School Cafeteria, Present

  Maruka sits at lunch with her usual group.

  “Has anyone seen Niche?” she asks.

  "I saw him this morning," Usui says, checking his notes.

  “Hey, guys. Sorry I’m late. Had a doctor’s appointment,” Niche says, standing by their table like he never left.

  His eyes are hollow, exhausted beyond measure.

  "What the fuck? Niche, where have you been?" Maruka stands up, concerned.

  Niche doesn't answer.

  "Niche?" Ryota touches his shoulder.

  Niche jerks away, stumbles backward.

  "I have to go," Niche says, his voice barely audible.

  Niche turns and walks mechanically toward the exit.

  Residential District Streets, Present

  As Niche is walking home, Ryota appears behind him.

  “So, how’s it going?” Ryota asks.

  Ryota leans near Niche’s ear.

  "You still gotta complete the trial," he whispers. Ryota's voice is casual, like they're discussing homework. "This world isn't real. Well, it is the real world, but we’re not out of the simulation yet. This place is real, but we’re still being supervised by the gamemaster; our freedom of choice has been compromised. The gamemaster has overarching control of us. He can kill us in an instant if he desires; in that sense, we’re still in the room. Just burn the box, get the key, and we get freed. The car should be in your garage."

  Niche stops, looks at him with bloodshot eyes. "How do you know about—"

  "The trial? I mean, it's obvious right? We've been stuck in that room for years. I was just acting for the gamemaster so I could have access to the room behind that door." Ryota shrugs. Continuing, he says nonchalantly, "Just finish the trial already."

  "Years." Niche laughs, broken. "You think it's been years. For you, maybe it’s been that long." Niche's hand unconsciously claws at his chest where something writhes beneath the skin. "It felt longer to me."

  "Whatever. That room wasn’t actually real, and so was our time there. For all we know, the whole ten years could’ve just been a dream implanted into our brains. Whatever. It’s in the past now. Just complete the trial so we can leave." Ryota starts walking again. "See you tomorrow."

  “Wait. Tell me one more thing about that room. I have one more question.”

  “Sure, what is it?”

  “You said the gamemaster gave you access to the room because you were acting oblivious. What was behind that room that you wanted so bad to make you lie to me? What could’ve been that important?”

  Ryota’s face flushes before he is able to control it and answer. “So, you see the thing is…” Ryota starts, chuckling nervously. “The whole thing behind that door…wasn’t actually anything special. It was just a living room with a bed. I was pretty much playing games, eating whatever food I wanted, and sleeping for half the day.”

  Seeing Niche’s demeanor grow grimmer, Ryota continued, not letting Niche respond. “Anyways, I have to go now. Let me know when you beat the trial; actually, you probably won’t have to tell me. I should be able to feel or sense it when the gamemaster’s control of me disappears. I’m trusting you, Niche.”

  Ryota hurriedly walks away. Niche watches him go.

  Niche thinks, walking towards his house.

  The day passed with not much more excitement, and the other events of that day – eclipsed by the sudden appearance of Niche in the cafeteria that left questions in everyone’s mind - were soon forgotten by Niche and his friends. There was only one other scene remembered by the group that was not particularly important to Niche’s goal but cherished by some others, even if they didn’t explicitly share their gratitude.

  Masuto Café, One Hour Later, Present

  Later that evening, Niche, Maruka, and Ryota met at Masuto Café to decompress from the chaos. They'd claimed their usual corner booth when Niche glanced out the window and spotted two familiar figures walking past.

  "Hold on," Niche said, standing abruptly. He jogged outside, calling out, "Shima! Arius!"

  The two turned, wary.

  "You guys hungry?" Niche gestured back at the café. "We're just eating. You should join."

  Arius looked skeptical. Shima hesitated.

  "Come on," Niche insisted. "I’m not gonna hold it against you. We ordered way too much food anyways; Ryota’s eyes are bigger than his stomach," Niche says, chuckling.

  Inside, the introductions were awkward at first. Maruka and Ryota exchanged glances as the two shifters slid into the booth.

  "This is Shima and Arius," Niche said. "They helped me escape from... well, a complicated situation."

  "Complicated is generous," Arius muttered, sitting down.

  "I'm Maruka. This is Ryota." Maruka's tone was cautious but not unfriendly.

  They ordered. Silence stretched uncomfortably until Ryota noticed Arius staring at the café's wall art: a faded poster of the city's old subway system.

  "You into trains?" Ryota asked.

  Arius blinked, caught off guard. "Architecture, actually. The way they built the underground here; it's completely inefficient but somehow it works."

  "Right? The tunnels don't follow any logical grid," Ryota leaned forward, animated now. "I've been mapping them for fun. Half the stations don't connect properly."

  Shima surprised everyone by pulling out a small sketchbook. "I've been drawing some of the older buildings. Before they tear them down." She flipped to a detailed pencil sketch of a condemned apartment complex.

  "That's really good," Maruka said, genuinely impressed. "Do you sell these or...?"

