How did I end up in a situation as bizarre as this? I'm a prosecutor based in Shibuya, Tokyo. My life has been hard but I have endured. I have worked myself to the bone for the position I stand at now... But first came the wave of mental shut downs, and then the craze of the Phantom Thieves, you think after years of cases and a phenomenon like this you've seen everything.

I wish I could still believe that.

However this afternoon brought an unlikely person to my life. With him, a world I could only think of that would be real in fiction novels, yet this one just happens to be out of the pages and right in front of me.

I suppose I should start from the beginning though. For context.

At first I was headed home early, I could study the most recent case connecting the Phantom Thieves and the mental shut downs best at home, their last victim being Okumura Kinizaku. I was so close. I could tell. Any day I would find and bring them all to justice, even through unsavory means.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't make it home until late that night, as I soon found myself being followed by someone. I do have a reputation that precedes me so perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised. I walked around and even attempted to lose them in the crowd. They pursued and even grew closer. I could faintly see them from the corner of my eye.

I would have to teach this stalker a lesson. When we approached Central Street, I waited for the perfect moment to seize them, slowing my walk down until I felt a tug on my sleeve.

"Stop right there!"

I snatched a small wrist and looked dead ahead at the empty air. Of course, I looked down then, just as surprised as the culprit. A small boy with a large bag over his shoulder and wide eyes stared at me.

He struggled some as I noticed something in his hand.

"Y-You dropped this! I just wanted to give it back!"

I released him and nearly gasped at my USB device in his gloved grasp. All of my data, my evidence, my plans would have been lost all because of a small error.

The boy panted and held it up to me with this nervous expression.

"I didn't want to shout over everyone when you dropped it and you kept walking so fast, I thought I'd never get to you..."

The more I looked at him the more he stood out. He was just another kid by the looks, but his clothes were strange, baggy pants with a belt almost as big as his stomach and red bandanna tied around his neck just above his shirt.

"Are you... A cosplayer? You seem really young to be into such things."

"I'm Not!"

He shouted abruptly. He must have been asked that often as he mumbled under his breath. I took my USB device back and gave him a smile in return.

"Thank you for this. You don't know how much I needed this. Where are your parents? Legal guardians?"

He began to shrink back, forcing a smile on, he shook his head a few times.

"I... I'm lost! I don't know my way around town and can't find them. I was hoping someone could help me but... I stopped asking around after an hour and just started wandering around. The police were just no help!"

The kid kicked a can off the street with his fake smile turning to an annoyed frown. I didn't have time for this... But at the time I must have been a good mood.

"Do you have a cell phone to call anyone with?"

"Uh... A what?"

Full of surprises, with this one being just one of many, as well as a sign of what was in store. Maybe I should have left him behind right then and there... I didn't of course. Instead, I pulled my phone out to show to him.

"This device. Don't you have anything like it?"

"Oh! The hyper slab! Uh-Yeah actually, it's right here, though it's weird how so many people have their own."

I raised a brow at him then. He was too busy digging around in his bag to notice my staring before pulling out something else entirely. It looked like a smart phone, but it looked ornate, sharp edges at the corners that curved. It was too thick to be any brand I could recognize.

"That's... Not a cell phone. You've never seen or even heard of one before? What does that thing even do?"

He proudly held it out and tapped the screen with a finger. It came to life with a detailed map of the surrounding area. It was quite impressive and scary how meticulous some details were.

"This! Allows me to track down any and all monsters that are trying to get into this world! I'm a monster hunter after all!"

I would learn later that asking him anything about himself would become a double edged sword. Learning one thing for the price of doubling the questions I already had would be a constant.

In this instance though I could only stare him down. How could anyone take such a statement seriously?

"That's an impressive navigation app but I'm not one for games or jokes. Sorry."

The boy looked offended for a moment. It must have hit him soon how foolish he sounded as his face grew red in an instant.

