(Present Time)

  Monday, June 20, 2025

  Sakamiya City – Tokyo, Japan

  Sakamiya Station 1

  07:50 AM

  That morning, rain poured steadily, creating a muted atmosphere across the city.

  Haruto Mori arrived at Sakamiya 1 Station, he grabbed one of the plastic bags provided at the entrance to store his dripping wet umbrella. This helped prevent water from dripping onto the floor, ensuring he wouldn’t inconvenience other passengers.

  After placing the umbrella inside the bag, Haruto joined the line at the entrance gate, tapping his card to access the platform. The number of people waiting for the train seemed noticeably much fewer than usual. He searched for a less crowded lane to queue in, all while keeping an eye on the arrival of the train.

  Just then, a clear announcement came from the station speakers.

  "To all passengers, please prepare to board the arriving train. Make sure to stand safely behind the yellow line and avoid blocking the train doors. Please allow passengers to disembark first. We also kindly remind you to keep the train clean by not leaving any trash behind. Thank you for your cooperation."

  Shortly after the announcement, the familiar rumble of the train echoed through the station, signaling its approach. People began preparing to board. Surprisingly, the platform wasn’t too crowded—only a few passengers were lined up in the different lanes. The train gradually slowed down, coming to a smooth stop.

  As the train doors slid open, Haruto noticed only a small number of people exiting the carriage he was about to board. Once the departing passengers had cleared, he and a few others quickly stepped inside. But what greeted him inside left him momentarily stunned.

  The carriage was unexpectedly empty, with only about twelve people scattered around. It was Monday morning, usually the busiest time of the week, when the train should be packed with commuters, sometimes as many as fifty people crammed in, shoulder to shoulder.

  What on earth is happening?.. Haruto thought, puzzled by the unusually low number of passengers.

  He scanned the carriage, his eyes quickly catching the sight of several vacant seats scattered throughout the otherwise deserted space. A miracle on Monday.

  After making sure no one else was moving toward the seats, Haruto calmly walked over and sank into one in the middle of the carriage. A wave of relief washed over him as he settled in, laying his back against the long bench seat.

  —

  This is rare.. he thought. A stroke of luck? Perhaps. But was it truly just luck?.. The thought lingered as he glanced around the eerily quiet carriage.

  Maybe the heavy rain kept people indoors this morning.. Haruto mused, stretching his legs slightly as he settled into his seat.

  Even as he tried to enjoy the rare comfort of a seat, Haruto couldn’t help but reflect on the peculiarity of the situation.

  The Monday rush hour in Tokyo had never been this deserted in all my years commuting..

  The bad weather has been going on for the past three days, until this morning. It seemed to have cast an unusual silence across the overpopulated city, leaving the usually bustling Tokyo subways eerily quiet.

  Even so, Haruto felt a quiet sense of gratitude for being able to enjoy the ride seated comfortably, without having to stand or be squeezed between fellow commuters.

  To pass the time, Haruto watched a music video playing on the monitor at the center of the carriage, showcasing some of Japan’s most popular pop bands. Above the screen, a running text scrolled from right to left, displaying information about cleanliness, the next station, the temperature, arrival times, and other useful details.

  Shortly after the train departed from Sakamiya Station 1, the relentless rain finally eased, but heavy clouds still clung to the sky, with the faintest hint of sunlight struggling to break through. Then, a familiar notification sound chimed from Haruto’s phone.

  Ding ding... Ding ding...

  He reached into his bag to retrieve his phone, unlocking it with his thumbprint. The screen displayed a new text message from Kanna Fujita, a 21-year-old female student at the same university, one of his college mates.

  Haruto assumed that Kanna might have sent another message, waiting for him at the main gate of Sakamiya University, just like she usually did.

  But this time, when he read the text on his phone, the message was vastly different from what he had anticipated. It carried an unfamiliar urgency that immediately caught his attention.

  The message from Kanna:

  "Haruto-kun, something huge is happening right now, and your presence is urgently needed. This could be a threat to all of humanity. I'll be waiting for you near the campus gate to guide you inside. Let me know when you arrive. See you soon."

