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CHAPTER 02: SOMETHING IS HAPPENING

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Inside the Almost Empty Train Carriage

Haruto couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The unusually deserted train on a Monday morning, the gloomy weather that had lingered for days, and the anxious, restless expressions of passengers glued to their phones all added to the growing sense of unease.

He glanced down at his phone, re-reading Kanna’s message once again:

“Haruto-kun, something huge is happening right now, and your presence is urgently needed. This could be a threat to all of humanity. I’ll be waiting for you near the campus gate to guide you inside. Let me know when you arrive. See you soon.”

It was strange. This wasn’t like Kanna at all. She had never sent anything like this, and for a moment, he wondered if it was a prank. But then, he remembered that Kanna wasn’t the type to play tricks on him, not even once.

* * * *

(Flashback)

Three Months Ago

In The Train Carriage to Sakamiya Station 2

08:05 AM

Noticing that Kanna still seemed a little tense, Haruto decided to break the silence and ease the awkwardness. “You’re headed to Sakamiya University too, right, Fujita-chan? Are you a third-year student?” he asked, hoping to find some common ground and maybe make the situation a little less strange. Who knows? Maybe she really did go to the same university.. he thought.

“Huh? How did Mori-san know I’m going to Sakamiya University? I didn’t mention it earlier…” Kanna tilted her head in confusion, wondering how Haruto had figured that out.

“Well, we’re on the same train route, and we’re both wearing the Sakamiya University jacket, so I just assumed. I’m a fourth-year student myself.” Haruto pointed to the jacket he was wearing, the same one Kanna had on. She glanced down at her own jacket, suddenly realizing he was right.

“Oh, right! Oh no! I’m so sorry, Mori-san! How did I not notice that sooner? GEPLAK! ” In a moment of embarrassment, she slapped her cheek harder than she meant to, mortified that she hadn’t noticed they were both wearing the same university jacket. Her face turned an even deeper shade of red. Nearby passengers glanced over, surprised at her sudden action, before smiling faintly at her endearing clumsiness.

“Hey, hey, don’t worry about it. Hahaha, it’s totally fine!” Haruto chuckled, unable to hide his amusement at her cute reaction. The way she slapped her cheek in embarrassment made her seem even more adorable in his eyes. Kanna’s face remained flushed, her bashfulness only making her look more endearing.

Kanna’s dark brown hair framed her face sharply, while her soft brown eyes held a gentle, shy charm that often left her looking both innocent and endearing. She had a rather curvy figure, particularly voluptuous in certain areas, which made her stand out—though she didn’t seem to realize it herself.

Her figure was reminiscent of the “ideal” body type often idolized by social media influencers on platforms like InStara, one of the most popular social networks (in this story) . Even the way her noticeably large breasts bounced naturally when she moved or shifted positions caught Haruto’s attention, though he tried his best not to focus on it.

Haruto couldn’t help but wonder how timid she seemed despite her striking appearance. With a body like that, she should be more confident, not so awkward and shy.. he thought. If she had a social media account, she could easily get thousands of followers… maybe even tens of thousands.. Whether she had one or not, though, Haruto didn’t really care to find out.

“Sorry, Mori-san… I’ve never seen you around before. Umm…” Kanna shifted her gaze, unsure of how to talk to a stranger—especially a guy—on a crowded train.

“Yeah, I don’t think I’ve seen you around either. Maybe we’ve both just been too busy with our own stuff to notice the people around us." Haruto awkwardly scratched the back of his head, an unusual nervousness settling over him—he wasn’t used to these kinds of interactions. He really hadn’t seen Kanna at Sakamiya University before, and this was the first time their paths had crossed.

The conversation died down after that, leaving an awkward silence hanging in the air between them. Neither of them knew what to say next. They stood side by side, lost in their own thoughts, wondering if this meeting was pure coincidence or perhaps fate playing its hand.

Haruto had been studying at Sakamiya University for four years, and Kanna for three. They often took the same train to the same station, yet they had never crossed paths—never even noticed each other's presence.. until today. This was the first time their worlds collided, and Haruto couldn’t help but wonder how that was possible.

How could two people, sharing the same campus and traveling the same route for years, never meet?

Even on campus, they had never seen each other. It was as if they had been invisible to one another, like strangers who had just stepped onto campus for the first time today. And now, on this day, amidst the chaos of a super-crowded train, an extraordinary sequence of events had unfolded—events that finally brought them face to face.

Haruto felt a strange chill run down his spine as he thought about it, the kind of sensation that made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Why now? he wondered. It was as if today was the first time he truly saw Kanna, and the way she looked at him suggested like.. she felt the same.