"R-Right... Uh, an app, whatever that is. I-I thought it was a good joke is all..."

"You never really answered my first question either. Where are your care takers? Even if you're lost, you should know where they are, would be."

"..."

His silence was quite irksome. I did owe it to him to at least tolerate his goofy behavior, being a child is such a privilege, but he could at least not waste my time. He finally told the truth. Well, half of it.

"I... Don't have anyone here. I ended up here by accident and no way back home. No money for traveling or place to stay."

"What...?! How long have you been here?"

"Three days? Maybe four."

"Where have you slept? On the street!?"

He nodded. What truly bothered me was how complacent he was with his situation. I was awaiting some sob story or a sign of self-pity... But he seemed like he almost enjoyed this.

"It hasn't been all bad! Seeing new things and learning about a whole new wor-er, city, has been pretty cool! Plus, last night, I got lucky and found a bar to sleep in until morning!"

"A bar-?! What!?"

"I think it was at a place called... Crossroads? Lots of red lights in the streets, it was shady, but I managed."

I had heard enough. No child needed to spend a night in a red light district. No way would he be with me and Makoto, there simply wasn't enough room, and Akechi wouldn't want anything to do with this. Nor did he need to.

Just as I was about to respond, his device vibrated with an odd sound, which grabbed his attention immediately.

"Ah! A new one's already come up! It's so close too! Thanks, miss, but I've gotta go!"

"No you don't, wait just a-"

I grabbed him by his bandanna. Being taller and older, I assumed I could easily overpower him, so imagine my shock when I nearly had fallen on my face. I even found footing after the initial stumble to stand my ground firmly. He only dragged me along by my heels. It was positively embarrassing... He ran quickly into an alley where a model gun store had laid, and just above weaving a giant web with an audible hiss in our direction, a giant ferocious spider.

Oh but this isn't where things changed. Don't get me wrong, a large human sized spider in town would be enough for front page news, perhaps a jump in the animal kingdom and other sciences. It lunged at us bearing salivating mandibles that had to be the size of my own head. I hate to admit it but I froze. Just a moment sooner and I could have done something... Anything.

Let's be honest though. I would have died were it not for the boy.

He was so focused, even though it was clear he was as frightened as myself, pale skin and sweating madly. Even so, he still acted first, and saved our lives. With one full motion, he pulled out a comically large wooden mallet, and swung right for the spider. It smashed it's own head into the swing, with himself finishing it off by going through with the motion, and slamming the mallet into the body.

Giant arachnids and insects much have a different anatomy to make up for their size seeing as it died rather instantly... The legs twitched a little and some viscera splattered onto us.

He put the mallet away and looked at me with false bravado. Shaking as he thumbed to himself proudly.

"N-Now you've seen it for yourself...! Monsters ARE real and I'm a real monster hunter!"

"I... I don't believe it! Is this a joke? If so I'm not laughing! The camera better come out here this instant!"

I was infuriated. Perhaps because my world view had already been challenged by the Phantom Thieves and my peers. Maybe it was all simply too silly or fantastical to believe? Whatever the reason, it had brought the boy to step away from me, and I from him.

"I'm serious, kid! What IS this!? Monsters aren't real!"

"H-Hey...! Hey! It would take forever to explain it, okay?! I just-Look!"

He spoke in a curt tone and gestured to the mutilated corpse. It began to shrivel and evaporate with no signs of decay. Even the webbing and small bits of it on us vanished. It left behind an eye, a bundle of silky material in a ball, and a pile of yen. Coins and bills.

He bagged everything, taking a moment to inspect the money.

"Huh... It's still not gald? What is this?"

"That's yen. It's the currency here... Wh-Where did you say you were from?"

His eyes brightened upon the revelation and pocketed it all. It must have been around ten thousand at least. I probably should have stopped him, but I was still in my shocked state of seeing a living nightmare, as well as seeing someone so small dispatch it so quickly.

