RARARA! VOLUME 1 CHAPTER 1- MOON-INFORMAL INTRODUCTIONS

(This isn't another one of the numerous romantic stories that are out there in the world. That's not saying that there's no love or friendship in these stories. Any love demonstrated on these stories could range from obsessive, destructive, fake, or even useless though hardly ever normal. Because nothing is really normal when you think about it. My main focus is on my ocs. Not because they're mine but because I'd rather try to stay as authentic as possible to Narita's work and characters. Anywho, thank you for taking your time to read my first installment. It's a true honor and pleasure to know that you have taken your time for this.)

He had always wanted to be famous.

It was a simple dream, really.

Though he knew it was foolish to really pin his whole life to that dream, he did anyways. He somehow felt that he worked far harder than anyone else around him so he would make it to the top.

He was special.

This dream was shattered when he got his first rejection from an expensive acting school. Although he was a bit wounded, he figured that even top idols like Yuuhei must've been rejected once or twice before they got to be that big.

The problem was, he kept getting rejected.

Try as he might to clutch onto his one and only dream which had invaded his mind and left no space for any other, he felt the dream become damaged. Unfixable. He could not become an actor. No one wanted him as such. This new idea pushed his safe one to the side.

He wanted to become famous. He wanted people to notice him. He wanted to be remembered.

Fame. Fame. Fame. Fame.

If he couldn't obtain it by acting, he'd have to find an alternative. But what could possibly be as equally fame-recognized as an actor?

Fame. Fame. Fame. Fame.

He couldn't be an anchorman. He had tried that as well. He was a horrible cook and physically incapable to do any survival shows.

Fame. Fame. Fame. Fame.

It haunted his dreams at night. It whispered in his ear throughout the whole day.

Fame. Fame. Fame. Fame.

One day, he found it. It was posted on the Dollars bulletin. A forum that members were discussing. That serial killer named Hollywood.

It was famous... Right?

His eyes scanned around the cramped room, the only source of light was the dimly lit screen of his computer. His eyes fell on a neglected rusty kitchen knife that hadn't been washed in who knows how long?

Fame. Fame. Fame. Fame.

He spent his whole life attempting to be an actor.

Fame. Fame. Fame. Fame.

That's all he wanted. To be famous.

Fame. Fame. Fame.

How hard was it, really, to kill a person...?

Fame. Fame.

Or two, or four? Perhaps a few...?

Planning? Did he need to plan? Do serial killers usually plan these kind of things?

He may have to. He couldn't act on pure emotions as he heard some of them did. He could pretend to act on pure emotion.

But it called him. Such an irresistible urge. Not to kill, but to see his accomplishments on the screen as soon as possible. To have people talk about his work. About him. He wanted to enjoy it. To relish the moment.

Really, what would a few human lives gone mean?

Afterwards, he'd turn himself in. After a few hundred perhaps. The notorious infamous killer turns himself in to the cops!

He'll go down as a legend.

Yes, there was his plan. Now to act on it.

It was only then that he realized his body has already started walking the streets, that he was wearing a hoodie that did well to cover his face, that his body acted on the delicious anticipation and need for the one thing it had worked so tirelessly for.

Fame.

CHATROOM

Kuma-san has joined the chat.

Kuma

Oh how nice this is. Thank you for letting me be a part of your group!

Kuma

I heard you are all in Ikebukuro.

Kuma

That's wonderful! I have returned myself! I'm so excited! I hope I can meet all of you without knowing it!

Kuma

I've been gone for so long...

Kuma

Oh I suppose no one is here.

Kuma

Thank you so very much for the honor~!

Kuma

I can hardly wait~! I'm tingling over in joy!

Kuma

Thank you thank you thank you.

Kuma

I hope you all are infinitely happy~

Kuma-san has left the chat.

No one is in the chatroom right now.

No one is in the chatroom right now.

.

.

.

.

North East Ikebukuro. July 29

"Have you seen the news yesterday? A couple got killed! At Nara Ikebukuro Park!"

"Uwah~! How unreal!"

"Ugh, and I was supposed to walk around with my boyfriend tonight. No way in hell am I doing that now..."

"Why do you always talk about creepy things? I'm going to be mad at you!"

"Sorry! Sorry! It just reminded me of those Slasher attacks. How creepy!"

"Uwah! There you go again! I'm mad at you now!"

"No, wait; come on now Amaya-chan! I'm sorry! Don't be mad at me!"

