Chapter 1
Life—a fascinating phenomenon, full of excitement, opportunities, and happiness. An ideal life is what everyone dreams of, isn't it? This is why the concept of death terrifies them to their very core.
But they forget that the ideal life they envision is nothing more than a fantasy. No one knows how many will ever truly experience it, or if they will at all. Still, they keep trying, driven by something called hope. Hope gives them a reason to keep moving forward.
Yet, I wonder—why doesn't that work for me? Since I was a child, I've felt something inside me rejecting this so-called hope.
Ah, I'm overthinking again.
"Hey, Haruto-kun!"
I snapped out of my thoughts, realizing someone was calling my name. I'm Haruto Kurosawa—a recent university graduate, currently unemployed. Perhaps my way of thinking explains my lack of career direction. Oh, right, back to the voice calling me.
As I suspected, it was Kazuki Akira.
Kazuki, with his neatly combed black hair and kind eyes, was always an optimistic presence in our group. His lean frame and casual attire gave him an approachable demeanor.
"Hey, haven't seen you since the graduation ceremony. Where have you been?"
"I've been thinking about my career," I replied, my tone neutral. "Doing some research and exploring my options. You know how troublesome things like this can be."
"Oh, I see. Well, it seems like everyone else is busy too. It's an important time in life, after all," he said with a smile.
"Speaking of which, what are you planning to do about your career?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kazuki sighed lightly, his hands resting in his jacket pockets. "Well, I'm aiming for a job in sales or management to start with. My younger siblings are entering high school soon, so I need to secure an income to support them and myself."
"Ah, your younger siblings. The twins, right? Got it. Anyway, see you later," I said, turning to leave.
"Wait," Kazuki called after me, his expression brightening. "Are you free at the end of the month? Since we're all entering a new phase in life, I thought it would be nice to hang out one last time before everyone gets too busy."
I paused, considering his words. "Hmm… Considering I'm unemployed, I guess I'm free. Send a message in the group chat with your plan, and we'll see how everyone's schedule looks."
"Alright, I'll do that. See you later, Haruto-kun!"
"See you."
As I continued walking, I fell back into my thoughts. Man, I wasn't able to communicate at my usual level. Maybe because he interrupted me mid-thought. He caught me off guard.
Still, the idea of hanging out one last time didn't seem bad. After all, we've been friends since high school and university. I guess it's natural that everyone needs to move on with their lives.
On the other hand, Kazuki was lost in his own thoughts as he walked home. Haruto-kun seemed different—his tone, his demeanor. Perhaps he was deep in thought again. Then again, hasn't he always been like that? His way of thinking is on a whole different level. What kind of career will he choose? Or will he even choose one at all?
Kazuki chuckled to himself. I've always imagined him becoming a philosopher. Well, that's for him to decide.
As he reached the street corner, Kazuki reflected on his decision to organize the hangout. The only reason I started planning this is that I know people have to change at different points in life. This is a big one. Maybe we won't see each other as much anymore, caught up in our responsibilities. I just want to end this journey properly—to celebrate our graduation and the friendships we've built.
His train of thought was suddenly interrupted by the blaring horn of a truck.
"Watch out!" the driver yelled.
Kazuki barely managed to step back in time. His heart raced as he stared at the speeding vehicle. That was close. I nearly got isekaied. How does Haruto-kun manage to walk around in deep thought and still stay safe?
Shaking off the scare, he reached his home. The modest apartment he shared with his siblings had a cozy warmth to it. "Oh, sweet home," he muttered, unlocking the door. He noticed the twins weren't back yet.
"Guess I'll wait for them and ask everyone about their schedules," he thought, pulling out his phone to send the message to their group chat.
In the group chat
Kazuki Akira: Hi everyone, what's going on? I'm planning a hangout for all of us at the end of this month, as we're all in a transition phase. Don't forget to enjoy yourselves!
Asuka Shiori: Count me in! I'm free at the end of this month. Let's have a blast!
(Asuka Shiori—she's one of those people who always tries to climb, no matter the situation. She gives her best in everything. Bold, intelligent, beautiful. Kazuki thought.)
Haruto Kurosawa: Alright, don't forget me. Let's enjoy, everyone!
(As he said to me a few hours ago, he's free. Kazuki thought.)
Myuki Haruki: I will be coming.
(Myuki Haruki—she's a good friend of mine. Strong, independent, bold. I think that comes from her childhood struggles. Her mother died when she was very young, and her father raised her alone. Now, she wants to be less of a burden to him. She's 21 years old, younger than the rest of us. Kazuki thought.)
Saki Nakagawa: If everyone's coming, I'll be there.
(Oh, Nakagawa-san—she has the most charming and cute personality. Kind-hearted and soft, always trying to support others. Kazuki thought.)
Daiki Tanaka: As if everyone forgot about me! How do you plan without asking me? I'll be there.
