I get up out of bed and take a look at my phone. I'm up on time again, second day in a row and on a Saturday too, just one more day before the weekend. The one day that's mine to do with what I want. It's the one day that I can get up from bed without wanting to sleep in, or I could sleep in if I wanted, to ignore school and everything outside.

But I have to go to school. Well, for me it's the closest thing to hell. That's dramatic, but I'm also pretty sure anyone in my shoes in the world would understand.

As I get downstairs the only reason for me still attending hugs me tight. Mom shows me to the table where breakfast is. Waking up on time means I get to enjoy it this time too. We watch the news on the television but it's the same shit as always. Something about a new Prime Minister, the rise in crime and political corruption, but it's always on about the mental shutdowns.

Today though they talked about some anniversary or whatever. An international holiday, I guess, to celebrate the defeat of the Bio-Terrorist's plague or whatever. Japan's only had like, what twelve or something? It's got nothing to do with me.

But the people abused by those guys with powers certainly have it worse. Seeing and hearing suffering around the world reminds me just how good I actually got it. It doesn't make me feel any better though.

I get my uniform on and school bag before leaving for school. A pretty rainy day, lots of thunder too, but all in all rather normal for Shibuya. There's some shouting then in an alley I enter. I use it as a shortcut to school.

The news wasn't kidding about the crime thing though. One of my classmates, Ichiro I think, pretty forgettable guy but harmless. He's getting his teeth fed to him by some bruiser. They're in my way so I can take the long way around to get to class on time.

Whatever he did to piss this guy off he probably had it coming to him.

It has nothing to do with me whatsoever. I already have enough on my own plate as it is.

"Ow! Who the fuck?!"

The thug stumbles the side as I socked him in the jaw. I get down and pull Ichiro up to his feet before pushing him to the other end of the alley.

"Go, man! Get out of here!"

He only nods before I see a flash of white with a mean headache. The guy's beating down on me and I try to fight back. I'm not too good at it. Marital arts, self-defense, never had the money to pay for lessons but didn't end up in too many fights to learn on my own.

So yeah. I got my ass kicked in an alley by some guy twice my size. I drag myself to school soaked in trash and leftover food from the alley mixed in with rainwater. Suffice to say I was the talk of the halls. It's the usual spiel now added with rumors spread by none other than Ichiro.

According to him, and the talk going on as I walk to class, he found me buying drugs and having no money to pay for them. This is exactly what I get for trying to help. I get to my class and tune everyone around me out best I can. I can already tell the teacher's using me as an example again as to what not to be and all.

That's the teacher's eight day in a row he's done this. It would be tiresome if it weren't stacked with all the other crap. I don't pay attention in class, mostly because no one's going to care if I do or don't, so why try hard if all I get is nothing but shit in return?

School comes and goes. Finally over with the ringing of the final bell. If I had a reason to stay before, and I used to, I certainly would've been around to help with clean up. I did leave a bit of a trail behind. I'm all out of good will after this morning though.

I don't take the same way home. Don't want to run into that kind of situation again. Only highlight of my day is seeing a text from my mom. She got a bonus today so we get to eat out somewhere nice. Maybe if I'm quick enough I can get myself cleaned up so she doesn't notice.

"Hey, kid."

Someone steps in my way. It's the guy who beat me up earlier. Fantastic.

"What, you want to go another round? I'll take you on."

I know I don't want to come off as a bitch but I certainly wasn't impressing anyone paying attention, let alone this guy. He sneers and nods his head to the side.

"What's in the past is behind us. C'mere. I got something for you."

He puts a hand on my shoulder and drags me into some cabaret club. I've never been in one before, so all the girls and smell of liquor is a bit much for me at first. He leads me into the private room where a fat man sits with women all over him.

"This the kid?"

The thug by my side nods. I guess I'm not making it to dinner with my mom... The fat man, probably the guy's boss, waves him off.

"Then you're done! Quit smirking like some retard and go already! I gave you your orders so don't fuck them up this time!"

"Wh-?! B-But sir...!"

"You talking back now, cockroach?"

