On Top of the Food Chain

Kazuki Hoshikage sat at the breakfast table, poking at his rice with a pair of chopsticks. The usual clatter of morning activity filled the room: his father rustling through the newspaper while occasionally using his smartphone to check his stocks, his mother humming as she prepared some kind of soup. Despite the ordinary scene, Kazuki felt a weight pressing on his chest, a knot of anxiety that he couldn't quite shake.

"Kazuki, is something wrong?" his mother asked, her gentle voice cutting through his thoughts. She paused, concern etching lines into her usually serene face.

Before Kazuki could muster a response, his father spoke up. "It's just puberty, you know. Boys his age go through all sorts of changes and worries." He chuckled, a sound that grated on Kazuki's nerves.

Kazuki looked at his father with a mildly resentful gaze. He wanted to explain that his anxiety wasn't just some teenage phase, but he knew it would be pointless. His father had always been dismissive of anything he couldn't understand. With a sigh, Kazuki stood up, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

Kazuki's parents owned an investment firm and were both deeply involved in the share market, managing investments for other people. They took money from clients, traded in various global markets, and returned profits to their investors. It was a demanding and lengthy process, requiring them to be constantly engaged in trading not only in Japan but also in major financial hubs like New York, Mumbai, and Singapore.

Their work kept them away from home most of the time, and when they were home, they were usually exhausted. Despite their fatigue, they always seemed happy, though Kazuki sometimes wondered if it was just a facade for his benefit. He often urged them to take it easy, concerned about their well-being, but they always reassured him that they were doing it all for his future.

For some reason, their vibe today was different than usual, they seemed very happy, and they were smiling too much, way beyond reason. It was as if something good had happened, but Kazuki didn’t inquire and just left.

"I'm heading out," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.

"Have a good day at college," his mother called after him, her tone still tinged with worry, “I’ll leave some food for you in the freezer”.

“Kazuki, I’ve ordered the earphones you wanted,” His father shouted before he left.

After the youth left, both of his parents sat down on the table and looked at each other with a distraught expression.

“When?” Kazuki’s mother asked.

“I don’t know,” His dad replied without making eye contact.

“We don’t have much time.”

“I know that.”

“So?”

“We’ll tell him once he comes back.” His father sighed.

***

Kazuki Hoshikage was a typical teenager in his first year of college. His height was slightly above average for a Japanese young man, and his appearance could best be described as unremarkable. He had short black hair, dark brown eyes, and fair skin, fitting the image of an average Japanese student perfectly. There was nothing particularly distinctive about his looks, making him blend into the crowd effortlessly.

He walked briskly through the streets, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts about his upcoming exams. His steps slowed when he spotted Grace Mori, his childhood best friend, waiting for him at their usual meeting spot. Grace, with his bright smile and easygoing nature, was a stark contrast to Kazuki's brooding demeanor.

Both of his parents were orphans, so he had no relatives. His family’s rapport with the neighbors was also just neutral, so the only person other than his parents that Kazuki cherished was Grace.

"Morning, Kazuki!" Grace greeted him cheerfully.

Kazuki managed a small smile. "Morning,"

While walking together they would usually feed the stray cats here and there with leftovers they would bring from home. The two walked together, chatting about trivial things until they reached the college gates. There, they parted ways, heading to their respective classes.

While walking through the hallway, Kazuki noticed a familiar figure standing in the sunlight pouring through the windows in the hallway. The girl stood there gazing at the sky with her light brown eyes. Her dark brown hair was straight and shoulder-length, with blunt bangs just above her eyebrows, giving her a neat and modern look.

Unlike Kazuki, the girl named Rika wasn't a regular student at the college. She had just completed high school and was attending the college to take a preliminary course. This course was usually taken by those eager to make a good impression on the professors before the official session began.

Although she wasn’t pursuing the same degree as Kazuki, he distinctly remembered her. It wasn't because of her beauty, though she was indeed very beautiful, a sight pleasing to most men. Kazuki's impression of her stemmed from the way she looked at him.

As Kazuki approached, Rika turned her head in his direction. Even before their eyes met, her face already bore a weird, disgusted expression. They had never spoken, never even interacted, yet her gaze followed him with an intensity that made his skin crawl. Kazuki ignored her and moved on.

Kazuki took a deep breath before entering his classroom. As usual, a few familiar faces greeted him with nods or smiles, but most of the students were too absorbed in their own conversations to notice him.

Before sitting on his desk, Kazuki’s eyes met the naughty eyes of a person named Takeshi. Takeshi was what someone like Kazuki would consider to be the peak of humanity, a highly extroverted personality.

He was on friendly terms with the entire college, he knew at least half the class of every department’s every year. On top of that, he was tall, muscular, handsome, and tanned. He was friends with Kazuki as well, but he was one would call a class clown, so he was always poking someone here and there, usually, it was Kazuki.

‘Fuck’ Kazuki thought as soon as his eyes met Takeshi’s, he had already realized something was coming up.

Soon the classes started, and nothing happened, at least until a break came.

During this break between classes, Takeshi sat at his desk, scrolling through his phone. Kazuki, a few seats away, tried to focus on his own thoughts, tuning out the usual classroom chatter.

