The Day the Sky Broke

Chapter 1: The Day the Sky Broke

Another Boring Day

The shrill screech of the alarm clock tore through the peaceful silence of Yuji's small apartment. With a groan, he reached out and smacked the snooze button, barely mustering the energy to open his eyes.

"Ugh… another day of this shit," he muttered, rubbing his face.

He didn't want to get up. He didn't want to go to school. But what could he do? Life wasn't a fantasy novel where he could wake up with superpowers and a harem.

Dragging himself out of bed, Yuji ran a hand through his messy hair and glanced around his small but tidy apartment. It wasn't much, but it was his. No parents, no siblings—just him.

Being an orphan had its downsides, sure, but he had learned to manage. He had a part-time job that paid well enough for rent, food, and even some small luxuries. His colleagues were friendly, his routine was stable, and—at least on paper—his life was set.

But there was one thing missing.

He let out a sigh as he walked toward the bathroom, staring at himself in the mirror.

"I just want a girlfriend, man…"

It wasn't like he was some awkward loser. He was fit—6'1", well-built from daily workouts, and fairly good-looking. He wasn't an introvert either. He was socially active, could hold conversations, and had plenty of friends.

Yet, for some damn reason, every time he got close to a girl, things went sideways.

He had tried. So many times. And every single time? Friend-zoned.

Even Selene, one of his oldest friends, had rejected him with the most ridiculous excuse ever. "You're too manly. I like guys with a feminine touch."

Like hell he was going to change for that.

Shaking off the frustration, Yuji finished getting ready, grabbed a quick breakfast, and headed out the door.

---

7:55 AM – School

The school gates loomed ahead as Yuji walked in, hands in his pockets. Groups of students were already gathered, laughing, chatting, some flirting, some complaining about homework. The usual.

As he entered the classroom, he took his usual seat—the back left corner.

His seating arrangement? Hellishly ironic.

In front of him sat Aria, the class beauty. Smart, elegant, the type of girl guys drooled over but never had a chance with.

To his right? Selene, the tomboy heartbreaker. His old friend and the one who had utterly crushed his confidence two years ago.

And in front of Selene? Ryukyu, the guy with stupidly good luck with girls. Yuji wasn't any less attractive than him, yet this bastard had girls throwing themselves at him for no damn reason.

Life is so unfair.

"Yo, Yuji!" Ryukyu grinned, turning in his seat. "You look like a man who's had all his dreams crushed before breakfast."

Yuji rolled his eyes. "You would know, wouldn't you?"

"Of course! I am the dream crusher, after all."

Selene chuckled. "More like a lucky bastard."

Aria, who had been quietly reading, glanced back with a small smile. "Morning, Yuji."

Yuji nodded. "Morning."

And thus began another boring school day.

---

8:00 AM – Lectures Begin

The teacher droned on about something Yuji didn't care about. His gaze drifted to the window, watching the clouds lazily drift by.

Math? Useless. Science? Meh.

Would any of this help him get a girlfriend?

Doubtful.

His eyes wandered back to the class, noticing Aria jotting down notes with a focused expression. Selene, meanwhile, was spinning her pen, already losing interest. Ryukyu? He was discreetly texting some girl, as always.

Yuji sighed. What the hell am I even doing with my life?

The lectures dragged on, one after another, until finally—

---

4:00 PM – School Ends

The final bell rang, and Yuji stretched. "Finally."

He packed his stuff and slung his bag over his shoulder. As he stepped outside, the golden glow of the evening sun bathed the city in warmth.

"Hey, you guys wanna grab something to eat?" Ryukyu asked, catching up to him.

"Nah, I gotta head home," Yuji replied.

Selene smirked. "Got a hot date waiting?"

"Yeah," Yuji deadpanned. "Her name is Instant Noodles. She's warm, dependable, and never rejects me."

Aria giggled, covering her mouth.

"Well, enjoy your date," Ryukyu teased.

With that, Yuji waved them off and began walking home.

---

4:30 PM – Walking Home

The city was alive with its usual hustle and bustle. Cars honked, people walked by, and the distant sound of music played from street vendors.

Yuji's thoughts drifted as he walked. He had a shift tomorrow at his job. Maybe he should try asking a girl out again. Maybe this time, it'd work.

CRACK!

The ground beneath him rumbled.

His breath hitched as a thunderous noise erupted from above.

The sky… was breaking.

A massive fracture spread across the heavens like shattered glass, revealing something beyond—a void of swirling darkness and nine celestial bodies.

People around him froze, staring in horror.

"What the hell is that?!"

"Is this some kind of movie promo?!"

Then, the worlds began to descend.

Nine massive landmasses, each as big as continents, tore through the sky, coming straight for Earth. The city trembled as a massive shockwave blasted through the air, knocking Yuji off his feet.

Screams filled the streets. Chaos erupted.

Buildings cracked. Windows shattered. Cars flipped over.

And then—

A deafening roar echoed through the air.

Yuji's heart pounded as he looked up.

A creature—no, a dragon—soared above, its massive wings blotting out the sun. It let out another earth-shaking roar before diving down, crushing entire buildings in an instant.

The panic turned into absolute terror.

People ran. Some were trampled. Others were cut down by monstrous beasts emerging from the cracks in reality.

Yuji tried to move, tried to run—but then—

A force slammed into him.

His body froze.

Pain shot through every nerve as something unseen wrapped around him, pulling him into the void between worlds.

His vision blurred.

His heartbeat slowed.

The last thing he saw was the sky collapsing—and then, everything went dark.