"Moving to the weather report, a heavy typhoon is expected east of the ja—buzz buzz, Sorry for interrupting this program but we've just received breaking news. Authorities have reported that approximately 150 people from Tokyo-
HAVE GONE MISSING OVERNIGHT"
"What?"
"Missing??"
"And with each passing hour, more reports are flooding in. Just what is happening?", the reporter yelled on the TV.
[REALITY, OCTOBER 6TH, 2025–AT TMPD (Tokyo metropolitan police department hq)]
Superintendent Yuzaki Matsuo walked briskly down the hallway, his face tight with frustration. Behind him, a group of reporters huddled together, trying to catch up.
"Mr.yuzaki superintendent, what do you think is happening in tokyo?"
"I don't know, I've already said we don't have enough information at this time."
"Is it true the number of missing people has risen to 196?"
"Yes, that's correct"
"What steps are the police taking to address this?"
"We've already launched a full-scale investigation. I'll provide updates when we have more to share. Now, please leave."
"But Mr. Yuzaki—"
"We still have questions!"
The door slammed shut, cutting off the reporter's insistent voices. Yuzaki sat at his desk, rubbing his temples in frustration. The air in the office felt suffocating, as if the weight of the missing people pressed down on him.
"...I also want to know what is happening, damn! It's as if that incident is repeating again…"
Knock knock, A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.
"General, may I come in?"
"Yes, come in"
"Pardon my intrusion, good morning general"
"If only it is good, So, Any new reports, Suzuki-kun?"
"Yes, I am afraid, the reports have now exceeded 200"
"200…", Yuzaki Froze,
Suzuki nodded. "All police booths across Tokyo are overwhelmed with calls. Families reporting missing their loved ones,and friends searching for answers... At this rate it might exceed 1000 by evening, And the media's relentless pressure is only adding to the chaos. It's been... hectic."
Yuzaki leaned back, exhaling deeply. "Hectic doesn't even begin to describe it. So what did we know so far? I'm sure you didn't came here to just say that"
"Hmph, as expected yuzaki-san. Here…" Suzuki placed a stack of papers on the desk. "According to the investigation team, The missing people span all ages, genders, and professions. As of now, there's no common link between them. As for how they disappeared, we still don't know. It's as if they all vanished…"
"What do you mean? What about CCTV footage?"
Suzuki hesitated, "that's the strange part…From 2:00am to 6:00 am, THE CC CAMERAS ALL OVER TOKYO STOPPED WORKING"
"All across tokyo?? That's impossible! Then what were the supervisors doing?!"
Suzuki took a deep breathe, "THEY WERE ALL SLEEPING"
Yuzaki stood up, slammed his hands on the desk. "Unbelievable! All were sleeping?? If that's the truth then-"
"IT'S PLANNED", a voice interrupted from beyond the door.
"Who's there?" Suzuki called out, startled.
The door creaked open, revealing a tall figure. Resembling a man in his 30s, he is wearing a brown coat over a white t-shirt.
"It's been a while, Superintendent Yuzaki," the man said with a calm yet commanding tone.
Yuzaki's eyes narrowed. "So you've come… Sakamoto Hiroshi."
Suzuki looked between them, confused. "Wait, you're… that detective from back then—"
Hiroshi raised his hand to cut him off. "I'm just an assistant. But more importantly, Yuzaki-san…"
Yuzaki nodded, understanding Sakamoto's intent "Suzuki, you can go now."
"But the report isn't finished—" Suzuki hesitated.
"Don't worry," Yuzaki interrupted, glancing at Hiroshi. "Sakamoto will take it from here."
Suzuki relaxed his shoulders. "Understood. Excuse me." Suzuki exited the room, closing the door giving them privacy.
"So?"
"It's happening again," Hiroshi said, narrowing his eyes.
"I knew it..." A drop of sweat ran down Yuzaki's cheek, "Does Hikaru know about this?"
"That guy left Japan long ago and I don't even know where he is now. It's already been five years since I met him, but knowing him, he must have caught wind of this by now. But this time… it's even more dangerous. And if this is really connected to that…"
Yuzaki clenched his fists,
"The 200+ people who have disappeared will… Damn!"
