The sun hadn't even broken the horizon when Raijo stirred beneath the bridge. The concrete above him groaned with the weight of early morning traffic, but he was used to it. He stretched, bones cracking, then made his way to the lake nearby. Cold water. No soap. Just hands and grit.
He scrubbed his face, ran wet fingers through his hair, and stared at his reflection. One week, he reminded himself. One suit. One shot.
The ramen from last night still sat warm in his gut. It'd have to last. He slipped into his only hoodie—still damp from the rain—and jogged toward the warehouse.
---
5:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Warehouse Shift
The warehouse was a concrete furnace, even in the morning. Boxes, crates, forklifts, and the constant bark of supervisors. Raijo kept his head down and his muscles moving. Lift. Stack. Repeat.
"Yo, new guy," one of the older workers called out during a break. "You on something? You've been moving like a damn machine."
Raijo wiped sweat from his brow. "Nah. Just broke."
The guy laughed. "Fair enough. Keep that up, you'll be running this place in a month."
Raijo didn't respond. He didn't plan to be here that long.
---
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Pizza Runs
The pizza shop was a hole-in-the-wall joint near Shibuya. Greasy counters, loud music, and the smell of oregano and melted cheese. Raijo slipped behind the counter, grabbed the delivery bag, and nodded at the girl behind the register.
Aria.
Short pink bob, piercings, and a permanent smirk. She looked like she didn't care about anything—except maybe cats and punk rock.
"You're late," she said, handing him the receipt.
"I was early. You're just slow," Raijo shot back.
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever, pretty boy. You want a slice or not?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You offering?"
She slid a hot slice of pepperoni across the counter. "Don't say I never did anything for you."
Raijo took it, folded it, and bit in. "You're an angel."
"Damn right I am," she said, watching him chew. "You always eat like it's your last meal?"
He nodded. "Might be."
She paused, then tossed him a bottle of water. "Don't die. You're good for business. The girls tip more when you deliver."
---
Delivery 1: The Sorority House
He rang the bell. The door swung open to reveal chaos—five girls in oversized shirts and short shorts, laughing, music blasting.
"Pizza's here!" one of them screamed.
They swarmed him like he was the main course.
"Damn, who sent us a model?"
"Can I take a picture with you?"
"Are you single?"
Raijo smirked, handing over the boxes. "Only thing I'm committed to is getting paid."
One girl slipped a bill into his hand. "Here's your tip. And my number."
He glanced at the digits, then back at her. "You sure your boyfriend won't mind?"
She winked. "He's in Osaka. I'm lonely."
Raijo chuckled, pocketing the number. "Noted."
---
Delivery 2: The Old Lady
Next stop: a quiet apartment on the third floor. He knocked gently. The door creaked open.
A tiny old woman peeked out. "Oh my, you're… very handsome."
Raijo smiled. "Thank you, ma'am. Here's your order."
She handed him exact change, then paused. "Wait." She shuffled back inside and returned with a small envelope.
"For you," she said. "You remind me of my husband. He was beautiful too."
Raijo took it, bowed. "Thank you."
Inside: ¥2,000 and a peppermint candy.
---
Delivery 3: The Rooftop Bros
Final stop: a rooftop party. Three guys in tank tops and snapbacks were drinking beers and blasting music.
"Yo! Pizza guy!" one shouted. "You're jacked, bro. You lift?"
Raijo handed over the boxes. "Warehouse life."
"Respect," another said, handing him a slice. "Eat, man. You look like you could use it."
Raijo took it. "Appreciate it."
They fist-bumped him on the way out.
---
By 6:45 PM, Raijo was back under the bridge. Two slices in his stomach, ¥3,500 in his pocket, and a business card that felt like a ticking bomb.
Six days left.
5:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Warehouse Shift
The warehouse was louder today. Forklifts beeped, crates slammed, and the air was thick with dust and diesel. Raijo moved like a ghost through it all—focused, fast, and silent.
"Yo, Raijo!" the same older worker from yesterday called out. "You ever sleep?"
Raijo smirked, tossing a crate onto the stack. "Sleep's for people who already made it."
The guy laughed. "You're gonna burn out, kid."
"Then I'll burn bright."
By 3 PM, his shirt clung to him like a second skin. His hands were raw, his back sore, but his eyes? Still sharp. Still hungry.
---
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Pizza Runs, Round Two
Back at the shop, Aria was chewing gum and scrolling through her phone.
"You look like hell," she said, not looking up.
Raijo grabbed the delivery bag. "Thanks. You always know how to make a guy feel special."
She tossed him a slice. "You're welcome, prince charming."
---
Delivery 1: The Emo Girl
The apartment door creaked open to reveal a girl in black eyeliner, oversized hoodie, and fishnets. Her hair was jet black with streaks of purple, and her eyes were ringed with smudged mascara.
"You're not the usual guy," she said, eyeing him.
"Guess I'm the upgrade," Raijo replied, handing her the box.
She stared at him for a beat too long. "You look like someone who's been through hell."
Raijo shrugged. "I live there."
She smirked. "Same."
She handed him the cash, then paused. "You want a smoke?"
