The camera pans over a sleek, modern condominium, casually adorned with naturistic elements. Inside, a girl's room comes into view, a delicate balance of femininity and mystery. Soft pastel curtains frame the windows, and a plush rug covers the floor, but the eye is quickly drawn to the eclectic array of supernatural references scattered throughout the space. Books on the occult, tarot cards, and crystals lie on the desk, while shelves are adorned with eerie memorabilia — haunted dolls, mystical artifacts, and framed sketches of mythical creatures.

Despite the room's feminine touches, the supernatural elements dominate, creating an atmosphere of enchanting contradiction. On a small corner table beside the bed, a picture frame holds a snapshot of a happy teenage couple, their smiles a poignant reminder of normalcy amidst the arcane.

Risa listened intently, her brown eyes widening with each detail.

“Ryo-chan, this sounds like something out of a horror story,” she said, her voice tinged with both excitement and concern. “But if what you’re saying is true, we need to figure out what’s happening to you.”

Risa, a girl a year younger than him, is Ryoichiro's only female friend. She was his schoolmate and childhood friend, their bond deepening after she dated Ryoichiro's best friend, Masayoshi. Tragically, Masayoshi died in a car accident, and in the wake of his death, Ryoichiro took it upon himself to care for Risa. Their relationship remains platonic, but it teeters on the edge of something more intimate, marked by a close familiarity.

Risa is undeniably attractive, with almond-shaped eyes framed by thick, dark lashes and a warm, golden undertone to her skin. Her silky, dark hair falls naturally around her face, whether in soft waves or straight and sleek. She has high cheekbones and a slightly rounded face, giving her a delicate appearance. Her nose is subtly refined, and her lips are full and naturally rosy. Standing at around 5'5", Risa has a petite and well-proportioned figure. Her toned arms and legs reflect a healthy, active lifestyle, and her narrow shoulders complement her slender neck, giving her an elegant posture. Her slim waist accentuates her feminine silhouette, and she has subtle curves that add to her overall attractiveness. Her look exudes both intelligence and sophistication.

Over time, they discovered shared interests that drew them closer: a mutual delight in coffee, a preference for tranquility over wild parties, and a love for the arts. These commonalities have cemented their bond, with Ryoichiro secretly adoring her. Despite his feelings, he grapples with a sense of guilt at the thought of dating her, a lingering loyalty to his late friend Masayoshi. Their connection is deep, and though he cherishes their companionship, the complexity of their relationship remains a quiet tension in his heart.

They spent hours poring over books and scouring the Internet for any clues. It was Risa who stumbled upon an old, obscure text mentioning the concept of a “shinigami conduit” — a being who inadvertently directed death towards others. The text described how such a conduit could unwittingly transfer their impending death to another living being within their vicinity.

A “Shinigami Conduit” is a mythical concept rooted in the belief that certain individuals can inadvertently channel or direct death's influence to those around them. The term “shinigami” originates from Japanese folklore, where it refers to a death deity or spirit. A conduit, in this context, would be someone who, due to an unusual or cursed connection to the supernatural, has the power to inadvertently transfer the threat of death from themselves to others within their vicinity.

Mechanism of the Conduit:

“The conduit wields not the power with intent, but rather their mere presence, state of being, or actions unknown may unwittingly channel the grip of death upon others. The art of consciously guiding this force to a chosen end remains shrouded in obscurity, untold and unrecorded in the annals of time.”

“The proximity of the living to the conduit augments their peril from the shadow of death. Those who dwell near the conduit are fated to encounter a greater likelihood of calamity or mortal misfortune.”

“Vehement emotions — fear, guilt, or sorrow — serve to magnify the conduit’s dread influence, casting a more formidable shadow upon those in their sphere. Yet, through esoteric understanding and deliberate will, the hidden force may be subdued, its darkness quelled. The conduit’s inner tumult may become a beacon, drawing the spectral forces of demise toward those encircled by their presence.”

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“The conduit’s power is not without its ebbs and flows, with the tides of their mind and spirit. In moments of repose, it lies dormant; yet in times of tumult, it awakens with perilous vigor.”

“The conduit may be haunted by the or spectral visions entwined with the fates they unwittingly herald, weaving a burden of the psyche that deepens their inner affliction.”

Ryoichiro’s blood ran cold as he read the passage. It explained everything: the attacks, the unscathed survival, the deaths of those around him. As the chilling truth settled in, his emotions swirled between horror and a grim sense of relief. He wasn't losing his mind after all, but the reality of his situation was even more daunting than he had feared. This power was not merely a curse — it was a dark and terrible responsibility — he was a harbinger of death!

“I need to control this,” Ryoichiro said, his voice trembling but firm.” I need to find a way to stop hurting people.”

Risa’s walnut eyes met his with a resolute intensity. “We’ve made a breakthrough, Ryo-chan. This isn’t just about dealing with the consequences anymore. We can change the game.”

He looked at her, hope igniting within him. “You really think so? How?”