"Looks like we need to reopen 'that' case again."
"Yeah…I'll talk with others about this, and what happened to the supervisors?"
"They were sent for diagnosis, results will come in an hour or two. I suspect someone has deliberately done something to them. Huff" Sakamoto sat on the sofa, Lighting his cigar as he leaned his head towards the wall.
"Hwoo…I don't know who it is, but someone is definitely pulling the strings behind the scenes"
"So it really is a kidnap?"
"Otherwise it doesn't make sense. A large scale kidnap and the fact we still don't know how he's managing to do it without leaving any traces is ticking my nerves, but with these many people he's bound to make a mistake this time. No matter how perfect he is, he'll definitely miss at some point…"
"Just…JUST WHAT IS HAPPENING IN TOKYO?"
On 6th October 2025, More than 200 people in Tokyo suddenly vanished without a trace. As a result, panic spread through the city. The media's and citizens' pressure on TMPD and other departments is quite evident. But everyone was asking the same question and everyone wants to know the same answer–
"How did they suddenly vanish?"
But I already know the answer, because–
I'M ALSO ONE OF THOSE MISSING PEOPLE.
[DREAM, OCTOBER 5TH, APPROXIMATELY AT 12AM]
"From now on, all of you will be considered as GROUP B", Nakabachi declared.
"Group B?", someone murmured, confusion rippling through the crowd.
"Yes, I'm dividing these 499 dreamers into two groups: Group A and Group B. And naturally,
GROUP A DREAMERS DOESN'T KNOW THAT YOU'RE ALIVE"
I see, it makes sense. From Nakabachi's perspective, dividing us into two groups and hiding group B's existence from group A will surely make this game even more interesting. And personally it works in my favour. The less they know about us, the better.
"That's why, in order to sustain this lie for as long as possible, starting tomorrow, all of you will be missing," Nakabachi announced.
"Missing? What does it mean?"
"After all, If you wake up, I don't want the Group A dreamers to discover you're still alive"
"What?" "Wake up??" "The hell?" Everyone fell into confusion.
Wait wait, AREN'T WE TRAPPED INSIDE THIS DREAM?
"Mm? What's so surprising?" Nakabachi asked, his tone mocking.
"No... But aren't we supposed to be trapped here?" someone questioned.
"Surprised?" Nakabachi said, chuckling softly. "While I like the idea of trapping you here, unfortunately, I can't do that. And besides, It would just bring unwanted problems for me. So, in a few hours, you'll wake up. Of course, Group A dreamers will too. But, well... I suppose you could say you're trapped. After all, once you sleep again, you'll find yourselves back in this dreamscape"
So we're still caged huh. Well, I don't have any high hopes in the first place.
"Then what's the deal with this 'missing' ploy?" a sharp voice cut through the murmurs.
Nakabachi tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as a faint smirk tugged at his lips. "That voice... So you're also dead, Yukimura Kazuki-kun."
The crowd parted slightly, revealing the speaker—Kazuki, his expression cold and unyielding.
"Unfortunately," Kazuki replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "More importantly, care to explain?"
(That guy…He's that red head from seminar)
"Don't worry, I was just about to explain. In short," he paused, a sly smirk curling on his lips, "to avoid any... unnecessary clashes between the two groups in reality, I want all of you to disappear from Tokyo."
"But how do we do that?"
"Well, leave everything to me. I've already completed the required preparations. By the time you wake up, you'll disappear from tokyo. I'm sure it causes quite a commotion but it's alright, And besides," He leaned forward, his expression sharp and calculating. "I believe that hiding you from Group A will safeguard their sanity and can boost this project in a positive direction. In the end, It's for better results."
Results, huh? In the end, he still sees us as nothing more than test subjects. So basically, he's going to make us vanish from Tokyo and transport us somewhere else. So this is what he meant by "risky." This is basically a crime. Well, he's a criminal after all.
"That's why I want you to hide yourself until the right time"
Kazuki clenched his fists. "How long… will it take?"
Nakabachi tilted his head slightly, as if thinking. "Who knows? A month, two months… maybe a year. Until one of you survives—"
"Don't give me that crap!" Kazuki snapped, his voice rising.