"Finally...! I can eat all that delicious food I see everywhere! Yes!~"

"Answer my question!"

I spoke sternly. It seemed to work well enough as he almost snapped at attention after that. There was a glimmer of hope after all even as he spoke with a stammer.

"S-Sorry...! I come from Terca Lumireis. It's... A country! Far from here. Like, way overseas, really small too."

I have been a prosecutor for a good few years now. I've gained an affinity for seeing tells for lies, hearing them in one's voice as well, so it came to no surprise to me when I saw how poorly he hid his fibbing.

"... Please don't lie to me. You're not in trouble, but that was, surprising."

"I'm not lying! I just... Can't tell the whole truth without being laughed at or cast aside. I mean c'mon!"

He gestured towards me with an accusing tone.

"You didn't even believe me when I told you, you still don't, even after what we just saw and what I did!"

Rarely had I ever been silenced by anyone. Especially in what can be boiled down to an argument. The court of law and my profession has aided in my argumentative ability...

"I...! Well...!"

So of course, when just meeting this strange new figure in my life, I am dumbfounded and speechless. Caught breathless for a moment before the owner of the model gun store came outside with a scowl.

"Could you two beat it? Your argument can be heard half way across town, can't you scold your damn brat somewhere else!?"

I glared back a moment before I caught myself. Today was not a good day so far.

"I'm sorry. Come along now."

I grabbed the boy's hand and lead him out of the alley. Whatever strength or power he had before was gone. Maybe he was just grateful to have someone with him now... He didn't say much as we walked to Station Square. However, as we neared the subway, it occurred to me then.

"How did you take the train from Shinjuku to here...? You couldn't have walked all around town, right?"

"I just snuck in whenever a huge crowd was around. It gets really cramped though."

You could not imagine how relieved I was to hear such a normal answer after our argument.

"Ah... Good. Wait! No, don't do that! I'll pay for us both this time."

"Okay, where are we going?"

That was a good question I hadn't even asked myself yet. We took the escalators to the Underground Walkway before I answered him.

"You haven't eaten yet, right? Why don't I take you somewhere and we'll discuss this there."

This was such a waste of time... I had a case to solve, other cases to investigate, people and time to manage. Yet here I was about to spend dinner money on a random boy who crushed a monstrous creature before my eyes. There was just too much mystery around him to ignore...

He certainly didn't mind the invitation.

"Hell yeah! I could use something to eat! It's been way too long."

"Watch your language."

"!? Y-Yes ma'am."

"I do happen to know of a sushi shop on the way home... We'll discuss your situation there and see what we can come up with."

"Gotcha! If anymore monsters come up though, I'll have to track it, just so you know."

Groaning, I rolled my eyes at him. Surely he knew how ridiculous he sounded, right?

"Please refrain from saying or doing anything unnecessary. I do have an image to maintain."

He only nodded as we boarded the train. As we entered with the crowd, he clung to me tightly, and I had nearly forgotten that he was a lost child. I pushed away at him regardless.

"Don't hold onto me like that. It's uncomfortable."

"S-Sorry...! I just, really hate tight spaces, I feel like I'm gonna get crushed...!"

"Just endure it for now."

This wasn't my child to keep, I already had one little sister, this boy would just be another leech on my life. I could hold his hand to keep him from being swept away in the crowds but that would be it. I've my own goals to look forward to. I decided then. If I wasn't satisfied with whatever we spoke about, I would leave him behind, and focus on my task.

We were one of the first few stops. He quit shaking as we arrived to the restaurant and entered. At first, I had already known how expensive the food would be, but I could never had planned for him to be a human garbage disposal. Dish after dish, plate after plate, I could feel the weight of the bill as he kept going... He must have noticed my growing disdain as he swallowed his last meal and began to dig into his bag.

"U-Uh... I can pay for us instead! Is it expensive? I'll pay what I can since you didn't eat much."

Thank God this kid had a conscious after all.