He shook his head. "Trying to stay pretty."
She laughed, a low, raspy sound. "You're doing a good job."
---
Delivery 2: The Girl Who Kissed Him
Next stop: a high-rise condo. The door opened, and a girl in a silk robe stood there—barefoot, hair messy, lips glossed.
"You're cute," she said, grabbing the pizza.
Raijo blinked. "Thanks. That'll be ¥2,400."
She stepped closer, eyes locked on his. "You ever been kissed by a stranger?"
Before he could answer, she pulled him in, lips crashing into his. It wasn't gentle. It was hungry.
When she pulled back, she was smiling. "Now you have."
She handed him the cash, then scribbled her number on the box. "Keep the pizza. You look like you need it more than I do."
Raijo stood there, stunned, pizza in hand.
Tokyo's wild, he thought.
---
Delivery 3: The Old Soul
A quiet alley led to a tiny bar tucked between two buildings. The guy who answered was in his 40s, wearing a tank top and a tired smile.
"Pizza?" he asked.
"Yeah. Large meat lovers."
The man nodded, handed over the cash, then cracked open a beer and offered it. "You got time for a drink?"
Raijo hesitated, then took it. "Sure."
They sat on crates outside, sipping in silence.
"You look like a man with a storm behind his eyes," the guy said.
Raijo chuckled. "You read palms too?"
"Nah. I've just been there."
They talked for ten minutes—about life, loss, and the grind. When Raijo stood to leave, the man clapped him on the back.
"Keep climbing, kid. Don't let the city eat you."
---
Delivery 4: The Random
Final stop: a tattoo parlor. The guy who opened the door was covered in ink, shirtless, blasting metal music.
"Yo, pizza!" he shouted. "Come in, bro!"
Raijo stepped inside, dodging a buzzing needle.
"You got any ink?" the guy asked.
Raijo shook his head. "Not yet."
"Come back when you do. First one's on the house. You've got the look."
Raijo grinned. "I'll hold you to that."
---
By 7 PM, Raijo was back under the bridge. Two slices in his bag, ¥4,200 in his pocket, and a kiss still tingling on his lips.
Five days left.
Wednesday – The Hustle Sharpens
- Warehouse: Raijo's hands are blistered, but his reps are faster. The foreman notices. "You ever think about staying on full-time?" Raijo just nods, already clocking out.
- Pizza Shop: Aria tosses him a protein bar. "You're looking leaner. Starving or training for a fight?"
- Deliveries:
- Gamer Girl: Opens the door mid-stream. "Chat, rate my delivery guy!" She turns the camera. Comments flood in: "10/10", "Is he single?" She tips ¥1,000 and follows him on Instagram.
- Drunk Salaryman: Slurs, "You remind me of my youth." Gives Raijo ¥5,000 and a Rolex knockoff. "Fake, but it shines."
- Street Artist: Tags Raijo's hoodie with a gold phoenix. "Now you're branded, bro. Tokyo's rising star."
---
Thursday – Temptation & Tension
- Warehouse: Rain pours. Raijo works shirtless. A new female supervisor watches from the office window, biting her lip.
- Pizza Shop: Aria's in a mood. "You ever think about doing something else?" she asks. "You're too pretty for grease and sweat."
- Deliveries:
- Rich Housewife: Opens the door in lingerie. "My husband's out of town." Raijo smirks. "So is my patience." She tips ¥10,000 and whispers, "Call me if you get bored."
- High School Girl: Tries to flirt. Raijo shuts it down cold. "Go do your homework."
- Tattoo Guy: "Still no ink?" Raijo nods. "Saturday." The artist grins. "I'll be waiting."
---
Friday – The Fire Builds
- Warehouse: Raijo lifts a crate wrong. Sharp pain in his side. He grits his teeth, keeps going. No time for weakness.
- Pizza Shop: Aria notices the limp. "You good?" He nods. "Just sore." She hands him a rice ball. "Eat. Don't die."
- Deliveries:
- Karaoke Girls: Drunk, flirty, one pulls him into a duet. He sings. They scream. He leaves with ¥3,000 and lipstick on his neck.
- Quiet Bookstore Owner: Hands him a poetry book. "You look like someone who needs words more than food."
- Skater Teens: Offer him weed. He declines. "I'm high on ambition."
---
Saturday – The Turning Point
- Warehouse: Final shift. Foreman hands him an envelope. "Bonus. You earned it." Inside: ¥15,000.
- Pizza Shop: Aria hands him a small box. "Open it later." He nods. "Thanks for the slices."
- Deliveries:
- Fashion Designer: Notices his build. "You ever model?" She gives him a card. "Come by Monday. I'll suit you up."
- Yumi's Spy: A man in a black suit orders pizza. Doesn't eat. Just watches. "You've got five hours left," he says, handing Raijo a ¥10,000 tip. "Don't be late."
---
By midnight, Raijo's under the bridge, counting crumpled bills. Total: ¥103,000.
He opens Aria's box. Inside: a silver tie clip and a note — "For your first suit. Don't forget the ones who fed you."
Raijo leans back, eyes on the stars.
Tomorrow, I rise.
---
End of chapter 2.