"Hmm…"
"I don't have the time for this! You may not know it, There's someone waiting for me! I have an important task to do that's why I don't have time for these silly games!-"
"But it is what it is, Yukimura-kun." Nakabachi's tone darkened, his words dripping with finality. "This is my game. My world. And you? You're nothing more than an insect, So you don't have any say in this."
"tsk…Then at least answer this question… where exactly are you taking us?" Kazuki asked.
Nakabachi's smirk widened slightly as he replied,
"Shibuya"
I stiffened,
(D…did he just say shib..uya?)
Shibuya. The word alone sent a chill down my spine. In an instant, memories crashed over my eyes—blinding lights, suffocating crowds, and the warmth of blood slipping through my fingers. My breathing became heavy. Even though there was nothing to be afraid of… and yet, fear gripped my body, refusing to let go.
"It's fine", a whisper brushed my ear
(...)
"There's nothing to be afraid of"
Maybe because I'm in a dream, I can hear his voice—my past self. It's like he's right behind me trying to calm me down. But maybe he's right. There's nothing left…to be afraid of.
(There's…no need to fear anymore)
"Well then, that's it for tonight. It's time to wake up. Thanks to you, it turned into a long night. When you wake up, you'll find yourself in a hotel I own in Shibuya. Once you're awake, accept the call. With that, I bid you farewell—for now. Let's meet again—this time, in reality.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT'S ABOUT TO COME"
With that, the horrifying second dream has come to an end. And the date in the calendar has finally started to change.
[October 6th, 2025 Monday—Somewhere in Shibuya]
"Just in—it's been confirmed that over 200 people from Tokyo have suddenly disappeared. Superintendent Yuzaki has reported that a full-scale investigation is already underway. Just what is happening in tokyo?—"
I turned off the TV.
Stepping toward the window, I pulled back the curtains. Sunlight flooded the room, warm and blinding, casting sharp reflections against the glass.
"So It wasn't just a dream…"
So many things have happened in just one day, so this is what it means to change life overnight. From a normal high school boy to a missing person.
"We really went missing…"
Right now, I'm in this hotel supposedly owned by Nakabachi. I'd expect nothing less from him, it gives a modern and luxurious vibe. Here I thought my apartment was decent enough, but compared to this, It was laughable. But…
"But..to think I'm back in this city…"
I didn't intend to come back, but since I'm here, there's nothing I can do. There's nothing to fear. That place... it no longer exists.
But, it's odd. How did he manage to transport us to this city without leaving a trace?
Kidnapping 200 people without getting caught is not a joke. Is that even possible? After Nakabachi's instructions, I can't remember what happened afterwards. It was completely dark. Is it because the dream has ended?-
(hmm?) I noticed something on my wrists. There were faint red marks
"Is this…rope?ahh"
I Remember!
This wasn't the first time I woke up today. A few hours ago, I had already woken up— but not in this hotel. I was in a truck.
The movement must have stirred me to wake up. That's the one thing I'm sure of. Apart from that, my memory is blurry. It was dark, and I could feel people around me— brushing against me.
Other dreamers…? Were they in the cargo too?
But that doesn't answer the real question. The real mystery is how?
To kidnap me, they would have needed to enter my apartment. But the door was locked. Even if they had broken in, they still would have had to bypass the security guard on the ground floor. And that's just the start. Transporting this many people between cities? There's no way they weren't checked. And Eyewitnesses.
"Then how-?", I exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the curtain.
Nah, it doesn't concern me anymore. It's not something I should waste my time on. Because my job isn't to solve the mystery–it's to survive
That's the top priority for me. As for how we went missing, the police can crack their heads.
I let the curtain fall back into place, my reflection staring back at me in the glass.
"Police, huh…." I muttered quietly.
Ring, Ring, The telephone in the nightstand buzzed
(Call? That's right, didn't he say to pick up a call?)
I quickly walked over, with a quiet gasp, I accepted the call.
"Hello?"
"Hey Araki-kun, it feels like it's been a while since I talked to you, how have you been since then? Enjoying yourself?"
The moment I heard it, my expression darkened. My grip on the phone tightened. My reflection in the dark screen of the TV looked downright menacing and cold.
