[ CH 3 ] After 10k Hours; There Is Nowhere Left To Run

I walked faceless among a mixed crowd by the train station, each heading towards their own destination with purpose; all except me. It’d become my only solace, to be counted among a faceless one in the crowd. Winter had come, and I had nowhere to stay and no delusion left to pursue. 

In fact; I had become completely bitter about the idea of a ‘personal fairytale’.

After all, I lost a dear friend, and it may have been my fault; as for what reason I haven’t the slightest clue. Mr. Shotaro was eighty-one years old, and what a life well lived. The guilt of me wasting his final days on my stupid, stupid project makes me want to hurl.

I still remember arriving at his studio that same day, only to escape quickly on account of the police that had gathered there.

As if that wasn’t enough everywhere I turn I fear I am being watched, or that possibly those mystery men may reveal themselves from out of my shadow. 

Every other moment I rack my brain as to what I could have possibly done. 

Did I Sign a document with a loan shark?

Do I have a persona unbeknownst to myself where I gamble?

Has my internet history really been that interesting over the last few years?

Nothing seems to make sense about it, and it's causing me immense stress.

Today was December 17th. Last week I turned 25. It had been two years since I set in motion my plan, which only brought me back to where I began.

What does it mean to waste two years of your life? Maybe later on in life I’ll think of them as a flash in the pan. 

I doubt it.

Within those two years of repeated efforts and determination; perhaps that was the concentration of the rest of my life’s potential. In the end, I guess I really was just a foolish Eiei dreamer.

I stopped by a local ramen shop on my way to Ebisu for a job interview. Perhaps I can live out my days passionately as something like that…; but really, I am here for some food.

The crisp air fell back on my face with every breath as I trudged through the frigid snow. 

Man, what a pain…I thought to myself. I kept looking down to avoid eye contact for fear anyone around may know my face.

After all, I am back in the town where I quit my job.

*Chime!*

The door jostled open, but it could only push in partway as the shop was filled to the brim; and from what I could see so were the bowls.

And then, just like that, my great fear was confirmed…

“H-hey…Togawa? Hiroshi Togawa, is that you?!”

Half the people in the shop turned to face me, to which I turned to this one guy in the corner directly facing me; but the crowd wouldn't budge. 

Man, what a pain…

“So, Togawa, how’s life been treating you since Uni; I’m sure you're doing awesome, right? I mean even as the class slacker your reputation proceeds itself as a survivor…!” he said.

What a glowing review…

“Hey, man, I learned from the best - don’t go acting like you were any better…!” I soullessly responded, trying to match his peppy demeanor.

That's my old friend, Harry. He was sort of like a bigger brother to me, so It hurt to be seen like this. Seeing as my face was downcast, he inquired further.

“Hey man, you don’t look so good, you ok telling me what's on your mind; need any help?” He responded, concerned.

Sigh.

“Truthfully, dude; I quit my job at HeavySoft after two months. The project turnaround was brutal , I hated my bosses, and for the life of me I couldn't figure out what my purpose there even was…It was soulless and I just couldn’t stand it anymore.”

“Ah, I see, so it was a matter of principle, huh? Well that's noble of yo- wait did you say you worked at Heavy? In town?!” Harry asked sharply.

“Yea…I did; why do you say so?” I responded.

“Thats where I’ve been working for the better part of two years man…!” he exclaimed.

Man, what a pain…!

“If you’re down on your luck, I think there is a way we can get your job back, Togawa; so, what do you say…?” Harry said encouragingly.

“No thank you.” I shortly stated.

He paused.

“What…what really went on at your job with Heavy, Togawa?” He inquired more directly.

“I’m not even worried about that, Harry. Between you and me pal my life is unraveling…, I’ve lost a dear friend, and it may have been because of me. I spent two years in a delusion and it came to nothing. What's more, I think the Yakuza or something is after me…It’s just a bad time…” I said, pouring out my concerns.

“I see.” He said.

“You don't believe me one bit, do you?” I looked down at my ramen, which was waiting to be partaken of.

“No, I believe you…, and what's more; I can help you.” Harry added.

My eyes lit up for a brief second.

“How so…?” I asked him.

Looking around the store, he added, “We can't speak here, let's finish the food, then you can ride with me back to my place; It should be a good locale for cover. Trust me my friend you will be out of your pinch within weeks…!”

After saying this, he began to gorge down his ramen. He always was an ambitious eater.

It was 18:00; evening time. We ended up going out to a couple more places. I would have complained but Harry offered to pay for the food and drinks.

We got into Harry’s car for one last drive to his place.

And then, suddenly, I felt something.

[NARRATOR] A pang of worry, a premonition…! TOGAWA suddenly remembers his status as a fugitive!

I shouldn’t have gotten into the car that night.

*Click.*

Locking my side door after entering the car, I was immediately met with a mask to my face…

As I started mumbling, I dozed off into a deep haze. The last words I heard were these:

Thanks for the promotion; Hiroshi!

 Man…what a pain!

I began blinking as my eyes opened and adjusted to the flickering light in front of me. Taking in my surroundings, it seemed to be an abandoned warehouse.

The blinking was coming from a flashlight an obscured figure was holding in front of me. But I knew it; no doubt about it - It was Harry.

That is, until the lights turned on.

It wasn’t Harry, nor was it any of the foreign mystery men.

  His attire was like the otherworldly mixed with the commonplace; between streetwear and cosplay. Prominently on their right arm was a medieval-like shoulder pad. 

If I am being honest, It looked pretty cool, but that is besides the fact that I was terrified for my life.

“Hello, Mr. Togawa…It is a pleasure to be the last individual to ever see your face…” The man said. With his face burgeoning out from the shadow, I could now make out the features of the last individual that my eyes would see, apparently.

“Who are you…You did it, didn't you…! You killed ‘Sammy’!” I shouted.

He paused.

“My name…is Kest. And believe me, my work is only concerned with those who are in the way of my survival; In the way of my devotion to survival.”

“You know what it’s like to devote yourself to a passion; After all, in the last two years, you put in 10,000 hours into making just a small, compact disc. Kudos to you…” He smiled

“But! Had you been devoted to your survival; perhaps you would not have ended up like me, like all of us in this game…!”

Devotion…, survival? A game?

“How can I put it in words you’d understand…; oh right! It's something like "we're all pawns, m’dear…!” The man said as he started laughing hysterically.

In an instant, the man raised his arm, and almost as if a frame in time had been cut out, a rapier suddenly appeared in his armored hand.

“Commence!” my opposer said stoically while pointing the sword at my heart.

Whether I was hallucinating or not, I couldn't tell at the time. All I knew was that the warehouse had become saturated in a reddish pink; as if a new realm was created.

“Because of you, little bro; I get to eat my fill for another day…!” He said.

“Those were the words of your so-called friend. To be fair, I agree with him. You are so generous…! Hahahaha!” The man’s laughter began to ring in my ear. The malice was deafening. 

So this is how it ends, my life seemingly an afterthought in someone’s master plan. My dreams, my survival; they were meaningless in the end.

If only I had put my head down. If only I hadn’t resigned myself. If only I had been more like her.., the one who got me into this mess…!

Hinori Sono. As my life flashes before my eyes, that scene from the light music club room comes up again…

I wonder what she's doing with her life now.

“Say your prayers, Togawa! AFTER 10k HOURS; THERE IS NOWHERE LEFT TO RUN.” Kest answered after delivering a finishing blow.

…

[NARRATOR] But…!