The birds were singing loudly and carefree on the station platform, their pure, ringing trills scattering through the damp morning air. Despite the overcast sky and heavy gray clouds hanging over the city, the birds continued their cheerful song, as if trying to deceive reality. The day was cool, humid, and somehow sticky. A light breeze carried the smell of approaching rain and wet asphalt.
Genzo sat alone at a small plastic table in the station café. In front of him was a tray with a burger, french fries, and a glass of cola. He chewed slowly, looking out the large window at the platform, where passengers had already begun to gather. Mom stood at the cash register, paying for the food, and quietly talking with the cashier, ordinary maternal care before a long separation.
The café was almost empty. A few random passengers were drinking coffee at distant tables; someone was reading a newspaper, someone else was simply staring at their phone. Genzo took another bite of the burger and washed it down with cola. His head was still buzzing a little from yesterday.
He raised his gaze and suddenly noticed two familiar girls behind a high sofa in the corner of the café. Miyuki and Mika were sitting together, talking quietly about something.
Genzo finished his burger, wiped his hands with a napkin, stood up, and slowly walked over to them. Approaching, he leaned over the back of the sofa.
"What are you guys doing here?" he asked calmly, with a slight smirk.
Miyuki turned sharply. Genuine surprise flashed across her face, quickly replaced by a wide smile.
"Genzo? You came too? What a meeting."
"Exactly," he nodded and walked around the sofa, sitting down between them. "I decided not to wait. I thought I'd be alone. And here you are."
Mika extended her hand and greeted him with a firm, almost masculine handshake. Miyuki did the same.
We arrived yesterday evening, Mika said. We've already managed to look around a bit. The city is pretty gloomy, to be honest."
Genzo nodded, leaning back on the sofa.
I thought I'd be alone in this slaughter. This is even better. At least there will be familiar faces. It'll be easier…
Miyuki smirked, stirring her coffee.
"Easier? I don't know. When you have to watch someone you know being carried out of the ring on a stretcher, it won't be easy at all. Especially if it's one of us."
Genzo looked at her.
"You're right. It'll be morally hard to watch."
They sat in silence for a while. Genzo sat in the middle, staring out the window at the platform.
"So how long will we have to prepare?" he asked finally.
Miyuki shrugged.
"The organizers said two months, maybe a bit less. In August it'll be in full swing. Serious people will come from Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, and even from abroad. The stakes will be huge. If you show yourself well, you can rise up quite nicely."
Genzo said nothing in response. He simply watched as the sun slowly sank behind the gray clouds.
The air was thick with cigarette smoke. On the table stood bottles of cheap whiskey, an overflowing ashtray, and several glasses. The girls had already drunk quite a lot.
Kaoru released a long stream of smoke and leaned back in her chair, throwing one leg over the other.
"Fuck, I'm already wet just from the thought," she drawled lazily with a smile.
Oota laughed loudly and poured herself some more whiskey.
"You're always such a pervert. I get you. When a guy screams in pain and writhes on the floor, it's fucking arousing. Especially when you're the one who caused that pain. It gives me goosebumps."
Mina, with bright pink hair, took a deep drag and smiled dreamily.
"I saw one like that yesterday. Chest like a wardrobe, arms like logs. I can imagine how he'll howl when I crush his balls with my heel. Slowly. So he feels every second. Mmm… I'm already dripping just from that picture."
Kaoru smirked and clinked glasses with her.
"A real sadist. I love it when they cry. Like lunatics. Like little children. Snot, tears, drool down the chin, that's the real thrill. Especially when they still try to act like real men."
Oota nodded, blowing smoke rings.
"Remember that guy last month? The one who begged us not to break his other arm? So big, yet squealing like a bitch. I almost came from his voice. Too bad he passed out so quickly."
Mina laughed and poured everyone another round.
"And I want them to cum from the pain. Literally. So their dick is hard while they howl and beg. That would be ideal. The best orgasm."
Kaoru slowly ran her finger along the rim of her glass.
"Soon we'll have plenty of such material. I'm already looking forward to it. Especially Renji. He's so fragile, brittle. It'll be nice to break him slowly, piece by piece."
They clinked glasses and drank. The loud laughter of the three girls echoed through the half-empty bar.
The sun slowly sank behind the gray clouds. Takamura sat alone at her desk at home. In front of her lay piles of documents, applications, and court claims. She methodically went through the papers, stamping and signing the same thing each time.
"Denied."
"Denied."
"Denied."
Every time the pen touched the paper, Takamura sighed heavily. The sun had finally set. The room plunged into twilight, lit only by the desk lamp.
Night had fallen.
Kim walked along a dark, wet road, hands tucked into his jacket pockets. The streetlights were on every other one, creating long, ominous shadows. He quietly smirked to himself.
"So, buddy Renji is here too…" he muttered. "Very interesting."
Kim stopped at the intersection, took out a cigarette, and lit it. Smoke slowly rose into the night air.
I need to keep a good eye on him. See what he's doing here. The guy has clearly gotten himself into some shit… and I'm very interested in exactly what kind.
He took a deep drag, threw the cigarette into a puddle, and continued on his way.