A Prophecy Ignored

Flashback – One Year Before the Demon Invasion)

Shibuya, Japan – 11:47 PM

The streets of Shibuya, Japan, buzzed with vibrant energy; neon billboards flickered like a thousand shooting stars, the cacophony of traffic surged like a live wire, and people—lost in their digital worlds—glued their eyes to their phones. However, amidst this ordinary bustle, one figure shattered the mood: Professor Genzo Murakami, a once-respected scientist, stood on a live television broadcast, his frantic demeanor igniting a bizarre spectacle. “THE DEMONS ARE COMING! THE PORTAL WILL OPEN! THE WORLD WILL CHANGE FOREVER!” His voice pierced through the air, filled with urgency and madness. Murakami’s eyes were wide, bloodshot, as sweat streamed down his forehead like a waterfall. The other panelists exchanged incredulous glances, one female anchor raising an eyebrow in disdain. “This again, Professor Murakami? You’ve been spewing these ridiculous claims for years!” she sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “YOU FOOLS!” The professor slammed his fist on the table, rattling it. “A great portal will appear, and those who survive will be forever changed! Our world will never be the same again!” With an apathetic flick, the studio cut to a commercial break, leaving homes, schools, and workplaces across Japan rolling with laughter. …… Haruto, The Only Believer Among the throng of confused onlookers mesmerized by the spectacle on a giant screen in Shibuya Square, one solitary teenager stood out: Haruto Kisaragi. His expression was a landscape of frustration and stress as he clutched his schoolbag tightly, his eyes flicking back to the screen. “Man, I wish that guy was right…” he muttered under his breath, kicking a soda can down the bustling sidewalk with a loud clank. “If demons showed up, I wouldn't have to go to school anymore!” Yet reality was inevitable. The mundane shackles of school loomed ahead like a dark cloud, and the torturous walk felt heavier with each step. ……. Haruto vs. Vice President Ryusei At Fujikawa High, his one sworn enemy awaited him—Ryusei Kamada, the arrogant Student Council Vice President. Tall, angular, and dripping with condescension, Ryusei thrived on belittling anyone who crossed his path, especially Haruto. As soon as Haruto set foot on school grounds, Ryusei’s devilish grin pierced through the noise of chatter. His fingers snapped audibly.

“Well, well. The anime zombie crawls to school.”

“Look who finally decided to crawl to school. Did you get lost in your fantasy world of anime again, Kisaragi?” His laughter echoed, inviting a chorus of chuckling from his goons. Rolling his eyes, Haruto sighed, internally resigning himself. “Let’s just get this over with… another day, another humiliation.” With a motion that was both taunting and aggressive, Ryusei shoved Haruto's bag, causing his books to tumble onto the pavement with a cacophony of thuds. The mocking laughter of students vibrated around them like a dissonant tune. Just when the atmosphere thickened with impending embarrassment—“That’s enough, Ryusei!” A calm yet commanding voice sliced through the chaos like a sword through fog. Ami Sakuragi appeared, that elegant future prodigy, her soothing presence quieting the crowd. She knelt beside Haruto, helping him gather his books with a warmth that ignited an ember of hope within him. “You’re too kind to him, President,” Ryusei spat, his disgust palpable. Ryusei sneered. “You coddle him like a lost puppy.” Ignoring him, Ami turned to Haruto, her gentle smile casting away shadows of worry. “Are you okay?” Heat rushed to Haruto’s cheeks, and he quickly nodded. “Stay out of my way, Kisaragi.” Ryusei clicked his tongue, his gaze filled with contempt before he sauntered off, leaving Haruto sighing heavily. ……. Mocking the Madman In the classroom, the students’ whispers floated like poisonous butterflies, gossiping about Professor Murakami’s wild predictions from the morning. “Did you see that crazy professor on TV?” one student chortled, rolling his eyes. “Total lunatic.” Another snickered, “He sounded just like HARUTO!” Brushing off their ridicule, Haruto’s mind was already escaping to the digital realms he cherished, where fantasy saved the day and he could be the hero. ……. First Encounter with the Siblings On his way home, an electrifying excitement for gaming surged through him like a tidal wave. But then, something caught his eye: a moving truck parked in front of an apartment complex. Curiosity piqued, Haruto paused to observe two siblings—Rin and Kai Takahashi—unloading boxes. Kai, tall and serious, handled the burden like it was nothing, while Rin, with her short hair and an abundance of confidence, directed him with sharp, playful commands. In a fleeting instant, Haruto locked eyes with them, a connection blooming and flickering before being extinguished by his own disinterest. “Not my problem. Gotta grind in my game tonight,” he muttered, brushing the encounter aside before rushing into his house, the familiar sanctuary of forgotten worlds enveloping him. (BACK TO THE PRESENT)

…….