It felt… deliberate. Like something had been arranged, planned in ways beyond his understanding. The timing felt too perfect, too precise. Haruto couldn’t shake the feeling that..

This wasn’t just a mere accident.

Suddenly the train's announcement system broke the silence.

"Attention passengers: We are now approaching our final stop, Sakamiya Station 2. Please prepare to disembark. This is the final stop: Sakamiya Station 2."

The calm, automated voice echoed through the train car, signaling the end of their ride. This was their last chance to get off and make their way to Sakamiya University, located just a short distance from the station.

The area surrounding Sakamiya University is bustling with activity, lined with several schools, an array of shops, shopping centers, as well as several companies that had their headquarters in the vicinity. This vibrant mix of educational institutions and commercial establishments made the trains heading toward Sakamiya Station 2 almost always crowded with people, especially at the beginning of the week..

“This is the last stop. It’s 8:15 AM now. Are you getting off here too, Fujita-chan?” Haruto broke the silence between them as he glanced at Kanna.

“Y-Yeah, I’m getting off here." Kanna nodded, remembering that her morning class would start at 8:30. She was already prepared, her bag slung over her right shoulder and a folded umbrella in her left hand, ready to leave anytime.

The train slowly pulled into the final stop at Sakamiya Station 2. It was peak rush hour, and almost everyone inside the train was likely going to disembark here. Once the doors opened, dozens of people would start pushing and shoving to make their way out.

Haruto glanced to his side and noticed Kanna’s expression shift—there was a flicker of unease in her eyes, perhaps a hint of nervousness about the impending rush. Deciding that he didn’t want to lose her in the crowd, his mind raced with a solution.

He extended his right hand towards her, “H-Hey, Fujita-chan! We need to get ready to move now, or we’ll get stuck in this sea of people and miss the first class. Come on, grab my hand!” Without hesitation, he gently took her by the wrist, pulling her closer to him.

Kanna, momentarily flustered and lost in the confusion of the moment, nodded in agreement. “Y-Yes, we need to get off. W-We can’t let the train doors close before we’re out.”

“Ah... M-Mori-san…” Kanna let out a small gasp when Haruto suddenly placed his right hand around her waist, drawing her closer to his side. Her soft sound of surprise was drowned out by the noise of the crowd. Haruto, oblivious to the effect of his actions, failed to notice how his touch made Kanna’s cheeks flush with color, as if they were a couple, tightly pressed together in the packed train.

Her thoughts raced. She glanced up at Haruto, her heart pounding faster. Focus, Kanna, focus! We need to get out of here first, don't think about anything else now. Baka, Kanna! Baka!.. She tried to push the thoughts away, mentally scolding herself.

Kanna shifted her umbrella to her right hand and adjusted the strap of her bag to make sure it wouldn’t slip off her shoulder. Without realizing it, her left hand had found its way to Haruto’s waist, and she held onto him unconsciously. Haruto’s hand remained firmly on her waist, but he hadn’t realized that he was now treating her like she was his girlfriend—made them look like a couple to onlookers.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

They looked like a real couple, so sweet and beautiful together. Suddenly, Kanna’s mind wandered back to the words Haruto had said earlier when he first helped her for the first time: I’ll take responsibility… take responsibility… will you marry me, Kanna-chan?.. In her mind’s eye, Kanna imagined Haruto taking responsibility by proposing, the two of them dressed in wedding attire on their big day, surrounded by the beauty of a grand church. The sound of wedding bells echoed in the background, surrounded by radiant flowers, and Haruto’s face shone like a charming prince with a mesmerizing smile.

The fantasy was so vivid that Kanna almost fainted from the overwhelming mixture of embarrassment and happiness, her heart skipping a beat as she let out a small sigh. Her left hand reflexively tightened its grip around Haruto’s waist, pulling him closer as she leaned her head gently against his side. She wished this moment could last forever, but reality reminded her that they still needed to get off the train. Without even realizing it, she was slowly falling in love with him.

“Fujita-chan, get ready to push through and get out of this crowd.” Haruto’s hand was still on her waist as they prepared to move. He knew that if he lost sight of her now, it would be almost impossible to find her again. This was his first time riding a train and meeting a girl like this, and he didn’t want to miss this rare opportunity.

Kanna felt a deep sense of admiration. No one had ever treated her like this before. She was incredibly glad that it was Haruto helping her in this crowded train. Without him, she would have panicked, maybe even ended up getting trampled by the crowd and trapped inside the train.

