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Chapter 1: When Everything Stopped, My Journey Began
From the anime "The Dark Smile"
Written by Kaito Renzo — the author who dreams of becoming the greatest writer in history.
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Scene 1 – Flashback: Dark Alley
The camera descends from the sky into a narrow alley trapped between cracked buildings.
The air is heavy, the stench of garbage lingering as if it were part of the walls themselves.
Shadows move quietly around, faint glimpses of passersby who never turn their heads.
In the center of the alley stands a small boy, no more than four years old.
Tears fill his eyes as his trembling hands clutch a torn notebook—its pages scattered as though someone had ripped it apart on purpose.
Kiora (in a broken voice):
Why does this keep happening to me? What did I ever do to deserve this?
No answer.
Only silence—thick, suffocating silence—responds to his cries.
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Scene 2 – Present Day: Classroom
Sunlight filters through the classroom window, dancing across the dust in the air.
Outside, the wind shakes the trees, birds sing as if the world were peaceful...
But in the last seat by the window, sits Kiora, alone.
The air around him feels… different.
It moves in ways it shouldn't.
The bell rings. Voices rise.
Students gather their notebooks and laugh as they leave.
Kiora quietly lifts his bag.
Before he can stand, a cocky student steps forward, opens a water bottle, and pours it over Kiora's head without hesitation.
Student:
Why don't you just leave this school?
Whispers spread.
Student 1:
He's right… why doesn't he leave?
Student 2 (watching the air ripple around Kiora):
He's a monster… look at him.
Kiora rises calmly, water dripping from his hair.
He doesn't respond. He doesn't get angry.
He just takes his bag and walks away.
Student 3 (whispering):
When he passed by me… I couldn't breathe.
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Scene 3 – City Streets
Kiora walks steadily.
People on both sides of the street avoid his path.
Mothers pull their children away.
Men watch him with wary eyes.
Man 1:
Why do we let him walk around here?
Man 2:
He looks dangerous… he shouldn't be here.
Man 3 (holding his child):
I won't let him come near.
And yet… Kiora smiles.
Suddenly, a small boy breaks free from his mother's grasp and runs toward him.
Mother (terrified):
Come back! Don't go near him!
But the child reaches Kiora first.
He looks up, meeting his eyes directly.
Child:
People are afraid of you… they talk about you.
So why are you smiling?
Kiora stops, sighs softly… and smiles wider.
Kiora:
I don't know.
He walks away, leaving the boy staring after him in confusion.
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Scene 4 – Kiora's Home
The door opens.
The smell of food greets him before his mother does.
The house is small, its wooden walls decorated with simple flowers near the windows.
Behind it, a quiet garden sways in the breeze.
His mother steps out of the kitchen, still holding a spoon.
Mother (warmly):
Welcome home, Kiora. How was your day?
Kiora chuckles softly—a quiet laugh, tired from within.
Kiora:
It was great, Mom.
Mother:
You sound like you had fun.
Kiora:
Yeah… by the way, I'll go get some fresh air before lunch.
Mother:
Alright, but don't stay out too long. Lunch will be ready soon.
Kiora:
Promise.
He leaves the house with gentle steps.
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Scene 5 – The Nearby Forest
The grass brushes against his feet.
Tall trees cast moving shadows as the wind hums through the leaves.
He walks aimlessly, repeating the child's question in his mind.
Kiora (whispering to himself):
He's right… why do I keep smiling, even though people fear me?
Before an answer comes, the forest trembles.
A sudden wind roars through the trees.
Leaves swirl violently around him.
Thunder cracks across the sky.
Lightning strikes the ground, setting trees ablaze.
Kiora (shouting):
What's happening?!
The ground shakes beneath him.
Branches break.
The storm seems focused on one single point…
The spot where he stands.
Suddenly, the air before his eyes splits apart.
A blue circle expands slowly, glowing brighter until it becomes a full gate—its center shining white like a miniature sun.
Then… a strange voice echoes.
Neither male nor female.
Voice:
Heh… I've finally found you.
The light shoots forward, wrapping around Kiora.
His body freezes.
He's pulled into the gate—helpless, weightless.
And the moment he vanishes…
Everything stops.
To be continued...