Chapter 1: The Heir of Silence
Year 2024.
In a quiet, coastal town called Wakayama, far from the chaos of Tokyo, lived the remnants of a once-powerful family — the Kuzo family.
There were only two members left:
One, the legendary businessman Shion Kuzo, the chairman and founder of the massive conglomerate SMT Group. Despite his family name, he rarely used it in public. At 65, he had built an empire from nothing — a man feared in the boardroom and respected across Japan.
> [The room is dim, filled with a thin haze of smoke. A soft light flickers. In the middle stands a boy—emotionless, still.]
He is 17.
The only grandson of Shion Kuzo.
And the sole heir to the Kuzo family name and the SMT throne.
But his life is far from privileged.
Ten years ago, a tragic car accident took the lives of his parents — an incident so brutal, it left the Kuzo name scarred forever. Miraculously, only two people survived that night: Shion... and the boy.
> [Scene fades to the wreckage of a burning car, sirens in the background]
His name is Haruka Kuzo.
But everyone in school calls him simply — Kuje.
And this boy... is not ordinary.
Because he once lived as a shadow — and still does.
---
> [Scene shifts to a classroom – High School, 3rd Year, Class A.]
A teacher walks in, holding a stack of papers. His name is Istsuki, the homeroom teacher.
"Mid-term results are in," he says, sounding half-interested.
Narration:
Istsuki-sensei is 26, and though he teaches well, he's not exactly here for the students. Truth be told, he took this job to flirt with girls — a dream that, after two years, is long dead.
Istsuki (reading the results):
"As always... top marks in every subject... Haruka Kuzo."
The class claps.
But the camera pans to a girl — serious face, silent eyes.
She is the second-highest scorer in the class.
Her name? Mahiru Shina.
Haruka's best friend.
But... she doesn't like him. Not even a little.
In fact, she calls him "Cockroach" behind his back.
> [Mahiru glares silently as her best friend Masha leans over.]
Masha Fuji, her close friend, giggles.
Masha:
"You got second place again, Mahiru!"
Mahiru (clenching her fists):
"Tch. I lost again... to that cockroach."
Narration:
Yes. She really calls Kuje that.
Masha (groaning dramatically):
"You're so lucky, Mahiru! I barely passed!"
Mahiru fumes.
Mahiru:
"This isn't luck. Next time... I'll crush him. No matter what."
---
> [Scene shifts to late afternoon. School's over. Students leave.]
Kuje walks alone down the street. His phone rings...
To be continued.
Year 2024.
In a quiet, coastal town called Wakayama, far from the chaos of Tokyo, lived the remnants of a once-powerful family — the Kuzo family.
There were only two members left:
One, the legendary businessman Shion Kuzo, the chairman and founder of the massive conglomerate SMT Group. Despite his family name, he rarely used it in public. At 65, he had built an empire from nothing — a man feared in the boardroom and respected across Japan.
> [The room is dim, filled with a thin haze of smoke. A soft light flickers. In the middle stands a boy—emotionless, still.]
He is 17.
The only grandson of Shion Kuzo.
And the sole heir to the Kuzo family name and the SMT throne.
But his life is far from privileged.
Ten years ago, a tragic car accident took the lives of his parents — an incident so brutal, it left the Kuzo name scarred forever. Miraculously, only two people survived that night: Shion... and the boy.
> [Scene fades to the wreckage of a burning car, sirens in the background]
His name is Haruka Kuzo.
But everyone in school calls him simply — Kuje.
And this boy... is not ordinary.
Because he once lived as a shadow — and still does.
---
> [Scene shifts to a classroom – High School, 3rd Year, Class A.]
A teacher walks in, holding a stack of papers. His name is Istsuki, the homeroom teacher.
"Mid-term results are in," he says, sounding half-interested.
Narration:
Istsuki-sensei is 26, and though he teaches well, he's not exactly here for the students. Truth be told, he took this job to flirt with girls — a dream that, after two years, is long dead.
Istsuki (reading the results):
"As always... top marks in every subject... Haruka Kuzo."
The class claps.
But the camera pans to a girl — serious face, silent eyes.
She is the second-highest scorer in the class.
Her name? Mahiru Shina.
Haruka's best friend.
But... she doesn't like him. Not even a little.
In fact, she calls him "Cockroach" behind his back.
> [Mahiru glares silently as her best friend Masha leans over.]
Masha Fuji, her close friend, giggles.
Masha:
"You got second place again, Mahiru!"
Mahiru (clenching her fists):
"Tch. I lost again... to that cockroach."
Narration:
Yes. She really calls Kuje that.
Masha (groaning dramatically):
"You're so lucky, Mahiru! I barely passed!"
Mahiru fumes.
Mahiru:
"This isn't luck. Next time... I'll crush him. No matter what."
---
> [Scene shifts to late afternoon. School's over. Students leave.]
Kuje walks alone down the street. His phone rings...
To be continued.