Chapter Text
Everything started with a single email, that was sitting in my box, in which a kick-starter team for an interactive Tokyo Revengers visual novel, that was still in development, chose me to be part of their ever-so-ambitious project.
As any person with common sense still intact, I was highly skeptical of their offer. Not only did I never hear a single mention of their game prior to this conversation, but who in their right mind would ask a stranger on the internet to test trial their game?
I decided to ignore what I thought to be an obvious scam, but they were quick on giving me an update on the situation. The response mentioned how I got recommended for the job by a friend, in turn, they sent me a link to an Instagram account, that I did in truth perceive as an online friend.
"Did I get hacked by any chance?" This was my first speculation because it was too weird to accept that they wanted to hire me, because of a vague description from someone I never met in real life. However, curiosity quickly took over and I didn't shy away to question the team about the compensation for the work I would be doing.
They were fast with the replies, making me doubt it was a deliberate scam, unless I genuinely pissed someone off, at least enough for them to view me as a mortal enemy, that would deliberately seek out information about my interests.
"But that can't be true." Was the only thought that came across my mind. I was always trying to blend into the surroundings, being on my best behavior, never letting anyone get too close. So only my family could have had enough of a grudge to pull something like this, which was unlikely. Them researching my genuine interests? Laughable, they had better things to do, like complain about my chosen career path.
The terms of their contract were simple enough, spend 8 hours a week playing the game trying to spot the glitches, and informing the team about their existence. It sounded simple enough and I would get my first paycheck upon agreeing to the gig.
There were not many safety regulations on their part, actually everything felt so lax, that I wondered if I would get away with ghosting them after getting the money. So yes I did receive a payment right away after they acquired my bank details.
“They really trust me this much? I haven’t even done any work for them.” Was my presence so desired? They were also fast in sending the files of the game over.
"I surely will feel guilty if I don't do what I was asked for." I could perceive it as a side gig besides, who wouldn't want to play a game for their favorite franchise?
Upon seeing the loading screen, I got a vague sense of playing any other otome game in existence.
"Visual novel could be just romance." My speculation was correct because a character creation screen popped up, asking me to choose a Japanese name for my linking. I tried to type in the usual nickname I often used for games, but a message box tried to discourage me, by bribing me with full-voiced alternatives instead that could only be achieved by typing in a Japanese name.
"I guess I have to fully commit to it now." After picking up some options on the internet rather than scrolling through infinite pages of names inside the game, I finally settled down on something.
“Hibarayashi Michi.” I nodded my head content with my choices and another screen presented itself.
"Distribute 10 points in the following categories." There were five of them. Intelligence, Luck, Agility, Endurance, and Strength. Which was also followed by a warning.
"Depending on your choices the gameplay will vary." Did it mean the romance route was different depending on which stats I chose?
"Will the villains also have their own routes?" Kisaki quickly came to mind.
"I bet you gotta have some intelligence to romance the guy, for sure... or maybe... he would be more prone to stick with crazy people like Hanma?" I quickly shook my head, imagining the second scenario being a more likely outcome. After all the saying that opposites attract was a thing.
Nevertheless, that wasn't the only reason I chose Intelligence and Luck above all else. Considering all the other characters were probably maximizing on Strength and Endurance already. It was no doubt in my best interest to have the upper hand during negotiations.
“I hope with Luck comes Charm as well. Honey traps could be also useful.” I didn’t wish to end up with a bad ending on the first run of the game.
Once I was done my stats looked something like this.
Intelligence: 3
Luck: 3
Agility: 2
Endurance: 1
Strength: 1
Once all the points disappeared, a window popped up.
"Whichever category got the most amount of points will have the most positive influence on your character, in contrast, whichever stat got the least amount of points will have the most negative impact on your character." It caused me to question my choices. Considering I could put an equal amount of points in all the categories, yet what fun was in that?
"That would make me just average in every single category, how can I outsmart the villain like that?" I guess part of me was expecting some detective mechanics to exist inside the game, fearing that I would be side-blinded, and somehow ending up dead.
"Let's just roll with it," I confirmed my choices and quickly was presented with my avatar, getting some background information about my character.
"Kazutora's Hanemiya's second cousin." I wasn't expecting the game to randomly generate a character for me and for her to be somehow related to any of the characters from the manga. Did the decision I take so far, cause this avatar to be created?
"Sickly, young but successful girl, that wishes for nothing more than to find love, and settle in with a significant other before her time runs out." I didn't like the implication of the last part, so I had the urge to suddenly backtrack, but there was no option to return to the previous screen.
"Maybe they did it on purpose, so people would freestyle the first playthrough." I sighed and decided to play the game as it was intended. Soon a loading screen popped up, which clearly was taking its time.
However, something chilling took place barely few seconds later, I heard someone whisper inside my ear.
"Welcome To Tokyo Revengers." And as I was about to turn around to catch the perpetrator, everything went black.
I woke up covered in sweat, shivers spreading through my whole back.
"What the hell was that?" In no time a kitty came to my side looking at me with its curious yellow eyes.
"Where am I?" I questioned myself being disoriented. I had never seen this bedroom in my entire life, and not only that, my body felt weird. Mostly uncomfortable and in a lot of pain. I tried to jump out of bed, at least so I could look outside the window, to witness where I was at the given moment, but my legs gave up on me as soon they touched the floor.
I crashed to the ground, causing even more pain to my body. Only then did I realize the change in pigmentation of my skin, unexpectedly it was so much tanner than before. As I was questioning this change I heard someone scrambling in the hall. Since I had been living alone for the past two years, the first conclusion my brain decided to take was that I got kidnapped. In haste, I tried to pick myself off the floor
scared for my life, but my arms gave up on me and I collapsed to the floor again. But before I could spiral out of control because of a mental breakdown, the kitty in question lay beside me and showed me his belly to pat. Once my hand made contact with its fur, I heard the purring sounds, cutting to someone opening the door in a hurry.
“Michi! Are you alright?” I looked up, shocked at the image before my eyes. A pink-haired girl with green eyes was standing in the door frame, showcasing concern for my well-being.
"Senju?" I asked as she looked at me like she was expecting something else to come out of my mouth.
That's also when a system window popped up, informing me of my current name, which I chose for the game's purpose, age, and stats. Which I found strange since it clearly stated I was 25 years old. Would it mean I was the same age as the 9th Black Dragon generation? If so did they expect an adult to resolve middle school kids' fights? But upon closer inspection of Senju's face, she didn't look like a kid at all. Did it mean I ended up at the end of the story? After everything was resolved? If so I was lucky, ending up at the perfect timeline, not having to worry about anything.
The girl, or woman in front of me stretched out her arm to help me off the floor and I took her up on the offer.
"Michi? Is that guy still bothering you? Is that why you're refusing to talk with me?" I tilted my head to the side once I was standing up.
“Who?” I seriously had no idea what she was talking about and it’s not like the system gave me any context either.
“That nasty guy that dumped you. I understand that you’re sick and have not much time left on earth, but he was out of his pocket for trying to take advantage of you like that.” I just nodded along, not being sure where this conversation was going.
"You don't seem too concerned about him now... that's good progress... Let's eat breakfast, I'm starving." I nodded my head in agreement, once I had some food in my stomach I could make sense of this whole situation.