"... Yes. It would be nice actually. You should have enough. Are you full yet?"

"Yeah!"

"Then I'll call for the bill... So, it just occurred to me, I don't even know your name. I'm Sae, Sae Niijima."

The boy used a napkin to wipe his mouth before smiling at he me with a genuine beaming face.

"Karol Capel!~ Thanks a lot, Sae. Is there anything you wanted to talk about specifically?"

As I waved for the bill I had some time to think. Was there anything specific? Oh you bet. I had so many questions regarding Karol himself, his bag, his device... Of course one thing stuck out to me the most.

"Your bag... How did it conceal such a large object like your... Weapon, from before?"

"Oh! You're probably expecting a dumb answer like, 'don't worry about it!', or 'magic'! right? Well-."

Karol lifted the bag to his lap and pointed to a gem embedded into the front.

"I have an explanation! This is a blastia, and where I'm from these things are the source of power and energy for everything as they're applied to a multitude of objects, ranging from small things like my bag to generating power for an entire city. They even allow me to hunt monsters like the one from earlier."

"Okay... But how does the energy it generates allows you place objects so big to be held inside? Isn't it heavy or does the bag itself grow bigger?"

"Hah! Well it... Uh... Erm..."

He scratched his head before shrugging at me.

"Magic?"

I should have known... I rubbed my temples trying not to lose patience with this brat. He must have taken notice as he grew quiet from there.

"You said you wouldn't say that... Oh. Whatever. The bill is here."

As it was placed before us, I could see him struggle with reading it, which was incredibly queer.

"Can't you tell? It's eight thousand yen."

"I-I... Can't read your language! I know, know, but I can speak just fine and all. It's... Embarrassing."

"Ugh, such a pain... Okay, just hand out all the yen you have, and I'll help calculate the cost."

As I showed and translated for him I learned my assumption was right. It was an expensive dinner seeing at it came up to eight thousand, but he had money to spare, and if he were to survive here he'd have to do it himself. We left the restaurant and admittedly, it felt nice to not have to pay for dinner, but good times can last only for so long. Sure enough his device began to vibrate and sound. Karol snatched it out from his bag and began to run away.

"A-Another monster! Thanks for everything, Sae, but I've got to deal with this fast!"

"Wh-? Wait! The police should handle something like this! Get back-!"

I started to run after him but stopped shortly. What do I care happens to him? I only need to focus on Makoto and myself. I can't be distracted by anything or anyone. That includes this strange brat. However, as I thought back to the spider earlier, I couldn't stomach the thought of leaving him to reckless fight something like that. I followed him while thinking this as I pulled out my phone, readying myself in case this didn't go as easy as last time, I wanted to kick myself for wasting this time on one boy instead of the Phantom Thieves. I hadn't realized it had gotten so late as the road became dark. People were leaving for home, Karol could only be seen under what few street lights were around, and as petty as it sounds my feet were becoming sore. Eventually I found him at a local cemetery just under a tree.

I marched my way past the graves having had my last nerve be at it's end, enough was enough, and I would really let this boy have a piece of my mind.

"Karol!"

"Aah! Sae? I thought you would have-! Hey get back! This monster is a strong one!"

"Enough games, boy! This is just inane, if these creatures are so dangerous, then get the police to take care of them!"

"B-But...!"

"No buts! You're wasting your time and mine! Throwing your life away for a thankless job that could get you hurt is nothing short of foolhardy! I mean, you took care of that thing from the alley in an instant, I doubt we need your expertise!"

"S-Sae if you just-"

"When we get out of here I'll do what I have I should have done when we first met and dump you off the first police station I find! I can't believe you wasted an entire day of my life on nothing but...! Bullshit!"

... I realize now as I think back on it, that was needlessly cruel, even if I was thinking it to be true. He couldn't have known about my life or this town. He didn't even know what a cell phone was. Lately this past year I've noticed just how forceful I've become, how distant to my peers and own family I've been, but it was all for the sake of making it to a proper position. I had to look out for me and me alone.

