Scene opens in a dimly lit room—Yukio's apartment. The clock on the wall ticks past 12:41 AM. The glow of a monitor casts soft blue light over Yukio's calm but focused expression. His eyes are locked onto the screen as his fingers dance across the keyboard.
Yukio: Internally, while calmly clicking away
I've played this game a hundred times. I've broken it down to its core mechanics.
Why do I keep returning to it? Is it because it's predictable… unlike the rest of life?
A loud "You Win!" flashes across the screen. Yukio leans back in his chair slightly, the victory not even pulling a smirk from him.
Yukio: …I'm hungry.
He stands up slowly, cracking his neck as he stretches. His footsteps are soft on the floor as he walks toward the kitchen area. His expression remains calm, but his thoughts churn just beneath the surface.
Yukio (Internally):
Pekora again today... Why?
She keeps dragging me into her world like I'm part of it.
I've avoided countless people. It's easy.
But with her… it always fails. Every time.
She says we're friends… but I never agreed to that.
Still… she's persistent. And… unusual.
He pauses, hand resting on the handle of a cabinet.
Yukio (Internally):
Also… how is it even possible for someone like her to exist?
Rabbit ears. Inhuman abilities.
Some sort of government experiment?
No—there's no logic to it. None of this makes sense.
He opens the cabinet. Empty.
Yukio: …Figures.
He lets out a tired sigh, closes the door softly, and grabs his wallet.
Yukio (Internally):
Midnight snack run.
Better than starving, I guess.
Scene shifts to the dark outside. The moon glows faintly behind clouds. Streetlights flicker quietly over empty sidewalks. A suspicious black van is parked in a nearby alley, just far enough from Yukio's apartment to avoid notice.
Inside the van: Three young women in black suits and sunglasses are slumped in awkward sleeping positions. A-chan sits in the front passenger seat, her glasses still on, her arms crossed, eyes closed. She appears to be resting… until—
The apartment door opens.
Yukio: Steps out, calm and quiet, wearing a simple black hoodie, hands in pockets.
The camera zooms in on A-chan's eye as it twitches open the moment Yukio takes a step outside.
A-chan: Quietly …He's out.
She turns and taps her earpiece, alerting the others.
A-chan: Wake up. He's moving.
Agent 1: Groggily Huh? Who?
Agent 2: Rubs eyes Did he take the bait?
A-chan: There was no bait. Just our luck. Follow him—but discreetly. All we need is to hand him the invitation. Then we're done for tonight.
Agents: Understood.
Back to Yukio, walking under the dim glow of flickering streetlights.
Yukio (Internally):
Why does the air feel heavier than usual?
...Footsteps? No. Could just be the wind.
Still...
He stops, looks behind him slowly. Nothing.
Yukio: Deadpan Paranoia is setting in.
He enters a 24-hour convenience store. Soft fluorescent lights buzz above as lo-fi music plays faintly. Yukio heads to the snack aisle, takes his time choosing.
Yukio (Internally):
Instant noodles, potato chips… chocolate sticks…
Ten of these should hold me over.
He walks to the counter, pays silently, and steps back out into the cool night air with a plastic bag full of snacks.
Just as he turns a corner, three figures step out from the shadows. All wearing sleek black suits, black sunglasses despite the darkness, and emotionless expressions. They move with eerie coordination.
Agent 1: Excuse us.
Yukio: Stops, staring at them calmly …Yes?
Agent 2: Are you… Asahi Yukio?
Yukio raises a brow slightly.
Yukio: …That's me.
Agent 3: Without missing a beat We've been looking for you. This is for you.
She reaches into her coat and pulls out a small envelope—matte black, sealed with a silver emblem that resembles a stylized H.
Yukio: Takes it without flinching What is it?
Agent 1: That's not important. Just read it when you're ready.
Agent 2: Goodbye.
They vanish down the street before Yukio can ask further questions. He watches them disappear into the night.
Yukio (Internally):
Strange. They knew my name, my location, my timing.
Are they some kind of cult? Government?
...No, the emblem didn't match anything I've seen.
Back at home. Yukio enters his apartment, tosses the bag of snacks onto the table and sets the envelope next to it.
He stands silently, staring at the mysterious card for a few seconds. Then turns away and heads to his chair.
Yukio: …I'll deal with it tomorrow.
He opens a snack and turns on his monitor. Soft lights flicker as the screen boots up. The camera pans slowly away from Yukio… and lingers on the black envelope sitting on the table, glowing softly under the moonlight leaking through the window.