Click, click, click.
The cameras kept snapping away until several pieces of equipment finally let out that long, satisfying beep. The sound echoed in the quiet street. Data collection complete.
"Chief, we've got the results. Based on the magnetic field fluctuations, the rate of anomalous energy dissipation, and the traces left on the street, we're looking at an entity somewhere between D-rank and C-rank danger level."
"This entire street was briefly pulled into another dimension."
The middle-aged man nodded as he'd expected as much. His expression remained neutral, professional. He thought for a moment before speaking again.
"Did we pick up anything useful from the surrounding area?"
"It was late, so the street was pretty much empty. And since this area's so out of the way, there aren't any security cameras. We haven't found anyone who might be a Player yet."
"Installing more surveillance is absolutely critical."
Everyone knew they needed to do it, especially with everything changing lately. But rolling out more cameras across every major city in the country? That was going to cost an astronomical amount.
Even if the Cabinet approved it, getting it through the Prime Minister would be another headache entirely.
"What about the person who called it in? Did we find anything there?"
The younger staff member shook his head, his expression showing frustration.
"Called from a payphone. Voice was processed too. This person knows how to cover their tracks."
That level of counter-surveillance awareness made it pretty likely they were dealing with an actual Player from the Death Game. Someone who understood how to stay invisible.
But tracking down this particular Player and confirming their identity? That wasn't going to be easy.
"We could expand the investigation radius and bring in more personnel. There's a chance we'd find them."
The middle-aged man considered it briefly before letting it go. He exhaled slowly.
"Forget it. Time-consuming, labor-intensive, and we'd probably just piss them off in the end. Let it go. File it away and move on. Keep close tabs on that possessed person in the hospital, though."
"Anyone who survives being possessed by an anomaly has a high probability of being selected for the Death Game."
That was one of the patterns they'd figured out so far.
"Understood."
The team wrapped up their final checks. Ten minutes later, the police tape came down, and everything went back to normal, as if nothing had ever happened. The street returned to its quiet, ordinary state.
The next morning.
Hayato and Tachibana Hina headed to school early.
"I'll get off here."
Tachibana Hina needed to swing by her apartment first to grab fresh shoes and clothes before heading to school. She couldn't show up wearing yesterday's outfit.
"Sure thing."
Tachibana Hina gave a little wave before stepping off the train and disappearing into the platform crowd.
Walking down the familiar route to Sobu High, Hayato was now wearing the school's black Western-style uniform. The fabric felt stiff and new against his skin.
The wide street was lined with rustling greenery on both sides, pink cherry blossoms drifting down in graceful arcs. The air itself seemed to carry that faint, sweet cherry blossom scent. Fresh and clean.
Groups of high schoolers walked together in twos and threes. The girls in their pleated skirts showed off pale legs, all youthful energy and cheerful chatter. Their laughter carried on the morning breeze.
Having already graduated from university and worked in the corporate world for a few years, Hayato couldn't help but feel this weird, subtle disconnect watching the scene.
Nostalgic, sure. But also kind of awkward and unfamiliar. Like looking at a world he'd once inhabited but could never truly return to.
Japanese high school was completely different from high school back in his previous life. Here, if you decided to coast, you could honestly have a pretty easy time.
Shaking his head to clear those thoughts, Hayato officially crossed through the gates of Sobu High.
Last night, after intentionally calling the police to draw them in, he'd gone back out to check the scene himself. Careful to stay in the shadows, observing from a distance.
Just as he'd suspected, the authorities had already noticed the existence of the Death Game and its Players. They'd even set up a dedicated organization for it: the Public Safety Commission's Special Action Unit Against the Supernatural.
The people on site would never guess that the very Player they were trying to track down had already shown up and gotten close to them without anyone noticing. The irony wasn't lost on him.
"You finally decided to show up."
A mature woman's voice called out. Hayato didn't react until she appeared right in front of him, blocking his path. A female teacher in a white lab coat.
Lab coat. Long black hair. An impressive figure.
Even if he hadn't seen the photo Tachibana Hina showed him yesterday, those details alone would've been enough to identify Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"Hiratsuka... sensei?"
"Oh, you recognized me at a glance. Guess that whole amnesia thing was bullshit after all."
Hiratsuka Shizuka stepped up to him, radiating cold authority. But because of their height difference, her intimidation factor dropped just a little bit. She had to look up slightly.
"Tachibana-sensei showed me your photo."
"Tachibana? Your relationship with her got friendly fast."
"Yeah, Tachibana-sensei's really nice."
"She just graduated from university, ofcourse she still have attitude like that. But anyway, I'm pleased you actually showed up on time without being late. I'll let your previous absences slide for now. As your homeroom teacher and guidance counselor, I want you to focus on your studies and put your energy into school."
Hiratsuka Shizuka gave Hayato's shoulder a pat. Her hand was surprisingly heavy.
"Being a fan and liking idols is a perfectly normal hobby. But when it starts interfering with your daily life and schoolwork, that's a problem."
"You're absolutely right, sensei."
Hiratsuka Shizuka felt like Hayato had changed somehow. He seemed willing to listen now, actually taking advice. The defensive edge was gone.
Maybe he really had lost some of his memories....
"I'm glad you understand. Idols and celebrities are so far removed from ordinary people's lives. If you really want a girlfriend, why not pursue someone at Sobu High instead? Don't let a few rejections from Yukinoshita discourage you from all the other girls here."
Giant question marks appeared in Hayato's mind.
Wait, the original owner of this body confessed to Yukinoshita?
I have no memory of this. I'm not taking responsibility for that!
"Head to class. If you need anything, come find me directly."
With Hiratsuka Shizuka's prompting, Hayato made his way to the second-year Class J classroom.
Hayato glanced around but didn't spot that ice queen anywhere. The room was filling up slowly.
Second row from the window, last seat. That was his spot.
After sitting down, Hayato pulled out a textbook, flipped through until he found his name written inside, and relaxed a bit. At least that checked out.
Students filtered in one by one, but not a single person said hi to him. A few glances, nothing more.
Hayato was actually fine with that. Peace and quiet worked for him.
Then suddenly...
The lively chatter in the classroom cut off abruptly. The atmosphere froze like someone had hit pause.
Hayato looked up toward the classroom door. A figure appeared, instantly capturing his full attention.
He'd finally met Yukinoshita Yukino.