left to right, top to bottom: ayame from tsumigram, warden from gemini, s from dollgram, mihane from aruku-gram, shun from mugram, naki form the depths of kufer’s mind
You’re not escaping it
The spotlight will always find you
Smile! You’re next.
[Each scene should be seen as if you were watching from a surveillance camera unless otherwise said!]
Cameras are on you
Isamu is silently walking on the sidewalk, headphones in as he listens to music. He has his hands in his pockets.
Pay attention!
Smile! You’re on camera
The scene glitches to another surveillance camera outside a store as it follows Isamu down the sidewalk. It takes a photo and as the camera’s shutters close, the scene switches out of camera view and faces Isamu straight on.
Hey, you seem to be alone
So, listen to my warning because this won’t end well
Isamu suddenly gets shoved by an invisible force, making him stumble back and look around. He pulls out a headphone as he notices no one.
Shrugging it off, he continues walking.
Running away won’t change what will happen
So throw your hands up and duck out of sight
Isamu doesn’t seem to notice anything. Actually, it doesn’t seem anything is happening at all.
Something should be happening, right?
There are eyes watching you
The view flashes to a glitching surveillance camera watching Isamu.
People will attack you.
He continues to walk until he hits someone again. This time, someone is actually there instead of an invisible force.
The person says something, practically spitting in his face.
You think you’re not supposed to be here?
Isamu breathes and quickly apologizes for hitting them.
Judging from Isamu’s eyes narrowing, he seems to be guessing that the guy in front of him is drunk.
Why don’t you watch the footage?
Isamu gives a weak smile and starts walking off, beginning to say something about how he might be late.
No matter what you do
You’re not escaping it
Isamu is grabbed by the collar of their shirt as the other roars in his face. He’s desperately trying to get rid of this man’s grip on his shirt.
The spotlight will always find you
Smile! You’re next.
Instead, Isamu is slammed into the wall of an alleyway nearby with a groan. Sliding onto the floor, he looks up at the other with a terrified look in his eyes.
The second he does, a spotlight shines on him.
The scene flashes as it returns to Isamu walking on the street. He blinks, completely shocked by this.
Hey, what are you doing?
It’s a cycle that you’re stuck in
The same thing happens over again.
Someone.
Someone pushes someone.
Apologies.
Isamu.
Isamu shakes his head and starts running into the alleyway, a spotlight flashing on to him.
The person follows him into the alleyway, unable to see their face since they’re out of the light.
Continue to drown in the troubles you’re in
Everything glitches for a moment as Isamu is suddenly back sitting against the wall. He has a completely panicked look. For a moment, a glitch causes him to look apathetic.
He starts crawling away, throwing a trash can to slow the drunken man.
Or save yourself and escape with your life
He quickly stands up, trying to run away. As he begins to move, the drunk man punches his stomach, making him wheeze and stumble away.
There are eyes judging you
Isamu looks up at the man, a pained look in his eyes as another spotlight shines on him. He holds his stomach. The scene glitches to Isamu standing upright and staring straight at the man before it changes back to Isamu clutching his stomach.
People will attack you, are you a fool?
He reaches for the wall. Isamu is grabbed and he’s practically thrown to the ground with a groan.
The man is... kicking at him and slamming his fist into his chest and face.
You think you’re in the right?
Isamu coughs.
His glasses are smashed. He... he can barely see now; his face burns... it hurts to breath.
Help.
Someone, please.
He can feel blood trickling from his forehead and his left arm is aching.
Why don’t you watch the footage?
They watch as the man takes a long breath and turns around. "Learn your fuckin' lesson."
Isamu just stares at the man.
No matter what you do
He wraps his hands around the bottle and silently groans as he struggles to get up.
The other must have heard him when he got up, maybe he hit something...
You’re not escaping it
"You aren't done yet? Well, then..." The man laughs and begins to turn around.
The spotlight will always find you
He slowly raises the bottle. A spotlight shines on the two of them.
* The small video in this Scene Transcript includes a quick flash/glitch at the end of it to flash to the MUGRAM logo. The video is not important to your experience of this Scene Transcript. Please enjoy.
I’m a simple informant
So, if all you want is information,
Then, let me be your guide into my information complex
One, two, three,
Shall we begin?
Tomoko sits at a desk. The shutters on the window are down and the lights are dimmed in the room. She picks up a piece of paper and looks over it again.
Glad you’ve decided to join me.
The chair in front of her is suddenly being used by a silhouette of a person. Tomoko shrugs before placing the paper back down. Words are spoken between the pair but it’s inaudible.
The person in front of her furiously nods as Tomoko explains something. Tomoko exhales before nodding as well.
Looking at the desk, the paper has mentions of a missing family member.
I’d love to help
But the world is just as corrupt as me you believe
So pay up first and we can begin
The silhouette places a check on Tomoko’s desk. She nods and places it aside.
So, shall we begin?
The lights flicker on and off for a few seconds before the lights flash back on, the silhouette in front of Tomoko now gone.
Isn’t this a nice thrill?
Tomoko quickly pulls a jacket on. She glances around the room. The light given from the open door slowly disappears as Tomoko shuts the door behind her.
