Kosuke sat hunched over his desk, the soft glow of his computer screen casting shadows across his face in the dimly lit office. The rhythmic clicking of his keyboard echoed through the empty space, each keystroke a small victory in the battle against the looming deadlines. As he stared intently at the screen, his thoughts raced. "If I can just finish this report tonight, tomorrow will be so much smoother," he mused, his fingers dancing across the keys with a practiced speed.

The low hum of the air conditioning cycled quietly in the background, a soothing drone that seemed to blend with his own steady breathing. The occasional rustle of paper and the soft thud of his pen dropping onto the desk punctuated the stillness, small sounds that made the silence less oppressive. Kosuke's mind wandered briefly. "I hope I didn't forget anything in that last section," he thought, glancing over his work with a critical eye.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps broke the silence, and Kosuke looked up to see Kimin approaching. A short man with black hair and a weary smile, Kimin had been Kosuke's closest friend at work for years. He adjusted his glasses and glanced around the near-empty office.

"Fujiwara, you're still here?" Kimin asked, his voice a mix of surprise and concern.

"Just finishing up this report," Kosuke replied, though his voice lacked the conviction it had a few hours ago. The fatigue was starting to weigh on him.

Kimin shook his head with a small chuckle. "Man, you've got to learn when to call it a night. I'm heading out, and you should too."

Kosuke hesitated, his eyes flicking back to the screen. "It would be easier to just stay and finish..." he thought, but then he saw the tired lines around Kimin's eyes and felt the exhaustion in his own bones.

"Yeah, you're right," Kosuke finally conceded, leaning back in his chair. "No point in burning out before the week's even over."

Kimin grinned, a bit of relief washing over his face. "That's the spirit. Let's get out of here before we become permanent fixtures."

With a final glance at his desk, Kosuke saved his work and shut down the computer. The office was filled with the quiet hum of machines powering down, a sound that seemed almost as tired as the two men. As they walked out together, the faint sounds of the night outside greeted them—distant traffic, the soft whisper of wind—replacing the solitary clicks and hums of the office.

They were greeted by a blast of cold air that swept over them like a sudden wave, making them both instinctively pull their jackets tighter. The crisp night air was a stark contrast to the stuffy warmth of the office, refreshing but with a bite that made it clear autumn was giving way to winter. They had just left their office in Osaka, the city known for its vibrant nightlife and bustling energy, even late into the night.

The streets of Namba, one of Osaka's liveliest districts, were still alive with the sounds of the city that never seemed to sleep. Neon signs glowed above them, casting colorful reflections on the damp pavement, still slick from an earlier rain shower. The faint, rhythmic sound of taiko drums echoed from a nearby street performer, adding a traditional beat to the modern symphony of the night.

The air was filled with the mingling aromas of street food—takoyaki sizzling on a nearby grill, the savory scent of okonomiyaki drifting through the cool night breeze. The low hum of conversations spilled out from small izakayas, their doors sliding open to reveal cozy, warmly lit interiors where patrons huddled over steaming bowls of ramen or shared plates of yakitori. The occasional burst of laughter, loud and unrestrained, added a layer of warmth to the cold air, a sign that the people of Osaka knew how to enjoy the night.

As they walked down the street, their breath visible in the chilly air, Kimin broke the silence. "You know, Fujiwara, I think if we stay any later at the office, we're going to have to start paying rent," he joked, his tone light and teasing.

Kosuke chuckled, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. "You're just saying that because you're tired of being my roommate at work," he shot back, grinning at Kimin.

Kimin feigned offense, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Hey, I'm a great roommate! Who else would put up with your constant muttering and the way you hog the printer?"

Kosuke laughed, shaking his head. "Fair point. I guess I should be grateful I haven't driven you away yet."

Kosuke loved nights like this, stretching his legs after a long day at the office. Truth be told, if he didn't have Kimin, he might have still been in that office. Hell, the only reason why he hadn't taken a sleeping bag to work with him was because Kimin would laugh him to death.

As Kosuke and Kimin reached the intersection where they usually parted ways, the lively bustle of Namba seemed to fade into the background, leaving them with just the sounds of the city breathing around them. The neon lights still shimmered in the puddles at their feet, and the faint scent of grilled seafood lingered in the cool air.

"Well, this is my stop," Kimin said, turning to face Kosuke with a grin that hadn't quite lost its playful edge. "Try not to pass out on the way home, okay?"

Kosuke managed a tired smile, though his eyes were drooping with the weight of exhaustion that had settled in after the long day. "No promises," he replied, his voice carrying the fatigue that his banter had tried to mask. "I might just fall asleep on the train and wake up in Kyoto."

Kimin laughed, giving him a light punch on the shoulder. "At least that would make for an interesting story at the office tomorrow. Get some rest, Fujiwara. You've earned it."

