Osaka, Japan, 1995
It was a typical Wednesday afternoon in Osaka, Japan, where 17-year-old Uyetanda Benji lived with his parents and attended Kizuya High School. Benji, aspiring to join the national soccer team and become a world-class player, often felt school was a waste of precious training time.
As he stared out the classroom window, Benji muttered to himself, "I hate coming here. It's such a damn waste of time."
Glancing down at his completed paper, he called out to the teacher, "Teacher, I'm done."
The teacher, reviewing his work, began pointing out mistakes. Disappointed, Benji muttered, "Crap. He's actually checking today."
Reluctantly, he corrected his errors and handed in the paper again, finally gaining permission to leave. Eager to escape the confines of the classroom, Benjii swiftly changed into his soccer uniform in the locker room and encountered Keit, a spirited teammate.
"It's pretty cold today, huh?" Benji remarked.
Keit stood up dramatically, his eyes intense but voice calm. "Yeah, but a little cold won't stop the Champions of Kizuya! We'll use it to our advantage and crush our enemies!" He struck a dramatic pose, prompting Benji to join in with enthusiasm.
Their celebration drew awkward stares from others in the locker room. They later practiced on the rain-soaked field, their coach rallying them with enthusiasm that amused some teammates.
"He's so extra all the time," one teammate remarked about the coach's boisterous style.
"And that whistle of his!" another added.
During warm-ups, Keit's excessive energy amused Benji. "Hey, Keit, don't you think you'll tire yourself out before practice?" Benjj teased.
Keit replied confidently, "Oh, Benji, you misunderstand. I, Keit the Great, am never tired!"
Hours passed, and as dusk settled, Benji began his walk home, feeling an unusual tension in the air. Anxious thoughts raced through his mind, exacerbated by rumors of serial killers in Osaka. As he hurried, lost in his worries, Benji stumbled upon a figure in black who dropped a suitcase. He froze, fearing the worst, but the person simply apologized and walked away.
Relieved, Benji finally reached home, only to find darkness and his parents cowering under a table. They whispered urgently about a demonic presence haunting their house, visible only through mirrors. Panic surged through Benji as his father explained how salt had temporarily repelled the entity.
Suddenly, the creature appeared before them, sending Benji into a terrified scream. His mother hurried for salt, his father tried to comfort him, but in a flash, an explosion tore through the house, engulfing it in flames.
Emergency services arrived too late to save them. Detective Masago Urasaha investigated the incident, noting the mysterious absence of Benji's body among the wreckage. Officially declared missing, not dead, Benji's fate remained uncertain, for them.
Awakening in a vast and surreal landscape of endless grass and distant villages, Benjj stumbled towards the nearest settlement, hoping for answers. Confusion overwhelmed him as he encountered a villager who spoke cryptically.
He stood with an imposing presence, his complexion ethereal and pale as alabaster. Strands of pristine white hair framed his face in a delicate cascade, contrasting starkly against the dark, intricate patterns woven intricately into his tresses. His physique was lean yet sculpted, every sinew of muscle beneath his plain white tee shirt hinting at strength honed through tireless dedication. Adorned in simple black pants and sandals, he exuded an aura of understated elegance amidst the rustic surroundings.
"Are you new here?" the villager asked.
Perplexed, Benji replied, "New? What do you mean?" The villager responded,"Like, did you just get here" Benji, "I guess. I woke up a few meters away and just saw this village and guesses it would be helpful. Im extremely confused could you tell me where Osaka is?" Villager, "Hahahahaha, Osaka? I doubt there a place like that here..." Benji, "What do you mean by that"
The villager explained with a knowing smile, "You died. Welcome to the world of the Dead."
To Be Continued...