(Daiki Tanaka—he's the strong spirit of the group. A good guy, full of energy. He's kind, strong, with a strong sense of justice. His younger brother is in the same class as my siblings. Kazuki thought.)
Kazuhiro Yuuto: I'll be coming too.
(Yuuto-san—he's the cautious one. Doesn't take too many risks, but he's a good guy. Some might think he's a coward, but I think his nature sometimes helps the group. Kazuki thought.)
Sato Takeda: Okay, I'm ready.
(Sato Takeda—a straightforward man, often mistaken for rude, but he's a good guy. Trust me. Strong, independent, an orphan who didn't have any foster home. I sometimes feel sympathy for him, although I think he doesn't need a family anymore. He's learned to live without them. Kazuki thought.)
Aiko Nishimura: I'll be coming too.
(Aiko Nishimura—she shares a similar background to Sato. They both grew up in the same orphanage and are childhood friends. Sometimes I think they're a good match for each other. Maybe they're already dating. Nishimura-san is nice to everyone and is always trying to understand different perspectives on life. Kazuki thought.)
Ryohei Kurosawa: Count me in.
(Ryohei Kurosawa—he's Haruto's cousin, and someone who truly understands Haruto's way of thinking. He operates on a whole different level. Whenever I'm around him, I feel this strange distance—like I can never quite reach him. Maybe he's not human? What am I even thinking? But he shares a strong bond with Haruto, and he's 23, probably a year older than the rest of us. Kazuki thought.)
Kazuki Akira: Alright, if everyone's ready, I think an amusement park for the day, then a restaurant at night would be perfect.
Days have passed, and now the time had finally come for the group to reunite. But would everything truly be fine? What about the uneasy feeling, in a world full of secrets? What lies in the abyss of the unknown?
In the morning, Kazuki woke up, and after a few hours, he was ready for the day. He had breakfast, which was prepared by his little sister, Emi. His parents lived in his hometown, but when he started high school, he moved to Tokyo alone. Now that his younger siblings, Ren and Emi, were both in high school, they had also moved to Tokyo to live with him. Ren, being the older twin, was already seated at the breakfast table when Kazuki arrived.
At the breakfast table:
Emi: "Oni-chan, you have plans with your friends today?"
Kazuki: "Yeah, I told you about that. Since we're all moving into a new phase, we're planning to hang out for one last time for a while."
Ren: "That's a nice idea. You can leave the house to us."
Kazuki: "Alright, you two are grown now. Take care of everything here."
Both Ren and Emi nodded in agreement.
Kazuki left the house as planned. Upon arriving at the meeting place, he realized he was the first to arrive. He checked the time — well, 20 minutes early. He chuckled to himself, "Maybe I'm just too excited." The weather was nice that day, with the sun shining brightly, but it wasn't too hot.
After a short while, Haruto arrived.
Haruto: "Looks like we're early."
Kazuki: "Well, I was the one who planned it, so I should be the first here."
Haruto: "You're right," he said, glancing around.
Soon after, Kazuki spotted two beautiful young women walking toward them.
"Ah, here they come," Kazuki thought, observing Asuka and Saki. Asuka, always in her mature style, looked as poised as ever. Saki, on the other hand, had chosen a more revealing outfit today, which seemed a bit more daring than usual. Kazuki couldn't help but notice how her outfit emphasized certain features, and while it wasn't something to be ashamed of, he found himself momentarily distracted.
Saki was shorter, around 5 feet, while Asuka always leaned towards more mature-looking attire that fit her well.
Kazuki snapped out of his thoughts when Haruto whispered into his ear.
Haruto: "Having inappropriate thoughts?"
Kazuki instantly shook his head. "I snapped out of it."
Asuka and Saki reached them, and Asuka raised an eyebrow at Kazuki.
Asuka: "What are you two talking about? And Kazuki, why is your face so flustered?"
Kazuki (stammering): "Nothing! What are you talking about?"
Haruto: "It's a boys' secret."
Asuka (teasing): "If it were Daiki, I could understand, but you, Kazuki? I never thought of you like that."
Saki: "Let's move the conversation elsewhere."
Saki's expression revealed her own embarrassment, likely due to her outfit being a bit more revealing than usual.
Ryohei: "Yeah, let's move on."
Everyone, except Haruto, was taken aback when they noticed Ryohei.
Everyone: "When did you get here?"
Ryohei: "Who knows?" he said nonchalantly.
Not long after, Aiko and Sato joined them, followed by Daiki, Kazuhiro, and Myuki.
Kazuki: "Alright, everyone's here. Let's head into the park."
But just as they were about to enter, a strange figure caught Kazuki's eye. A person, wearing a completely black mask with no visible eye holes, and a hat, stood in the distance. Their clothing was unusual, too — a strange choice of black attire that didn't quite match the vibe of the surroundings.
Mysterious figure: "Hmm, there's nothing here, but he is still around. What do you want? Why are you playing human, Ryohei Kurosawa? Or should I call you... No, never mind. I should leave before he finds out."