Look, I’m here to help you
Tomoko slowly walks, scanning the street and buildings. Something catches her attention and she briskly walks over, angering a few people who she narrowly dodges. Some curses are shouted towards her, which are completely ignored.
So, let me take a look into what you got
Tomoko stares up at a building before entering through the front door, greeting the secretary. She seems to ask the secretary something, who only gives a small shrug. The secretary says something about the missing person not coming in the past coule of days, but doesn’t know anything after that. Tomoko nods and thanks the secretary for his help.
Tomoko is then standing in front of a door of an apartment. The door opens. Tomoko introduces herself and the peron in front of her hesitantly nods. Tomoko asks about the missing person.
The person’s eyes dart around, frantic before Tomoko explains she just wants answers for the person’s wife. The person sighs before letting Tomoko in.
And, I’ll find the information you want
Tomoko sits down on the couch as the person sits across from her in a separate chair. They exhale before telling Tomoko about the missing person: they left the country to be able to get more work and send money back.
They assumed the wife had already known the person leaving, so they didn’t say anything.
Tomoko slowly nods as she types the information down.
The person apologizes for all the trouble. If the husband really didn’t tell his wife, then they weren’t sure what the person was doing leaving the country. They hope it was for work.
Tomoko gets up and thanks the person.
I’m a simple informant
Tomoko stares across the table as the wife enters the room, asking about her husband. Tomoko blinks and exhales.
Tomoko slides over a manila folder with a single paper inside. The wife quickly picks it up and looks inside. She quickly reads through the paper before slowly nodding.
The wife gives her thanks. She’s glad that her husband is just out of the country for work.
Tomoko nods, saying it’s part of her job.
So, if all you want is information,
The view snaps back to the wall from earlier, showing the back of the wife and Tomoko slightly.
Then, let me be your guide into my information complex
The lights of the room flicker as the wife changes into different people with Tomoko just watching the people change between different people without her face changing.
The lights then dim and Tomoko is left alone in the room with an envelope on her desk.
It’s something I’ve seen every day
Tomoko stares at the letter, tapping her finger against the desk. It just asks to find information on some person.
It’s not an uncommon sight
Tomoko is intrigued by this. She’d never just gotten a letter without an in-person visit before. She hums. Even if it’s just another one of those cases, it’s interesting enough for her to look into.
Looking at the letter, it looks like it’s about information about a husband.
The person is suspicious of their husband cheating on them.
Common case. Shouldn't be too hard.
As Tomoko continues to read, it becomes more interesting.
They want to be contacted through a specific number and the information hand delivered somewhere other than her office.
She nods.
Tomoko quickly slips a coat jacket on. She looks around the room. The light given from the open door slowly disappears as Tomoko closes the door behind her.
To see people want someone something done right
The office fades to a shopping mall as Tomoko glances over her shoulder, spotting the husband with a lady in a store.
Typical.
With a blank face, she takes notes and a picture. Eventually, the pairing leaves the store.
Tomoko follows them into a restaurant.
She takes notes and another photo as the pair eat an expensive dinner.
The scene eventually morphs back into Tomoko's office as she turns on her phone and calls a number.
It rings for a few moments before someone picks up.
Whatever words are spoken between Tomoko and the caller are inaudible.
But this is new
It's a different day.
Tomoko pulls a manila folder out of a cabinet in her desk.
She grabs a few pieces of paper and photos from a small rectangular mesh basket.
As she glances over it, she nods to herself. She places the papers and photos in the manila folder and folds it closed. Flipping it over, Tomoko writes "Information about Haruda Sota" on the front.
So, let’s give it another shot and see what you want
Tomoko glances over at her phone that has the address on the screen. Just a local park. Nothing suspicious about that besides the fact she'll be handing off a manila folder to someone.
Whatever. If it satisfies the client's needs, then so be it.
I’m a simple informant
The scene morphs into the park. There are people walking around, considering it's the middle of the day.
Tomoko scrolls through her phone as she waits for the person to come. It's just news articles and the occasional episode of a show as she waits.
So, if all you want is information
Eventually, a shadow darkens Tomoko's phone and she looks up. A woman stands there, an interested look on her face.
Tomoko furrows her brow before asking something.
The woman responds with a nod.
Tomoko quickly stands up, taking the folder out of deep pockets inside her jacket.
Tomoko asks another question again, a serious look on her face.
The woman exasperatedly nods.
Tomoko hands the folder over to the woman, who opens the folder up really quickly.
She reads over the papers and sees the photos. Her eyes narrow.
"Are you going to do something with what I've given you?" Tomoko asks as the woman puts the papers and photos back into the folder.
"It's just information, what would I do?" The woman laughs.
Tomoko glances to the side before sighing and slowly nodding.
Everything turns to black.
Then, let me be your guide into my information complex
Keisuke stares through the windows of a classroom door. He frowns and walks away from the door. He avoids some people in the hallways as he walks.
So, why won't you listen?
Keisuke abruptly stops at the next classroom’s door, whose teacher is preparing something. He glances around before he opens the door and shuts it, catching the attention of the teacher. "Hey, I think something's happening–"
"Hm? Ah, hello, Izumi-kun. What's wrong?"