The train began to slow down before coming to a complete stop at the final station, and the doors started to open. On the platform at Sakamiya Station 2, a large number of people were waiting to board, and they were about to collide with the crowd trying to exit, including Haruto and Kanna.

“Alright, stay close to me and follow my lead. Let’s move now!” Haruto instructed Kanna to stick by his side while keeping a firm grip on her waist. He was determined not to lose her in the potentially crushing crowd.

Kanna nodded, her eyes sparkling as she looked into Haruto’s eyes while he gave his instructions. She couldn’t take her gaze away from him. Haruto seemed so confident and strong. She didn’t want to lose sight of him either.

“Go, go, go!” Kanna called out, trying to muster her courage as they prepared to move.

The train doors finally opened fully, and the impatient crowd inside surged forward to get off. With Haruto’s hand still on Kanna’s waist, he began to walk forward, pushing his way through the crowded train aisle toward the exit.

His right hand accidentally brushed against Kanna’s hips and lower back as they moved, causing her heart to race. She couldn’t say anything, simply holding onto his arm tightly as she followed his lead, moving step by step.

They had to push through this sea of people. There were so many passengers trying to get off while others were trying to board at the same time. The morning rush was truly overwhelming!

“Woah, aaah... this crowd is insane! Keep moving forward!” Haruto shouted as he tried to push ahead with Kanna. It was hot, cramped, and chaotic, but they had no choice but to keep moving, determined to get off the train.

Suddenly, the sound of an announcement echoed across the platform.

“Attention, all passengers. The train doors will close in 30 seconds. Please stay clear of the doors and stand in the safe area behind the yellow line. Thank you.”

Everyone inside the train who heard the announcement knew they needed to act fast. Panic began to spread as people rushed even more urgently. Meanwhile, those waiting on the platform became anxious, pushing forward to get inside the train, while the passengers inside struggled to get out.

“Hey, stop pushing!”

“No! Don’t close the doors yet!”

“I need to get out now!”

“Nooo!”

“Everyone, make way!”

“Keep moving, don’t stop!”

“Hurry, hurry!”

People began shouting and yelling hysterically as they desperately tried to get off. The train conductor’s instructions to stay calm were barely heard over the growing commotion. He explained that the train couldn’t depart until everyone was clear of the doors, but the panic only intensified.

“Almost there, just a bit further!” Haruto and Kanna were nearing the exit, just a few more steps to freedom.

Haruto guided Kanna as they continued moving forward, his hand still holding her waist protectively. Kanna struggled to keep up, but she clung tightly to him, determined not to let go. They could feel the air getting cooler and fresher, a sign that they were finally nearing the exit. The crowd pressed harder against them, pushing them toward the platform. Haruto did his best to shield Kanna from the metal handrails and doors.

Another announcement came over the speaker system.

“Attention, all passengers. The train doors will close in 10 seconds. Please stay clear of the doors and stand behind the yellow line. Thank you.”

“Come on! Let’s gooo!” Haruto shouted as he pushed forward with all his strength.

“Go-go-go-go-go-go!” Kanna nervously echoed, her voice trembling. The crowd surged harder, and the noise of people shouting grew louder. It was intense and nerve-wracking.

The exit was just ahead, glowing bright like a beacon of hope. Time seemed to slow down as every second stretched into an eternity. Their hearts pounded, each beat echoing in their ears as they inched closer to the door.

“5... 4... 3... 2... 1...” The voice over the speaker counted down before the doors would close.

For just a split second, Haruto’s grip on Kanna’s shoulder slipped amidst the jostling. Kanna instinctively grabbed Haruto’s right arm with her left hand, pulling it tightly against her chest, holding onto him as if her life depended on it. “Mori-saaaan!” she cried out in panic.

“The doors are closing now." the announcement declared.

— — —

Sakamiya Station 2, 08:08 AM

They made it off the train just in time before the doors slid shut, finding themselves on the platform at Sakamiya Station 2. They had escaped the suffocating crush of the crowd!

“Phew... Haaah... We made it out. Yes... Haaah...” Haruto panted, looking back at the train. The doors were now sealed, and the train was already preparing to head back to Sakamiya Station 1.

Kanna, equally breathless and exhausted from the ordeal, could barely catch her breath. “Ah... haaa... Phew... Haa... Haa...” Her left hand was still gripping Haruto’s arm tightly, pressing it against her chest as though she never wanted to let him go.

It wasn’t until Haruto realized Kanna was still clinging to him, pressing his right arm firmly against her chest, buried in the soft warmth embrace of her large breasts. His face flushed bright red in an instant. “Fujita-chan, um… your hand…” Haruto stammered, his words faltering as his mind raced, unable to fully process the situation.

