Part 1
Everything around him was dark and silent, like walking through a place without time or space—trapped somewhere between reality and an endless dream.
Then, a soft light began to shine in the darkness, dissolving the shadows that surrounded him.
Before him appeared a small, floating figure—hovering just inches from his face.
She was tiny, with golden curls falling gently around her face and a white dress that gave her an angelic appearance. But a mischievous spark in her eyes—and a defiant lock of hair—broke that image, making her uniquely her.
Her little wings fluttered gently, and a radiant smile lit up her face. There was something about her that filled Haruto with an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
For a moment, he questioned whether he was dreaming—or if he had completely lost his mind.
What were the odds that an "angel" like this would just show up, floating in front of him with a smile that said they'd known each other forever?
"Hiii~ Haruto-kyun!" sang a high-pitched, energetic voice. "I'm Kizuna, your loyal partner—Kizu!"
"K-Kizuna?"
"That's right!" she cheered, spinning around him. "I'm the personification of your special ability!"
Haruto's mind reeled like someone had just told him a bad joke.
"You're… real?" he murmured, his thoughts stumbling over each other in confusion.
Kizuna giggled brightly, covering her mouth with her tiny hands.
"As real as you are, Kizu!" she declared proudly, puffing up her tiny chest with theatrical confidence.
Haruto's surprise must've been written all over his face, because Kizuna burst out laughing again, clearly enjoying his confusion like it was a game.
Her energy radiated a strange warmth, unlike the cold, scripted "magical consciousnesses" you'd see in manga. She didn't feel like a mere guide or automated system—she felt alive.
"So, you're… an ability?" he asked, still trying to process everything.
She twirled mid-air, visibly proud.
"Exactly! I'm here to help you share powers with your allies—whether through friendship… or love. Whichever comes first, Kizu~!"
"With… allies?" Haruto repeated, now even more lost.
Kizuna floated closer and gently tapped his forehead, a playful glint in her eyes.
"That's right! But it won't be easy. You'll have to earn those bonds. The stronger the connection, the more power you can access. It all depends on you… and the other person, Kizu!"
The determination in her voice made Haruto crack a small smile, even though he still wasn't sure if this was exciting… or just way too much to process.
She didn't just seem like she'd walked straight out of a manga—she claimed to be part of his magical ability.
Did that mean every time he used magic, this little being would show up to remind him how little he actually knew?
"Looks like we'll be spending a lot of time together, huh?" he said with a nervous smile, a bead of sweat trailing down his face.
Kizuna nodded enthusiastically, spinning in the air with bursting energy.
"Yep, tons of time! But it'll be fun—you'll see! Together, we'll be invincible, Kizu!" she exclaimed, throwing both hands up in a double V-pose near her eyes like an over-the-top anime character.
Haruto couldn't help but stare in disbelief. She clearly enjoyed being the center of attention—and that mischievous spark in her never seemed to fade.
Before he could say anything else, the light around them began to dim. A familiar sensation of waking up crept in.
She floated before him one last time, that radiant smile and boundless energy still shining bright.
"See you soon, Haruto! I'll be right here when you wake up, Kizu~! Until next time!"
Her voice echoed as everything faded into darkness.
Slowly, the dream's glow disappeared, and Haruto felt himself returning to the real world.
His eyes fluttered several times, adjusting to the light around him.