He steps into the entrance, head lowered, eyes fixed on the red carpet.

  The chandelier shines above as moonlight filters through the tall windows. Two figures stand in front of him, smiling brightly.

  Someone places a hand on his shoulder from behind.

  [We're glad to have you.]

  I stayed.

  The two figures laugh.

  Flour flies around, eggs rolling as they shatter on the floor. He puts the dough in the oven, burning a finger.

  [We're going to make the best one ever!]

  I discovered.

  He rubs his finger.

  A small dent had formed. He places the pencil on his desk. Still, he walks over to the shelf, picking a book.

  [You have a bright future ahead.]

  I learned.

  A white cloth drapes over the table, plates and flutes neatly arranged. He twiddles his thumbs.

  [You two have grown so much!]

  Ruffling of hair. White. Red.

  Striking.

  [What do you want to be when you grow up?]

  Cutlery. Scraping against porcelain.

  [Designer!]

  [Firefighter!]

  Applause. The two strangers turn to him.

  [Nice to meet you. What's your name?]

  [Hinozu!]

  [What do you want to be when you grow up?]

  [An engineer!]

  I decided.

  [You're so intelligent!]

  [I'm proud of you.]

  [You're definitely going to be an engineer!]

  [Well done. Keep going like this!]

  Was it enough?

  [Here at ATV Morning Show, welcome all! We've got a special guest today... None other than Mr. Herrig! 1st Rank Exterminator at the IEM.]

  The man sits down. His black hair is neatly slicked back, covering his nape.

  He wears an expensive suit.

  He wears an expression of confidence.

  [... Anybody can be an Exterminator. People have always lied to us.]

  [You don't have to be special. You just have to work hard and stay disciplined.]

  [In fact, it's the only way for success in this day and age.]

  [If you don't become one, you'll have a hard time living.]

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  [The world is changing.]

  [If you can't do better...]

  [You'll stay behind.]

  [Until you die.]

  He lives the way I want to.

  He acts the way I want to.

  He speaks the way I want to.

  He's special.

  I want to be like him.

  [It's done... But what do you need a wooden log for?]

  [You're starting training? Cool!]

  [You're going to become so strong!]

  [You're amazing!]

  Hinozu lies on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

  Ayumu sits at the desk.

  Ayumu: [I'm bored.]

  Hinozu: [And?]

  Ayumu: [We should do something!]

  Hinozu: [Too tired.]

  Ayumu sighs, fingers drumming on wood.

  Ayumu: [I suppose... With all that training.]

  [What do you even train for?]

  Hinozu's chest tightens. He opens and closes his mouth repetitively, hesitating.

  Hinozu: [Um... It's hard to explain.]

  Ayumu: [Come on, you can tell me.]

  Hinozu smiles, sitting straight in his bed.

  [You'll probably laugh.]

  [Why would I?]

  His expression turns serious.

  [You can trust me, Hinozu.]

  [I...]

  [I swear, Sis. I will...]

  Hinozu: [I will be an Exterminator.]

  Ayumu's eyes widen, standing up in excitement as he processes the words.

  Ayumu: [An Exterminator?! As in, the IEM?!]

  Hinozu covers his ears as Ayumu shouts. He nods, shyness overtaking him.

  Ayumu: [Amazing! So that's why!]

  He sits down on Hinozu's bed.

  Ayumu: [Keep working, I believe in you!]

  Hinozu: [It's not—]

  Ayumu: [Well... Actually...]

  [I also want to be part of the IEM.]

  [What?]

  Ayumu: [You heard it. Great, right? We can both work towards the same goal!]

  Hinozu's eyes seem to sparkle as he replies.

  Hinozu: [Sure! I mean, yeah! Let's do it!]

  Ayumu chuckles.

  Ayumu: [Yeah. Let's work hard and achieve it together!]

  They laugh together, a little too loud for the hour. After a short while, they stay silent, sleep overcoming them.

  Hinozu: [Well, it's better we go to sleep.]

  Ayumu nods, yawning already.

  Ayumu: [Yeah... Good night, Hinozu.]

  He switches the lights off.

  [Good night.]

  Silence falls over the dark room. The chirping of crickets intensifies. Hinozu fixes his gaze on the ceiling.

  He closes his eyes, drifting off to sleep.

  ——

  Hinozu's eyes flutter open. He sits up in bed, rubbing his eyes. After, he makes his way into the bathroom as he strips his clothes off, stepping inside the shower.

  His hand hovers over the handle.

  The cool air makes the hair on his arms stand on end.

  Hesitantly, he twists the handle.

  He clenches his jaw, a muscle twitching.

  Twisting the handle all the way to the opposite side, Hinozu tenses as freezing water drops like needles on his skin.

  He sees his reflection in the faucet.

  He hears the splashing of water on the tiles.

  15 minutes.

  Hinozu turns the shower off before grabbing his towel, drying off slowly.

  He stares at the clothes, putting them on after a long while of convincing.

  Leaving the bathroom, he takes the stairs to the kitchen to refill his bottle with water. Footsteps echo through the corridor as he steps in the entrance.

  Wearing his shoes, he ties his laces tightly. Cool air crawls into his skin, the entrance door creaking slightly.

  A few steps forward.

  If someone like me...

  Stretching.

  Can become someone like him...

  I can do it.

  I can fulfill my promise.

  I can live comfortably.

  I can make my wishes come true.

  I can become...

  Someone.

  ...

  I believed.

  6 AM.

  The freezing wind blows as tiny droplets fall from the sky.

  The lampposts have just fallen asleep.

  Birds are yet to chirp. Trees are yet to bathe in light.

  The sound of hurried footsteps.

  The worn, wrinkled shoes.

  The strenuous breaths. The mist they leave behind.

  [Keep... going!]

  He says between gasps.

  A step. Two. Three, Four.

  Slower.

  [What will you... Do... if someone sees you like this?]

  Breathless words spill out of him.

  Arms swing loose.

  [Are you really... Going to... Stay lame?]

  Head bobs back and forth.

  [You can be better.]

  A step.

  [You... Need to... Be... Better.]

  He bends over, hands on his knees, breath caught somewhere between his ribs and his throat.

  After a while of resting, he turns around, walking back to the Center.

  [Still didn't reach an hour.]

  A mild headache sets in.

  As the first few rays of sunlight pierce the darkness, he takes in the fresh air, strolling through the pavement.

  A middle-aged man walks past him.

  There is nothing special about him. A little extra weight. Nothing more, nothing less.

  Hinozu's eyes follow him for a second too long.

  He smiles widely, pride coursing through his veins.

  And relief, too.

  [I'm better.]

  [I'm better than him.]