PART ONE, PROLOGUE: "DAZE"

-THE GOLDEN BOY & THE INNER CITY-

The most turbulent winds are that of youth.

In hindsight, I was stupid to worry about anything back then. The problems of children, ordinarily small, are matters of the utmost personal importance. Your problems win out over any other, no matter how unreasonable they might be.

Stressing over tests when there are people starving, agonizing over love when there are wars to be fought. To a more well informed adult, a child is merely self-absorbed. It's not something that you could be faulted for though. All kids are selfish, accepting this is just part of growing up.

Yes, that's how it should be.

To reminisce about those days, to go back to them once more, such would be impossible. To consider all the people who stood at my side, to step forward for all those I left behind, there's no point anymore. Up to this point, down to the very last second, I've done so far too many times.

Ah.

It's foggy, but I can still see it. The high points, which left me giddy like a child. The low points, which felt like I was at the bottom of the sea. All of it weaved together, and at the end you find the person I'd like to be remembered as. Or rather, I better not be forgotten.

"...One last time," I murmured, "While I can still see it."

Yes, it'll be fine this way.

Very well, it can't be helped. One last time, I shall become the idea that all look upon so fervently. The highest of the high. The very idea of perfection. In my greatest moment, I will become the pinnacle of all creation. All shall look upon me and lament their own imperfection.

Hear and obey, insects. The Golden King tells his story!

-S0001-

Change started in my last year of middle school.

"Fu..." I exhaled, showcasing my irritation.

This was a natural response because it was hot. Abnormally so, even. Summers weren't supposed to get hot, but the artificial island had drifted out of cold waters that year. It hadn't regulated its temperature well, hence where the problem got out of hand.

Chirping power lines sounded, granted such a right by the sun's intense heat. I sometimes had difficulty telling it apart from the fervent mating calls of cicadas. Both were inconsequential noises though; they didn't matter.

The park bench I sat on was hot. You could cook an egg on its surface if desperate enough. I'd heard of somebody who'd tested such a theory, though they currently suffered from an intense case of food poisoning.

As for why I sat here, the reason was simple: I'd been challenged. Heat served as my anti-thesis, born from inexperience with the subject. Calling me out in this weather was unforgivable. Summer bouts over territory were uncommon, as few liked fighting beneath the hot sun. This was especially true of myself; I preferred the cold. Unfortunately, not everyone shared this preference.

With my left hand, I swished the contents of my crumpled water bottle. Under the heat they had turned lukewarm, a point which made me sigh. The mere idea of drinking such swill made me sick to my stomach. This was normal, without question, normal.

With my right hand I fingered my cell phone's touchscreen. A quick skim of my texts showed that I hadn't missed anything important. As nothing was supposed to happen in summer, this was also normal. Yes, that was certainly the case.

It was not these actions that set this day apart, but rather the fact that I was doing them. I, who could only be classified as special, had been relegated to such peasantry. This was not something I could easily accept.

Without a change in expression, my irritation reached its summit. With a flick of my wrist, I tossed my water bottle at a nearby garbage bin. The plastic vessel crackled with a golden electricity, flying forward with the twinkling ferocity of a shooting star. It hit the target dead on—

"Ah." I frowned.

—Except, not quite.

The bottle exploded against empty space, scattering melted plastic and water onto the pavement. It was an abrupt show of power from one other than myself. How foolish.

"So you're the Golden King, huh?" A voice called.

"Yes."

It was a curt response. I had nothing more or less to say, as the mere confirmation of my title stated enough. It was obvious, wasn't it? I, the Golden King. I, the strongest.

"The rumors weren't lying, your pressure is absurd." She snickered.

Despite hearing those words, they didn't quite reach me. I'd been in a foul mood to begin with, and the damp school uniform sticking to my skin didn't make me feel any better. To me, the fight had already started. Because I was strong, I didn't need to exchange words. As this person was an ant, I could easily crush them.

I pried myself off the bench, my gaze shifting to the voice's source: an unfamiliar person.

Long red hair billowed down from her head and settled at her waist. Her slender frame, ordinarily a sign of weakness to many, came across as the epitome of confidence in this scenario alone. Her uniform, both black and red, belonged to the illustrious Kawagusa General Academy.

This person owned no territory, so I had nothing to gain from victory. Even so, I'd been challenged. It was a King's duty to respond to those below him, no matter how foolish they might be. After all, one who could defeat me was certainly worthy of the throne I'd leave behind.

