My name is Cody.
I was a student at Shinsei High School, a place where everyone seemed to be moving forward…
Except me.
This is where my story began.
Not when I entered high school.
Not when everything fell apart.
It started years ago, when I was just a kid—back when I didn't understand how deeply the past could follow you.
At the time, I lived with my mom.
Three days after my parents had a terrible argument…
My father left.
I watched him walk out the front door without saying goodbye.
Without even looking back.
The house felt strangely quiet after that.
When I turned around, I saw my mom sitting on the couch with her face buried in her hands.
She was crying.
It was the first time I'd ever seen her cry.
"…Mom?"
She slowly looked up.
Her eyes were red.
Tired.
For a moment, neither of us said anything.
"…Can we go to the park?" I asked.
She blinked in surprise.
Then she wiped away her tears, forced a small smile, and nodded.
"…Okay."
A little while later, we arrived at the neighborhood park.
As we walked along the path, my mom noticed a woman from work.
"Hey!"
The woman turned around with a smile.
"Oh! I didn't expect to see you here."
While they talked, my attention wandered to the little girl standing beside her.
She hid behind her mother's leg for a moment before carefully peeking at me.
"This is my daughter," the woman said.
"Her name is Mia."
Our eyes met.
Neither of us spoke.
The silence only lasted a few seconds…
Before Mia suddenly smiled.
Our mothers continued talking while we walked toward the playground.
"Cody," my mom said, "why don't you go play with her?"
I nodded and took a few hesitant steps forward.
Before I could even introduce myself—
Mia grabbed my hand.
"Come play with me!"
She laughed as she pulled me across the playground.
I couldn't help but laugh too.
For the first time that day…
I forgot about everything that had happened at home.
We played tag.
Hide-and-seek.
Ran across the grass until we were both out of breath.
Time seemed to fly by.
Eventually, my mom called my name.
"Cody! It's time to go."
"Coming!"
As I turned around—
I felt someone gently tug on my sleeve.
I looked back.
Mia lowered her eyes for a moment before looking up at me.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Will… will you be my friend?"
I smiled.
"…Yeah."
Her face lit up with the brightest smile I'd seen all day.
"Really?"
I nodded.
She waved excitedly as our mothers began walking away.
"Bye, Cody!"
"See you again!"
I waved back until she disappeared from sight.
…
Years later…
That memory no longer brought me happiness.
Because if I had known what would happen next…
I never would have become friends with Mia.
END OF CHAPTER 1