It had been a while since the train had re-entered the city. No longer did the picturesque landscape accompany the train ride; it was now replaced by a sprawling tapestry of tiny houses and towering high-rises.

"Next stop, Tokyo Station. Please make sure you have all your belongings. Next stop, Tokyo Station," a blaring robotic voice announced, signaling the train's approach to its destination. The announcement prompted a shift among the passengers, with some adjusting in their seats while others made their way towards the doors.

Leo, positioned near the exit, was among those ready to disembark. Carrying his bike, he patiently waited behind the glass door as the train gradually slowed down.

As the doors slid open, Leo stepped out onto the platform, only to be faced with a new predicament—he had no idea where to go.

Once he had deposited his ticket and passed through the gates, he found himself without any guidance or directions. Looking back, he noticed that everyone had scattered in different directions, leaving him feeling lost and disoriented. Letting out a panicked breath, Leo randomly picked a couple and decided to follow them, hoping for the best.

As is tradition, things didn't go Leo's way. The couple he had chosen began an extensive window-shopping expedition. For the next thirty minutes, they leisurely moved from store to store, engaged in light browsing. Leo contemplated following someone else, but he decided to stick with his choice.

Almost an hour had passed when Leo finally decided to cut his losses. The couple, engrossed in their shopping, seemed oblivious to his presence. His feet were starting to swell, and he realized it was time to find an information booth or at least a map.

Another hour went by as Leo searched, eventually finding a map, but his disoriented mind struggled to make sense of his location. He was nearing his breaking point.

With a heavy heart, Leo finally sat down and weighed his options. He was lost, but at least he wasn't aimlessly walking in circles, evidenced by the unfamiliar shops he encountered. Despite not making much progress, he took solace in having ridden an escalator—an insignificant victory.

Summoning determination, Leo surveyed his surroundings. He found himself in a spacious hallway, bustling with people carrying suitcases, suggesting proximity to either a train or a station. At this point, any of those options would be a win for him.

Deciding to alleviate the strain on his ankles, Leo mounted his bike and rode down the hallway, swerving from side to side with youthful recklessness. Startling some passersby, he paid them no mind, focused solely on his troubled journey.

And then, it happened.

SLIP.

Leo's tires lost traction on the polished floor, and he fell gracefully onto his side. His fall, though not too fast, ended with a perfect landing. Despite the occasional side-eye and snort from those he had passed, Leo remained motionless on the floor.

It was in this moment of defeat that a peculiar thought entered Leo's mind—a thought of setting a crowd of people on fire as a desperate measure. He reasoned that the ensuing chaos would lead to an emergency response, causing a direct path toward the nearest exit. Lost in his despair, Leo entertained these extreme ideas, while no one bothered to check on him, too preoccupied with their own agendas.

With his head still resting on the polished floor, Leo contemplated retracing his steps back to the bustling shopping area. For the first time since his arrival in this world, he felt truly defeated, and the simplicity of being defeated by a train station layout only added salt to his fresh wound.

Unbeknownst to Leo, the ⬜⬜⬜ Devil residing within him found amusement

in his despondency. Since their initial contract, the Devil had detected no response from Leo, as if it had made a pact with a lifeless being. Moving into Leo's head, it had been unable to perceive any thoughts, merely gauging his emotional state through the brain's reactions to external stimuli. Seeing Leo grovel in defeat brought the Devil a sense of satisfaction.

Yet, as Leo lay there, contemplating his next move—whether to seek help or unleash chaos—an unexpected sound reached his ears.

He perked up, lifting himself off the floor and propping himself up on one elbow, straining to listen.

And there it was again.

BEEP.

A car horn.

"Holy shit!" Leo exclaimed, his excitement reaching its peak. A car horn meant he was close to the outside world.

"Language," a passerby commented.

Ignoring the remark, Leo grabbed his bike and scanned the surroundings. He spotted an escalator leading down and a nearby hallway where the sounds of the outside world grew louder. With renewed vigor, he was about to make his way toward the hallway when the black-haired girl who had scolded him earlier grabbed his wrist.

"You shouldn't say things like that in front of little kids. You should know better," she scolded.

Leo glanced at her briefly, then raised his arm, subtly adjusting its position to flip her off before shaking himself free and walking away, leaving her and her family in disbelief.

Now liberated from her righteous clutches, Leo swiftly hopped on his bike and raced down the hallway, almost losing control on a sharp turn. As he reached the end of the hallway, he quickly dismounted and spotted a staircase that would finally lead him outside, away from the girl's line of sight.

Just as the black-haired girl was about to pursue him and deliver justice, her father called out to her, halting her in her tracks.

"That's enough, Himeno," he firmly commanded.

"But Dad!" Himeno protested.

"No buts, come along. We're going to be late," her father insisted, leaving no room for argument. Reluctantly, Himeno cursed the black-haired boy before rejoining her family.

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