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After the Long Game finally came to an end, the Reapers of Shibuya began recovering their UG from Shinjuku's control. Their first action was to put all future Games on hold as they tried to recruit new potential candidates. That meant whenever a potential Player died, they were automatically given the chance to become a Reaper. While that did work, not everyone was happy about joining their ranks.
Once enough Reapers were recruited, the Games resumed as on schedule. But eventually, another setback occurred when the Game Master was suddenly pregnant and gave birth to a human boy. With Uzuki Kariya dealing with a newborn child, she asked the Reapers from the neighboring city of Shiodome for a transfer. Enter Ibumi Mitane, an athletic Reaper who was quickly promoted to Game Master status. Plus due to a change in Shibuya's rules, Game Masters were allowed to take turns depending on the week. Not only would this allow Game Masters to take breaks, but it would mix up the style of missions.
But this story isn't about those Reapers. It's about a young man who was in charge of a certain set of classic Shibuya missions known as the Reaper Review. His name was Rakura Kansu. He had joined the Reapers three years before what had been dubbed the Long Game, when soon-to-be legend Neku Sakuraba would enter the UG. His death was swift and painless, having died in a truck crash on his way to work. He accepted the offer of becoming a Reaper in an attempt to escape his mundane life. This was a decision he never regretted, spending all his days coming up with trivia questions regarding Shibuya's various businesses and districts. While he was instructed to remain neutral like his fellow support Reapers, he couldn't help but flash a smile whenever he introduced the Reaper Review to confused newcomers.
Or at least, he attempted to flash a smile.
Due to being stuck on support, Rakura found that his whole identity was stripped away. That was the guideline with being a Reaper. You could only earn your individuality if you climb up the ranks. So for now, he was stuck wearing the mandatory support uniform consisting of a black v-neck t-shirt, a black baseball cap, faded blue jeans, white sneakers, and red hoodie. He also had to carry around a green bag in case a Player had to retrieve an item to clear a wall. And because of how he was required to wear his outfit, his face was also hidden. It was like he was just a face among the other Reapers of Shibuya.
But there was one time where he unintentionally stood out.
"If we let 'em have their way, it's only a matter of time before they destroy the city!" Rakura shouted when he and the other Reapers discussed Shinjuku's involvement in their Game.
"But we really don't want to get on their bad side," another support Reaper pointed out. "If we don't do as they say, there's no telling what they'll do to us."
"So why not give 'em what they want?" Koki suggested. "Or at least pretend to. Make 'em think we're giving in so they let their guards down."
"That's insane!" Rakura protested. "There's no way they'll let us take Shibuya back once it's theirs!"
"Well, if you've got a better idea, I'm all ears," Koki replied.
But Rakura didn't. "So what?" he dismissed. "We're just supposed to hand our city over on a silver platter?"
"Enough!" Uzuki spoke up. "We can't keep bickering like this!"
"Then make a decision already!" the other support Reaper demanded. "What do we do?"
But before a decision was made, the Shinjuku Reapers had overpowered them and took control of their Games, adding their rules into the mix until the rules were no longer recognizable. Afterwards, Rakura had understandable bragging rights as he often spent his free time reminding the other Shibuya Reapers that he was right. That is, when he wasn't busy quizzing new Players about the city.
There was also this one time when he got into a VERY heated argument over Jupiter of the Monkey with this kid Player, but that was a whole other issue.
Once Shinjuku's influence was finally gone, it was back to business for Rakura. He didn't mind Uzuki's new rules since they never really affected his missions. He was perfectly content with how things were getting back to normal. Once the Reapers Game resumed, he continued to quiz baffled Players with his reviews. It was fun messing with them and seeing their confused faces if they failed.
But little did he know, his perfect life was about to drastically change...
"Congratulations. You're one of the new GMs."
That was what Uzuki told Rakura after asking him to meet her at Dead God's Pad. But that only confused him further. Things were going great with both her and Ibumi as co-Game Masters. Why add one more? Was there something troublesome going on while he was coming up with new Reaper Review questions?
"Well?" Uzuki demanded. "Aren't you happy?"
"I don't understand," Rakura blurted out. "Why are you doing this? I thought you didn't need more GMs."
"That was before Little Miss Shiodome's Game started causing issues," Uzuki revealed. "Her missions are causing a massive strain on the UG, so we need someone who can tone things down."
"Hang on. You talking about that big sports match she ran?" Rakura checked. "How could that sound bad?"
"Because she thinks it's okay for the Composer to show up and play referee towards Players and us Reapers," Uzuki answered. "I don't know how her people did things in Shiodome, but that's not how Shibuya works. So I need you to step up and become the next GM."
"You sure you can't find someone else?" Rakura insisted.
"Not while most of the Reapers are newbies," Uzuki responded, getting somewhat frustrated. "Look, you're one of the last remaining Reapers from our old batch. And...I know how much Shibuya means to you. You're the best one for the job, so go ditch the uniform and come back wearing new threads. You got that?"
Rakura was surprised to hear those words come from Uzuki. He didn't really think his involvement was such a big deal. He was just doing his job to create challenges for Players who needed to clear walls. Now his own boss was asking him to accept a sudden promotion like this?
It all felt so...confusing.
But if Uzuki Kariya trusted him that much, he knew he had to respond. So with a confident smile, he lowered his hood and took off his cap, revealing short black hair and dark green eyes. It was quite a striking look that he no longer had to cover.
"Sure thing, boss," Rakura replied. He was now free to forge his own identity. And he knew just where to start.
Il Cavallo Del Re was a rather classy brand, having replaced the old Pegaso brand a few years ago. But with the sudden spike in popularity for Gatto Nero, Cavallo was faced with a 'going out of business' sale. Yet that didn't stop Rakura from checking out its threads, wanting to have a more mature and professional look to contrast the street clothes he wore for quite some time.
Fortunately by the time he got to the main shop in Tokyu Plaza, there was still plenty of clothes to choose from, no doubt a result of the prices being so high. But as a recently-promoted Reaper, he was given a lot of money to work with once he told Uzuki his top preferred brand. So after much debating and wanting to leave a good first impression for the Players, he ultimately decided on which threads to buy: a Tradizione jacket and waistcoat set, Rispetto trousers, and a pain of Futuro dress shoes. Tradition, respect and future... Those would be the ideal words used to describe him. And to complete his look, he added silver-wired frameless glasses. No doubt they would help show how professional he is.
Once he shifted his vibes to return to the UG, he headed back to Dead God's Pad. He could tell the other Reapers were unable to recognize him. That wasn't surprising, since he looks drastically different than before. But now was not the time for an explanation. He had to prepare for the next batch of Players.
"Not bad," Uzuki remarked as she gave the promoted Reaper the special Game Master phone. "But a new look won't cut it. These Players won't see you until the end of the week, so you need to leave a first impression through missions."
"Yeah, I remember," Rakura said. "Even that Minamimoto guy put his spin on 'em." He inspected the Game Master Phone. "So this hands out missions to every Player, huh? Seems simple enough."
"It's not just for handing out missions," Uzuki clarified. "You can also use it to contact other Reapers. Whoever has this phone has total control of the Game. You got that?"
"Right..." Rakura sighed. He flipped the phone open. "Now let's see... What kind of missions should I plan?"
Soon it was time for a new Reapers Game to begin. With the Players having their entry fees taken as they woke up all over Shibuya, Rakura awaited for the single to send out the first mission. He had thought long and hard about his first impression on the Players and at long last, he figured out what to text. So right on cue, he sent out the first mission of the week.
Gather at 104 within sixty minutes.
Those who do not complete will get erased.
Let the games begin.