"Kurogane…",
"Now, now, don't get so worked up. I know you're angry, but it is what it is."
"Hmph. Must be fun, huh? Watching people kill each other in the palm of your hands"
"You make us sound so cruel," he chuckled. "We only want to create a new world where everyone can live happily."
"Spare me this nonsense, I'm over it. How does any of this lead to a happy world?"
"It will," Kurogane insisted, voice brimming with conviction. "because, I believe in the Professor."
(As I expected, their belief in him is unreal. Like that guard who jumped without a second thought…)
"So? What do you want?"
"Ah, yes, yes, I almost forgot. Maybe you already know, right now you're residing in a hotel in Shibuya. And of course, the reason we transported you to Shibuya is to hide your existence from group A. And from now what you are going to do will be explained by professor himself"
"That much I know already, what's new?"
"Good, looks like you haven't forgotten anything. That pill is really amazing. Now then, let's move to the main point. Araki-kun, Open the drawer of the nightstand—you'll find your phone inside."
I pulled open the drawer. Just as he said, my phone was there. It's true that it's my phone, but something felt off.
"It looks different inside…are you guys fine with this? Don't you think giving me a phone is risky for you guys?"
Kurogane let out a short laugh. "Oh, don't worry. It's been reprogrammed. It runs on DLC software, in short you can't contact anyone outside of the people involved with DLC. So even if you want to try something funny you can't"
I see, for example, reporting to the police and such, or posting about our situation on the internet, they have thought out really well.
"With that settled, I want to say something to you. The truth is, I'm appointed to supervise you, which means I have the responsibility for your actions. So I want to you to behave properly"
"If I don't?"
"Then we don't have any choice other than killing you"
I gasped.
He sighed, almost like he regretted saying it. "I don't want that to happen. Honestly, I've started to see potential in you. You're one of the few who've actually surprised me. If you ask me, maybe you can really win. Maybe you can survive."
Win, huh…you say it as if it's a simple task. I'm the one who's at risk, I clenched my fist.
"I do feel sorry for deceiving all of you, but it's for better results. It's for the new world. Please understand. Now that we've made up.
IT'S TIME TO START THE NEXT ROUND OF THE GAME"
"Already??"
"Yes, time is of essence. The game details will be explained directly by the professor, so we're asking everyone to gather on the ground floor. Your change of clothes is in the wardrobe, Of course it's your clothes from the apartment. Feel free to take a shower before coming down, well then we'll talk later"
"Wai-"
Beep, beep
He cut off.
So, it's already started. I've really gotten myself into a mess. Well, fine—if I can survive, that's all that matters. This time, I won't make any mistakes, I'll take back everything.
With a clear mind, I quickly went ahead to shower, preparing myself for the things that were about to come. As expected, the bathroom is so clean and gives a fresh smell. I sank into the bathtub, letting out all the things that's in my mind.
While it's relaxing, there is no time to enjoy this. There's still so much I need to know about this game and not to mention about the dreamscape. There are too many mysteries. And the biggest mystery of all is
"It's completely gone…"
I'm sure that she stabbed right into my chest. It should've been a fatal wound. After that I fell into magma, I can still remember the unbearable heat I felt during that. But now… I'm here, completely unscathed. As if nothing ever happened.
How did it recover? Is it because he's the god? Or is it something unrelated?...
Also it's odd that no one asked about this, is it because they are relieved?
I'm not sure but maybe this mystery will become the key to winning the game. Although it's small, I began to see hope. And right now, that's more than enough.
"Yes, it's time to go"
After a quick shower, I changed into fresh clothes. To my surprise, my entire wardrobe had been brought to this hotel. I noticed a suitcase beside the bed. Did they cram everything into it? Whatever, I'm more interested in what's about to happen. Afterall,
THE NIGHTMARE HAS JUST BEGAN
KNOCK, KNOCK
I opened the door, and a guard was standing in front of the door.
"Mr. Araki, you're requested to gather at the ground floor immediately"
"Yes yes, I know. I'm coming"
"Then, please hurry"
Without another word, he turned and walked away. I let out a breath, slowly closing the door before leaning against it.
