The hospital corridor stretched endlessly, a silent artery in the body of the night. Fluorescent lights hummed overhead, their pale glow washing the floor in cold reflection. Beyond the walls came the faint, mechanical pulse of unseen machines—steady, relentless, alive.
In the waiting area, a lone figure hunched on a plastic chair. Her long black hair fell forward like a shroud, veiling her face. A phone rested loosely in her hands, its screen casting sterile light across her skin, breaking her into fragments of shadow and glow.
From her forearm trailed an IV line, the needle buried deep in pale flesh. The clear bag swayed on the stand beside her, each drop of fluid falling with a hollow tick that filled the silence. She did not scroll. She did not move. She only sat rigid, waiting for something that would never arrive.
Slowly, her head tilted. The curtain of her hair never parted, her face remained hidden.
When she spoke, her voice was thin as breath—yet sharp enough to slice through the stillness.
"Whose hand will you take?"
Tokyo nights buzzed with life, a symphony of neon lights and bustling streets. The low hum of the train blended with the scattered chatter of passengers.
Hoshina slumped into a seat beside a woman with two children, feeling like a lifeless doll. She tugged the hem of her long, white t-shirt, then pulled the loose gray cardigan tighter around herself, seeking comfort after the farewell concert of the band she'd started to like. Baggy pants brushed the floor. The practical funny pack around her waist dug into her side as she leaned against the window.
She stared out the window, though the blur of Tokyo's night lights offered no solace. Each streak of neon seemed to mock her melancholy, even though she didn’t feel that way. The rhythmic clatter of the train wheels against the tracks was a relentless percussion, a soundtrack to her solitude. Then, something sticky nudged her cheek, pulling her from her reverie. She turned to see one of the woman’s children beside her, a little boy with wide, curious eyes, holding a glistening red orb on a stick. They locked eyes, and for a moment, it was a silent contest.
Then, the little boy piped up.
"Nee-chan looks really sad! Do you want some?"
He waved the tanghulu, the candied fruit catching the light, making it look like a tiny, edible jewel. The sweet, caramelized scent wafted towards Hoshina, a tempting invitation. Her stomach rumbled softly in response, a traitorous reaction to her attempt at stoicism. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She wanted it, the sugary sweetness a potential balm for her wounded spirit, but she hesitated. It would be rude, presumptuous even, to simply accept a child's offering. What if they didn't have much to begin with? What if she was misinterpreting their innocent gesture?
Hoshina leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Won't your okaasan get angry if you talk to a stranger?"
The little boy blinked, tilting his head. "Okaasan said it's okay. She said sharing makes people happy!" He beamed, his front teeth slightly crooked.
Bright… Hoshina thought, glancing at the woman beside them, the children's mother. She offered a warm, encouraging smile.
"Ah… forgive him, he’s a bit forward," she murmured, bowing her head slightly. "But truly, we have enough. Please, accept it."
A wave of warmth washed over Hoshina. "Arigato," she whispered, accepting the tanghulu. She took a bite, and the sticky sweetness exploded on her tongue.
The train slowed, screeching as it pulled into a station. The woman gathered her children's belongings with practiced efficiency.
As they stood, a tall man with kind eyes and a gentle smile waited on the platform, waving to them. Kiyo and his twin, Miyo, rushed towards him, their faces lighting up with excitement. The woman turned back to Hoshina, her expression thoughtful.
"That’s my husband, Hakuji," she said. She hesitated, lips parting as if debating whether to continue. Finally, she added, "I don’t usually do this, but… I have a feeling we’ll meet again. My name is Koyuki." Her gaze lingered for a moment. "Perhaps our paths will cross."
With a final nod, she stepped off the train to join her family. Hoshina watched as the doors slid shut and the train lurched forward once more.
Hoshina was alone again, the train's rhythm a steady pulse in the quiet carriage.
"It's sweet... I really do hope I get to meet them again..." she murmured, twirling the now-empty tanghulu stick between her fingers.
"I didn't get to thank them properly," she whispered.
Then, a series of notifications pinged on her phone, shattering the fragile silence. She unzipped her fanny pack and pulled out the device. They were messages from the fan group chat a vibrant community created for the band, but now… she didn’t know what to do with it.
SickleMoon: Of course their last concert was amazing…I think I left my heart in the stands.
SickleMoon: It’s been an awesome ride, guys. Thanks for all the memories.
SickleMoon: Sadly, we won’t have anything new to chat about anymore, so I’m gonna leave the group.