Kazuki and the others didn't notice the figure, but the strange presence lingered in the background, silently observing.
The whole group enjoyed the rides and various activities at the park. Now, it was evening, and the sun was about to set. The group was leaving the park, tired but satisfied with their day.
Daiki: I haven't had this much fun in a while.
Sato: Today was great, and the restaurant part is still left. Thanks, Kazuki, for this.
Aiko: That's right! If Kazuki hadn't planned this, we wouldn't have been able to have a proper goodbye.
Kazuki (smiling inwardly): I did what I thought should've happened.
Haruto: Come on, think of it. We haven't had alcohol in a restaurant as a group before.
Kazuhiro: Alcohol is fine, but remember, don't get too full.
Daiki: By the way, how are we getting to the restaurant? Walking or booking a cab? I prefer walking.
Asuka: I know a shortcut there.
Kazuki thought for a moment, watching Asuka lead the way. The path she took was narrow, and he realized that it might have been difficult for a cab to navigate through here. It was an abandoned street, with few people around. What kind of young woman knows streets like this? Kazuki wondered. But then again, it was Asuka. Anything was possible with her.
Asuka led them down the path, and soon Daiki shouted, pointing at a nearby shop.
Daiki: Look at this shop!
Haruto: Looks like a fortune-telling shop.
Saki: It's kind of creepy.
The shop looked ancient, with dust gathering on its windows. It didn't seem to attract many customers. Its eerie atmosphere sent an unsettling vibe through the group.
Daiki: Wanna check our future?
Aiko: Stuff like this is nonsense.
Sato: Are you scared?
Aiko: No, I'm just speaking facts.
Kazuki chuckled. It was clear that Aiko wasn't fond of these things, but everyone else seemed curious. He glanced around, wondering what everyone would think.
Kazuki: Well, what's everyone's opinion?
Daiki: I'm ready for some creepy stuff.
Sato: No problem here.
Saki: Well, it's creepy, but I can go.
Myuki: You don't have to force yourself. This isn't much of a problem.
Haruto: I don't think there should be any problem. Let's go inside.
The group entered the shop, but Kazuki noticed that Kazuhiro and Haruto seemed uneasy. They were glancing around, noticing a few strange-looking people hanging around outside. The atmosphere was becoming tense, but they brushed it off. Inside, an elderly woman sat at a table, ready to read their hands. The cost was a mere 5 yen per person.
Myuki: Okay, I'll go first.
The old lady read everyone's hands one by one. When she got to Haruto, her expression shifted. She frowned deeply.
Old Lady: Your presence... seems a little odd.
Haruto: Well, maybe I'm different.
As the old lady continued to read his hand, her face contorted in fear. Her eyes widened, and she started trembling.
Daiki: Hey, old lady, are you okay? You seem a little off.
The old lady muttered to herself, her voice barely audible, but it became more frantic by the second.
Old Lady: Who are you? Who are you? Who are you?
Everyone stood frozen, trying to make sense of what was happening. Then, the old lady suddenly screamed, her voice piercing the air.
Old Lady: What are you people? What do you want?
She started coughing up blood, her body convulsing violently.
Daiki: Call an ambulance! Now!
The scene turned chaotic as the group tried to help. Daiki rushed to the old lady's side, trying to stop the blood from spilling. The atmosphere was thick with panic. The old lady kept mumbling and shouting, her words unintelligible.
Old Lady: Die! Die! Die! What are you?
Eventually, an ambulance and the police arrived. The old lady was rushed to the hospital, but her heartbeat stopped on the way. She was dead.
The news left everyone shaken. They had to go to the police station for questioning, and the investigation took several hours.
Around midnight, the investigation was complete, and the officers spoke with the family members.
Police Officer: Don't worry, the investigation is done. Apparently, the lady had both heart and mental problems. That's why she acted like that. Although much of it is unclear, we can confirm that you have nothing to do with her death. You can leave now.
Masaru Haruki: Thanks for your cooperation. It's unfortunate what happened. We may take our leave now.
On their way back, Haruto noticed more strange people roaming around. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, but he chose to ignore it, thinking it was just his mind playing tricks on him.
The group was devastated, especially Saki Nakagawa. Kazuki noticed how shaken she was, even though her parents had arrived. He couldn't help but wonder what had caused the old lady to act that way, particularly when she was reading Haruto's hand. It had seemed almost... personal.
As they walked back, Haruto kept replaying the event in his mind, his thoughts racing. His parents hadn't been called, which was strange. Perhaps they were just busy. As they reached his house, he told them everything that had happened. His mother, a warm and emotional woman, was deeply disturbed by the news, while his father remained calm and sensible.
They told him to rest, but Haruto found it hard to sleep. Something about today didn't sit right with him. Just as he was about to drift off, a knock echoed from the front door.
Who could be visiting at this time?