The second round huh, I wonder what it'll be. After experiencing the first round, I know It's definitely going to be dangerous. But, I guess I have to get used to this. I'm already missing–
"Wait, that's right…"
Now that I'm gone, I wonder if that person knows about this?
[OCTOBER 7TH, 2025–10:05 AM, AT TMPD HQ, TOKYO]
"If you find any clues, please contact me. Since I am already familiar with this case, I might be able to help"
"Alright, I'll keep you updated"
"Well then, I'll take my lea—" Sakamoto adjusted his coat, turning toward the door.
"Sakamoto-kun." Yuzaki's voice stopped him.
He turned back. Superintendent Yuzaki stood with a serious expression.
"Hmm?"
"There's something I need to talk to you about"
[OCTOBER 7TH, 2025–1:20 AM, AT TV STATION, TOKYO]
"Good afternoon, everyone! How have you all been? It's that time again! Today's host Aoki-san is on leave So I'll take the lead today. I'm Ruri–Nice to meet you!, and in today's Tokyo times, we're bringing you yet another exciting interview with a famous figure. But this time—can you believe it? After countless invitations and relentless effort, we've finally secured an exclusive interview with none other than the future icon of the business world—Araki Ryuji!"
Claps, Crowd showered the stage with their applause, and the audience faces are filled with excitement
"No, you exaggerate me Ruri-san. I'm not that great"
There sat the guest, Araki Ryuji. Wearing a black coat, and a black glove on his right hand. He also wore a black stylised transparent glasses. He is fair and black haired, he could be mistaken for a guy in mid 20s.
"No, no. We have all seen your accomplishments. I heard that you've already earned about 100 million yen at the age of 25! And now, even after hitting 38 years you are still young and dynamic! And you're known as the figure who just keeps rising in the industry without any fall. It's really awesome!"
"Haha, It's just my hard work have beared fruit"
"We're sorry for taking your time in your busy schedule"
"No, this is a great opportunity for me"
"Now then, that's settled. Let's start the interview, but here's the catch! Just for today, the audience will interview you"
Ryuji raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That's interesting."
"Well then, let's start. Who wants to go first?"
"Yes yes! I have a question for you Ryuji-san" A girl stood up from the crowd.
"I've heard about your company's big project, the word is it is your dream project. Can you tell us about it"
"That's a bit…is it fine with you Ryuji-san?" Ruri asked.
"It's fine, I would like to this opportunity to reveal it"
'No way!'
'He is revealing it in this show'
"We all know about VR and AR right? It's really a wonderful technology. Especially VR, it can provide seamless experience and real life experience to even the disabled people. Even those who don't have legs can walk freely in that virtual world. It's a really wonderful thing. But…even as amazing as it is, there's still something missing…"
"Missing…" Ruri muttered
"That missing piece is immersion. The lack of sense, touch will make the world feel too artificial. Isn't that sad? Then, what if we add an extra touch and make it perfect? A perfect virtual world, and using AR, we can connect it to the reality itself. That's the technology I want to bring forth in this world, I call it–
IR-IMMERSIVE REALITY"
'IR??'
'Amazing!!'
"It's truly an amazing concept Ryuji-san!Can you tell us how it works? Ah, of course, just the basic idea is fine," Ruri asked
"Absolutely! With IR, you'll be able to experience touch and smell, making virtual experiences feel incredibly real. Our scientists are already working on making this a reality. For starters, we expect it to majorly change tourism. Imagine being able to visit another country virtually and actually feel the environment—the air, the atmosphere—as if you were physically there! And the best part is It happens in real time."
"So that's what you meant by connecting it to the real world using AR," Ruri said, intrigued.
"Exactly! Isn't it amazing? You could say it's an extension of VR, but far more immersive. And, of course, it can be integrated into games and other exciting applications."
"Then…"
"Hmm? Does anyone have any doubts?"
"Then… What about pain? C-can we feel p-pain?" The cameraman nervously posed the question.
'Pain?'
'Is that even possible?'
Ruri blinked in surprise, (Wait—why is the cameraman asking questions?! We're deviating from the script you know!) Ruri exclaimed internally.
