Fate
Night
Cloudy
It had been a long day filled with tests, reports, and labs. He still had to return home and work on a few assignments. Releasing a self-pitying sigh, he rubbed his temples to momentarily alleviate the accumulating stress. Before he could weigh the pros and cons of dropping out in his senior year of university, he heard a woman's cries for help and immediately halted his steps. The previous weariness in his eyes vanished, replaced by razor-sharp focus.
After carefully observing the area, he spotted two silhouettes less than 30 meters away. Taking quick, purposeful strides, he closed the distance, and the entire scene was revealed to him.
Yet he was so focused on the scene that he failed to notice the world, or more specifically reality, shifting around him. His tall and muscular 188 cm body shortened and shrunk into a thin 175 cm frame. His inviting light-brown skin became porcelain white. Most mysteriously, his handsome face and well-defined jaw transformed into something sharper, angular, and reminiscent of Far East Asia. As dramatic as these changes were, they went unnoticed for quite some time.
Illuminated by headlights, a bald man with a small black goatee was attempting to force a young woman into his vehicle. From her actions and speech, it was clear that she was not interested.
His first thought was to use the video function of his cellphone to record the scene and secure evidence. However, a quick glance revealed that his phone was extremely low on battery and unlikely to provide even a few seconds of video recording. Internally cursing, the young man was jolted from his reverie as the woman's pleas grew louder. Deciding on what must be done, he started a voice recording before rushing toward the two adults, stopping right in front of them.
The bald man was the first to notice him.
"This ain't a show, kid! Get lost!" the bald man said with a slur in his voice.
A crease formed on the young man's brow as he calmly assessed the older man in front of him, taking note of his relatively expensive attire and luxury vehicle.
"Listen… sir, it's obvious to anyone that you are inebriated and that the madam is not interested. So why don't you do yourself and everyone else a favor and leave before this escalates?" he coolly retorted, with evident sarcasm and contempt in his voice.
The person in front of him had neither the physical nor mental capabilities to best him in a fistfight. If he presented himself as enough of an obstacle, he could get this situation settled with little trouble. At least that's what he hoped.
Momentarily stunned by the younger man's snarky comment, the bald man's expression briefly loosened before contorting into a scowl.
"Get the hell outta here, kid, before I make you."
The least troublesome scenario would have been to walk away and quietly call the police. Instead of confronting someone so problematic, it would have been wiser to leave. With the current political environment, the young man would only bring trouble upon himself. However, that line of rationality was severed when he saw the man grope the woman as he once again attempted to pull her into his vehicle.
The youth flashed forward and separated the woman from the drunkard without hesitation. Due to his intoxicated state, the bald man lost his footing and crashed onto the sidewalk, hitting his head on the adjacent guardrail. As he rose, a stream of blood leaked from his forehead and down to his chin, his expression one of indignation and anger.
"Damn brat... I'll sue!"
The now-rescued woman mustered up the courage to speak.
"If you keep this up, then I'll report about the money! Is that fine with you?!"
However, the goateed man remained unfazed and sneered.
"All I have to say is that you did it on your own and it's over."
His threat easily punctured her bubbling courage.
"B-but I just did as I was told."
"Who do you think I am?"
"No."
"Hey… make this statement to the cops: 'This kid suddenly attacked me.' Got it? If you even try to say anything else, you know what'll happen to you, right?"
At those words, the young man's sense of danger fully kicked in. He sneakily checked his phone, hoping to at least record this conversation, but almost punched the nearby wall in frustration when the app displayed an error message.
"Huh? But—"
"Cut the crap. You fell on your own," the youth interrupted the now-conflicted woman.
"Shut up! You're done for. You're gonna learn what happens when you cross me."
Soon after, two police officers appeared behind the middle-aged man, and the bigger of the duo addressed the trio.
"Excuse me, folks. We received a complaint about an argument here. Is something the matter?"
The youth realized that someone must have called the police and thanked the random stranger internally.
The bald man turned around, and recognition followed by servility appeared on the burly policeman's face.
"Oh! It's you, sir."
"Hmph. So, what happened? Explain it to the good officer."
The relief blossoming in the young man's chest started to wilt as the woman stayed silent under the gaze of the drunk man and the two officers.
"…That young man suddenly attacked him… He shoved this gentleman to the ground. And this man… got injured…."
The student's eyes and mouth widened before transforming into a fierce glare. Meanwhile, the woman kept her head bowed in shame and guilt.
"… It's as she says," parroted the bald man. "Also… make sure you deal with this, so my name isn't mentioned at all. You understand what that means, correct?"
"Y-yes, sir," said the larger of the two policemen with a quaking voice.
"Hey, cuff him!"
At this, the other policeman, wearing glasses, walked up to the young man and put him in cuffs.
The youth held back his fury and willingly let the police restrain him. Better a few days in a holding cell than a coffin in the ground.
As he was being shoved into the police cruiser, he caught his own reflection in the car window, and the look of indignation on his face warped into confusion.
Sitting in the backseat of the police car, thoughts about the previous incident were long forgotten and replaced with a harrowing realization.
He angled his neck to catch his reflection in the rearview mirror.
Messy, curly black hair. Observant grey eyes. Lastly, a pale complexion and a handsome face.
A face he could never forget. The face of the protagonist in a popular game he had played years ago.
"How did I become Akira Kurusu?"