Yumix; Unveiled Chapter 1: Vanished!

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The Original Web Light Novel Project Volume 01, Chapter 01: [ Vanished! ] Original work. By the author 'Pili.' (Notice Before Reading: Italic dialogues represent character inner monologues) "This world... rots from within, dressed in false justice and empty promises. Its only loyalty lies with those who hold power." … "There’s something funny about inevitability." "You don’t notice it… not really. Until it’s behind you already." "Like a sharp sword that you never saw coming, cutting off the route you thought was yours." … "I missed it." "That moment." "If I had opened my eyes sooner." "If I hadn’t been so numb..." "So careless." … "That girl..." "She didn't just walk into my life casually..." "She rewrote it." … "I'm guilty." "I was negligent." "If only I had changed my mentality way sooner..." "Maybe I could have changed the fate I faced." … "But in the end..." "The future is a static line." "Even if you know it..." "Even if it’s right there in front of you..." "You can’t do much about it." … "Can you?" "I wonder…" It was the year 2030 in Tokyo. The city was recognized for driving modern development. Or so we thought… Before the crisis hit. It was usually very vibrant. Except for tonight, it was completely different. The rain was relentless. The thunder roared above, making it seem like the sky was splitting open. It was the day known as the Day of Great Doom. The entire city was destroyed by a devastating hurricane. Everything happened completely out of the blue. Even the weather forecast hadn't reported anything about it. Wind howled between buildings. People rushed past under umbrellas, their shoes were slapping the wet pavement. It was catastrophic… some of the old buildings were already starting to crumble. But I didn’t have an umbrella, or anything to shield with. I didn’t even bother. Soaked to the bone, I kept walking. No destination. No reason. Just forward. “Where am I supposed to go now? I'm stuck with nowhere else to go.” “Anyway… Considering the awful situation, I have to keep walking forward. Since stopping is pointless.” The further I walked, the emptier it became. People ran, screaming to save themselves and their families. “It's not like they matter to me. Their problems were never my business… At all.” I kept walking for a few minutes without any destination in mind. Then, I saw it. "Is that… a bookstore? Why is it even open now?" It was a small, poorly lit building, and isolated. I went there since I couldn't think of anywhere else. Its door was half-open, and the light was warm inside. "Hmm… looks pretty empty. It seems like a great spot to escape the outside." As I stepped in, the bell above jingled weakly. “Strange… The place is actually open, yet not a single person is here. Could it be that everyone who was here has already fled?” The air smelled like dust and old paper. Quiet and still. The place feels untouched. Like time itself stopped here. I exhaled slowly, then I shook my hair, while water dripped onto the floor. My soaked hoodie clung to my back. It was uncomfortably cold. I should feel relieved to be inside. But… I don't. No clerk. No customers. Just only me. “What's the point of my presence here? No one would even care if I hid or died here.” “Death? I don't even want to think about that—” *Grrr…* My stomach growled softly, but I ignored it. “Well, that was expected.” Soon, my perception of myself and my surroundings quickly shifted. "Look at my current situation. No dreams. No ambition. No passion… nothing interesting at all." "People chase success, happiness, relationships… I don't see the point in any of it." "The bitter truth the world hides is those fake smiles and empty promises." “In a world this broken, why even bother?” … Lightning flashed through the window. The power abruptly cut out. In that moment, something felt off. A sound. Not thunder. Nor the wind. “…W-What's happening? Who’s there?” The sound was coming from inside, too close. "Whispering sounds?" He turned slowly to the sou