"Yeah, you too," Kosuke replied, watching as Kimin waved and started walking in the opposite direction, his figure soon blending into the crowd of late-night wanderers.

As Kosuke turned and headed toward the subway station, the cold air seemed to cut deeper, seeping into his bones and making each step feel heavier. His eyelids drooped, and he had to blink several times to keep his vision clear, the lights of the city blurring into soft halos. The tiredness was like a thick fog, settling over him and dulling his senses.

The walk to the station felt longer than usual, each step an effort as he navigated through the bustling streets. The sound of his footsteps on the pavement mingled with the distant chatter of tourists and locals alike, but it all felt distant, as if he were moving through a dream.

Finally, he reached the entrance to the subway, the stairs leading down into the dimly lit underground. He descended slowly, gripping the handrail a little tighter as he fought to keep his eyes open. The warm, stuffy air of the station was a stark contrast to the biting cold outside, but it only made his eyelids heavier, urging him to close them just for a moment.

As he stood on the platform, waiting for his train, Kosuke's head dipped forward, and he caught himself just before nodding off. "Just a little longer," he thought, willing himself to stay awake. "Just get home, and you can sleep for as long as you want."

When the train finally arrived, Kosuke boarded and sank into an empty seat by the window. The gentle rocking of the carriage as it moved through the tunnels was almost too soothing, and he found himself leaning his head against the cool glass, his eyelids drooping once more. The sounds of the train—the rhythmic clatter of wheels on tracks, the occasional murmur of other passengers—faded into a lullaby, pulling him closer to sleep.

As the stations blurred past, Kosuke's thoughts grew hazy, and before he knew it, his eyes had closed, his body giving in to the exhaustion that had been tugging at him all night. His eyelids would snap back open and he would blink a little.

The train continued its relentless journey through the dark tunnels, and Kosuke's exhaustion weighed on him like a heavy blanket. He tried to shake off the grogginess, forcing himself to stay alert as the unfamiliar station names flickered by. When the train finally slowed again, he squinted at the sign, struggling to make out the characters. "It's still not my stop," he thought, frustration mingling with his fatigue.

The train came to a halt, and the doors slid open with a soft hiss. Kosuke decided to step out, hoping to get his bearings and find a way back to familiar ground. The station was deserted, its stark fluorescent lights casting long shadows on the empty platform. The air was colder here, with a biting edge that made him shiver.

As Kosuke walked toward the exit, the only sound was the echo of his footsteps, unnervingly loud in the silence. He reached into his pocket for his phone, thinking to check the map and figure out where he was, when a sudden movement caught his eye.

Out of the corner of his vision, a figure emerged from the shadows near the stairwell. The person moved quickly, almost too quickly, and before Kosuke could react, they were upon him. The glint of something sharp flashed in the harsh light.

He attempted to punch the attacker, but they proved to be skilled in combat, and dodged the attack with ease, punching him in the gut. Kosuke would fall down to the ground, coughing, and trying to catch his breath. The attacker, dressed in his black hood and black mask stood over Kosuke, and through the mask, Kosuke could swear he could see the man smiling.

"Heh, that's what you get for messing with the Shinigami! Tell your fellow Valkyries about what the Shinigami do to their enemies!"

Kosuke was more than confused.. Shinigami? What about the Shinigami? Who are Shinigami? To Kosuke, his attacker looked to be a young man, maybe around 19 in age, with blond hair that peaked out of his hood. Could it be that he got caught in the middle of a delinquent group's quarrel? That had to be what this is, right?

The attacker raised the object that was now revealed to be a blade. Kosuke's screams were ear piercing. No, this couldn't be how he died. Because of some stupid fighting between youngers? And youngers that went under edgy names at that! He would scramble to get up, running away from the scene, but the attacker was already chasing him, almost inhumanely fast. 

The attacker pulled the blade back and thrusted it into the back of Kosuke after getting right behind him during the chase. The blade went in quickly and was pulled out almost as quickly. Sirens could be heard sounding from around the block. Kosuke's body would slowly fall to the floor, and blood would begin to pool from his body, and before long, the life of Kosuke would be over as he knew it, but he didn't know this yet.

*******

From a strange and black room, an old man sitting in a lotus position would open one eye. The eye would buldge out almost cartoonishly, and the man would scramble up and press his ears to each wall in the room, his grin growing larger and larger as he completed this ritual on each of the walls. 

The man's robes would fall off, revealing himself, and his very muscalar body. 

"Ohoho! I'm getting excited! So much new spiritual energy.. it would be a shame if a soul so powerful were to fall to a puny Earthling's death.."

A door would open in the black room, revealing a starry night sky. The old man sighs, then runs forward and out of the door, in a position like he was jumping into a pool, cannonball style. And little did Kosuke know, he would be given a second chance, one to unlock his true potential.