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "No, just... I like preserving things, I guess. Even ugly things deserve to be remembered."

  The conversation shifted naturally. Maruka mentioned she'd been trying to learn guitar but kept giving up. Niche admitted he'd been reading about different types of tea but couldn't taste the difference between most of them. Arius complained about a documentary he'd watched that got basic engineering completely wrong.

  By the time the food came, they were talking over each other, arguing about whether the city's new construction project was going to improve traffic or make it worse. Shima and Ryota surprisingly agreed on everything while Maruka and Arius took the opposite side, with Niche caught in the middle trying to play mediator.

  When they finally left, Arius turned back at the door. "This wasn't completely terrible."

  "High praise," Niche said dryly.

  "See you around," Shima added quietly, and this time it sounded like she meant it.

  Middle of the Ocean, Next Day, Present

  Niche and Ryota are on a boat, fishing rods in hand.

  “I’m still not feeling relaxed, Ryota. You said this would relax me,” Niche skeptically says.

  “You just gotta chill, you know?” Ryota responds.

  “I mean, I guess. But nothing’s happening,” Niche says, annoyed.

  “Well, that’s the fun of it.”

  They sit in silence. Niche fidgets with his rod.

  “Okay, well why isn’t anything happening? Is all the fun in fishing just the anticipation? Just waiting until those two minutes when you’re actually reeling in a fish?” Niche whines, growing impatient.

  “We just gotta wait and see.”

  “Can I wait a little bit shorter and see quicker?”

  Ryota laughs. “All right, let’s see what I can do.” He reels in Niche’s line and examines the bait. “These breadcrumbs aren’t attracting anything. We need something bigger,” Ryota affirms.

  He puts an entire tuna fish on the hook and casts it back.

  A few seconds later, the boat lurches, jerking violently back and forth.

  “Wow, I’m definitely feeling really relaxed now Ryota,” Niche’s words are filled with annoyance as he tries to retain his balance while the boat lurches side to side. “Alright, let’s see what we can do,” Ryota says, trying to diffuse the situation. “Can you do something about it Niche?”

  “If you bring it to the surface, I can torch it. Hopefully that’ll be enough to kill this beast.”

  “Yeah, I’m…on it,” Ryota slowly says, nauseous from the swaying.

  As Ryota is pulling, fighting whatever’s on the line, a massive shark surfaces and swallows their catch whole.

  “Okay, well I can’t burn that. We’re gonna have to find another way.” Niche sounds defeated.

  “I’ll just do it myself,” a voice behind Niche says, causing Niche to turn around to find Ryota standing there confidently.

  Beach Shore, Two Hours Ago

  “So, you’re just gonna leave me?” Raizen asks, desperation showing in his voice despite his efforts to show indifference.

  “Yeah. Ryota invited me to go relax, and I can’t take you with me. You’d ruin the moment with your shenanigans – you’d probably go manipulate pelicans to attack us or something. Don’t worry though, I’m not gonna leave you all alone at home. I’m sure you’d find a way to get in trouble or even get captured if I left you unsupervised.”

  “I’m not some little kid, you know?” Raizen says, taking offense.

  “Yeah. That’s why I’m putting you with someone I think is more your style; they’d probably be able to entertain your unrelenting spirit.”

  “Who is it? Don’t tell me you’re gonna leave with me Maruka! I have a hard time fitting in with girls and relating to them. After all, I’m a powerful sword, not someone to try out makeup on.”

  “Don’t worry, it’s someone you’ll like; actually, I can’t assure you’d like them, but I can say you two are very similar.” Niche looks ahead on the beach in the distance. “Oh, what do you know! I was going to go looking for him, but it seems fate has brought us together for this moment.”

  “Who the hell are you talking about? Just tell me -” When Raizen sees the person Niche is referencing, he thinks,

  “Hey! I was looking for you. Crazy coincidence seeing you here. What are you doing here? I thought you shifters couldn’t touch water or something. Anyways, where’s Shima? Why’s she not with you?” Niche mumbles on to this person.

  “Wha – who is that talking to me? Voice sounds familiar,” Arius says, turning around.

  “Heyyy. It’s Arira, right? I have a favor to ask of you.” Niche asks awkwardly.

  “It’s Arius. And you tried to kill me. What makes you think I’m willing to do a favor for you?”

  Niche leans in next to Arius’ ear, whispering something. After straightening, Niche talks to Raizen. “I’m kind of busy today, so I’ll leave you with Arius here. Have fun!” he says, throwing Raizen on the floor and walking away before anyone could object.

  “I’m not taking you,” Arius says in annoyance after Niche left.

  “That’s fine. I don’t wanna be with you anyways,” Raizen responds quickly.

  “Fine then…”

  “Yeah…”

  “Well, I’ll be leaving now.” Arius says, walking away.

  “Yeah…”

  Soon, Arius disappears into the distance.

  Raizen thinks.

  Raizen shifts into cat form, running in the same direction Arius walked.