"U-um, Saito-san… we're Live, you know?", she whispered, trying to keep the flow of the show.
"S-sorry! I just… I couldn't help but wonder…"
"It's fine, Ruri-san," Ryuji chuckled, completely unfazed. "No need to apologize. That's actually a great question." He adjusted his glasses, his eyes glinting with intrigue.
"So, your question is—can we feel pain, right?"
"Y-yes"
"The answer is simple–NO, I believe, pain should not exist in this world. Why must one feel pain? Why must one feel sad? That's why there won't be any pain in IR"
"Th-that's amazing perspective! I'm moved! Well then does anyone have any other questions?"
A hand shot up from the audience.
"Yes! How did you come up with this idea? Were you a researcher before?"
Ryuji smiled slightly. "That's right, I started pursuing this field when I was 18. That's when I decided to go to college."
"Then… What inspired you?"
For a moment, Ryuji froze. His expression shifted ever so slightly—just enough for those paying close attention to notice.
"The inspiration, huh…"
"Ryuji-san?" Ruri leaned forward, sensing something had changed.
"Actually, there were two people who I know," Ryuji murmured. His voice had softened. "They were geniuses. Inexplicably brilliant. I couldn't get what they were thinking. And one day, they came up with an idea—something outrageous, but also incredible. It shocked me. I guess… their vision became my motivation."
Gasps rippled through the audience.
"Who were they? And what was their idea?"
Ryuji hesitated, then let out a small, almost bittersweet chuckle. "That's something I can't share without their permission."
"Then at least… where are they now?"
Silence.
Ryuji's expression darkened. His fingers curled slightly against the fabric of his glove.
"One of them… vanished without a trace," he said quietly. "And the other… they're no longer in this world."
The room fell completely still.
"Sorry for making the mood heavy," Ryuji said with a small, apologetic smile. "I think it's about time I go. I know it's a bit early, but if you'll excuse me—"
"No, no! Even though it was a short time, we're truly grateful you joined us!" Ruri quickly assured him, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
Ryuji nodded, standing up. "Well then—"
"One last question, please!"
A girl suddenly stood up from the crowd, her voice filled with urgency.
(Eh? Now? You're asking now? Read the room!) Ruri thought, slightly taken aback.
"Eight years ago, in Shibuya… you rescued a boy from a fire accident, didn't you?"
Ryuji Froze
(Um… Did such an incident happen?)Ruri questioned internally.
"There are many theories floating around online, but I want to hear it from you!" the girl pressed. "What exactly happened that day? And… What happened to that boy?"
Ryuji hesitated, his usual composed expression wavering. "I… don't want to talk about that incident too much," he finally said, his voice quieter than before. "It's something I'd rather forget." As he spoke, his fingers instinctively brushed against the black glove on his right hand.
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of his words settling in. Then, with a small exhale, he continued, "But don't worry… that boy is safe. He's living with my relatives now." His gaze softened for a moment, as if lost in an old memory. "Truth be told, I'd like to be there for him more to show him the love he deserves… but with my work, I barely have time."
In the brief silence, the interview has concluded. And the host Ruri standing with producers see him off,
"So such a thing has happened…"
"Sorry, for making a mess", Ryuji replied.
"No, it was a wonderful interview. If there's a chance, please come again!" Ruri requested, with a bright smile
"Absolutely", he replied with a polite smile.
Bam, He stepped into the car, shutting the door behind him with a dull thud. As the vehicle pulled away, his polite facade faded, replaced with a sigh of irritation.
"Seriously, what a waste of time", Ryuji sighed in frustration, loosening his tie.
"Good work, Sir", the driver said.
"One after another, they are really annoying. Next time someone asks for interview just say I declined"
"Understood!"
He shut his eyes, resting his head against the seat.
"By the way, I got a message that Ryota was absent from school again. That's twice now. Jeez, I sent him to Tokyo to study, not to slack off. So, did you find out anything?"
"About that…"
"Hm? What is it? Spit it out."
"Ryota-kun is…Missing"
"HUH!? MISSING?! Is this some kind of joke?"
