A decent amount of time had passed since I became friends with Lenks. I came home after killing time until the evening as usual. Lately, because Lenks is here, playing is quite fun.

  "I'm home."

  No 'welcome back' comes from Aunt or Ken. It's the usual. I took off my shoes, lined up everyone's shoes properly, and then stepped up into the entrance. Then, I quickly swept the area with the broom hanging on the side. This was also my job. Because it would be terrible if I left anything undone, I looked around carefully.

  Yeah. Nowhere is dirty. Cleaning is done.

  Now I just have to go to my attic room, but... today, there was someone I wasn't good with.

  "Yo."

  Standing in front of the stairs leading to the second floor was Ken, smiling mischievously. I have a bad feeling. Because when Ken goes out of his way to welcome me, and moreover is smiling like this, it usually leads to something terrible.

  The bad feeling was right after all. Ken happily showed off what he was hiding behind his back. It was an airsoft gun.

  "I bought a new airsoft gun. Let's play survival game."

  Just with that, I already knew what Ken would say next. Thinking I had to go through pain again, my heart started trembling.

  "You're the target."

  "I don't want to!"

  The feeling of fear slipped out of my mouth. But I shouldn't have said no. Because Ken gets in a bad mood immediately if I don't listen obediently. With a hateful face, Ken said as if intentionally feigning ignorance.

  "I didn't hear thaaat. Shall I make up a random reason and have Dad scold you again?"

  Stop, anything but that. I don't know what will happen if he snitches to Uncle. Because even if it's a lie, Uncle and Aunt absolutely believe only what Ken says. I had no choice but to listen to Ken.

  "I'll do it..."

  But saying it reluctantly was also wrong. Ken clicked his tongue and hit my head with all his might with his body that is one size bigger than mine. Thud! It hit so hard I thought a chick would chirp above my head. It hurt so much, and I held my head while about to cry.

  "It's 'Please let me do it', right?"

  "Guh... Please let me, do it."

  I have no choice but to bow my head miserably. Then, somehow Ken seemed satisfied.

  "Alriiight. Then, to your room."

  "Eh? Okay..."

  Why my room? Ken's room is bigger.

  Wondering while following as told, we arrived at my room. Although there should be almost nothing except an old futon. I found something that wasn't usually there. Many water balloons, and moreover, ones filled to the brim with water were placed there.

  "What is this...?"

  When I asked timidly, Ken rubbed his nose proudly.

  "Hihihi. Bombs. It's survival, after all!"

  It was a terrible idea that made my head spin. If we use something like this, the floor will be soaking wet. If found out, what would Aunt say? There, I finally understood. I see. That's why he chose my room. If push comes to shove, he intends to blame everything on me.

  I wanted to glare at Ken so badly. But if I did that, I don't know what kind of retaliation I'd get. I had no choice but to look down and endure. I was made to stand by the wall, and Ken stood by the opposite wall. Ken is posing coolly with the airsoft gun. He's in high spirits.

  "Hyahhou! Here I go!"

  Ah. It started. I'm not a human from now on. Just a target...

  "Ugh...!"

  BB bullets hit me one after another, and pain enough to make me want to cry comes all over. But if I cry while Ken is having fun, it will definitely lead to nothing good. So I endured desperately. Thinking it would be dangerous if a bullet got into my eye, I kept enduring while closing my eyes.

  Then, Ken's irritated voice flew over.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "Hey, Yu! It's not fun at all if you don't move like a turtle! Run away a little or something!"

  "Okay..."

  Opening my eyes while fearing that a bullet might fly into my eye, I ran around the room. Ken chased after me finding it amusing, and hit more bullets snappingly on my back and buttocks. While running, I became filled with sad feelings, wondering why he was doing this. Sometimes grabbed and punched away, finally I was cornered in the corner of the room.

  To finish off, I was hit by many water balloons, and it ended when my whole body became soaking wet.

  "Okay, explosive kill. You died. Game over!"

  When Ken pointed at me while laughing loudly, I couldn't hold it back anymore.

  "Hic. Hic..."

  Frustrating, pathetic. Sad. Once tears came out, I couldn't stop anymore.

  "Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!"

  "Hihihi. Weakling! Ah~ that was fun. It got messy, so clean it up properly~."

  Satisfied, Ken left the room immediately, leaving me crying alone. Alone, I cried quietly for a long time until my feelings calmed down.

  My body was very heavy. I don't feel like moving at all. But I can't stay spaced out forever. I have to do the night chores too... Looking at the BB bullets and water balloon trash scattered here and there. Then looking at the drenched floor, I sighed.

  Just as I was about to start cleaning—I thought bad things really do pile up. Suddenly, Aunt came into the room. Aunt saw this terrible room and her face turned pale. I panicked. Why? She usually says she doesn't even want to see me and never comes in.