The fat men leans forward like he's about to stand. That's enough to send his flunky running. Maybe this boss of his is something dangerous... But he looks like that mascot overseas. I think he's called the Cool Aide Man or something? He leans back as the girls all massage him. He's got a mean glare though.

"Ryuji Sakamoto?"

"Yeah?"

"You nearly got my idiot there arrested today... He's my best dealer on the streets... It cost me a good million yen to get him from facing the consequences. He pays me back in service, and he does damn good service, but you caused this whole incident to begin with. What will you pay me back with?"

"Why should I pay you for your guy being dumb enough to rough some kid in an alley and nearly get caught for it?"

"Because I don't like you and no one else seems to as well... I got a job for you. One and done. You do it right, I'll pretend this never happened, might even reward you."

"What if I say no?"

He sneers and holds up a picture of my mom... It takes everything in me not to rush the pig faced bastard and slug him.

"Your mom ain't all that pretty, but some guys will pay for an honest average woman, might get the mommy treatment they're sick asses are after. She pays or you pay. Either way someone is getting me my goddamn money."

I look down trembling with rage. The one good thing in his life I have could be taken from me if I do the one thing I'm good at. Screwing up. I'm not smart, I don't put a lot of time into speeches, I definitely don't have any charm if the girls at my school are anything to go by. I'm not even strong enough to just beat the shit out of this oversized blob.

I nod speaking through my teeth.

"What do you want..."

"Hm? Is that attitude? I could make it up to two million including interest."

"What do you want..."

I gulp swallowing what little pride I have left and look him in the eyes.

"Sir."

He smiles rather pleased at that as he caresses the cheek of one of his girls.

"That's better... I heard you used to be a track star!~ You can still run, can't you?"

"I haven't done track in months but I can do a few miles still."

"Good. Here's your job, real simple for a shithead like you, okay? I'm gonna deliver a package at your place. Don't open it. Take it to the location on the address yourself. When you get there? Wait for a call and we'll see from there. Now get out of my face."

Usually I would've asked a ton of questions. This whole situation screams bad deal but it's one I can't refuse.

As soon as I get to my door I can already see it. I haven't even gone in to rest up, clean up, I couldn't even eat cause I didn't have the money on me today. I can smell Mom cooking from the other side of the door...

I take the package and bolt. The faster I do this the sooner I can get back to her. I know this place actually. It's an old gym that closed down years ago. I started my would-be track career. I didn't think too much on it at first, but when I found myself inside the abandoned building, the memories came flooding back in.

I could see myself and other kids all running together with our parents cheering us on. It didn't matter if we were competing against each other then, it was fun. Back then I actually made it higher than I thought I would. Second place, but it was by a hair, and I couldn't help but wonder...

My phone rings then and I answer it. It occurs to me I never gave anyone my number. It's even more suspicious when Fatty isn't the one who answers me. I could've sworn I've heard the voice before though...

"I see you have arrived at your destination. Please open the package."

"What is it?"

"Open and you'll see."

I hate these cryptic assholes. I tear the wrapping apart and find some sort of... Thing. It's a sphere, metal and cold, it glows and has this indent across the center, something that lets it open and close. The top part twists a little in my grasp as I try to inspect it best I can. It's a bit awkward having to hold a phone between your neck and head so you can use both hands.

"Good... How does it feel?"

"Like a ball of ice... It's humming and vibrating- Is that safe?"

"It's perfect. Can you close it for me?"

"... U-Uh, can't you come and do that? I'm only here to pay off a debt man."

"I'm the one who will be paying it. Kaneshiro is a pig of a man, but he has an eye for talent, Sakamoto-san. If you do me this small favor then I'll gladly gift you and your mother two million yen. One each. Check your bank account now if you don't believe me."

I put the thing down, carefully since I don't know what I'm dealing with, but sure enough the creep is right. My balance had sky rocketed with about seven hundred and fifty thousand yen from... Someone.

"I proved I can get you your money. Now please do me this small favor."

Who was I to argue this? I get myself ready and do the deed. I don't know what to expect when I close it though. The light came from it began to brighten as it rumbles violently in my grasp. I try to let go and even throw the damn thing, but it's power must be keeping me stuck to it, my hands never leave that thing until all goes white.

And then I hear the boom.