Hidden In Darkness: Kusanagi Part 1

Chapter 1: The End of the Ignorant Days

My name is Kurou Narukami. I am an overwhelmingly average student with an overwhelmingly normal teenage life here in Imuroda. No special traits, no special talents, or anything like that. I'm just a plain average 17-year old, surviving high-school life. At least I was, this is the story about how it all started for me, the end of my ignorant days...

"Ring! Ring! Ring!" My alarm clock rang.

The sound of the clock blasted into my ear, waking me in the middle of my sleep. School was upon me and I had no choice but to get up and get ready. I started off with my regular morning routine. Brushing my teeth, getting a quick shower, change into my uniform, then head downstairs to get breakfast before departing to school.

"Kurou! I see you finally got your ass out of bed!" My elder sister, Saki, said as she discovered my presence.

"It's not like I'm going to be late or anything, ne-san..." I responded.

Saki Narukami. She's six years older than me, making her twenty two years old. She worked in a small gaming company as a programmer and the one who paid the bills. I sat at the table and before me was a plate with toast and a mug of milk.

"Itadakimasu." I said as I grabbed the bread.

I gobbled down the food in a matter of seconds. After that was done, I carried my bag and walked out of the house after bidding farewell to my sister. The streets were filled with pedestrians. Each of them were conversing with one another on different topics, such as daily work, assignments in their jobs or school, but mostly about the recent incidents that were occurring.

"Kurou! What's up?" A familiar voice came from behind, earshot distance away from me.

A boy wearing the same uniform as me and had sliver hair. He was accompanied by a shorter girl with a red-haired ponytail. Both of them arrived to greet me. Of course I knew who they were. Shiro Tatsuya, my childhood friend, and Chihiro Kizuha, my friend.

"Nothing much, say. Did you finish your English homework?" I asked them.

"I did mine." Chihiro claimed.

"Errrr...." Shiro muttered with worriness written on his face.

It was enough for an answer.

"*sigh* Mayoto-sensei is not going to be happy..."

"I'll just have to get it done during break..." Shiro sheepishly planned.

"Wait, Shiro-kun. Isn't English the first lesson." Chihiro pointed out.

"It is!? Damn it!" Shiro cursed as his plan was foiled.

I supposed Shiro would had no choice but to face the music and experience the wrath of Mayoto-sensei. We continued to walk to school while Shiro avoided the thought of being dealt with by the teacher. I felt sorry for him but there was nothing I could do. We finally reached the gates of Bakuro Academy and entered the school grounds. The day went by as normal. As expected, Shiro suffered under the authority of Mayoto-sensei for not handing up the assignment, being forced to stay back after school to complete two different essays.

"Isn't that terrible!?" Shiro asked us during break.

"Well, it was kind of your fault for not completing the assignment..." I stated.

"Kurou, your heart is as dark as the meaning of your name..." Shiro jokingly claimed.

"I'm just saying what's true. Anyway, did you see the news last night? Two more people were found in a comatose near the the shopping complex too." I said.

"Yeah. These incidents are happening very often lately. It's kinda of creeping me out. Do you think it is some sort of disease outbreak or something" Chihiro asked.