Ryoto's Discovery

A Back Alley, near Akihabara Station

A worn out man drifts through the alley with uneven steps trying to shake off his worries. Neon light spilled from vending machines and shop signs. Muffled music seeped from nearby shops as he wandered, searching for a place that might offer comfort in the tiring night.

He came to a sudden halt.

Something ahead of him carried a strange convincing pull. An invitation he couldn't resist.

He stepped forward with a blank face trembling slightly, having no clue of his action.

He is confused as to why he is moving towards it.

The receiving end is not a place nor was it human.

An Inexplicable Presence.

Its face held nothing but psychedelic colors, swirling in a trippy form.

A single glance was enough to be bound to its psychological effects.

Its constantly shifting anatomy, which warps and folds in ways that defy understanding.

Beneath it all was an endless void, wrapped in a dim, luminous glow as though it is something to be embraced by those who perceive it as the final outcome.

Of course,this man is oblivious to these details and has submitted in a state of trance.

The Entity veered closer, slowly enclosing his face with its arms.

He knelt down, screeching in agony , only to cover his mouth and steady his breathing as he looked at the galaxy of swirling colors. They shook and emitted a red glow as a massive sign of disapproval.

The Entity withdrew its hold, the man tried to scream but no voice would come out ,not because he couldn't ,but as though it is his own will to quietly obey the command this being enforced.

It outstretched its arm and increased the length slightly, fists glowing red.

In this brief moment ,he recalled his worry with regret thinking it wasn't a big deal as he closed his eyes.

The Entity clenched its fists producing  low,jarring sound waves, which made the man snap awake, turning his attention to its fists.

It bent and tilted its arm at an unnatural angle, doing a quick back and forth swing similar to a pendulum.

After this brief action, Its dissolved and dispersed into the surroundings, blending with the vibrant colours and darkness.

The man blinked with relief and fell to the ground.

Near the entrance of the Back Alley

"Heh! Did I finally go insane?"

A man named Ryoto Kamizu, with long disheveled hair , wearing lousy jacket and decent jeans , maintained a careless expression as he murmured to himself.

He skims through a video recording which he took of the back alley on his phone.

The recording shows the man from earlier, who suddenly kneels down looking pained, as it continued for a while before he relaxed and completely fell to the ground. There was nothing else.

"Mmm... This might suggest ,I am the crazy one. Did the Bartender slip something ludicrous in my drink? I'd rather like to believe this creature is more elusive. Strange enough, there were no other pedestrians during the scene to confirm my suspicions. What should I do?"

Ryoto deleted the footage and slipped the phone into his jacket?

"Should I approach him? Will this thing appear if I interfere?"

Ryoto sighed a little before continuing ,

"This will keep nagging me. What difference does it make? It is not like there is anyone to stop me."

Ryoto walks past the collapsed man, straight to the vending machine. He inserted a few coins and retrieved a drink.

Tossing it lightly on his hands, He draws closer to him.

He stops and bends down, staring at his drink and back to the collapsed man.

Shaking his head with resignation, opens the can and starts to drink it himself.

After a quick gulp, he lightly shakes the man, trying to wake him up. Surprisingly , he sprung up awake.

"I suggest you to take a nap somewhere else mister."

"Ah...Sorry, I must have blanked out. Although I don't remember a thing."

"What did you forget?"

"What?" The man pondered for a few seconds.

"It's nothing. I was tired and must have collapsed without realising it. Thank you for waking me up. I will be leaving in a moment."

"Is that all?"

Ryoto asked while extending his hand. The man recieved the gesture and lifted himself from the ground.

"Yes, why? Do you happen to know anything?"

The man replied while looking at the drink can.

Ryoto slightly embarassed replied,

"Nope, Just checking if everything is all right...you seem exhausted , care to share a drink with me?"

The man walked ahead as he said

"I was about to buy one myself, wait nearby."

Ryoto lightly nodded while taking another sip.

He returned with his soda can, they both drank together in silence.

The main said after finishing his drink,

"I am little better now. I am calling it a night."

He gave a faint, tired smile ,

"Thank you and hope you have a pleasant night."

Ryoto watched the man disappearing from the alley.

"I will stay a little longer and see if I notice any other abnormalities."

He completed his drink and walks to the vending machine to buy a second drink.

As he reached into his purse for coins, he noticed something and paused his actions.

Loud footsteps were heard , he stood facing the vending machine without moving an inch.

After a while, a woman shouted,

"Hey, are you buying something or simply standing there?"

He turned around, facing a woman looking puzzled.

"Sorry, go ahead."

Ryoto gestured as he made space for the woman.

The woman bought a drink, took a few sips.

Ryoto decided to throw a random question.

"Is the moon pretty tonight?"

The woman looked puzzled and glanced at the moon.

She replied, "Huh? It looks the same as usual."

At this moment, Ryoto confirmed something.

While he was going to get another drink, he saw that creature again in the sky through the reflection of a window.

He glanced at the window again,It was still there. But that woman couldn't see it.

I am not hallucinating, right?

He wondered if this will really be a terrifying night.