The sun had just begun to set, casting a warm, golden hue over the bustling city of Tokyo. The streets were alive with the evening rush, as workers hurried home and students gathered in cafes to unwind after a long day. Amidst the sea of people, Yuto Kurogane weaved his way through the crowd with practiced ease, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his worn jacket.
He was just another face in the crowd—ordinary, unremarkable, and perfectly content to stay that way. As he passed by the glowing billboards that advertised the latest Hunter achievements and guild news, Yuto barely spared them a glance. The world of Hunters was something he preferred to keep at a distance, despite its ever-growing presence in everyday life.
“Yuto! Over here!”
The familiar voice cut through the noise of the city, and Yuto turned to see his friend, Hiroshi Tanaka, waving enthusiastically from the entrance of a small ramen shop. Hiroshi was tall and athletic, with an infectious energy that seemed to draw people in. He was also a Hunter prospect, one of the many hopefuls who dreamed of being recruited by a big guild and making a name for himself.
Yuto smiled and made his way over, slipping inside the cozy shop. The scent of rich broth and freshly cooked noodles filled the air, and Yuto’s stomach rumbled in response. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until that moment.
“You’re late, man!” Hiroshi teased as Yuto sat down beside him at the counter. “I was starting to think you were avoiding me.”
“Just lost track of time,” Yuto replied with a shrug. “You know how it is.”
Hiroshi grinned. “Yeah, yeah. Well, you’re here now, so let’s eat. I already ordered for both of us.”
As the steaming bowls of ramen were placed in front of them, Yuto couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment. These quiet moments, shared with friends, were what he cherished most. It was a stark contrast to the chaotic world outside, where Hunters battled monstrous beings from other dimensions and dungeons could open at any moment.
“So, how’s the Hunter training going?” Yuto asked between bites of noodles, genuinely curious. Hiroshi had been training relentlessly for months, determined to get noticed by one of the big guilds.
Hiroshi’s expression brightened. “It’s going great! I actually got a call from one of the recruiters at Silver Fang Guild today. They want to see me in action at the next dungeon raid!”
Yuto raised an eyebrow, impressed. Silver Fang Guild was one of the more prominent guilds in Tokyo, known for its skilled Hunters and successful dungeon clears. “That’s awesome, Hiroshi. You’ve been working hard for this.”
“Thanks, man. I just hope I don’t mess it up,” Hiroshi said with a chuckle, though there was a hint of nervousness in his voice. “This could be my big break, you know? If I can impress them, I might actually get recruited.”
“You will,” Yuto said confidently. “Just do what you always do, and you’ll be fine.”
Hiroshi nodded, clearly reassured by Yuto’s words. “Yeah, you’re right. I can’t let the pressure get to me. Anyway, enough about me. How’s work treating you?”
Yuto gave a noncommittal shrug. “Same old, same old. Just keeping my head down and getting by.”
Hiroshi laughed. “You really know how to keep a low profile, don’t you? Sometimes I wonder if you even know what’s going on in the world.”
Yuto smiled faintly, but didn’t respond. It was true—he often avoided the news and stayed out of the Hunter scene as much as possible. But that was how he liked it. The less attention he drew to himself, the better.
The door to the ramen shop jingled as it opened, and another familiar face walked in. Aiko Fujimoto, a mutual friend and classmate, spotted them and made her way over with a bright smile.
“Hey, guys! Mind if I join you?” she asked, already pulling up a stool beside Yuto.
“Of course, Aiko,” Yuto said, sliding his bowl over to make room for her. “You’re just in time.”
Aiko was petite, with short black hair and a sharp wit that kept both Yuto and Hiroshi on their toes. She was studying to become a journalist and had a keen interest in the world of Hunters, though she wasn’t interested in becoming one herself. Instead, she wanted to uncover the stories behind the Hunters, the dungeons, and the mysterious phenomena that had changed the world.
“So, what’s the latest?” Aiko asked as she ordered a bowl of ramen for herself. “Anything interesting happen today?”
“Hiroshi got noticed by Silver Fang Guild,” Yuto said, nudging Hiroshi with his elbow.
Aiko’s eyes widened in excitement. “No way! That’s amazing, Hiroshi! You’re going to be famous in no time!”
Hiroshi rubbed the back of his neck, clearly pleased with the attention. “Thanks, Aiko. I’m hoping this is just the beginning.”
The three friends continued to chat and laugh as they ate, the conversation drifting from one topic to another. Yuto found himself relaxing, the worries of the world outside melting away in the warmth of the shop and the company of his friends.
But as the evening wore on and they prepared to leave, Yuto couldn’t shake a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. It was a sense of unease, as if something was about to disrupt the peaceful life he had worked so hard to maintain.
As they stepped out into the cool night air, Hiroshi clapped Yuto on the back. “We should do this more often, Yuto. It’s nice to hang out without worrying about anything for a change.”
“Yeah, it is,” Yuto agreed, though his thoughts were elsewhere.
Aiko glanced at Yuto, noticing his distant expression. “You okay, Yuto? You seem a little out of it.”
Yuto forced a smile. “I’m fine, just tired. You know how it is.”
They parted ways shortly after, with Hiroshi heading to the training grounds for a late-night session and Aiko returning to her apartment to finish an article she was working on. Yuto watched them go, a sense of unease lingering in his chest.
He began walking home, the streets quieter now that the evening rush had died down. The billboards and advertisements for Hunters and guilds glowed brightly in the darkness, a constant reminder of the world he was trying to avoid.
Yuto reached into his pocket and felt the cool metal of the belt hidden beneath his jacket. It was a simple-looking device, unassuming to anyone who didn’t know its true purpose. But Yuto knew all too well the power it held.
“Henshin.”
The word echoed in his mind, a trigger that would unleash a force within him that he both feared and respected. He had vowed to use the belt only when absolutely necessary, to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. But he also knew that each time he transformed, he risked exposing his secret to the world.
And that was a risk he couldn’t afford to take.
As Yuto reached his apartment, he took one last look at the city skyline, the lights twinkling like stars in the distance. He could only hope that tonight would be quiet, that he could continue living his ordinary life for just a little longer.
But deep down, Yuto knew that the peace he sought was fleeting. In a world overrun by dungeons and Hunters, the calm never lasted for long. And when the storm came, Yuto would be ready—whether he wanted to be or not.