"I've sent one of my boys to the apartment, but found out that he's missing. Also we found out that his wardrobe is empty. And to add the tension, the CCTV footages of the apartment surroundings are all blank"
(Hey hey! How is this possible? Did he…run away?)
"That kid…is he finally showing his true colours? Did he finally decide to leave me?"
"No, I don't think that's the case"
"THEN WHAT IS IT?!"
"Take a look at this," The driver handed over his phone, displaying a news article.
"What's this…? Over 200 people from Tokyo… have DISAPPEARED?"
"Yes, it's chaos, I believe Ryota-kun is a victim of this incident."
"Then he's kidnapped?"
"Most probably"
"Investigation?"
"It's already underway, we're trying to find what we can"
"Find him, at any cost! Ryota is my treasure! MAKE SURE TO BRING HIM BACK!"
"YES! UNDERSTOOD!"
Hmph, you're not going to escape from this cage Ryota. Don't think You can escape me. Because you're mine. Soon you'll find yourself coming back to me! My sweet sweet sweet
MY SWEET SON.
[At TV STATION, RESTING ROOM]
Saito sat on the bench, lost in thought, his eyes unfocused.
"Boom."
A cold sensation pressed against his cheek, making him flinch.
"Woah—Shima-san! D-don't scare me like that!" Saito yelled, turning to see his co-worker grinning at him, holding a chilled drink.
"Haha, you scare too easily," Shima chuckled. "By the way, you've got some guts interrupting the live show like that. The script was completely ruined."
"S-sorry, I just really wanted to ask…"
"A cameraman asking questions during a live broadcast? Not bad. Might even boost the ratings," Shima teased.
"Heh… maybe."
"But I gotta admit, it was an interesting question—feeling pain in a virtual world. Where did that idea even come from?"
Saito suddenly fell silent, his face growing pale.
"Saito-san?" Shima frowned. "You okay?"
Saito hesitated before speaking, his voice lower now. "Hey, Shima-san… have you ever thought about dreams becoming real? A world completely separate from ours, where you can feel everything—happiness, sadness… even pain?"
Shima raised an eyebrow. "That's… a weird thing to ask."
"I-I know, right? Sorry, just forget it," Saito forced a laugh. "It's just… I had this nightmare. It felt too real. Like I was actually there, and it was filled with pain and suffering…"
Shima took a sip of his drink, eyeing Saito with curiosity. "A nightmare, huh? Must've been a bad one if it's still bothering you. But, now it makes sense."
Saito let out a nervous chuckle. "Y-yeah… It felt too real, you know? Like… I could feel everything. The warmth, the cold… and even the pain."
Shima raised an eyebrow. "Sounds intense. But hey, don't let it get to you too much. Dreams are just dreams."
Saito hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah… just dreams."
"Ah, by the way, did you hear?" Shima leaned in, lowering his voice.
"W-what is it?" Saito asked, a little uneasy.
"You know Aoki-san, the host? Everyone thinks she's on leave, but…" Shima glanced around, as if making sure no one else was listening.
Saito swallowed. "But what?"
"I overheard something."
Saito's breath caught in his throat.
"The truth is… She went missing."
Silence hung between them.
"To think that she's also a victim of that incident… Wait… Saito-san? Hello?"
Saito didn't respond. His hands trembled slightly as his mind spiraled.
(It's not my fault. It's not my fault. It's just the natural flow of things. I didn't have a choice. That's right… it's a natural course of event…)
I DIDN'T KILL HER!
[OCTOBER 6TH, 2025–9:20 PM, IN SAKAMOTO'S HOUSE]
Sakamoto slowly climbed the stairs to his rundown apartment, rubbing his neck as he reached the door.
"I'm back… Not that it matters. I live alone now, anyway."
He stepped inside, greeted by the familiar sight of garbage bags stuffed with empty beer cans and instant noodle cups.
"…Man, it's really a mess. I really need to clean this place up. I'll do it this weekend. For sure."
Ignoring the mess, he made his way to the fridge, stuffing in the food he'd bought before grabbing a cold beer. With a tired sigh, he collapsed onto his bed, popped the can open, and took a long sip.
"pwah…Drinking a beer after a long day is really the best!"
