Yokohama, Japan's vibrant port city, pulses with life—a beacon of dreams where people from far and wide come to chase their ambitions. Some see their hopes blossom under the neon lights, while others watch their dreams fade into the salty sea air. Among them is Hiroshi, a young man determined to make today, Valentine's Day, the most unforgettable day of his life.
Hiroshi is an ordinary guy living in the heart of Yokohama. Fair-skinned, with sharp black eyes and a clean-shaven face, he stands tall with a dashing charm. Yet his plain clothes—faded jeans and a worn-out jacket—mark him as a working-class dreamer, his middle-class roots as clear as the ID in his pocket.
Today, Hiroshi is traveling by Tokyo Metro from Kanagawa to Shibuya, braving the heaviest rain Yokohama has seen in years. The clouds seem furious, pouring their wrath over the city. Roads are clogged with traffic, umbrellas bobbing like a sea of black waves. The Metro, Yokohama's lifeline, speeds toward its destination, undeterred by the storm. And inside one of its crowded cars sits Hiroshi, lost in his thoughts.
He's oblivious to the rain, the jostling crowd, or the chatter around him. His mind is elsewhere, spinning with questions. Will Aoi accept my proposal? Will she understand my love? Does she even love me back? In his hand, he clutches a small sakura-etched jewelry box, twirling it nervously. Inside is a ring, a symbol of his love for Aoi, the girl who's captured his heart. He's lost in memories of her smile, her voice, her grace—drowning in the hope of a future together.
The train screeches to a halt, snapping Hiroshi out of his reverie. His station, Shibuya, has arrived. Like a true Yokohamaite, he dashes toward the door, weaving through the crowd. The other passengers, impatient and eager, push him forward. In seconds, he's shoved out onto the platform, the chaos of the Metro spitting him out like a warrior emerging from battle.
A triumphant grin spreads across Hiroshi's face, as if he's just won a great war. But before he can savor the moment, a faint white light begins to flicker from his chest, pulsing softly. His smile fades. He knows this light too well—it's a warning. Whenever it flickers, something bad happens to his friend Daichi. And now, it's glowing again.
Before Hiroshi can process the omen, a shadowy figure darts past, snatching the jewelry box from his hand. The thief bolts, vanishing into the rain-soaked crowd. Hiroshi's heart lurches. It's as if someone has stolen Aoi herself, trapped her essence in that tiny box. "Thief! Stop him!" he shouts, his voice cutting through the storm. Without a second thought, he sprints after the culprit.
That ring wasn't just a piece of jewelry—it was Hiroshi's everything. He'd worked tirelessly, slaving away as a waiter, skipping meals, pouring every yen into buying it. All for Aoi, for this moment, for the dream of proposing to her. He can't let some thief steal his hard-earned hopes.
The chase is relentless. The thief, a wiry man named Ren, is no amateur. He weaves through Shibuya's crowded streets with the agility of a fox, but Hiroshi matches his pace, fueled by desperation. "Give me back my ring!" Hiroshi yells, his voice hoarse. "It's my big day—I'm proposing to my girlfriend!"
Ren, still running, laughs mockingly. "Then go propose! Why chase me?"
"Because I need that ring to propose, you idiot!" Hiroshi roars.
Ren grins, unfazed. "A ring's not necessary. Give her a cherry blossom. If she says yes, great. If not, move on! Haha!" His taunts fuel Hiroshi's rage, but the thief's speed keeps him just out of reach.
The chase leads them out of the station, into the narrow, rain-slicked alleys of Tsukimichi, a quieter part of the city. Small shops and neon signs glow faintly through the downpour. After a tense game of cat-and-mouse, Ren suddenly stops in a desolate alley. A small, rundown garage looms nearby, its metal door rusted and creaking in the wind.
Hiroshi skids to a halt, panting heavily. Ren turns, his eagle-like eyes glaring through the rain. Both men stand, catching their breath, the tension thick between them. Then, the white light flickers again from Hiroshi's chest, brighter this time. His stomach twists. Another problem is coming.