SickleMoon: Maybe our paths will cross again sometime. Bye for now!
19:13 SickleMoon left the chat
Pickles: I’m still crying…I love you guys. Thanks for everything.
19:13 Pickles left the chat
19:13 Corby left the chat
19:14 marilyn left the chat
19:14 PurpleOcean left the chat
19:14 Miyuki left the chat
19:14 Snuffles left the chat
19:14 shortstuff left the chat
19:14 Megster left the chat
The names disappeared one by one, each departure a tiny echo of the band’s disbandment. Soon, only two members remained: her and Mina.
"I guess I could call this good timing," Hoshina mumbled, her thumb hovering over the 'Leave Group' button. It pulsed faintly beneath her fingertip, an invitation to escape.
A ping from her phone made her flinch. She stared at the screen, willing it to be anyone but the group chat. "Who is it now?" she sighed, the words heavier than she intended.
It was from the group chat.
Hoshina hesitated. Who? she thought, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. A small, almost imperceptible sigh escaped her as she typed.
Me: Are you talking to me?
Mina: Yes? It’s just us in the GC, right?
Me: Sorry, I’m gonna leave too.
Mina: Wait! Would you mind chatting with me for a little bit?
Hoshina bit down on her lip, the soft flesh yielding to the pressure. The thought of launching into a conversation—any conversation—felt like scaling a mountain. All she wanted was the quiet hum of the train and the oblivion of her own thoughts. But the words hung there, unanswered, a silent plea in the digital void. With a sigh, more resignation than agreement, she typed:
'Yay? What’s with the enthusiasm?' Hoshina wondered, a faint furrow appearing between her brows.
Mina: Do you go to a lot of events like this?
Mina: No wonder I almost didn’t recognize you until just now at the concert haha
Mina: Are you still on your way home?
Hoshina’s fingers flew across the keyboard, the words tumbling out almost faster than she could think. 'Gotta keep it moving. Gotta keep it light.'
A humorless smile twisted her lips. 'Yeah… definitely asked…'
Mina: The city lights are really beautiful tonight. Can you see them?
Me: Not really. I was about to look at Tokyo Tower.
Mina: Are you crossing the Rainbow Bridge right now?
The air in the train car seemed to thicken, pressing in on Hoshina. Her pulse quickened, a faint drumbeat against her ribs. 'Why is she asking all this? Why am I even answering?' The questions swirled in her mind, a vortex of unease. But the thought of leaving Mina alone, unanswered, felt like a weight on her chest, heavier than the growing discomfort.
Mina: Because I am too! We might be on the same train.
Mina: The last two in the chat riding the same train.
Mina: Can I come talk to you face to face?
Hoshina’s breath hitched. A bead of sweat trickled down her temple, cold against her skin. She licked her lips, her mouth suddenly dry.
"Isn’t she going too fast…?" she whispered, the words barely audible above the rumble of the train.
Mina: Why not? I’ve always wanted to meet you.
Mina: That’s why I’m here.
Then, the words on the screen swirled before her eyes, her mind racing. The chat refreshed—and suddenly, it was gone.
As Hoshina tried to calm herself after encountering the creepy girl named mina, she heard the announcement.
"Announcement: We will soon stop at Kisaragi Station… I repeat, we will soon stop at Kisaragi Station."
Hoshina felt like crying. Kisaragi? That was definitely not her stop. She just wanted to go home and rest.
When she looked out the window, the world had somehow turned the color of burnt steel. A forest, stark and skeletal, stretched under a malevolent full moon.
"Kamisama… what did I do to deserve this? Is it because I left the group chat?" Hoshina covered her face with both hands, as if to ward off the sight.
Then, the brakes screeched, and the train slowly ground to a halt. Hoshina, who was seated, nearly toppled from her seat.
"Holy… the mother of sh—" Hoshina cut herself off... mid-curse and groaned. Then her phone rang. No ID.
"I’d be happy if it were my mother calling me…" Hoshina didn’t answer.
"It’s from that Mina girl, isn’t it?" Of course. Hoshina looked at it and sighed, 'Why.'
Mina: Why didn’t you pick up?
Mina: We’ll be together soon.
Mina: Which car are you in?
Mina: You weren’t in car 3.
"Which car is this?" Hoshina looked around. Number seven. Then, the door to car number eight suddenly slid open, plunging the doorway into darkness. She jolted, scrambling to her feet. She couldn’t see anything beyond the threshold—but it made noises that sent shivers down her spine.