Karol was speechless and dare I say, hurt. We didn't even know each other but he must have thought of me as someone to rely on. The ground began to shake but I was far too angered to notice or care as I reached for him.

"Now get over here! We're leaving!"

He stumbled back before the tree ripped away our attention. A guttural roar sounded behind it before massive claws stabbed right through the trunk. A bipedal monster ripped it right out the ground, roots and all, and glared death at us both. Karol and I stared stupefied at the towering beast before he shouted.

"A-An eggbear...?! Here!?"

"A what?!"

I could see the bear part quite easily with the head being just that. I'll never understand the egg part though... It snarled and raised the tree overhead with a stomp forward. I stumbled and fell back from the quaking ground beneath me. I tried to look for a weapon, a means of escape, anything to survive this supernatural ordeal. I... I couldn't find anything. I just could not believe my misfortune as it brought the tree down on me.

It stopped shortly above my body with leaves brushing against me. Karol had stopped the tree with a broken sword he pulled out. From the size and diameter of the tree it had to be around two thousand pounds, as well as noting the eggbear that brought it down at such a high velocity, you could only begin to think what was going on in my head when this small boy stopped by himself. Then he pushed it back with a savage roar himself, throwing the tree back and forcing the monster a step back as well, it was here that I understood that my life just got a whole lot stranger...

That's where we are now. I watch in horror as Karol charges the beast with his broken weapon. Meeting it as it swings the tree from the side, and while he blocks the attack, it still brings him up off the ground. It looked painful as he hung onto the tree while the monster wildly thrashed it around.

He took a risky maneuver and let go once it swung skyward. Flying high in the air, he fell straight down with his weapon out, and strikes it on the shoulder with an audible snap.

I feared that Karol had broken something, but the eggbear's arm fell limp with the tree sliding off of the claws, it even moans in pain with a stumble back. Karol looked winded but victorious. However, it had two arms, and the functioning one nearly blurs in my eyes as it swipes away at him. He barely brings his weapon up in time but manages a parry. It isn't enough as the attack knocks the weapon from his hands and right by my side. As well as himself towards me. He lands with a tumble by my feet as I stood to run away.

I was certain he could handle it, but he's just a kid still, and I the adult. As he struggles to push himself up, something shakes in me, and I move without thinking.

I pull him up to his feet, but he sways side to side in a daze, which is a less than ideal state to be in when a muscle bound nightmare is advancing on you at alarming speeds. I slap him hard as I can and shout.

"Get up! You're not done yet! Watch out!"

I took hold of him in my arms and dive out of the way best I can as the monster came down upon us. It swung it's claws and tears open my back. I couldn't hold the shriek as we skid across the grass. Karol woke up then and rips himself from my grasp to face the monster. I could barely move as the pain in back grew numb and I began to fall faint from blood loss.

"Karol... R-Run...! You can't beat this thing..."

"... I-I... I've used to run away all my life... I couldn't even kill the first eggbear I faced... But I'm done running away!"

His face flushes red as tears streak down his cheek with a hand in his bag.

"I can't keep living like a coward... I can't keep getting lucky with the small monsters...! A real monster hunter fights against the odds, no matter what, and that's what I'll do!"

He stands his ground as the eggbear runs for us again. Karol pulled out another hammer, a strange red one that resembled a bulls horn, and swings it down for the foot of the eggbear. Dodging the malicious swipe for his head and smashing it's foot in.

A plume of fire erupts from under the hammer and at the foot, this miniature explosion causes it to lean back on one foot, which Karol takes advantage of by swinging at the standing knee.

It breaks and bends awkwardly with the same explosion doing further damage. The giant falls on it's side, yet Karol was far from done, he left no room for it to recover as he swings down on the elbow of the monster and completely immobilizes it.

