A child was born under the bright light of the full moon. That night, the sky was so clear, as if the heavens themselves welcomed his arrival.
He was born with shimmering white hair, like untouched snow, and eyes as clear and pale as the light that enveloped his small body. When he cried, his voice carried no sorrow—but a warmth that moved even the midwives present to tears.
The child was named Zylion—a name that meant "Blessed."
A name full of hope for the Starheim family, a respected bloodline believed to be messengers of the heavens' will.
Zylion grew up surrounded by boundless love. Everything felt perfect—he had it all. Friends, family, affection, and most importantly… the belief that the world was a beautiful place.
But everything began to change the day he met him—the boy who would alter his fate forever. A meeting that seemed accidental, yet may have been written in destiny.
That day, rain had fallen endlessly since morning, as if the sky wanted to wash away all the sorrow hidden within the city. Zylion, still just a child, was taking shelter at a quiet bus stop. His hand held his schoolbag, and his eyes wandered across the rain dancing on the road.
Amid the sound of falling rain, soft footsteps approached.
A boy with messy hair covering half his face, a torn umbrella in one hand, and clothes that had long ceased to be wearable.
He said nothing—just sat beside Zylion without lifting his gaze.
Zylion turned toward him, worried.
("This boy… he's freezing… soaked… Why doesn't he say anything? What should I do?")
"Hey," Zylion said gently, "take my jacket. Take off your shirt first, or you'll get sick."
The boy remained silent.
"Did you hear me?"
"… yeah…" his voice was barely audible.
"Did you say yes?" Zylion asked again, leaning closer.
"…Yes…"
Zylion smiled with relief. "Alright, take this." He took off his jacket and offered it.
The boy slowly accepted it. "…Thank you…"
"By the way… what's your name?"
The boy looked down.
"… Ku…"
"Ku?"
"… Kuro."
Zylion nodded, smiling with amusement. "Haha, your name's kinda mainstream. I've seen a lot of anime characters named Kuro. So, are you from Japan?"
Kuro gave a faint smile. "People also call me Kuryu. They say my name's too generic…"
"Names are gifts from our parents. No one has the right to change them."
"I don't mind, really. But… you're very kind. Even my parents never encouraged me like this…"
Zylion smiled softly. "Then I'll be that person for you. I love making friends, and if you don't have any, I'll be the first—and the last."
Kuro looked down as tears began to fall. "Thank you…" he whispered.
"Hey, don't cry! You're not a little kid anymore, right?"
"…Okay…" he said with a small attempt to smile.
Days passed quickly. Five years filled with laughter, joy, and companionship.
Zylion took Kuro into his home and gave him the care he deserved.
They became inseparable. Slowly, they grew up side by side, always attending the same school.
They even attended the same high school. At school, they were always together.
When gaming, Kuro often won; when doing homework, he was always Zylion's helper.
But behind all that, there was something Zylion never noticed—
something hidden behind Kuro's smile.
One day, Zylion called out to his best friend from afar.
"Hey, Kuro! Over here!" he waved.
"Ah, okay!" Kuro replied, jogging over.
"You're late! I've been waiting since noon!"
"Sorry… I fell asleep, hehe…"
But Zylion's laughter faded. His face changed when he noticed a bruise on Kuro's cheek and red marks like strangulation lines on his neck.
"Eh… Kuro. What is this?"
Kuro stayed silent.
"You fell? That's not just a scratch."
"It's nothing. I just fell down the stairs. Doesn't even hurt," he replied quickly.
"But—"
"Come on, let's go to the game store!"
"…Hey, Zylion," Kuro said softly,
"I've said this before, but… being a soldier is really cool, huh?"
"Yeah… maybe I'll become a soldier too—defeating the guardians of darkness. What about you?"
Kuro chuckled quietly. "I don't know… It's been five years since we met. I feel like… I'll never meet anyone like you again."
"Heh? Why are you getting all sentimental suddenly?"
"I'm sorry, Zylion…"
Suddenly, Kuro began coughing violently, then vomited blood.
His hand clutched his chest in pain.
"B-bweghhh, arghhh…"
"Kuro!!! What's happening to you?!"
Zylion frantically pulled out his phone, panicking.
"Don't worry… I'm just… a burden. I only make your other friends jealous. I'm holding you back, Zylion… and if I keep going… my family…"
"Kuro, stop! You're not a burden! You're my friend! I'm calling an ambulance, hold on!"
Despite his weakness, Kuro grabbed Zylion's collar with bloodstained hands.
"Zylion… promise me… that you…"
"Kuro…"
"…That you'll fulfill your dream… Become what you said back then…
A friend… for everyone…"
His hand fell.
Kuro's final breath faded beneath the pouring rain, which seemed to weep with Zylion.
"Kuro!!!! Kurooo!!! Don't leave me!!! Hold on!! KUROOOOO!!!!"
Zylion clutched his friend's cold body, screaming through tears that pierced the sky.
That night, the world wept once again—not for the death of a child,
but for the loss of the only light in Zylion's life.