It was a cold night in the big city not unlike others with a cacophony of footsteps and the sound of vehicles breezing by drowned by the relentless rain, a man walked monotonously in a sea of people wearing his usual suit and a briefcase tugged to his side, downcast but not a shred of emotion on his aged face. The swirling lights and deafening sounds clearly bothered the man
"Mr Sasaki! *huff* *huff* Why did you move so far in front, I was almost sure I've lost you" a young man heaved in mild irritation and relief.
"Sorry, I was distracted there" replied an older man with a monotone voice, a lean build and a tired frame, a soft smile formed on his face.
"No need to be so polite in such an occasion, aren't you excited to be promoted? Come with me I know a place nearby we can get some drinks to celebrate with".
With steady steps they weaved through the crowd of people as the young man frantically searched searched for his supposedly usual spot to no avail prompting a chuckle from his older senior.
"It'd be dusk before we get to celebrate at the rate we're going at" the older main exclaimed as he gestured for his junior to follow behind.
Shortly after, a cold wind blew softly as the duo moved into a quiet bar far from the busy street and the bright artificial lights, the sound of doors opening and a thud follows as they ordered their drinks to celebrate a recent achievement.
"You've been working so hard for such a long time it's baffling how it takes so long for you to get a promotion, did you piss off the boss or something?" teased the young man playfully.
Sasaki smiled slightly and took a sip of his drink before turning his gaze to Takeda, "truth be told I never asked for any, well at least until you convinced me to try" his eyes slowly settled on the drinks in his hand, "It's all thanks to you Takeda".
The young cheerful Takeda grinned at his answer and raised his drinks for a sip, "I'd never be able to get used to working in the company if it's not for you Mr. Sasaki", silence fell for a moment before Takeda promptly emptied his drink in one go and continued, "I was stunned at the cold atmosphere since it's my first office job after graduating but meeting you was really a stroke of luck".
Both men then chuckled as they began reminiscing about the past year since they've met as the senior and a new hire, proceeding events weren't all smooth considering Sasaki's cold attitude towards Takeda early on, and yet drinks were shared and thanks were uttered as they spend time talking away while the night grew darker with each passing hours.
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The air is colder than usual after the rain as the pair of coworkers moved into the street and soon into the underground subway, The floors are wet as the clamoring of soaked shoes filled the area while the pair wait for their respective trains to arrive.
while waiting for the train, Takeda noticed that his senior seemed to be fixated on an announcement.
"Gunma? I never knew you came from the countryside Mr. Sasaki" Takeda asked bewildered as his senior speech and manners aren't one of the countryside folks.
"I'm... visiting family" replied Sasaki with a hint of coldness and a distant attitude.
"ah..." nodded the young man asking no further questions.
The trains comes and go as it's getting late into the night.
Fewer and fewer passengers are arriving and departing until there's only a handful of people left waiting to return home.
"Ah... Mr. Sasaki I think the train to Gunma is here"
"Ah, well then see you soon" replied Sasaki clearly inebriated to some degree as he prepared for the train, when suddenly Takeda sprinted and carelessly ran towards him, "Wait Mr. Sasaki! you forgot your br-" his words were cut short as he slipped right onto the incoming train.
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It was a brutal sight as blood splattered over the tracks and onto the platforms, Frantic calls were made as the witnesses called for anyone that would help in such a dreadful situation.
From the center of it all stand a man frozen in a stupor his face a mixture of shock and guilt while a mangled form lays cold and lifeless on the crimson tracks.
Everything after went by as if an eternity passed, every sensation and thoughts came rushing in while the world felt slow and deliberate, without realizing it Sasaki's fate is also decided as he found himself on the tracks, the rumbling of the railways grew ever so slightly louder.
Until it's only darkness and faint sounds of harsh caws