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Rei Daji grew up in a small countryside town, isolated in a broken home where neither parent truly cared for him. Diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, he constantly struggles with his emotions, clinging to the few fleeting connections he has. At school, he wears a mask, pretending to be someone he's not just to blend in.

But Rei has a strange and terrifying gift—by touching someone, he can devour their suffering. The pain, trauma, and despair of others become his own, filling the void inside him. The more suffering he takes, the more distorted his mind becomes.

One day, he meets someone whose pain is so overwhelming that devouring it nearly breaks him. As he spirals deeper into a world of unseen agony, Rei must decide—will he keep taking in the suffering of others, or will he finally face his own?

Devourer of Sorrows

Rei avoided people. It wasn't a conscious decision—it was just easier.

At school, he kept his distance. Teachers barely acknowledged him. Students passed him by like he wasn't even there, except for the occasional shove or whisper behind his back.

Tsubaki still lingered, though. Not in an obvious way, but enough for Rei to notice.

One afternoon, she found him on the rooftop. He hadn't expected anyone to come up here—it was quiet, empty, the one place he could breathe.

She sat down a few feet away, pulling out a carton of milk. "You always look like you're waiting for something," she said casually. "Like you're expecting the worst."

Rei didn't answer. He wasn't sure he had an answer.

Tsubaki sighed. "You don't trust people, do you?"

His fingers tightened around the edge of his sleeve.

Not after Mei. Not after the way she had molded him, used him, ruined him.

Tsubaki didn't press. She just sat there, drinking her milk, as if his silence was enough of a response.

For a moment, it felt… different. Not comfortable, not safe. But less suffocating.

"You're not as broken as you think," she said.

His head turned sharply, eyes narrowing. "You don't know anything about me."

Tsubaki didn't flinch. She simply met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "Maybe. But I know what it looks like when someone gives up on the world." She stood up, brushing dust off her skirt. "And you… you're getting close."

Rei exhaled slowly, pressing his palms against his temples.

Chapter 12: The hollow space