  I understood why immediately. Behind Aunt, Ken was laughing mockingly. Aunt yelled.

  "Aaah! Scattering things like this! Isn't it flooded! Who do you think you are in someone else's house!"

  Even though I didn't really do it. But even if I say Ken did it, she absolutely won't listen. On the contrary, it's decided that making the 'good boy' Ken the bad guy will lead to something worse. So, I had no choice but to apologize.

  "I'm sorry... I'll clean it up immediately."

  But, once found, it was already no good. Aunt smiled meanly.

  "Report to Father again, huh."

  "Please! Anything but that!"

  If Uncle finds out about this, what on earth will be done to me!? I tremble violently. Scary. It's scary!

  "It's decided."

  Everything went pitch black before my eyes.

  Uncle, who came back from work, turned bright red and snapped. My arms were tied with a thin rope, and my buttocks were beaten over and over again.

  "Higu... ugh... hic..."

  Forgive me. Forgive me. Please. Forgive me.

  "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so..."

  My face was kicked. My mouth became full of blood.

  "Don't apologize like an idiot remembering one thing! Disgusting!"

  Uncle, who got even angrier, pressed the fire of a cigarette onto my arm. Hot! It's hot! Stop!

  "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA—!"

  My stomach was kicked.

  "Don't cry loudly! The neighbors will hear!"

  "Really a bad child."

  "Hihihi."

  "UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!"

  "Shut up!"

  I continued to cry. I was kicked over and over again until I lost even the strength to cry.

  Why? Why do I have to be in so much pain? Why do I have to suffer so much? Am I such a bad child? A wrong child? Forgive me! Someone, help! Help me! Dad... Mom... Lenks... Help me...

  Gradually, I stopped understanding anything. The pain, everything.

  Who is this bad child? Who is having this done to them? Is it me (Ore)? No. This isn't me. That's right. It's not me. It's "Me" (Watashi). This is "Me". The frail and pitiful "Me" is just having a terrible time. That's right. I have to save her.

  Suddenly I came to a pitch-black place. Where is this? Ah. Right. I remembered. It was the 'World of Heart', wasn't it. I had been here many times.

  (Pull yourself together!)

  I hear a voice from inside my body. "Me" is there, right. When "Me" is inside, my heart should be warm and cozy, but that warmth doesn't seem to reach the current me. It's cold.

  (Hold on to your senses! I'll cooperate too!)

  Right. Thank you. Because you were there, I could become "Me".

  (What are you saying? You are you! Even if you put me inside and forcefully act as me, it's only painful!)

  I ignored "Me". Because I remembered something very important. That's right. There is power here, isn't there. I didn't know at first, but I know now. That there is amazing power here. The power is calling.

  (What do you intend to do?)

  I want this power.

  (No! If you use such a big power now, surely you can't control it! It will be a disaster!)

  Heeh. Then what should I do? Because I have no power, because I'm weak. Uncle, Aunt, and Ken do whatever they like to me. Wrong?

  (But... Hey. Don't lose. Let's do our best together?)

  Together? Then, will you take my place?

  (That is... I want to do it but I can't. The current me doesn't have the power to come out to the surface by myself. Sorry. I can only support...)

  Hmm. Can't be helped. You're not bad. But you know. I can't stand it anymore. I don't want that much pain and suffering anymore. If there is power, let me use it.

  If no one helps me, I will save myself.

  I proceeded in the darkness and tried to head to a certain place. I somehow know that the power I seek is there.

  (No! I won't let you do just that! I absolutely won't let you use it!)

  My body doesn't move. Because "Me" is resisting desperately inside. Enough! You're in the way! Get out!

  "Kyaa!"

  I kicked "Me" out from inside. When separated, my heart became colder. But, it's fine. If I have power, there's no need to be "Me". I can stay as me.

  "Stop! Please, don't use it!"

  I forcibly shook off "Me" who tried to stop me even by clinging, and proceeded.

  You just watch here.

  I reach out my hand there. Although I can't see it, many experiences are accumulated here. I take them in. Knowledge flows in rapidly. Power wells up rapidly. It was a truly refreshing feeling.

  Ah. So that was it. I understood everything. There was no need for me to receive such treatment from the beginning.

  ".................."

  "What's with this guy. Suddenly stopped reacting at all."

  "Creepy."

  "That's right... It's all these guys' fault. To think I didn't notice such a simple thing for so long. I was an idiot."

  "Hmm?"

  "Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"

  Removing the limiter of my brain, I tore off the rope with a snap and stood up swayingly.

  They probably can't even voice out due to the shock. I glare at the three in front of me who are astonished from the bottom of their hearts, with a force as if to kill them.

  It's the first time in my life that such pitch-black emotions welled up. I feel like I can do anything now.

  Uncle. Aunt. Ken. You dared to do whatever you wanted until now.

  You guys. I won't forgive you.