Shion walked alone, his shadow trailing behind him. No echo followed his footsteps. Only him.

Downstairs, the street was filled with students in crisp uniforms. They laughed in groups, shared gossip, teased each other.

Shion put in his earphones—

But the music wasn't playing. Just like every morning.

He walked with the crowd, yet apart from it. No urgency. No excitement. Just… moving.

---

A others

"Hey, did you see yesterday's fight between Ren and Kai? Crazy!"

"Yeah, it was wild!"

A group of boys burst out laughing.

Shion glanced once, then looked back down.

Everyone has stories, he thought.

All I have… are memories. And nightmares.

---

The notice board was crowded. Students pushed forward, searching for their names.

Shion stepped quietly past them and stopped in front of the board.

Rank #1 – Shion Amano.

His face didn't change. No smile. No joy. Just a blank stare. He looked for a second… then walked away.

Victory meant nothing when there was no one to celebrate it with.

---

Across the yard, Ren Fujimiya was joking with a friend.

"Ren! What rank did you get?"

"Uh… I'll tell you later. What about you?"

"Twenty-fifth! Not bad, huh?"

Ren laughed. "I just barely passed. That's all that matters!"

"You're so dead, man!" his friend teased.

Ren mock-growled angry and chased him across the yard. Both friend laughing.

---

Near the sports ground, Kasumi Hoshino sat with her fingers crossed. Eyes shut tight.

Please… just top one.

Yeamori rushed over. "Kasumi! Guess what!"

Kasumi's eyes shot open. "Tell me! My rank?!"

Yeamori grinned. "Second place."

Kasumi's shoulders dropped. "Second… after all that effort?"

"Lost to Shion again your neighbour," Yeamori teased.

Kasumi whispered under her breath. "…Shion."

Yeamori tilted her head. "Don't you think it's weird? He always comes first, but never talks to anyone."

Kasumi answered softly. "Maybe… he prefers being alone."

A faint blush crept across her cheeks and he thought.

If I told Yeamori I had a crush on him, she'd call me crazy.

"Come on, class is starting!" Yeamori pulled her along.

---

The classroom door slid open. Kasumi and Yeamori stepped in.

Kasumi's gaze immediately drifted to the back row.

There he was—Shion. Sitting alone by the window, staring outside. No notebook. No phone. Just silence.

Yeamori smirked. "You always stare at him."

Kasumi flushed. "I-It's nothing…"

"Nothing? Looks like someone has a crush."

"Shut up!" Kasumi snapped, turning away.

Yeamori giggled.

---

"Good morning, class," the teacher entered.

"Good morning, Sensei!" the students chorused.

The teacher smiled. "I'm proud of you all. Excellent results this term… except for one."

His eyes locked on Ren.

"y-yes… Sir…" Ren scratched his head, embarrassed.

"You're good in sports, but academics matter too," the teacher lectured.

Ren thought, Academics? Who cares?

"Shion. Kasumi. Come forward."

Both stood beside the teacher.

"These two achieved the top ranks. Give them a clap."

The class applauded. Kasumi blushed, smiling shyly.

Shion… stayed expressionless. He returned to his seat without a word.

Kasumi watched him quietly.

Why does his face never change?

 shadow in silence 

The day passed in fragments—chatter, laughter, footsteps in the corridors.

Around Shion, the world was alive.

But inside his mind, only one voice echoed.

You are… our biggest mistake.

---

Evening fell. The sky turned orange, fading into gray.

Shion walked home alone. His earphones were in, but the music was still off.

Crowds laughed, couples said goodbye, groups shouted across the street.

And Shion… just kept walking.

His steps slowed when he reached a wine shop.softly whispered.

Maybe this is the only way I'll sleep tonight.

He went in, picked the most expensive bottle.

"Sorry, kid," the shopkeeper said. "You're under age. Can't sell."

Shion pulled out a wad of cash. His voice was flat.

"I'll pay double."

The man hesitated, then smirked. "…Deal."

---

In hallway table, Shion placed the bottle on and sat sofa. Still in uniform.

He uncorked it, poured a glass, drank.

He kept pouring wine out of the bottle and drinking it again and again

Then—blackout.

---

2:00 AM.

Rain poured outside. Curtains swayed in the wind.

Shion stood and go to the buliding terrace, still in his uniform. His blazer soaked, water dripping from his hair.

Neon lights flickered below. Cold air pressed against his skin.

He stared at the sky.

Silent.

---

5:00 AM.

This is Sunday morning.Dawn crept in.

Shion woke without an alarm. He began push-ups, sit-ups, steady breathing.

By six clock, he was jogging. Earphones in, but this music play on earphones.

At the track, he passed Kasumi running in the opposite direction. Neither spoke.

Shion didn't even glance.

Behind him, Kasumi pouted, making a silly face.

Is he a robot or a statue? she thought.

---

After jogging, Shion stood under the shower.

Water ran down his face. Eyes shut.

"…What kind of life am I even living?" he whispered.

---

Later, in the kitchen, he plated rice and curry with perfect care.

He tasted it. "…Not bad."

His lips stayed blank.

That evening, he fell asleep at his desk. A sketchbook lay open—

A drawing of his mother.

In his dream, he held it out.

"Mom, look… I drew you."

Yuki smiled faintly. "Hmm. Nice." Then turned away shion notice his mom give him fake smile.

"Mom… what did I do wrong? Why do you and Dad hate me?" he cried.

The dream darkened. Shadows appear in void.

Evil Shion appeared again.

"…You again," Shion muttered.

The shadow said nothing.he close.

It simply pulled him into a tight embrace.

---Episodes 2 End---