Horikawa Kyoko is a worker at a high maintenance and strict company and more so a workslave
As a child, she had but one dream, that was to explore the unknown, to view fantasy to the finest, and witness sights no one else had seen. That dream still lingered deep within her soul, though it's been long buried under spreadsheets and endless meetings.
Lately, Kyoko has been diving into games—mostly romance and RPGs—but her workload is so intense that She couldn't finish any of them. And despite all her relentless efforts, her salary has remained as stagnant as a pond in winter.
Her social life is as dull as her desk job. All her high school friends have scattered like leaves in the wind, and She hasn't heard from them since graduation.
To top it off, her father's recent hospitalization, following her mother's death, has left me more stressed than ever. Kyoko's life as a single, independent woman is a bit of a mess—neither too pretty nor too decrepit, and not exactly attracting any romantic prospects.
Kyoko could desperately use a wake-up call. But what could change her mundane existence?
"Miss Horikawa!"
Kyoko's boss's voice jolts her out of her thoughts.
"Yes, Mr. Takanawa? What can I do for you?" Kyoko asked, drumming her fingers on the desk.
He thrusts a folder of documents at her, she then clamps her teeth to stifle a groan.
"I finished the campaign ad, didn't I?" Kyoko mutter under her breath.
"Sure, I'll get right on it."
Another delightful workday.
Kyoko thought to herself sarcastically
Just then, She trip's over something strange on the floor, making her stumble and clutch her toe in agonizing pain.
"OUCH!!!!"
"What clumsy idiot left this here?" She grumbled, glaring at the object with a temptation to smash it.
The box is small, the size of a mini Rubik's Cube, with mysterious numbers and kanji symbols etched onto it and with a vibrant purple yet see through surface .
"Hey, seriously, who put this thing here?"
She glanced around at her coworkers, their faces as blank as the screens they stare at.
"Why is this box on my desk? What's with the number 240? Is it a lottery number or some kind of code?"
Shaking her head, She dismissed her thoughts ready to focus on much more important matter– Her work.
"Ugh, I didn't even get to finish my lunch. Back to the printing, I guess," Kyoko grumbles, turning back to her computer.
Suddenly, a familiar face appears—Monika, the senior who's always managed to make her life miserable. She saunters over with her usual overconfident smug grin.
"Hi Kyoko, still slacking off under the boss's watchful eye eh?"
Kyoko rolls her eyes evidently annoyed with Monika already . "Can you not call me by my first name?" She said staring back at monika with an expression that says 'go to hell'
Monika just smirks, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I'm in a good mood today, so I'll go easy on you. She chuckled her fingers brushing through luscious blond hair.
But hey, I heard you're fascinated by mysterious stuff. I saw a cave that might interest you—perfect for your curiosity!"
Kyoko felt a strange surge of anger but kept a cool head.
"Goodbye now"
Kyoko tends back to her desk
Monika's eyes widen in shock, but she just laughs and walks away.
Kyoko exhale sharply, feeling a bit of relief.
Hours later, she dragged herself home, exhausted and fed up with work.
"Ugh, this is torture. Still, so much work to do..."
She looks at the horrifying amount of stacked dirty dishes and groans loud enough to attract attention in her own home.
"Forget it."
Her bag dropped with a thud as She spot the mysterious box on her desk.
"What's this now, something else to make me tired?"
Kyoko gently pick up the box, noting the same number 240, and strange symbols. Her curiosity was piqued, and She decided to investigate further.
Strange…. Its the same box from earlier. She thinks to herself before grabbing her reading glasses and start deciphering the cryptic Kanji on the box.
"It says here Rankers are a concept created by the Divine Goddess, each holding a unique priority," She read aloud.
"Shin and Kami..."
The words feel oddly significant, like a forgotten memory. She pondered. Before She can ponder further, the box suddenly emits a blinding light, making my heart race.
"Greetings, Ranker 240!"
"Yikes! What the heck is this?!" Kyoko screams, stumbling backward.
"You will now be transported to another world. Please comply."
"Another world?" She repeat, her voice shaky and her fingers shaking aggressively while sweat rolls down her forehead
"YES if you accept. No, if you refuse. You have ten seconds to decide. Good luck."
"Is this a joke?!" I shout.
"Hey! Respond now!"
"This can't be real!"
Panic floods Kyoko's senses. Her mind races as She frantically try to make sense of this bizarre situation.
Kyoko's hand hovers over the box. I remember stories about people being whisked away to fantastical worlds.
"NO!" She shout, hoping to cancel whatever's about to happen.
The box flickers and quiets, but the room suddenly goes black, leaving Kyoko with a feeling of dread, a feeling so indescribable she's unable to conjure any thoughts.
As she drift away, her last thought is a desperate plea:
"Please, let this be a bad dream."
In the darkness, Kyoko's soul departs, entering the box as her consciousness fades.