He kicks it as the eggbear attempts to sit up, jumps onto it's chest, and brings the hammer down it's head with a finishing blow. The head caved in with a crunch and is blown away with a stronger explosion than the ones before. Karol nearly falls over himself because of it, but manages to maintain his footing, making his way over to me with hammer raised.

"K-Karol...?!"

I look at him terrified. How could I not be? He alone just killed something out of a fairytale or legend with almost as much ferocity. Even his eyes had a new look to them. He brought the hammer down just next to me as a glowing circle forms around us. I feel rejuvenating energy and new vigor wash over my body. I stand to my feet with my hands on my back. I had been healed faster than any known medicine could provide. Karol put his weapon away and looks up at me. In that moment, his childish and goofy smile returns, beaming brightly as he salutes me.

"Monster vanquished! How did I do, huh? I looked super cool right?"

"You looked..."

I glance between him and the eggbear in utter disbelief of either being. One shouldn't exist and the other should never have been able to do what he did. Nevertheless I answer rubbing my temple with a smile.

"You looked very cool, yes."

"Yeaha!~ I knew it! I won't let anyone down anymore! I... Do I... Are you gonna leave me behind still?"

"What? Oh..."

Even with what transpired, the truth did not change, if I took him home how would it look? Rumors would be inevitable, we would have to renovate our apartment or even move...

"Sae...?"

Maybe he could sleep on the couch. What if he gets sick or a monster appears near our home? What would Makoto even think of all this...

"Sae?"

Not to mention what this now means for the rest of Shibuya. I would have to keep this a secret from everyone that I could, even Akechi, and that would be the most difficult...

"Sae!"

"What?!"

I snap at Karol as he pulls me from my thoughts. He points to where the body of the eggbear had been, though in it's place was the same as the spider, a few materials such as claws, fangs, and even a bottle... But none of that mattered compared to the large pile of money that made up the upper half of the body.

"How much is that worth?"

"Th-...! Tha-...! Th-T-That's easily over a million yen! Maybe ten...!"

"Ooh! So it's a lot, right? That makes sense! An eggbear is worth a fortune! Hehe!~"

Karol began to collect his money as I stand here in sheer silence. Perhaps... Karol had a point. So long as monsters appeared, he could live off of his hunts, maybe even support me and Makoto. As I thought this I sigh slowly before taking his hand once he finished collecting his reward.

"Come on... Let's go home."

"Huh? Y-You're not dropping me off somewhere?"

"I couldn't after all that's happened today. Just do me a favor and do your best to keep all of this a secret. There are several people in this town that would use and abuse you."

He looked at me with this skeptical gaze and speaks in an accusatory tone... However it was too ridiculous to take serious. Perhaps that's just what he was.

"Huh... Then, what about you? Are you gonna try anything with me?"

I roll my eyes with a slight shiver. The cold wind of the evening had become chilling suddenly.

"If I wanted to do anything like the such you would already know. It's so cold out tonight so let's-"

"Wait! The back of your shirt is still torn!"

"Oh... Right. I should get it sewn if the damage isn't too bad."

"I can do it right here! I've got the means and the skill! I am a star hunter after all!"

"... What's the worse that could happen?"

As we sat there in the cemetery, I couldn't help but find the irony in today's events, this afternoon I was taking care of this reckless child who was absolutely hopeless without anyone to guide him. Now, here we are, the roles almost reverse as he saved my life and even fixes my shirt with the silk from the spider. He seemingly has everything at the ready and yet no plan beyond whatever lies in front of him... I found myself, envying that for a moment, to be lost yet so sure of anything.

When we came to the subway again, he took hold of me as a smaller crowd came in, though he let go rather quickly.

"S-Sorry... I'm still-"

"You can stay close to me. Here."

I brought a hand to his back and brought him close as we ride the train back. He was rather warm then as he hugs me. I found myself conflicted... But hugged back. Perhaps things could be getting better from here on.