The next day, the school corridors buzzed with noise—footsteps, chatter, lockers slamming shut. Students moved in groups, laughing, shouting, living their ordinary lives.
Akira Nozomu walked alone.
His steps were steady, unhurried. His expression was empty, almost lifeless, as if the world around him existed at a slower speed than he did. Eyes followed him without him noticing—some curious, some uneasy—yet Akira didn't react. He never did.
"Hey, Akira! Wait for me!"
A voice echoed from behind.
Akira stopped and turned his head slightly. Running toward him was Kazume, breathing heavily, hands on his knees as he finally stopped in front of him.
Kazume straightened up and smiled brightly.
"Man… I was looking everywhere for you."
Akira stared at him blankly.
"Why did you want to meet me?" he asked, his voice flat and emotionless.
Kazume clapped his hands together, excitement bursting from him.
"There's a football match today! Our team needs one more member. I want you to join us."
Akira tilted his head slightly.
"Why me?"
Kazume leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"Come on, you know why. We can use void energy. We'll win easily. It'll be fun!"
Akira glanced at the watch on his wrist, silent for a moment. Then he looked back at Kazume.
"Very well," he said calmly.
"I will participate. I hope it is worth my time."
Kazume grinned.
"Yes! Let's go!"
The football ground was packed.
Girls lined the sides of the field, cheering loudly. Boys shouted encouragements, waving flags and banners. The atmosphere was electric.
Akira stood beside Kazume, hands in his pockets, eyes half-lidded.
"These people are… irritating," Akira said.
Kazume laughed and winked at the girls.
"Relax. They're just fans. They want us to win."
Akira didn't reply.
The whistle blew.
The match began.
The opposing team surged forward, their bodies glowing faintly as void energy wrapped around their legs. They moved like blurs, their kicks powerful enough to bend the air.
"They're fast!" one of Kazume's teammates shouted, already exhausted.
The opponent charged toward the goal—but Kazume intercepted, stealing the ball mid-run.
He turned and shouted,
"Akira! Take it!"
Kazume kicked the ball with all his void energy.
The ball flew like a cannonball.
Akira moved.
He didn't run—he appeared in front of the ball, catching it effortlessly with his foot. His expression never changed.
He walked toward the goal.
Not sprinted.
Not rushed.
Just walked.
"You can do it, Akira!" Kazume shouted.
Akira raised his leg.
And tapped the ball.
Lightly.
The ground cracked.
The ball vanished—then reappeared inside the goal, tearing straight through the net, shattering the frame, and smashing into the wall behind it with a deafening explosion.
Silence.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
Kazume's eyes widened in shock.
"You broke the entire goal…!"
Akira looked at the destroyed frame.
"Was that… excessive?"
A new goalpost was dragged in.
The match resumed.
Again and again, Akira scored.
Each kick casual.
Each shot effortless.
Each goal ending in broken nets, shattered frames, and stunned silence.
By halftime, the field looked like a battlefield.
Kazume gulped water, staring at Akira like he was a monster.
"You're insane… You're amazing."
Akira glanced at him.
"This game is extremely simple. I observed it many times on the internet."
Kazume laughed nervously.
"Bro… sometimes you don't even feel human."
Akira stopped walking.
"…What is 'human'?"
Kazume froze.
"…You're joking, right?"
Akira's blank stare answered everything.
Kazume rubbed his chin.
"Okay… uh… a robot is like a human, but it's a machine."
Akira considered this deeply.
"…Then I am not a robot."
He walked back toward the field.
"Let us continue. I am not satisfied."
The match resumed.
Another net broke.
Then another.
Finally, the referee raised his hands.
"Match… canceled."
Kazume's teammates approached Akira in awe.
"Bro… you're too powerful."
They left, shaking their heads.
Akira turned to Kazume.
"Is the match over?"
Kazume sighed.
"Yeah. You destroyed every goal. But honestly—
you were terrifyingly cool."
Akira nodded.
"I see."
That evening, at the Nozomu household—
Takashi knocked and entered Akira's room.
"Did you have fun at school today?"
Akira sat at his computer, eyes on the screen.
"…Not really," he replied.
"But it was… acceptable."
Ayama entered with a plate of pancakes, smiling warmly.
"Then forget about it. Eat these. I made them just for you."
She placed the plate gently and left with Takashi.
Akira stared at the pancakes.
"…They appear appealing."
He ate every last bite.
For the first time that day—
something close to satisfaction crossed his mind.
Akira sat silently on the edge of his bed, his back straight, hands resting loosely at his sides. His eyes drifted upward, staring at the ceiling as if trying to see beyond it.
"…This world feels different," he murmured.
"It's as if I'm living an entirely new life."
Slowly, he closed his eyes.
For a brief moment, there was nothing—
Then—
"Master… that's me."
The voice echoed directly inside his mind.
Akira's eyes snapped open.
He immediately scanned the room, his gaze sharp and alert.
"Solara…?" he said calmly, though his heart stirred.
"Is that you?"
The air trembled.
Void energy poured into the room like flowing starlight, wrapping the space in a soft, cosmic glow. The atmosphere itself seemed to bend.
Suddenly, a figure appeared—
A beautiful woman sitting gently on the edge of Akira's bed, her presence calm yet overwhelming. Her long hair shimmered with void light, and her eyes sparkled with excitement and loyalty.
"Master," she said brightly, her voice warm and familiar,
"Did you miss me?"
Akira looked at her in silence for a moment.
Then, a small smile—barely noticeable—appeared on his face.
"…I was expecting you," he replied softly.
"It would have been strange if you didn't come."
Solara's eyes lit up. She clapped her hands together in excitement.
"Then it's decided!" she declared happily.
"From now on, I'm going to live with you!"
Akira's expression instantly stiffened.
"…Absolutely not," he said flatly.
Before he could react, Solara leaned forward and hugged him, her movements quick and playful, her smile full of warmth.
"I will," she said confidently, resting against him as if it were the most natural thing in the universe.
Akira froze.
He stared straight ahead, expression unreadable, void energy subtly rippling around him.
"…This world truly is different," he muttered.
And somewhere deep within him—
Something ancient stirred once more.