Risa took a deep breath, her voice steady and filled with newfound determination. “The old text mentioned that understanding and focus could mitigate the effects. If we can master this — if we can harness the power consciously — we might be able to direct it or even neutralize it.”

Ryoichiro’s heart raced as the possibility sank in. “You mean… we could actually control it?”

“Yes,” Risa affirmed, a spark of excitement in her eyes. As they discussed their next steps, Risa suggested, “We should start by consulting with a local occultist who might know more about these ancient rituals. If that doesn't yield results, we'll need to perform some preliminary tests to see if any of these practices show signs of controlling the conduit’s influence.”

Ryoichiro’s determination solidified into a fierce resolve. “Then let’s get to work. I don’t know what lies ahead, but I’m not facing it alone. I want to make this right — whatever it takes.”

Risa nodded, her expression a mix of seriousness and encouragement. “We’re in this together, Ryo-chan. We’ll find a way to turn this curse into something we can control and perhaps even use for good.”

Ryoichiro sat across from Risa, a troubled frown etched on his face. They had retreated to a quiet corner of an empty coffee shop in her building, the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the tension in the air. As Ryoichiro's gaze fell to the coffee cup, the weight of Masayoshi’s absence loomed over him, a constant shadow. He remembered their last conversation, Masayoshi’s cheerful promises to meet again, now haunting him as an unfulfilled promise. His guilt was a relentless companion, reminding him that he was living the life Masayoshi should have had. Risa, her gaze steady and calm, stirred her cup thoughtfully.

“Risa-chan,” Ryoichiro began, his voice betraying a mix of curiosity and admiration, “I’ve been meaning to ask you something. How do you stay so calm about all this? I know you’ve been into the occult, but I always thought those were just stories. I never imagined they could be real. How are you not freaking out?”

Risa looked up from her cup, her eyes reflecting a depth of resolve that seemed almost otherworldly. “It’s understandable that you’d feel that way,” she said softly. “Most people would be overwhelmed. But for me, the path to the occult was born from something very personal.”

Ryoichiro’s curiosity piqued. “Personal?”

Risa nodded slowly, her gaze distant as if revisiting a painful memory. “After Masayoshi’s death, I was desperate to find a way to undo what happened. I needed to believe that there was something beyond the ordinary that could offer answers or even a chance to reverse it. The occult, as strange as it may sound, was where I ended up. It gave me hope, even if it didn’t work out the way I wanted.”

Risa’s interest in the occult began during her teenage years, shortly after Masayoshi’s death. Struggling with grief and seeking answers, she stumbled upon an old bookshop where a kindly old owner introduced her to the world of mysticism. Her subsequent years were spent devouring every book on the subject she could find and even studying under a local occultist who became a mentor.

One night, while performing a ritual she had read about, Risa experienced an inexplicable event that convinced her of the occult’s reality. A shadowy figure appeared, offering cryptic guidance that she later interpreted as a sign that her path was true. This encounter reinforced her commitment to understanding and mastering the mystical forces she had only previously read about.

Ryoichiro’s eyes softened, a flicker of understanding dawning. “So you really believe that the occult isn’t just fables?”

“Yes,” Risa said, her voice steady and assured. “I believe there’s more to it than mere stories. Even though I haven’t achieved what I hoped for, the possibility that these mystic forces are real keeps me going. It’s about hope and faith, even when the evidence is scant. And what’s happening to you serves as proof in itself.”

Ryoichiro looked down, his admiration for Risa deepening with each word. “I never knew. Your strength and belief… it’s incredible. I don’t know how I’d manage without you here.”

Risa reached out from across the table and gently placed her hand on his shoulder, a gesture of reassurance that spoke volumes. “You’re not alone in this, Ryo-chan! We’ll face it together, whatever comes our way. It’s about finding strength in the unknown, yeah?”

A faint smile touched Ryoichiro’s lips, his feelings for her growing stronger with each passing moment. “I’m grateful to have you by my side. Even if I can’t fully grasp everything you believe in, I’m just glad you’re here.”

Risa’s smile widened, warm and comforting. “And I’m glad to be here with you. We’ll navigate this mystery together, step by step.”

As they continued their conversation, the connection between them deepened. Ryoichiro’s heart swelled with affection for Risa, though he kept his feelings carefully hidden. Her unwavering support and unique perspective made the daunting journey ahead seem a little less frightening, and he couldn’t help but appreciate her presence even more.

Ryoichiro and Risa delved deeper into how they would go about their undertaking, all the while, Ryoichiro’s sense of responsibility and guilt became both a burden and a source of strength. His determination to make things right fueled his efforts, but it also forced him to confront his past. By the end of their talk, he had not only sought to change his fate but had come to accept that moving forward meant finding a way to honor Masayoshi’s memory without being shackled by it.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Ryoichiro and Risa embarked on their journey, ready to confront the darkness and uncover the secrets that might save not just Ryoichiro, but countless others from the shadow of death.