"And the pain was so deep that I woke up here... at NET."
I open my eyes.
As if emerging from a deep and confused dream...
It is night.
The faint light of the moon filters through scattered clouds, barely illuminating the place where I find myself.
I look around, trying to get my bearings, but nothing seems familiar. I realize I am in a playground, but not just any playground: it is abandoned, immersed in a ghostly silence that makes me uneasy.
The swings creak slightly, moved by the wind, and the rusty slides seem to be witnesses of a bygone era.
I try to remember what brought me here. Did I fall asleep in this place? How did I end up in this desolate park? My mind is a tangle of confused thoughts, yet there is something strangely familiar about everything I see.
Every detail seems to evoke a distant memory, a déjà vu that I can't quite grasp.
I cautiously get up, my muscles numb from the cold of the night. I need to move, explore this unsettling place, and understand where I am.
I walk slowly, my steps resounding on the hard ground, amplified by the surrounding silence.
Perhaps, nearby, there is someone looking for me, someone worried about me.
– mh. Who? –
I can't remember it.
It's as if that memory has been erased from my mind.
A distant sound catches my attention: music.
I decide to leave the playground and head towards the source of that sound.
Turning the corner, the scene before me is surprising: vibrant and warm colors coming from a huge city. It's a familiar sight, yet the frustration of not being able to remember exactly where I've seen it before overwhelms me. Miah.
I approach the first streetlight to feel a bit safer. The air is icy, biting, and my face starts to go numb from the cold.
It's evident that winter has arrived, and the nights are particularly cold.
To my right, I notice a bridge.
In front of me, two barrels with vivid flames dancing in the night, casting new hues on the city lights. Near the barrels, I see human figures. Perhaps I can ask them for information. I need to act quickly.
With determination, I walk towards those people. As I get closer, I distinguish the details: they are two shady-looking individuals, dressed in black and dirty clothes. They stand motionless in front of the fire, their hands outstretched towards the flames, swaying slightly, as if following an imperceptible rhythm in the air.
Despite their unwelcoming appearance, I gather my courage and decide to approach them further, hoping they can help me understand where I am and how I got here.
I approach cautiously and say:
"Heeellooo. Can I ask you a question?"
The figures continue warming themselves without even glancing at me.
"Heyyy..."
I repeat less politely:
"Hey, I wasn't feeling well and woke up in the park back there. Can you tell me where we are?"
Still no reaction.
They keep doing what they were doing, completely ignoring me.
I start observing them more closely. They aren't noticing me at all... Am I dead? Am I a ghost?
I grab a rock and throw it at them. The rock hits them.
Okay, I can touch and hit things. Come on, Neko, you're not crazy yet. But why aren't these guys responding?
I get even closer, until I'm right next to them, hoping to understand better. When I'm beside them, I notice a bizarre detail: a fluorescent white triangle floating above their heads.
Weird, right? It's almost scary to look at, but it doesn't seem dangerous. Yet, these two guys just stand here by the fire. What do I do? Should I leave?
Yeah. Miah. Screw you.
I head towards the bridge, trying to figure out what awaits me on the other side. My steps are slow and uncertain, partly because I'm still groggy, partly because I'm completely disoriented.
The cold air nips at my face, and the wind tousles my hair, amplifying the feeling of confusion.
– Miah, where am I? T.T –
Suddenly, something catches my attention. A glittering light at the end of the bridge, like a beacon in the darkness. With growing curiosity, I approach, discovering a plaque on a small monument. The plaque gleams under the moonlight, and I lean in to read it more clearly:
[ Welcome to Shinjuku, Open Server ]
Shinjuku? The name means nothing to me. A sense of frustration wells up inside. Why can't I remember how I ended up here?
I sit on the edge of the bridge, trying to organize my confused thoughts. The cold metal beneath me is almost paralyzing, but I need to stop and think.
Think... think... remember... come on... please!
There's nothing. A total, cosmic void. My mind is like a blank canvas, devoid of any recent memories. I'm here, and this "Server" is called Shinjuku. But what does "open" mean? I can't make sense of it.
I could go back to the two guys by the barrels, but their indifferent attitude has already shown me that I won't get anything from them. The only option left is to venture into the city, hoping to find someone willing to help and answer my questions.
With a sigh, I stand up. It's cold, and I need to find a warm place as soon as possible. My hands are freezing, and my worn-out gloves offer little protection. Every step towards the city is an act of determination, a small triumph against the cold and confusion enveloping me.
As I approach the shimmering lights of Shinjuku, I feel a mix of fear and hope. I don't know what I'll find, but I can't stay still.
I need to discover what happened and, most importantly, how to get home.
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