Present Day—One Year Later Haruto crashed violently into the ground, pain radiating through his body as blood trickled from a wound on his forehead. Above him loomed an A-rank demon, dark energy swirling around its grotesque form like a tempest. The siblings, Kai and Rin, struggled to rise beside him, both teetering on the brink of exhaustion.

“Pathetic,” it rumbled. “You squander your gift.”

Kai crawled, his earth armor shattered. Rin’s lightning sparked weakly—exhausted.

The demon raised its claw—

Gritting his teeth, Haruto clenched his fists, summoning willpower he could barely feel. “Damn it… I can’t move!” “SO THIS IS GOODBYE, MY UNKNOWN FRIENDS!” Kai gasped, desperately trying to keep his focus. “The Sky!” He pointed upward, horror etched on his face. Suddenly, the portal began to close. Above them, the portal convulsed, sucking demons backward like a black hole.

The A-rank snarled, anchoring itself with bone claws.

“Next time, boy…” Its voice echoed as it dissolved. “…I’ll peel that power from your bones.”

Silence.

Haruto’s breath hitched. “What…?” Before he could process the implications, the demon flickered and vanished, leaving only the rift sealing shut behind it. The nightmare was over. Or so they thought. One Year Later—The World Rebuilt A year had passed since the Demon Invasion. Society, like a phoenix, had risen from the ashes, humans rapidly adapting to their newfound supernatural abilities courtesy of the mysterious falling roses. But for Haruto, life had become an uphill battle. ……. The “Useless F-Rank” Despite the fabled battle he fought against demonic forces, Haruto was trapped in the rank of F. His element? “Anime Elements.” Mockery followed him like a shadow, whispers trailing everywhere he went. “What kind of joke element is that?” “Did he just make that up, or is the energy mechanism malfunctioning?” "He can't even use Energy Flow!" And they were right—each taunt struck a nerve. For reasons beyond his grasp, Haruto hadn’t been able to summon the powers that had once surged through him. No Rasen. No Kamehameha. No Shadow Extraction blades. Even Ryusei, now a high-ranking warrior, thrived on humiliating him. “Look at him, the ‘legendary’ Haruto Kisaragi. What a disgrace.” Haruto gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached. “Damn it… Why can’t I use my powers?!” …… The Few Who Still Believe Despite the relentless tide of disbelief, three figures stood by him. In the classroom, they remained unapologetically supportive. 1. Kai Takahashi – The logical strategist, an Earth- Gravitywielder, unflappable in his calmness amidst chaos. 2. Rin Takahashi – The fierce lightning-wielder, exuding bravado and confidence, always ready to fight. 3. Ami Sakuragi – Now an S-rank warrior, brandishing her shimmering blue-flame katana, one of the strongest students in the country. Ami, despite never having witnessed what he could do in a world filled with fantastical abilities, believed in him deeply. As she walked past, her gaze lingered on the trio gathered at their desks, immersed in passionate discussions. “Haruto, you saved lives. That alone makes you special,” Rin murmured, her voice filled with encouragement. But words weren’t enough to bridge the chasm of doubt in his heart. “Belief won’t bring back my powers.” Frustration bubbled within him; he needed answers. “Surely, there’s a way! Your powers must work; maybe you just haven’t figured it out,” Kai added, a hint of optimism laced in his words. ……. The Return of the Demons Gazing upward at the night sky, Haruto felt a familiar sensation crawl down his spine, sending chills racing through him. The air trembled, thick with foreboding. A massive crack split the sky apart, darkness spilling forth like ink. And then, from that unfathomable void, the A-rank demon from before emerged, its jagged form silhouetted against the fragmented sky. “DID YOU MISS ME, BOY?” it taunted, a sinister grin curling on its grotesque features. Haruto's heart thundered in his chest. “Shit… Not again.” (To Be Continued in Chapter 3: The Truth Behind the Anime Elements!)