"I think we need a teacher in the other room. My friend's getting–"
Ring.
Then your ears fall silent.
Keisuke glances at the door outside. People from other classes start filing into the hallways to head back to their next class after lunch.
"Sorry, Izumi-kun. The bell just rang. You should head back to your class now." The teacher scratches his neck before turning back to the blackboard. They write something on the board. Keisuke blinks, a little caught off guard by the teacher basically shrugging Keisuke off.
"I just saw my friend get insulted by some classmates!" Keisuke cries out.
The teacher turns around. "That doesn't really mean anything. That could just be some friendly insults."
"Please!"
The teacher frowns for a moment. With a sigh, the teacher turns back around and looks directly at Keisuke.
"I promise I'll look into it."
Keisuke thanks the teacher and runs off to his classroom, hoping he isn’t late for his class.
That's all you ever said.
Keisuke sits on the edge of the brick wall, staring out into the small park. He got bored of doing his homework earlier so now he was just watching the sky or park.
Did it not mean anything
Someone groans as they hop onto the brick wall, sitting next to Keisuke. "Hey."
"There you are! Thought you completely forgot about me." Keisuke laughs. The other shrugs off their backpack and places it next to them.
"Oh," They quietly exhale. "Sorry about that. I was… busy." They roll their shoulders, sometimes wincing in pain.
"Don't worry! So, what's on your mind?" Keisuke turns to the person who blinks after being caught off guard by the question.
To you?
"I promise I'll tell you about it tomorrow." They sigh and lean forward. "What's been going on with you?"
But, I guess it doesn't really matter.
Keisuke shrugs. "Nothing much, really. It’s just the same old classes and same old stuff at home. You get it, right?”
“Oh, yeah. That reminds me. We need to meet up this weekend to go check out that museum. I mean, I know we’re going to graduate next year, but we always said we’d do that…”
Because I'll always keep my promise
To you.
Keisuke pauses right before a classroom door.
The shouts inside get louder and louder. Keisuke shuts his eyes.
"...idiot can't do anything right in his fucking life!"
"Holy shit, what is this–"
Laughter.
"What a grade! No wonder they kicked you off the team. You can't even play right and now we see this?"
"What a disappointment."
Keisuke opens his eyes to an outline of a person standing in front of him. The room is dark, practically pitch black.
The person leans forward into Keisuke's ear, a quiet whisper.
So, I'll do whatever you want
There's no fee
Just a promise it will happen.
Keisuke laughs.
"...you'd do anything to stop them right?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
I keep my promises.
Keisuke begins to move away as the pitch darkness turns into the hallway of the school again.
He glances over at the classroom door and stares at something.
Someone inside notices him.
"Hey, is your friend coming to save you?" Someone sneers.
"W-wait, leave him out of this–" The person at the desk cries out.
"Only if you do everything we say for the next day."
"Fine."
Hey, what are you doing?
Keisuke bursts through the classroom door, causing the teacher to jump and drop the book he's holding.
Blinking, the teacher stares at Keisuke, confused. "I'm sorry–?"
Please don't pretend we didn't swear
"It happened again."
"What do you mean, Izumi-kun?" The teacher quickly picks the book off the ground and places it on a nearby table.
"You didn't look into it. You lied to me!"
"I didn't lie to you." The teacher calmly states.
"You did! You lied to me–"
"I got someone to look into it, but no one said a word. So, I can't do anything. I'm sorry." The teacher exhales and turns around to the front of the classroom, leaving Keisuke to stand awkwardly near the door before finally shuffling out.
But I guess it's fine if you need to leave
Keisuke places his backpack onto the brick wall as he hops onto the wall. He pulls out his homework from his backpack and starts working on it.
He glances up after a couple of pages and spots someone walking over to him. “Hey!”
“You wanna talk? I saw what was happening earlier and–” Keisuke hops off the brick wall and walks over to the person.
The person immediately looks up before frowning. “Hey, Keisuke.”
I'll trust you just for a little longer
"I'm sorry."
"Huh?"
“I don’t want to talk about it. I know what you saw and I know you wanted me to talk about it, but–”
“Look, I get it.” Keisuke sighs. “Don’t worry, okay?”
“Got it.”
You made me a promise, so I hope it meant something
“Hey, um… Keisuke?”
“Yeah?”
“Look, I… I don’t know if we can head over to the museum this weekend…?” The person hesitantly states.
“Oh, that’s fine! That always happens!” Keisuke shrugs.
“Yeah, but…” They shake their head. “Nevermind. It’s… fine.”
To you.
“This is what you wanted, right?”
So, I'll do whatever you want.
Keisuke stares at the person on the ground for a couple more seconds. He takes a calming breath.
There was never a fee.
“STOP– PLEASE!” Someone wheezes and coughs.
Everything has happened, just like I promised.
Keisuke drops something out of his hand, slowly walking away.
Why wouldn't I keep my end?
Keisuke stares through the classroom window. On a desk is a small glass vase with a yellow button-like flower. Was it a pansy…? He couldn’t remember that well.
