1 A Twisted Twist of Fate

Kazuki Tanaka was born in the Heisei era in Japan. Nineteen years had passed since his birth, and to capture the essence of his life would require another nineteen years.

A local Japanese resident in Shizuoka, Kazuki lived a solitary existence. At the age of 19, he found himself adrift in a sea of uncertainty, far removed from the path his parents had envisioned for him. Kazuki resided in a small, cramped apartment, its walls echoing the remnants of his shattered dreams.

The neighborhood, known for its lively atmosphere and diverse community, served as a constant reminder of the life Kazuki had left behind.

Restaurant owner: "Good work today, Tanaka-kun."

Tanaka nodded in response to the owner's praise and then set off, heading towards his apartment. He carried groceries in one hand and a bag containing his laptop on his shoulder. It was one of the the few possessions Tanaka had brought from his previous home.

Tanaka had severed ties with his parents due to a deteriorating relationship. A heated argument over his decision to quit school had severed the already fragile bond between them.

They couldn't comprehend why their once-honorable student, who excelled in his studies, would abandon his education. It was expected that he would secure a spot at a good university. Yet, his reason was simple: he no longer felt the drive to continue. However, his parents couldn't accept such a seemingly flimsy explanation.

Their disagreement escalated, and eventually, Tanaka decided it was best to create distance and live on his own. Now, he spent his days juggling two part-time jobs: one at a convenience store and another as a waiter at a restaurant. However, despite his efforts, he barely scraped by, struggling to make ends meet.

His days blurred together in a monotonous cycle of work, sleep, and fleeting moments of distraction.

Upon reaching his apartment, he carefully inspected the contents of the plastic bag, murmuring to himself in a low voice as he listed each item.

"Bread, yosh. Eggs, yosh. Instant noodles, yosh. Soda, yosh." He nodded slightly after acknowledging each item, trying to find some solace in the simplicity of his meager purchases.

However, his eyes couldn't help but be drawn to the pack of cigarettes nestled among the groceries. Temptation flickered within him as he hesitated. Tanaka acknowledged the vice he couldn't fully escape, resigning himself to its presence.

Tanaka : "Tobacco, yosh,". He added with a hint of resignation, acknowledging the presence of the vice he couldn't seem to fully escape.

Taking the pack of cigarettes in hand, he slowly pulled one out and placed it between his lips. Retrieving a lighter from his pocket, he sparked a flame and brought it to the tip of the cigarette.

Inhaling deeply, he felt a brief sense of calm wash over him as the smoke filled his lungs. Exhaling slowly, he released a cloud of swirling gray into the air.

For a moment...

Just a moment, the stresses and hardships of his life seemed to momentarily dissipate in the hazy swirls. It was a fleeting escape, a temporary reprieve from the weight that burdened him.

Closing the bag, Tanaka resumed his journey towards his apartment. It was already 10 PM, and the sun had set. As he walked, he couldn't help but notice the laughter and chatter of friends enjoying their evening together. It was a stark contrast to his own isolated existence.

Having distanced himself from his family, Tanaka had no friends either. How could he when he had pushed away his own kin?

Upon reaching his apartment building, Tanaka let out a tired sigh as he climbed the stairs. Each step felt heavier than the last, physical exhaustion manifesting from the approximately 10 hours of work he had endured.

Opening the door to his small apartment, a foul odor wafted out, it was the smell of the trash that had accumulated for the past few days.

Tanaka: "Fuck it, I'm exhausted. I'll just throw it out tomorrow."

With that, Tanaka shook off his boots in the entrance, cleaning them as best he could. He then extended his hand towards the wall, searching for the light switch to illuminate his apartment.

As he flicked the lights on, Kazuki closed his eyes momentarily to adjust to the sudden brightness. When he opened them, he was met with an inexplicable sight.

In front of him sprawled an unfamiliar and vast terrain. Though he was certain he had entered his apartment, a massive mansion or castle now stood before him.

The surroundings were no longer the staircase he had climbed moments ago; instead, he found himself in a spacious garden adorned with meticulously cared-for trees and lush grass.

The most perplexing aspect of it all was that daylight enveloped the scene, even though it had been nighttime just moments ago.

Clearly bewildered, Tanaka inspected himself, the groceries he had just purchased, and his laptop bag. The possibility of being abducted seemed unlikely. Holding the still-burning cigarette in his mouth, he gazed at it and voiced his confusion.

Tanaka murmured: "This can't be some drug, right?"