If only reality felt like this. Today was exhausting… After all these years, it's happening again. Is this country doomed? But to pull something like this off without leaving a trace… How is that even possible? It's a real mystery. Now that I think about it, before I left… Why did he ask me for something so impossible?
[Flashback]
"Are you serious, Yuzaki-san?!"
"Yes! Request Hikaru to take part in this investigation."
"But—!"
"I know he's retired from being a detective, but please! I'm begging you. Bring him back, no matter what. Only he can solve this! Besides, you two have worked on this before."
"You know we failed last time! Even if Hikaru returns, there's no guarantee—"
"But we have no choice!" Yuzaki interrupted, his voice firm. "I just got the message of the reports… The diagnosis results came back….as completely normal. And the investigation team just confirmed they can't trace the source of the blackout."
"What!?"
Yuzaki clenched his fists. "I'm ashamed to admit it. but we don't have the intelligence to solve a case like this. At this rate, we might be out of options. So please…"
"Yuzaki-san, stop this—"
Before Sakamoto could finish, Yuzaki bowed his head deeply.
"Please… bring Hikaru back."
[Present]
"Bring him back..." Easier said than done. I don't even know where he is, let alone how to contact him.
The reports are nothing but despair. No leads, no traces—nothing. Does this mean there's no way to catch the culprit?
So what... we just sit back and watch…people disappear? Watch them die?
"Shit…!"Sakamoto frowned in frustration, keeping his hand above his head.
Why is this happening….?
Beep,beep
Call? Who's calling at this hour?
He grabbed his phone, glancing at the unknown number flashing on the screen.
(hmm? Unknown number…)
"Hello?"
"Hey, How are you doing? Sakamoto-San"
Sakamoto froze. That voice—smooth, confident, almost amused. It had been years since he last heard it.
"…Who is this?"
A chuckle. "Come on, don't tell me you've already forgotten me. It's mean!"
His grip on the phone tightened. "Hikaru…?"
Is what I'm hearing true? Or are my ears fooling me? It's unbelievable…Am I dreaming? 5 years… it's been 5 years!
HIKARU HAS CALLED ME!
"Hi-hikar..u, icc, You…Took you long enough…"
A soft chuckle came from the other end. "Now, now, don't cry…You're gonna make me tear up too."
Sakamoto gritted his teeth, his grip tightening around the phone. "Where..have you been all this time? I… I HAVE WAITED FOR A LONG TIME!"
A heavy silence lingered before Hikaru spoke, his voice softer. "Yeah… I know. I'm sorry for making you wait."
Sakamoto swallowed hard. "It's been five years… If you're calling me now, that means—"
"I've heard about the case," Hikaru interrupted. His usual lighthearted tone was gone, replaced by something cold and sharp. "He's back, isn't he?"
Sakamoto quickly wiped his tears, steadying his voice. "Y-yeah, it's happening again. But this time, it's even worse. No traces left behind, the police are completely at a loss. The reports show nothing… it's just despair."
"What did Yuzaki-san say?"
Sakamoto hesitated. "About that…"
"He asked me to come back, didn't he?"
Sakamoto let out a small laugh. "As expected, your senses haven't dulled."
"Of course not. Who do you think I am?"
"I know, The 21-year-old genius detective who could solve any case."
"Well, I'm 25 now."
"Ah, right. So, how's life treating you, Uncle?"
"HEY! I'M NOT THAT OLD!"
"Haha, sorry, sorry." Sakamoto sighed. "So, why did you call me? There's a reason, right?"
"I'm coming back."
Sakamoto froze. "...What?"
"I'm coming back to Japan."
"Are you serious??"
"Yes. The time that stopped five years ago… it's finally going to move again. And I have a request…will you be my assistant again?"
"What are you saying? I was always with you! Right now, I can't even express how happy I am—I can't stop smiling!"
"I feel the same. That's why… please inform Yuzaki-san that I'm returning—"
"No, I won't say that." Sakamoto grinned. "I'll say that…The hope is coming back."
"Pfft." Hikaru chuckled. "You're right. Then please tell him—
"THE HOPE IS COMING BACK"
DREAMSCAPE: SURVIVAL OF THE SMARTEST
ACT-I
THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHTMARE COMMENCES