Chapter 2

That day, after finally finishing the submission documents due today, I glanced at the clock and saw that the hour hand had already passed the top.

"Seriously...,"

I muttered involuntarily, but there was no response. My junior colleague, who had been here just a moment ago, seemed to have left without me noticing. Come to think of it, I think she said something like, "Kawabata-san, I'm heading out first."

While rubbing my stiff shoulders, I sighed, thinking I had to go home today. I ended up staying at an internet café yesterday because I was too late, and I was starting to miss my own bed. Besides, I needed to take a bath; it would be inappropriate to show my face to clients at tomorrow's meeting looking like this.

-- Clunk.

I locked the office, completed the final exit procedures, and started the company car from the multi-level parking lot. My commute is about an hour and a half by train, but since the last train had already left, I decided to drive home.

"Oops, I almost forgot this."

I took out the ETC card and switched it from the company-provided one to my personal one. I had to write a report once because my use of the highway in the middle of the night was discovered from the transaction history.

"This is exactly the kind of pointless effort, isn't it?"

I chuckled to myself as I drove onto the highway. As I continued, the industrial night view of Kawasaki came into sight. It's a bleak scene during the day, but at night, it transforms into a mystical illumination that even feels divine.

I like the stern scenery during the day, but apparently, there are even tours specifically for viewing this night view. Well, it is a sight worth seeing.

Feeling a bit drowsy, I turned up the volume on the car radio. A new single by an idol group I don't know well played in the car.

"I want to sleep already."

I shouted out loud, but there was no one around. I'll take a shower in the morning and go straight to bed when I get home. I have some pastries stored, so I'll head straight to my bed as soon as I get home.

As I was thinking about this, I saw a large moon.

"Is the moon usually that big? Is it a supermoon? No, it's not."

It was an incredibly large blue moon. I had never seen such a bright blue moon before.

"......haha"

"---What!? Did I just hear something!?"

Stop it, I hate horror and ghost stories. It must be my imagination. It must be.

"......haha"

It's no good. I heard it again.

I cautiously looked back through the rearview mirror, but of course, no one was there.

"---...I'll just get home quickly. I must be tired."

I stepped on the accelerator and increased my speed. It's time to head home. I need some rest.

---

That was my last memory, the last memory of Kawabata Koji.

This is a prologue, so it's a bit short. I'll post another chapter later.