  Arius’ Abode, One Hour Later, Present

  Arius sits on the ground when he feels a paw touch his arm.

  “What the -” he says, turning around. “Oh, it’s just a cat,” Arius sounds relieved. “Hey, buddy,” he says, petting the cat as it purrs.

  “Hey,” a voice responds, not from the cat’s mouth but from inside of the animal.

  “You can talk?!”

  “Yes, I’m a…talking cat.”

  “Are you like, magical or something? Can you grant me wishes?”

  The cat frowns. “No, I’m not a genie. I’m just here for company.”

  “Wait, are you…that stupid sword.”

  “Uh…no?”

  “It is you!” Arius exclaims.

  “Yeah,” Raizen replies, defeated.

  “What are you doing here? I said I don’t want to babysit you.”

  “You owe Niche a favor. Actually, you owe me a favor.”

  “I’ve never talked to you before, liar.”

  “In that cave, when Niche saved you. That wasn’t actually him. He was using me as his sword, and he was really trying to attack you, but I resisted. I stopped him from moving me to harm you,” Raizen cunningly says, lying through his teeth. “You owe we your life, and all I ask is for you to entertain me for a couple hours.” When Raizen could tell Arius didn’t believe his story, he continued. “If you don’t want to believe me, at least believe Niche. You know he willingly spared your life. Just do what he asks of you one time.”

  At this, Arius’ tense appearance loosened. “Fine, whatever.”

  “On that note, this place looks…dirty as hell.”

  “Well, it’s not exactly a livable area,” Arius says, annoyed. “Sorry I couldn’t roll down a red carpet, your highness,” he continued sarcastically.

  “I think we should at least go somewhere more welcoming,” Raizen suggested.

  Niche’s Room, Present

  Suddenly, the two are in Niche’s room.

  “What the hell? Did you just teleport us here?”

  Raizen chuckles, then says, “No, that’s silly. I can’t teleport people. I just told you the directions to this place.”

  “Then why don’t I remember walking here?”

  “Well…I wiped your memory of our walk here. That’s the short answer.”

  “You…can do that? Why?”

  “Niche likes to keep his home location private. To protect his family and whatnot.”

  “Does he think I’m gonna try to kill him?”

  “I mean, you’re still a shifter after all. He just wants to guarantee safety precautions.”

  “Whatever.” Arius looks around the room. “I guess this is a lot better than that place I’ve been living in.”

  Niche’s Room, One Hour Later, Present

  So what do you wanna do?” Arius asks.

  “I don’t know. I’m just a sword. You should know what to do.”

  “I don’t know.”

  They sit in awkward silence.

  “I guess we can play a board game.” Arius pulls out a dusty box from under Niche’s bed. It’s some generic property-trading game.

  They set up the pieces. Arius carefully reads the rules while Raizen shifts into his human form and rolls dice.

  They start playing, but the blandness takes a toll on them.

  “You landed on my property. That’s 200 gold,” Arius monotonously recites.

  “I’m not paying rent to a fictional hotel.”

  “That’s the game though.”

  “This shit is boring. This is what humans do for entertainment nowadays?”

  “You wanna play chess?”

  Raizen just stares at him. “Dude, what the fuck are you talking about?”

  “I don’t know. What else is there to do?”

  “I mean I was fighting invisible people with Niche but sure we can play some chess-”

  “Alright, what do you wanna do?”

  “I was fine with the board game…”

  “No. We’re doing something else.”

  Ice Skating Rink, Thirty Minutes Later, Present

  “How did we even get here?” Arius is wobbling on rental skates. “It’s so cold in here.” Arius nearly falls, catches himself on the wall.

  “Memory manipulation, remember?” Raizen glides across the ice. He flows like liquid metal. “I think this is pretty nice.”

  “How are you even doing that?”

  “Matter manipulation. Basic stuff.” He shrugs. After a while, Raizen says, “You know what would be more exciting? Something more extreme.”

  “This is already pretty extreme. You’re a skating blob of mass.”

  “Nah, this is child’s play.”

  Mountain, Ten Minutes Later, Present

  “I don’t know how to ski!” Arius says in skis, gripping his poles like his life depends on it.

  “You’ll learn on the way down.”

  “That’s not how learning works!”

  They’re careening down the red slope. Arius pizzas desperately while Raizen carves perfect S-turns.

  “This is too mundane. Let’s go bigger,” Raizen suggests.

  “I don’t know if I wanna do that. I didn’t even agree to this in the first place.” Arius wipes out, gets back up covered in snow. “Niche said if I look after you for a day, he’d put in a good word with me with the girls.”

  “That’s why you’re doing this? For girls?”

  “Well yeah. I mean, when Shima’s all you have… you start to get desperate. She’s… anyway, not important.”

  “Oh, come on. We’re having fun.”

  “ having fun. I’m about to die.”

  “Same thing.”

  “No. I’m putting my foot down. I won’t let you take me any longer. You’ll have to drag me if you want me to come with you.”