Chaptra 1
Chapter 1: A New Beginning
"That day, I became the most curious person in the world... not because of someone else, but because of my own life."
"Looking back now, I still can't believe I made that decision."
"And in the end..."
"It became the greatest regret of my life."
---
Hi.
I'm _____, a first-year college student.
After starting college, I moved away from my hometown. I thought it would be the beginning of a brand-new life.
But I never expected to find out...
...that my crush lived in the same neighborhood.
At college, I don't really have any friends.
I'm not very good at talking to people or starting conversations.
Maybe that's just who I am.
Every morning, my day begins the same way.
I see her.
Just seeing her smile is enough to brighten my day.
A month ago, during the admission process, she looked completely lost.
I happened to help her.
At the time, I didn't think much of it.
But little by little...
...she became someone special to me.
Before I even realized it...
I had fallen in love.
---
A few weeks passed.
For some reason...
She seemed to become cuter every single day.
One afternoon, I noticed something.
She had so many friends in our class.
"Wow... she's really popular."
During lunch break, I finally gathered the courage to talk to her.
"Hey... you're pretty popular in class, aren't you?"
She smiled.
"Yeah, I guess."
"I'm a social person."
"I like making friends."
Then she added with a smile,
"That's why Rik and I get along so well."
I froze.
"Rik...?"
"Is he... your boyfriend?"
She laughed softly.
"No."
"We've been childhood friends for years."
"You could say he's my best friend."
"...A male best friend?"
For a moment...
I didn't know what to say.
Trying to change the subject, I asked,
"A new anime came out yesterday."
"I have two tickets."
"Would you like to watch it with me?"
She looked apologetic.
"I'm sorry."
"I already have plans with Rik."
I forced a smile.
"Oh..."
"It's okay."
"No, don't apologize," she replied gently.
---
That night...
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
"So... a male best friend isn't the same as a boyfriend?"
In my dreams...
She smiled at me.
She loved me.
But reality...
...was far more painful.
I picked up my phone.
"I don't even know her full name."
"I know almost nothing about her."
"Meanwhile..."
"Her childhood friend probably knows everything."
"Damn..."
Then something suddenly crossed my mind.
"Crap!"
"I still have homework!"
"If I don't finish it tonight, the teacher is definitely going to scold me tomorrow."
---
The next morning...
I was walking through the hallway when I saw her coming toward me.
I smiled.
"Hey! What's up?"
She walked right past me...
Without saying a single word.
...
I stood there in silence.
---
Chapter 2: The Visitor
"Am I... just an idiot?"
"Did she not want to talk to me?"
"Was she happier with her childhood friend?"
"Was I... completely useless?"
A sharp pain spread through my chest.
My vision blurred.
The hallway around me began to spin.
I tried to take another step...
But my body refused to move.
Everything faded into darkness.
...
When I opened my eyes...
Everything around me was white.
"A... hospital?"
"Where am I?"
"What happened to me?"
"Why am I here?"
Countless questions filled my mind.
I wanted to move.
I wanted to speak.
But my body wouldn't respond.
All I could do was watch.
A doctor was standing beside my bed, talking to my parents.
When did they get here...?
Then I heard the doctor say,
"He's still in critical condition."
"It's been seven days since he lost consciousness."
Seven... days?
"What the hell...?"
"I've been unconscious for an entire week?"
Before I could process everything...
I noticed something standing near the window.
It looked like...
...a small animal.
I frowned.
"Hey."
"Who are you?"
"And what are you doing in a hospital instead of a zoo?"
The strange creature smiled.
"Hello, _____."
"I've been waiting for you."
I blinked.
"W-What...?"
"You can talk?"
The creature let out a quiet laugh.
"Of course."
"I'm not an ordinary animal."
"I'm a demon."
"And I've come here..."
"...to offer you a deal."