After a while, Takeshi came to his desk and gave him his phone, “How will you do this question?” He asked.

Kazuki looked at the question from electrodynamics and started thinking.

"Whoa, look at this!" Suddenly, Takeshi exclaimed, his voice carrying across the room. "I thought Kazuki was all about the guys, but check out what he's into!"

Kazuki's head shot up, confusion and apprehension washing over him. Before he could react, Takeshi snatched his phone from Kazuki. He showed the phone to the entire class. On the screen flashed a video of girls dancing provocatively, the girls wore revealing black leather and had a rope in their hands, an advertisement that had popped up unexpectedly.

The classroom fell silent as all eyes turned towards Kazuki and the phone in Takeshi's hand. Kazuki felt a wave of heat rush to his cheeks, his heart racing with a mix of embarrassment and anger. He reached out to grab the phone back, but Takeshi held it just out of his reach, relishing the attention.

"Looks like Kazuki's got a new hobby!" Takeshi taunted, his grin widening. "Who knew he was into this stuff?"

Kazuki's hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening in frustration. He could feel the weight of everyone's stares, the whispers starting to buzz around him. He knew Takeshi was enjoying every moment of this public humiliation.

"Stop, Takeshi," Kazuki said through gritted teeth, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying enough venom to stop Takeshi's laughter momentarily.

Takeshi hesitated, seemingly enjoying the tension he had created, but eventually, he relented, sliding his phone into his pockets with a smirk. "Relax, man. Just having some fun."

“This Bastard” Kazuki whispered.

***

Soon the hours dragged by, each class blending into the next. Finally, the last bell rang, and Kazuki packed up his things. He met up with Grace outside, who was practically bouncing with excitement.

"I passed that test I was so worried about!" Grace exclaimed, his face alight with relief. "Let's go celebrate at the café."

Kazuki hesitated, his stomach already churning at the thought. He had a notoriously weak stomach, and nothing except his mother's homemade stuff seemed to sit well with him. But he didn't want to dampen Grace's spirits. "Sure, let's go."

The café was bustling with students, the air filled with the scent of coffee and freshly baked goods. Kazuki ordered a simple sandwich, knowing he'd regret it later. Grace, on the other hand, dug into a hearty meal, talking animatedly about his plans for the weekend.

Unlike Kazuki, Grace was exceptionally athletic but struggled with academics. Where Kazuki excelled in his studies, Grace's strength lay in his physical prowess. Their personalities stood in stark contrast as well: Kazuki was introverted and reflective, while Grace exuded extroversion and spontaneity.

Physically, they were also polar opposites. Kazuki, with his average appearance—short black hair, unremarkable features—contrasted sharply with Grace's striking looks. Grace sported purple hair tied neatly into a bun, towering over others with a tall and handsome demeanor. His fair complexion and chiseled cheeks gave him the air of a model, but unlike Takeshi he wasn’t muscular, or annoying.

Kazuki nibbled on his sandwich, trying to keep the nausea at bay. He wanted to be happy for Grace, to share in his friend's joy, but all he could think about was the uneasy feeling in his stomach. Halfway through the meal, Grace's phone buzzed with a notification. He checked it and his expression changed, the excitement dimming.

"Sorry, Kazuki. I have to go. Something came up," Grace said, his tone apologetic.

"It's okay," Kazuki replied, forcing a smile. "I'll see you later."

Grace left in a hurry, leaving Kazuki alone at the table with his half-eaten sandwich. He stared at it for a moment before deciding he couldn't stomach another bite. He stood up, his legs feeling shaky, and made his way out of the café.

***

As he walked home, the streets grew quieter, the bustling noise of the city fading into the background. Kazuki's thoughts were a jumble, his mind drifting from his exams to Rika's strange gaze to the uneasy feeling that had settled in his stomach. He was lost in his thoughts.

It was in this haze that he nearly missed her—a small figure, no more than a silhouette in the dimming light, standing frozen in the middle of the road. The screech of tires pierced the air, a sharp, urgent sound that cut through Kazuki's thoughts like a knife. He looked up just in time to see the headlights of an oncoming car, its speed unchecked, hurtling toward the little girl.

Though he wasn’t athletic like Grace, or muscular like Takeshi, but Kazuki was strong in his own right. He was strong in his willpower and his compassion for others.

Instinct took over. Without hesitation, without considering the consequences, Kazuki lunged forward. Pushing the girl away. Time slowed to a crawl as he felt the impact—a bone-jarring collision that sent him sprawling onto the unforgiving pavement.

Without thinking, Kazuki sprang into action. He dashed forward, pushing the girl out of the way just as the car screeched to a halt. Pain erupted in his side, a searing agony that stole his breath and blurred his vision.

He heard shouts, distant and urgent, mingling with the piercing wail of brakes and the thunderous crash of metal meeting asphalt. The world spun around him, a dizzying whirlpool of chaos and sound

The last thing Kazuki saw before everything went black was the little girl, safe and unharmed, looking back at him with wide, grateful eyes. And then, there was only darkness.

That was how Kazuki’s last day as a human ended.

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Thanks for trying my work out. I hope you enjoyed it!