  Kanna used to be shy and awkward, but over time, she had become much calmer and more composed. Perhaps because Haruto was always there. Now, she could easily talk to Haruto whenever they met on the train or at campus. However, the message he had just read carried an undercurrent of seriousness and anxiety—emotions she rarely displayed. He still couldn’t fully grasp the meaning behind Kanna’s words.

  Haruto’s mind briefly drifted back to a particular memory from three months ago—his first meeting with Kanna, had left a lasting impression on him. Back then, she had been clumsy and a bit careless. It was a morning he would never forget…

  * * * *

  (Flashback)

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Monday, March 17, 2025

  Sakamiya Station 1

  08:00 AM

  It was a crowded morning on the train, the air thick with tension as Haruto gripped the vertical handrail. Without warning, someone bumped into him hard from behind. Turning around, he saw a girl with light-brown hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a Sakamiya University jacket like his.

  As the train jerked into motion, she stumbled forward. Haruto instinctively caught her arm to steady her. “Are you okay? I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure you didn't fall.” Haruto pulled his hand back, feeling a little awkward.

  The girl, flustered and red-faced, stammered in a soft voice, “T-thank you.” She clutched the handrail beside him, clearly trying to regain her balance. Haruto couldn’t help but notice her shy demeanor and awkward attempts to steady herself as the train continued to move.

  Suddenly, the train swayed again, sending several passengers tumbling—including the girl, who fell with a loud THUD. Haruto moved before he could think, bending down to help her.

  “Whoa! Are you okay?” Haruto asked, extending his hand. She shook her head and tried to stand on her own, only to stumble again, her book bag and umbrella scattering on the floor.

  Embarrassed and visibly struggling, she hesitated before finally taking his hand. Her fingers trembled as he gently helped her to her feet, while her other hand reached for the fallen umbrella.

  “I-I... T-thank you, s-sir." she murmured, bowing her head, her face burning with humiliation.

  Haruto, unaccustomed to getting involved with strangers, found himself oddly captivated by her timid and clumsy nature. Moments later, he noticed her book bag still lying on the floor. Picking it up, he handed it back to her. “Here, you dropped this too.”

  Her reaction was almost comically panicked as she reached for the bag, her fingers brushing his. The brief contact sent an unexpected jolt through both of them.

  “Oh, right. Thank you, sir." she stammered, her voice trembling. Her eyes darted away, and her face flushed as she gripped the bag tightly.

  “I’m really sorry for causing so much trouble.” her voice was laced with guilt. She bowing deeply in apology. Haruto felt his heart race for reasons he couldn’t quite explain. It wasn’t like him to care about strangers, let alone to a girl who seemed so timid and awkward.

  “No, no, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it." he replied, feeling slightly flustered himself.

  After a moment, Haruto decided to introduce himself. “S-Sorry, I’m Haruto... Haruto Mori. Please, there’s no need to bow. What’s your name?”

  She looked up, startled, before whispering, “I-I’m K-Kanna, Kanna Fujita.”

  Sensing her nervousness, Haruto could tell she still felt embarrassed and guilty. He didn’t want to make her feel worse. “Okay, please, raise your head, Fujita-chan. It’s really okay. These things happen all the time on crowded trains." he said gently, hoping to put her at ease.

  Her shy gratitude and the way her eyes lit up with relief were strangely endearing. Kanna offered a timid smile, her cheeks still flushed.

  As Haruto glanced at her clutching her bag and umbrella, he couldn’t shake the strange feeling from this encounter. There was something about her—her clumsiness, her sincerity, or perhaps the warmth in her eyes—that lingered in his mind.

  Even amidst the bustling chaos of the train, her presence stood out, marking this moment as something he wouldn’t forget.

  * * * *

  (Back to present)

  Haruto’s eyebrows furrowed as he re-read the message several times. Did I misread it?.. But no—upon closer inspection, the words were exactly as they appeared. There was no mistake.

  The message was real..

  "Something big? A threat to humanity? What could she possibly mean?" Haruto muttered to himself, his mind racing.

