of us emerges victorious."
Luna's words hung in the air, creating an uncomfortable silence. I hesitated before shifting the conversation, my voice tinged with both curiosity and apprehension.
"So, what you're telling me is that your interest in me was solely because I ended up as your roommate, just because I'm a boy?"
Luna nodded solemnly, her gaze unwavering, "Yes, Ced. My father only informed me that a boy would be joining us as a roommate. So, Kaori and I eagerly entered this dorm room, awaiting your arrival. It marked the beginning of yet another competition between Kaori and me. My father provided no hints about your identity; he simply said, 'A male roommate will be joining you,' and that he was the same boy they had seen six years ago."
As I contemplated this revelation, I couldn't help but wonder if Luna's father and Kaori's father had orchestrated all of this.
Was it all because I watched an anime at the supermarket on the nearby TV? But then, a sudden thought emerged in my mind: the author of that light novel, 'The Crimson Cloak: King of Darkness,' was rumored to be from a conglomerate family.
Could the author somehow be involved? It seemed far-fetched; there was no reason for someone like that to take an interest in me.
Perhaps these rumors were just that—rumors. There was no way he came from one of the conglomerate families.
Luna leaned in closer, her voice taking on a gentler tone.
"But I don't intend to let you go, even if I win. I'm fascinated by your uniqueness, your perspective about how you see this world. I want to protect you and keep you away from being a background character. You intrigue me, and I can't help but wonder what it would be like if you were 'normal.' I want to be with you, to be by your side, forever."
The word "forever" hit me like a tidal wave. It was a commitment I hadn't expected.
Kaori, on the other hand, whispered into my right ear, her voice filled with determination.
"Ced Nakano, I'm willing to stake my pride as a Sato family member and my position as Vice President of the Student Council at Ouran Academy. I, Kaori Sato, will guide you toward normalcy. I'll help you stand out from the crowd. You're not destined to be a background character, Ced. You're more than that, like a prince, and I'm willing to be your princess, Ced Nakano."
Luna chimed in once more, her possessiveness returning. "Hmph, Kaori, you're too idealistic. Ced Nakano, I, Luna Hoshizaki, the Student Council President, will make you mine. I'll ensure you become a part of my world. Witnessing your defeat, Kaori, would be my greatest satisfaction."
Their intensity and desire to claim me left me overwhelmed. Luna and Kaori had made their intentions clear—they wouldn't let me go easily.
Unable to bear the tension any longer, I finally spoke, attempting to ease the situation.
"Let's not fight, okay? Let's take things slowly. Being friends sounds like a good starting point, right?"
They exchanged glances, and the term 'friends' appeared foreign, as if it had lost its meaning. Eventually, they nodded in agreement.
"Right," Luna finally said. "But make sure to spend more time with me, Ced. It's a must."
Kaori added, "Luna can be quite overwhelming at times, but if you ever feel lonely, Ced, you're welcome to spend time with me. I'll be your comfort."
As an uneasy silence settled over our dorm room, one question loomed large:
Could I ever reach the peak of becoming a background character, a path that remained unique and uncharted in a world filled with clichés?
Weekly Power Status
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