Prelude: The Last Straw

Reiji Kuroda stood in the dimly lit hallway of the bustling newsroom, his resignation letter crumpled in his fist. The paper had suffered under the weight of his indecision, its creases deep from weeks of hesitation. He stared at the frosted glass door ahead—the office of the chief editor—willing himself to move.

But he just stood there.

Behind him, the newsroom buzzed with the usual chaos. Phones rang, keyboards clattered, printers spat out drafts of stories that would make the morning edition. None of them had his name on them. Two and a half years in this place, and all he had to show for it was an impressive ability to fetch coffee without spilling it.

A hand landed heavily on his shoulder.

"So, you're finally gonna throw in the towel?"

Reiji didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Kaito Morishige, a senior reporter, self-appointed newsroom tormentor, and the one man who had taken particular joy in reminding him of his insignificance.

"Well," Reiji exhaled, tilting his head, "it's either this, or I check myself into a psychiatric ward. You know, for a change of scenery."

Kaito let out a sharp laugh. "Damn, that's a bad joke. We'll miss you—oh wait. No one actually will."

"Thanks for the pep talk. Really warms my heart."

Kaito leaned against the wall, arms crossed. His smirk was intact, but there was something different in his eyes today—something almost resembling sincerity.

"Look, as much as I enjoy tormenting you, even I can tell you're serious this time." He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "And honestly, it's gonna be boring around here without someone to kick around."

"Touching." Reiji deadpanned. "You can show your appreciation by personally delivering my resignation to the boss."

"Yeah, about that…" Kaito's smirk widened. "How about I make you an offer instead?"

Reiji narrowed his eyes. "I knew it. What's the catch?"

Kaito shrugged. "No catch. Just a job I was assigned but dumped because it's, well… beneath me. But it's right up your alley."

"So it has come to this, you're giving me your leftovers?"

Kaito grinned. "Don't kid yourself. This isn't just leftovers—I doubt it is. But who knows? Maybe this is your break. Me and the boys even placed a bet on it, so you have to take it."

Reiji raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. You all bet against me?"

"Haha! You see, I like you. Very good with the truth."

Reiji exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Well, it doesn't matter. I'm already drowning in debt. I need a paycheck, a good meal, and a change of scenery. Are you at least covering my expenses?"

Kaito grinned, slipping a hand into his pocket before tossing a few bills into Reiji's hands.

Reiji stared at them, unimpressed. "This won't even get me a bun for lunch."

"Well, it's a start, right?"

Reiji huffed, stuffing the money into his pocket. "Thanks, really thoughtful of you."

"Oh, the pleasure is all mine." Kaito chuckled, pushing off the wall. "Keep me posted. Let me know what kind of boring stories are hiding up there—the ones I won't be interested in."

Reiji gave him a sideways glance before turning his attention back to the chief editor's door.

A ghost town with a ridiculous legend. A frozen river. Strange disappearances.

It was probably nothing.

But maybe, just maybe, this was the story that would finally put his name in print.