More than a hundred years have passed since beings known as ability users, possessors of supernatural powers, first appeared in this world.
At first the world was filled with chaos, and crime overflowed everywhere.
However, to counter this, the government formed opposing organizations such as special countermeasures units, and now crime has decreased considerably.
Yes, crime has decreased. That is a fact.
However, the number of dead has increased.
This is because, at the same time, grotesque monsters began to appear.
The locations where these monsters appear are not specified. Whether inside a school or on an airplane, they emerge without warning from anywhere, living disasters.
There is only one way to deal with them: kill them with the abilities of ability users. Unfortunately, modern weapons such as guns are completely useless against these monsters. When this fact was not yet widely known, the Self-Defense Forces attacked with their maximum combat power, but the monster did not stop breathing. Instead, it devoured the Self-Defense Forces.
I, Yanagi Hayato, live in such a mad world.
◇
In the classroom after school, I gaze at the sky from my desk.
The beautiful setting sun sinking low is... well, nothing comes to mind.
"Fufu, teacher, it seems the world is calling for my help. I must go at once!"
"What are you talking about? Finish the handout quickly."
"But!"
"No buts. Hurry up."
Damn it. It seems escaping from the demon king in front of me is impossible.
The beautiful woman with long black hair tied back in a single ponytail is Nikaidou Futaba.
She is my Japanese language teacher.
Her hair reaches her waist when tied, and her eyes possess such intensity that they could turn anyone who meets them to stone.
Among the students, she is feared as the empress with the nickname "Medusa."
And right now, I am undergoing one-on-one supplementary lessons with that monster.
If I stop my hand even slightly, she tries to plunge me into terror with that gaze.
"It would have been fine if you had not gotten a failing grade, right?"
"How could I avoid failing on a test like that!"
"Oh? Then why are the other students not here?"
"Well, that is..."
Even if my scores are a little low, it should be fine...
If I said that, a fist would definitely come flying, so I do not say it. Apparently, my father's friend will hire me at his company after I graduate high school (and train me there), so I cannot focus on academics no matter what.
And unfortunately, this teacher is a very caring person. She deliberately stays with me until this late hour after school.
"Stop talking and move your pen."
"...Yes."
With nothing more to say, I finished the handout she gave me while feeling like I was spitting blood.
◇
"Ugh, my head hurts. I do not want to do anything anymore."
Several dozen minutes later, I was finally released from the prison called supplementary lessons.
On the way out, when my head was about to boil, she handed down a death sentence: "Next time, I will double the handouts."
I want someone to understand how I feel.
I open my smartphone and stare at the number displayed there.
'0'
This number represents the strength of a person's ability.
The number on my smartphone is '0.' In other words, I am an ability-less person.
The higher this number, the more tremendous the ability. Rumors say there are ability users who can blow away mountains. And the higher the number, the better the treatment prepared for it. Well, the opposite is also true...
"Well, it has nothing to do with me..."
I have no interest in luxury.
I just want a peaceful life, laughing with my family.
In such a mad world, no matter how luxurious it gets, death comes easily.
"Yawn. I should hurry home and sleep."
I head home while yawning.
When I get home, I will watch cute fluffy videos and heal myself fully.
As I pass in front of a vending machine, the space in front of me suddenly distorts.
"Hey, come on..."
From the distorted space, a hand emerges that could never belong to a human. Then a foot, a face, and a torso appear.
The form is that of the bull-headed, human-bodied monster from Greek mythology, the one with a cow's face—Asterios, or more famously, the Minotaur.
"Sigh, seriously... I am tired right now."
"BUOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
I try to appeal with my eyes: "I am tired, so how about next time? I will buy us both tea from the vending machine."
But it seems Mino-kun does not like that.
Tch, Mino-kun is probably a coffee person. Maybe it was a mistake to hesitate because canned coffee is a bit expensive.
"BUOO!"
It seems I have no right to a redo. Mino-kun swings his log-like massive arm.
That attack carries enough power to bring certain death if it hits a person.
However, the boy facing that blow shows no expression of panic or despair.
On the contrary, he confronts it with a gaze as if looking at a roadside stone.
Just before the Minotaur's attack reaches his head, I mutter.
"War God Mars."
◇
"I am home."
"Welcome home!"
A high-pitched reply comes from the living room.
When I enter the living room, my little sister is lying on the sofa, crunching on potato chips.
Her pink hair is tied in low twin tails, and her eyes shine crimson, like a rose blooming at night.
When she spots me in her field of vision, my sister opens her cherry-like cute mouth.
"Welcome home, onii-chan! Give me snacks!"
"..."
I am too stunned to say anything.
There is zero consideration for her tired brother. She is a truly sinful being who tries to mooch off her brother to satisfy her appetite.
That is my sister, Yanagi Ao.
"Hey, onii-sama, you should not look at your beloved little sister with eyes like she is trash, you know?"
"Then show me a figure that matches that..."
"Ehh, why do I have to keep up the cat facade even in front of onii-chan? Buu~"
She purses her lips like an octopus, clearly appealing her dissatisfaction.
"I did not say that much. As long as you keep at least a minimum cute appearance, it is fine."
"Does that mean I am not cute right now?! Onii-chan is an idiot! And you smell like onii-chan, what did you do outside, you pervert!"
"No, what are you thinking! I just bumped into some trash on the way!"
Even though I say that, she does not fully believe it. Ao turns a doubtful, half-lidded stare at me.
To think she sees me as the kind of guy who would do that to his sister...
Feeling a little sad, I leave my sister still giving me that stare and head to the second floor where my room is.
I set down my bag and start up the computer on my desk.
I type on the keys and open a certain site.
"Oooh!! So cute! There, show me a bit more of that spot!"
Just to clarify, it is not a questionable site.
The screen shows pandas eating bamboo, foxes stretching while yawning, and so on. As expected, watching these fluffy creatures is the best way to end a tiring day. I can feel my fatigue meter dropping rapidly.
Downstairs, Ao hears her brother's voice and looks exasperated.
"Onii-chan is pretty bad too..."
Her voice does not reach her brother.