“Ah... Oh... Y-Yes... S-Sorry…” Kanna gasped, startled as she suddenly became aware of what she was doing. Quickly, she released her grip, turning her back to him in embarrassment. Haruto, just as flustered, took a step to the side, turning his body in the opposite direction at the same time.

Both of them stood there, panting, gasping for air, their hearts still racing from both the physical effort and the awkward closeness. Yet, a sense of relief washed over them—they had survived the packed train and avoided the nightmare of being trapped inside.

After a moment, they turned and looked at each other. Smiles slowly breaking across their faces. They couldn’t contain their happiness and burst into laughter together.

“Hahaha... Hahahaha... Wakakakaka...”

Their first meeting, which had occurred in the crowded train on their way to campus, ended well and left a lasting impression. This precious moment would never be forgotten. They exchanged phone numbers and Line IDs, and from that day forward, Haruto would sometimes run into her on the packed train on their way to campus.

Kanna often waited for him at the campus gate if they didn’t catch the same train. Haruto still saw her as a good friend, while Kanna had already begun to fall for him since their very first encounter. She was a sweet and shy girl, too embarrassed to confess her feelings. Meanwhile, Haruto didn’t seem to notice.. or did he?

* * * *

(Back to Present)

As Haruto glanced at the faces of the passengers, their expressions filled with anxiety and growing restlessness, he couldn’t help but wonder if something extraordinary—or alarming—had surfaced that morning on the internet or social media. Whatever it was, it seemed to have shaken them, leaving an air of tension hanging heavily in the atmosphere.

He tried not to dwell on it, brushing off the gnawing curiosity that tugged at his mind. Yet, the uneasiness clung to him, stirring thoughts of all the bad possibilities that could unfold. That nagging sense of discomfort made him instinctively consider the worst possibilities, urging him to stay vigilant for whatever might come next.

But then, a memory surfaced—one that seemed oddly relevant in this unsettling moment. He recalled rumors circulating at Sakamiya University about a secret organization, whispered to be investigating strange and unexplained phenomena.

Kanna had invited Haruto several times to attend events organized by an off-campus group, hoping to spark his interest. Haruto, however, had always dismissed the idea. To him, it was just another ordinary and likely pointless club.

There’s no way the rumored ‘secret organization’ actually exists. She probably just wants me to join some random student group.. He thought.

Yet, Haruto had always declined, his tone dismissive. His excuse was simple—he wasn’t interested in extracurricular activities, especially those unrelated to his studies. To him, anything beyond his academic pursuits and part-time job was a waste of time. Kanna’s persistent invitations felt more like an excuse to spend time with him beyond their campus routines rather than a genuine interest in the organization’s purpose.

In Haruto’s eyes, her eagerness felt like a ploy to forge a deeper connection. She wanted to share something meaningful with him, but Haruto had other priorities. He much preferred focusing on his part-time job, earning just enough to sustain his daily life, rather than joining a vague, mysterious organization whose purpose seemed obscure.

These thoughts often surfaced whenever Kanna approached him with a new suggestion, only to be met with his habitual refusal.

Why am I suddenly thinking about those rumors?.. Haruto wondered, his brows furrowing. And why now, of all times?.. He recalled how Kanna had always avoided explaining the organization, its goals or activities when he questioned her. She never gave me a straight answer.. and never even explained what it was about. Not that it mattered—I wouldn’t have joined anyway.

Yet, as the train rocked gently on its tracks, Haruto couldn’t shake the feeling that something connected to those rumors might be happening. The empty train, the strange weather over the past few days, and now the anxious expressions of passengers engrossed in their phones—it all felt oddly connected.

What’s going on?.. he thought. Could that secret organization really exist? Do they know something the public doesn’t?.. His gaze swept over the passengers once more, their expressions etched with tension. Is Kanna.. really involved with them?

Seeking distraction, Haruto’s gaze shifted to the monitor at the center of the train car. A soft music video played, providing a brief reprieve from his unease. Just as he began to settle, the screen flickered. The music stopped abruptly, replaced by the logo of a familiar news station. The sudden change immediately caught his attention, as well as that of the other passengers.

A female news anchor from Tokyo TV appeared on the screen, her expression grim, radiating a sense of urgency. The tension in the train car thickened as the volume increased, ensuring no one could miss her announcement.

“Breaking News. We interrupt this program to bring you an urgent report.” she announced, her voice firm and steady. Her expression reflecting the gravity of the situation she was about to convey.

The air heavy with anticipation as everyone braced themselves for the urgent news to come..

— — — — —