It was a cold night, an out-of-season blizzard just struck the quaint town of Aomori. Within the blizzard, a pregnant woman is going into labor. Because of the sudden weather, the roads are blocked and she is trapped in her home.

  With no other choice, she had to give birth in her bedroom. That woman is Mizuki Takahitsuji, the matriarch of the Futaba clan. She’s running out of time as her contractions are getting more painful. Her twin sister, Yuzuki assisted her in the childbirth. From outside the room, Mizuki’s painful cries are heard as she’s trying to give birth to her unborn offspring. Outside the room, her husband Takeru and her only daughter, Marika are waiting outside, praying for the mother’s safety.

  Hours go by, and Mizuki is still struggling with the birth. Breathing heavily as she gasped for air, coupled with the intense pain, she still screamed in pain. “AAAAAAAAHH! Agh.. It hurts!!!” Mizuki screamed as she tried desperately to push her baby out. “I can see the head, just a little more, nee-sama!” Yuzuki exclaimed as she quickly helped out with the delivery. With one last push, Mizuki cried out as she finally gave birth to her newborn.

  After hearing the cries of a newborn baby, Takeru and Marika rushed into the room, with Mizuki holding the newest addition to the Takahitsuji family in her arms. “You did great.. Mizuki..” Takeru said as a tear came down from his eye, from the overwhelming emotions. “Thank you, Takeru-kun..” Mizuki said as she cradles her sleeping newborn son. “He really looks just like you, Takeru-kun..” “He also looks like you too, Mizuki..” the two parents said as they looked upon their infant son. “Mama, did you decide on his name already?” Marika asked.

  “How about… Aru-kun?” Mizuki answered. “Aru-kun, as in short for Alfred?” Marika said. “Yes, that’s right, Marika,” Mizuki said softly as she looked at her newborn son. The next morning, the blizzard stopped. The sun shines on the snow-covered Aomori, beckoning the coming of spring. With a new life born into the Takahitsuji family, the story of the young Esper begins.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  Five years later, and now the young Alfred is a 5 year old. In kindergarten, he didn’t have a lot of friends, because everyone treated him differently. Some avoided him because they’re nervous of his background or afraid of his eyes, which are ruby colored. He often would just sit in the shade, alone and lonely. One day, the same thing happened again, and he suddenly cried, probably from loneliness. Sitting in the shade, crying to himself as his young heart is being crushed by his solitude.

  Suddenly a pink-haired girl of his age approached him. “Why are you crying?” she asked. “Everyone just doesn’t want to play with me,.. because they’re scared of me,” he said as he wiped his tears. “In that case, why don’t we play together?” she suggested. “Really? With someone like.. me?” Alfred said as he was still afraid that he’ll be alone again. “Sure. You don’t look so scary to me, I think your eyes are pretty.” the girl said with a smile. “I’m Yurika, and you are?” “Takahitsuji.. Alfred Takahitsuji” he shyly answered. “Nice to meet you, Aru-kun!”.

  From that point on, the two became close childhood friends. They continued playing with each other, and Alfred’s circle of friends grew over the years. In elementary school, he met two new friends, Suika and Nagisa. He began to display a happier disposition with his childhood friends.

  From that point on, the two became close childhood friends. They continued playing with each other, and Alfred’s circle of friends grew over the years. In elementary school, he met two new friends, Suika and Nagisa. He began to display a happier disposition with his childhood friends. Seven years later, and now both Yurika and Alfred are middle schoolers. They have enrolled in the same school together. As he walked into the gates, he meets a boy with brown hair and glasses.

  “Hey, are you a freshman here?” he asked. “Yes, it’s my first day here.” Alfred answered. “Me too, I’m also a freshman. Name’s Natsume.” “Alfred Takahitsuji. But most people just call me Aru-kun,” Just as they were talking, Yurika showed up just in time as she called Alfred by his nickname.

  Natsume was immediately smitten upon looking at Yurika for the first time, and then dragged Alfred for a whisper. “Hey, who’s that cutie there?” Natsume asked. “That’s Yurika-chan, my childhood friend.” Alfred answered. “Can you introduce me to her later?” Natsume asked again. Suddenly the bell rang and it’s time for enrollment.

  After some time, the cast are sent to their classes. But little did they know, this was a premonition to a darker turn.