"He… hello? Is someone there?"
A soft, playful voice echoed from behind her. "Guess who?" Hoshina felt a hand on her shoulder. Frozen, she slowly turned around.
A nightmarish beauty emerged from behind a grotesque bouquet. A massive red rose dominated the arrangement, its petals unnaturally vibrant against the gloom. Smaller blue and purple flowers clustered around her face like parasites. The flowers stretched from ear to ear, forming a twisted, demented mask.
Then it opened—its petals contorting to reveal a single, massive eye that burned with an unholy light. The swirling vortex of reds, purples, and whites locked onto Hoshina, and instinct took over.
She gripped the stick, her hand tightening around the smooth wood without conscious thought. It was a desperate, illogical act, but in that moment, it was all she had.
With a roar that tore from her throat, Hoshina plunged the stick into the monsters eye.
She rolled away, leaving the stick embedded in the eye. Luckily, a knife lay beside her. She grabbed it and pointed it at the anomaly ten meters away, ready in case it attacked.
The sound was deafening, a high-pitched shriek that vibrated through Hoshina's bones. The monster recoiled violently, its immense height working against it as the sudden pain sent its body into a spasming retreat. Its singular, floral eye contorted in agony, a viscous, iridescent fluid dripping from its surface.
Then, a voice came from behind her.
There, perched atop the train car behind them, a figure grinned down at the anomaly. It seemed the man didn’t notice her.
A predator surveying its prey. His vibrant crimson hair was a stark contrast to the grim surroundings. His posture was unnervingly casual, as if he were lounging in his living room instead of teetering on the edge of a nightmare. His white shirt was carelessly unbuttoned, revealing a glimpse of his chest, and his red suspenders seemed almost comical against the backdrop of impending doom. Gold rings glinted on his fingers, his nails painted black, and a thick gold chain adorned his neck, hinting at a wealth that seemed utterly out of place. A small gold earring adorned his left ear. But it was his face that truly captured Hoshina's attention.
His grin was wide and manic, revealing a set of sharp, almost feral teeth. His angular, hooded bright yellow eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity, and his entire demeanor radiated a chaotic energy that sent a shiver down her spine.
Resting against his shoulder was a bizarrely ornate gun, more akin to a steampunk artifact than a weapon of war. Its barrel glinted menacingly in the dim light.
"Wait till I get my teeth into you!" he roared, his voice a disturbing mix of amusement and menace.
'De… deja vu?' Hoshina's mind struggled to process the sudden intrusion.
Then, on cue, the man appeared behind her, standing on the train seat.
"Wh—" Before Hoshina could even gasp, he was already moving.
The man slammed his head against the train window, crimson hair plastered to his bloodied forehead. He ignored the pain as he yanked shards of glass from the shattered pane.
"Malab!" he spat, the guttural curse twisting his features into a feral snarl, teeth bared. He jammed the glass into the machine gun he clutched, his bloodshot eyes gleaming with manic intensity. He activated the weapon.
"Be good and. Hold still". He leveled the gun at the monster. "You want me to take you out, don’t you?"
The man was now in front of Hoshina, the bizarre weapon pointed toward the floral horror.
He unleashed a barrage of bullets. Hoshina raised her hands in a futile attempt to shield herself, but the bullets tore into her cheek, ankle, and shoulder.
Then, a few moments later, it became silent. The gunshots ceased abruptly, and the man groaned. "Fuck, I'm out!" He swayed, his face pale beneath the streaks of blood, a gold pendant glinting at his throat.
'I… is it done?'Hoshina thought, glancing up. The monster was gone. 'It ran away?'
The shock hadn’t even worn off before Hoshina registered the blood trickling down her cheek. The stranger finally noticing her then. He cocked his head, his gaze sweeping over her, then strode across the train to stand over her.
Cold brutality emanated from his bloodshot golden eyes, framed by the mess of crimson hair.
'I should be the one glaring at him like that. He nearly killed me! Is he blind or something?' Hoshina thought.
She turned away, avoiding his intense gaze. "I… I didn’t see anything."
(yeah no definitely not making another chapter this is a draft just wanted to post I don't know if I did do it right but I know 59 sure what I did is wrong, also if you noticed about hoshina eye in the picture it's different from the first post I did that's because I had this random idea in my Mind.
That what if after getting cursed her eye turn red like the kyklos isn't that definitely not logic anygays peace I'm tired I had to do many rewrite just to make this.
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