As if on cue, Ren lets out a sharp whistle. The garage door rattles open, and four hulking figures emerge. Each one is a bodybuilder, their muscular frames covered in intricate tattoos—dragons, koi, and Shinto symbols etched into their skin. They look like demons summoned from a nightmare.
Hiroshi's heart sinks. These aren't ordinary thugs—they're enforcers, and Ren is clearly one of them. Ren smirks, sensing Hiroshi's fear. "Look, buddy," he sneers, "you can buy another ring. But can you buy another life? Run now, or you'll regret it."
Hiroshi's mind screams to flee, to save himself. But that ring—it's for Aoi. It's his love, his sacrifice, his dream. He can't give up so easily. Swallowing his fear, he steps forward. "Please," he pleads, his voice trembling but resolute. "I worked so hard for that ring. I bought it for today, for her. Please don't ruin this day for me." His eyes well up, but the thugs remain unmoved.
One of the men steps forward, clearly the leader. His name is Soma, and his presence radiates menace. He glances at Ren, his eyes glinting with malice. "Ren, did you get what I asked for?"
Ren grins, tossing the jewelry box to Soma. "Of course, Soma-san. A special 23,000-yen ring, just for you."
Soma catches it, chuckling darkly. "Good work." The group erupts into cruel laughter, their voices echoing like hyenas in the rain. Hiroshi's fists clench, his anger boiling, but he knows he's outnumbered. Five against one—he can't win this fight. Still, he tries one last time. "Please, I'll pay you cash for the ring. Just give it back."
Soma's laughter stops abruptly. His face hardens. "Fool," he snarls. "I gave you a chance to run, but you threw it away. Now you'll die. And after you're gone, your cash will be ours too. Be glad your girlfriend isn't here—she'd be ours as well!" He laughs, a vile sound that pushes Hiroshi over the edge.
"Enough!" Hiroshi roars, charging at them. He's ready to fight, to break their skulls, to reclaim his dream. But Soma doesn't flinch. Instead, he laughs harder, turning to one of his men. "Akio, go play with him."
Akio, a towering brute with a dragon tattoo curling around his arm, nods. He cracks his knuckles and charges at Hiroshi. Hiroshi, fueled by rage, swings his fist, aiming to shatter Akio's jaw. Akio swings back, and their fists collide with a sickening crunch. The next moment, Hiroshi is on the ground, pain shooting through his hand. His face pales as he stares up at Akio, who looms over him like a demon.
The other thugs jeer, mocking Hiroshi's defeat. Ren turns to Soma, grinning. "Akio's too strong, Soma-san. Even I'm scared of him now!"
Soma smirks. "Of course he's strong. He's Reiji Sakamoto's top man. Trained by the boss himself. Ten times stronger than any normal guy."
Ren nods, his eyes gleaming with awe. "Reiji Sakamoto's something else. I heard he has a weapon called Hi no Tomoshibi—the Fire Lantern. They say when he can't beat someone, he uses it to burn them to ashes. Some say it's not even from this world!"
Soma chuckles, shaking his head. "I've heard that too. Not sure if I believe it, but it's a hell of a story. Doesn't matter—we're here for the show. Let's enjoy it."
Hiroshi, sprawled on the ground, overhears their conversation. Reiji Sakamoto? The name sends a chill down his spine. If he'd known these were Sakamoto's men, he'd never have chased Ren. But it's too late—he's trapped.
Akio raises his fist again, ready to finish Hiroshi. Terrified, Hiroshi squeezes his eyes shut. But the moment he does, the world shifts. He's no longer in the alley. He's standing in a vast, otherworldly expanse, surrounded by swirling white mist. His heart races. Where am I?
A deafening hiss echoes through the void, like the sound of a massive serpent. The mist scatters, revealing a pair of glowing blue eyes, each as large as the moon, staring down at him. Hiroshi's legs tremble, his breath catching in his throat. What are these eyes? Where is he? And what new danger awaits?
Why is Hiroshi seeing these enormous serpent eyes? What is this misty realm he's stumbled into? Will he reclaim his ring, or will Akio shatter his dreams forever?
To find out, keep reading…