  Is it.. Could it be…

  He started to wonder if it had any connection to the unusually empty train or perhaps the bad weather. Or maybe… both were connected somehow?.. he thought. Haruto couldn't shake the inexplicable uneasy feeling over him—something felt off.

  Inside the train car, the atmosphere remained quiet, with about only a dozen passengers scattered throughout, each lost in their own world. The train moved steadily along its route, and everything seemed normal, nothing out of ordinary.

  As he observed the passengers around him, he noticed an unusual synchronicity—several people were simultaneously engrossed with their phones. Their faces tensed, brows furrowed, as though they had stumbled upon alarming news.

  Maybe it’s a major accident.. Haruto mused. Or perhaps there’s news about a violent labor protest, or some viral videos spreading like wildfire on social media.. His thoughts wandered, trying to rationalize the scene.

  Today didn’t feel like just another day. Deep down, he felt like.. there is something big that could shatter his regular life, all of it, and throw him into the unknown.

  He glanced down at his phone, re-reading Kanna’s message once again. He wondered if it was a prank. But then, he remembered that Kanna wasn’t the type to play tricks on him, not even once.. She had never sent anything like this before.

  As Haruto glanced at the faces of the passengers again, their expressions filled with anxiety and growing restlessness, he couldn’t help but wonder if something extraordinary—or alarming—had surfaced that morning on the internet or social media. Whatever it was, it seemed to have shaken them, making the atmosphere tense.

  —

  But then, a memory surfaced—one that seemed oddly relevant. He recalled rumors circulating at Sakamiya University about a secret organization, whispered to be investigating strange and unexplained phenomena.

  Kanna had invited Haruto several times to attend events organized by an off-campus group, hoping to spark his interest. Haruto, however, had always declined the invitation. To him, it was just another ordinary and likely pointless club.

  There’s no way the rumored “secret organization” actually exists. She probably just wants me to join some random student group.. he thought.

  His excuse was simple—he wasn’t interested in extracurricular activities, especially those unrelated to his studies. To him, anything beyond his academic pursuits and part-time job was a waste of time. Kanna’s persistent invitations felt more like an excuse to spend time with him beyond their campus routines rather than a genuine interest in the organization’s purpose.

  He much preferred focusing on his part-time job, earning just enough to sustain his daily life, rather than joining a vague, mysterious organization whose purpose seemed obscure.

  Why am I suddenly thinking about those rumors?..

  And why now, of all times?.. Haruto wondered, his brows furrowing. He recalled how Kanna had always avoided explaining the organization, its goals or activities when he questioned her.

  She never gave me a straight answer.. and never even explained what it was about. Not that it mattered—I wouldn’t have joined anyway.

  Yet, as the train rocked gently on its tracks, Haruto couldn’t shake the feeling that something related to those rumors might be happening. The empty train, the strange weather, and now the anxious expressions of passengers engrossed in their phones.

  What’s going on?.. he thought.

  Could that secret organization really exist? Do they know something the public doesn’t?.. His gaze swept over the passengers once more, their expressions etched with tension.

  Is Kanna.. really involved with them?..

  Seeking distraction, Haruto’s gaze shifted to the monitor at the center of the train car. A soft music video played, providing a brief reprieve from his unease.

  —

  Just as he began to settle, the screen flickered. The music stopped abruptly, replaced by the logo of a familiar news station. The sudden change immediately caught his attention, as well as that of the other passengers.

  A female news anchor from Tokyo TV appeared on the screen, her expression gloomy, radiating a sense of urgency. The tension in the train car thickened as the volume increased, ensuring no one could miss her announcement.

  “Breaking News. We interrupt this program to bring you an urgent report.” she announced, her voice firm and steady. Her expression reflecting the gravity of the situation she was about to convey.

  The air heavy with anticipation as everyone braced themselves for the urgent news to come.

  Then.. it came..

  "An unusual phenomenon, appearing as a large, mysterious dimensional crack, has emerged in the parking lot of Sakamiya University, approximately five hours ago…”

  Haruto’s eyes went wide at the mention of Sakamiya University…

  — — — — —