A teenage student ran ahead of her angry friend and tried to get her to stop walking, emphasizing on apologies every five seconds while doing so.

It was a relatively normal sight among the crowded street. They minded their own business, in their own little high school world of gossip and boys and homework. The group of girls shuffled to the side though, to get out of everyone's way. Because everybody had somewhere to go. Object irrelevant to others, it was all important to the beholder at hand. And a bunch of teenage school girls should not get in the way of daily life, even if it was just for a moment, just because they didn't have any true responsibilities of an adult yet.

This held true for a majority of people.

Yet the group's words did not go unnoticed for one person. This man didn't bother slowing down as the girls moved to the side since he knew their conversation would shift to idol and more materialistic matters. Yet he had stored the information of a potential murderer out in the streets of Ikebukuro. It wasn't fear that made him observe the conversation, it was curiosity. The man, rather short at 156cm, was towered over a giant of a man at 187cm, following meekly behind.

The taller man looked extremely childish. His staggering height would normally be intimidating, but his open face, soft blue eyes, and the fact he was wearing bear-eared headphones, eliminated any feel of intimidation. The shorter man had more of a defensive look. He looked older and more intolerant of strangers. His sleek black boots made sharp tap tap tap noises as he practically marched forward. Needless to say, this duo appeared to be an unusual one.

"It feels a bit different... Wouldn't you say, Akihiko-kun?"

The shorter but older looking man observed quietly. He turned to glance at his companion briefly. The tall man with the bear headphones perked his head up as if waking from a dream. His blue clouded eyes slowly cleared up as he started tuning in to what his friend had said.

"Hmmm? I suppose so. The scenario is a bit different since we were last here."

He smiled. He had been smiling the whole time but his smile grew bigger with these words. The shorter man raised a brow towards his companion, obviously accustomed to his expressions and gave a curt nod.

"It's the same... But different..."

The one deemed Akihiko laughed softly at the contradiction the shorter man made.

"What do you mean, Hitoshi-san?"

"I mean..."

The shorter man named Hitoshi's bright green eyes shone intelligently as he observed every sign of life before him moving, the people talking to each other, on a cell phone, or simply in a hurry unaware of his eyes on each and every one of them. A nostalgic smile crept upon his lips.

"My Ikebukuro never gets tired of the same game. It starts it over once the game ends. But... It chose new players. Can you feel it? In the air! In the lights! Under the dim stars outshone by streetlights! Ikebukuro is more alive than ever! Akihiko-kun! We've reached it at its prime!"

Although his excitement coursed through his body, his tone remained quiet, quivering in impatience. Akihiko couldn't help but laugh at his wound up friend.

"A game? Oh~ I love games! Can we join, Hitoshi-san?"

Hitoshi grabbed at Akihiko's tie and yanked as if holding him back, a patient look that a parent would give a child on his face.

"Not just yet Akihiko-kun. Wouldn't you like to observe the players before playing the game?"

"You mean we're not going to do anything?"

"Not for the moment, no."

"Can you really handle that, Hitoshi-san? I know you can't live without your stories~"

Hitoshi released his grip on Akihiko's tie and pouted up at him, his sleek black boot tapped angrily against the pavement.

"I can handle a few days... For the sake of Ikebukuro!"

"And after we meet all the players...?"

"Then, we intervene of course! Huuhuuhuu~"

"How exciting, Hitoshi-san~! I can't wait to play!"

Akihiko giggled in pure anticipation. Hitoshi stopped and paused a moment, staring up at the sky.

"Yes... Well, unlike the players we already know of, who play out in the open with rash actions, there are some of us who prefer to play in the shadows."

Both young men shared a look before going back into silence; their steps were slow and patient. Akihiko's eyes began to cloud over once again as he dived back into his own thoughts, humming a tuneless tune. Hitoshi seemed detached from his younger companion though standing right next to him, for he had turned deadly quiet as he observed the conversations around him.

Their steps may have seemed aimless, they themselves may have seemed to be foreigners, but they knew the streets of Ikebukuro more than anyone surrounding them.

Their past, unknown. Their future, unclear. With each step they took, their present was unfolding in front of them. Their arrival was not only going to affect their own lives, but others, many others as well.

Ikebukuro had called them back. And they eagerly answered.

For, you see, not one soul can escape the beautiful untamable Ikebukuro. Once a person enters it, there's no true way it leaves them. It's like an old lover calling back. A soul mate, more likely, that you keep returning to. Not one soul escapes. But when you stop and think about it, no one really wants to escape.