I stepped forward, aurum stars and electricity twinkling amidst the heat haze. This was the regalia that heralded my ability's activation, and it was the means by which I'd earned my title.

"You seem pissed." The girl smiled.

Ignoring that person's playful demeanor, I decided to end the battle. I waved my arm.

"—Bow."

Once more, the horizon was painted gold.

-S0002-

A long time has passed since then.

That person was... how to put it, I guess they were bright. It was hard to overshadow that kind of person, who lived life to the fullest. I couldn't understand that reckless mentality, which was probably why I found her so fascinating. It was strange.

To this day I don't know much about her. Her likes, her dislikes. Her dreams, her fears. She was an anomaly for someone like me, whose pride lay in what could be done rather than what had been done. That girl brought out the best in some and the worst in others. In my case, I wasn't sure if it was the former or the latter.

Akane Akasaka was her name.

Akane, a full year older than me, was an enigma that I couldn't grasp. She disappeared from my life just as quickly as she'd entered. Her goodbye, a simple "later," made it seem as if she was merely stepping out for a bit. Such was one trait of hers that I absolutely couldn't stand. As she walked a path I looked down on, I couldn't chase her shadow.

Even so, that person wouldn't leave my head.

-S0003-

Sounds of a television interview drifted in from the living room.

"What do you have to say about the current state of Tanegashima?" The first one was a reporter.

"At this time, we have received word that Tanegashima has fallen to a swarm of Demons. We have designated it as Night Parade #734, and it has an estimated mortality rating of around eighty percent." The second one, given their rigid posture, seemed to be important.

"As you know, Tanegashima is relatively close to Niflheim's current drift coordinates. The city's core, Nidhogg, hasn't made any attempts to distance us from this threat. Does this mean that Niflheim is not at risk of swarm from #734?" The reporter asked.

"We are currently unsure why Nidhogg refuses to take evasive measures. At this time, we are within the thousand mile swarm radius. With that in mind, be advised that the island may go into lockdown within the next few months."

The contents of the interview drifted to my ears, though I cared for little of it.

I yawned, slipping my shoes on. Usually I'd sit down to do so, but today I was feeling more energetic than usual. With a bit of effort, my boots slid on over my socks and my feet suddenly felt less comfortable. New footwear was always like this before breaking it in.

After patting my gray winter jacket down, I grabbed my school bag. It wasn't very heavy yet, but that's always how things were at the start of a school year. I slung the bag over my shoulder and then nodded, satisfied.

As I turned towards the front door though—

"Yo, Satou..."

The hoarse voice carrying through the Shibuya household was dabbed with a tinge of unhappiness. I slowly turned my head towards the source of this voice and, after doing so, sighed. I knew exactly who this person was.

Disheveled brown hair and amber-colored eyes greeted me. Those belonged to a girl of the same age as myself, one that stood at the top of the nearby stairs. She looked to have a cold, what with the snot dripping from her nose and the blanket wrapped around her body.

This was my notoriously unlucky twin, Shizuka.

"Yes?" I asked.

"I want something carbonated."

And so, things turned out like this. I'd expected a request, though I'd hoped it to be for medicine or fruit. Unfortunately, my baseless faith was met with no reward.

"Impossible, sorry."

"Impo— oi, can't you go buy something then?"

I shook my head. Honestly, how foolish.

"I need to go look at my score on the placement test, Shizuka."

"Can't you miss today or something?"

"You're already doing it in my stead."

"That hurts, okay?"

My sister frowned. I knew it was rude, but my sister was prone to asking for unreasonable things. It was a habit that wouldn't go away unless addressed. Shizuka was my most important person. As such, it was only natural that I steer her towards a better future.

"And to think, I even did your hair when you asked." Shizuka grumbled.

I frowned. "Don't say it like that. You make it seem like more than it was."

"So boring."

"Sorry for being boring. I'm trying not to be too bland, though it seems it's a difficult ratio to properly balance. As I thought, should I dip into another character archetype?" I paused for a moment. "No, it's fine. I should develop what I have before giving up on anything—"

"I take it back, you're just annoying!"

"Really?" My focus shifted to the front door. "Then that's fine."

Shizuka quickly lifted a hand. "W-wait, at least pick up something sweet on your way back!"

I gave a playful salute. "I'll consider it."

With that, I left for school.