The Sun's rays tore through the air as the clicking of keys echoed through a room packed with desks, cushioned chairs, monitors, people, and papers. The elevator dinged, as something began to bang on the elevator from the inside. "Help! The doors are jammed again!" Two middle aged men got up from their chairs and walked toward the elevator. They carefully fitted their fingers between the doors and pried them out. "Leave it up to you to get stuck", grunted the older of the two black-haired men. From the elevator came a tall, skinny young man with messy brown hair and bags under his eyes.
"Thanks again, Ichima, and you too Denma." Heavy footsteps reverberated through the hallway and a shadow was cast over the three of them. A warped and disgruntled voice was broadcasted through the hallway. "Hitori you're late, and you two get back to work, those people aren't gonna scam themselves", the brown haired middle man with a short haircut said cheerfully. The two men responded with "Yes boss." and then made their way back to their desk. "Sorry, sir. I'll try to be early next time." "I'll make an exception, just don't be this late again. Oh yeah, my fruit bowl is almost done, get me another would yuh." The boss turned and retreated into his office, whilst Hitori enjoyed a sigh of relief. Hitori got to his cubicle. As he sat, a peachy brunette popped up over the cubicle. "You took your time, what was it this time?" "I was at a family gathering", Hitori remarked nervously. "(The truth is, I cried myself to sleep after failing the business exam.)" "Don't forget you promised me lunch today", she said sheepishly as she looked at Hitori.
Heatwaves began to form on the sun-burnt ground, and the sun neared closer to its peak. "Yum!" the brunette exclaimed as she indulged in a milkshake made of soy milk. Hitori stared into his wallet. "1200 + 800 means I spent 2000 yen, well that's a fifth of my pay." "Hitori, try this". The brunette leaned on him and a straw was shoved into Hitori's mouth, as the milky fluid entered his mouth, Hitori felt like he was drowning in a wave of sweetness. "What do you think?" "It's way too sweet" A waiter approached the table and rested the meals they ordered on the table. "Miss Lia, our chef made extra for you as a thank you for your consistent dining at our restaurant." the waiter relayed. "Wasn't there another person with you before?" "That was my cousin" Lia replied with an off laugh. "Well I should get back to work." The waiter went back to the kitchen. The plates were packed with a mix of steamed and fried vegetables. As Hitori ate he couldn't shake the feeling that the food he once enjoyed was nothing but a bland dish of calories, but Lia seemed to enjoy it so he swallowed his tongue and ate his money's worth of the food.
After eating they made their way back to the office. The Sun set, the streets and buildings cooled. The luminous glow of the Moon illuminated the city. Hitori finished up the remainder of his work. As he filled a cup of water his phone pinged.
New message; (There's a business announcement tomorrow. Are you coming?)
His reply; (Yes)
Hitori sat in his dimly lit cubicle and finished his cup of water. Hitori slept in the office... The Moonlight gradually turned to beams of sunlight. Hitori awoke to the sound of footsteps. He got up from his desk and entered the walkway. He could clearly see it now, the silhouette of two people in his boss's office. Knowing his boss had a safe in his office he armed himself with a pen and took cautious and punctual steps towards the door. He swiftly opened the door expecting robbers, however, before him was two familiar figures entwined in passion. The only sound that came from the room was of a pen hitting the floor. Lia and Mr. Himoshi froze for a second or two. Lia unfolded her arms from around Himoshi's neck. "Hitori I can explain!" Lia remarked desperately trying to salvage their relationship. Hitori ran out of the room exclaiming; "I quit!" He entered the elevator as the elevator closed she stood at the end of the hall, and watched the doors close.
Whilst the elevator descended he was left with nothing but his thoughts and festering hatred and jealousy. The elevator opened. As Hitori exited the building his coworkers were entering. Looking away, he avoided eye contact. Hoping to ease his nerves, he entered his local convenient store and picked up a case of cheap beer.
"That'll be 1,000 yen," the cashier said, ringing up the total.
Hitori reached into his pocket, only to realize he had left his wallet behind. "I forgot my wallet, It's just a case of beer, it wouldn't hurt to take it without paying, right? One little shoplift..."
"Hey, you alright man?" the cashier asked, noticing his hesitation. "Yeah, there's one more thing I have to get so give me a few seconds." Hitori disappeared into the food isle. He picked up a jar of pickles, then dropped it, the sound of shattering glass echoed through the store. "Hey, are you alright." As the cashier left his post and approached the isle Hitori walked up from the other side. He grabbed the case and run out the store. "You thief get back here!" The cashier ran after him but Hitori was already gone. Adrenaline rushed through Hitori as he walked out of the alley to cross the road a truck swerved and crashed on the pavement.
As glass shards pierced his skin, Hitori placed his blood soaked right hand on the guard-rail of the truck. "I guess I died as I lived... poor. alone, and powerless? I accomplished nothing, maybe in the next life." People began to take and share pictures. By the time the ambulance arrived, Hitori's last tear had fallen. The driver was pronounced dead by stroke... Elsewhere something brews.
A young man cloaked in a black, gilded hood perched atop a gothic church. His hand resting on a white marble cross that gleamed unnaturally in the moonlight. The city beneath him buzzed with life, but this world was different. It brimmed with magic and danger. His smirk widened as he watched the cross turn from white to a rich yellow.