Takeshi Sato was just a normal high school guy.
Not a genius. Not a sports star. But not a loser either. He had okay grades, a lethal face, and a quiet vibe that made people curious. Girls looked at him sometimes. Teachers forgot his name other times. Life was… whatever.
Right now, he was in math class, and his brain was off.
"Sato. Pay attention."
Miss Aizawa's voice cut sharp through the room.
Takeshi blinked. Sat up.
"Sorry."
Someone behind him laughed. It was Kenta. "This guy always in dreamland."
Takeshi gave a small smile. But his ears were ringing again.
---
That ringing. Always there when he woke up.
Soft. High. Like a wire buzzing inside his skull.
It had started two weeks ago. With the weird dreams. The kind that felt too real. Waking up with sweat, scratches, and once… a burn. Right on his ribs. Faint, like a symbol. He didn't know where it came from.
Today, there was something new.
In the locker room, after gym, he looked in the mirror.
And saw a mark behind his ear.
Light gray. Like a faded tattoo.
He touched it. It didn't hurt. But it felt… wrong.
He had no memory of getting it.
No one else noticed it either.
---
"Yo, Takeshi!"
Yui waved, running up to him after school. She smiled wide, like she always did. She was pretty, loud, and way too bright.
"You coming to karaoke?"
He paused. "Maybe."
She pouted. "You always say maybe. Then you vanish."
He looked down. "I'm just tired lately."
She stared at him for a second. "Alright. But next time, you have to come."
"Yeah," he said.
---
The sun was gone by the time he got home.
His mom was at work. His apartment was silent.
He sat on his bed and looked at the time.
9:02 PM.
The ringing was louder now.
His eyes drifted to the window. His reflection stared back.
And behind his ear, the mark was glowing.
Then everything went black.
---
End of Chapter One.