Monday Night – Kagawa Residence, Tokyo
The soft hum of the refrigerator filled the quiet house.
Ryota sat on the couch, his hair still slightly damp from a quick shower. His school bag lay half-open on the floor, and the unopened package sat on the coffee table in front of him — the one that read:
From: Kagawa Yori.
He leaned back, exhausted.
Ryota (Murmuring): Long day...
He grabbed his phone and stared at the name Dad in his contacts list. A tap. The call rang once, twice... no answer.
He tried again. Still nothing.
Ryota (Sighing): Figures. You're always unreachable.
The silence of the room pressed against him. The ticking wall clock, the faint buzz of a streetlight outside — everything felt oddly heavy.
He glanced back at the box. It just sat there. Still. Ordinary.
10:47 PM.
He picked it up, turning it in his hands. No return address, no delivery company logo. Just his father's name.
Ryota (Thinking): He visited yesterday. Why would he... send something?
He set it down and rubbed his temples.
Then—
Thump.
Ryota froze.
Another sound — faint but clear — came from inside the box. Like something shifted.
Ryota: ...what the hell was that?
The box moved again. This time, it shuddered across the table slightly.
Ryota jumped back, heart pounding.
Ryota (Panicking): Nope. Nope. What kind of prank is this?
He grabbed the nearest thing he could find — a broom. His hands trembled, knuckles pale against the wooden handle.
Ryota (Loudly): I don't know who you are or what's in there, but I have a weapon!
The box went still. Completely still.
The seconds dragged. The only sound was his own breathing.
Slowly, Ryota stepped closer. He crouched beside the coffee table, broom raised like a spear. He reached out, hesitated, then peeled the tape open one strip at a time.
Inside was... a small metal cage.
And in that cage — something alive.
A creature.
Inside was a small creature, its fur a muted red that shimmered faintly as if light pulsed beneath the skin. Tiny horn-like ridges crowned its head, and its slender tail twitched with every slow, steady breath.
Ryota blinked in disbelief.
Ryota (Whispering): What... even is this? Some kind of pet? A raccoon? A fox? No... it's too small.
He tilted his head, curiosity beating out fear. It looked fragile. Almost cute.
Ryota: ...You don't look dangerous.
He unlatched the cage door.
Click.
The moment the latch lifted —
The creature's eyes snapped open, glowing red.
Ryota: Wait—!
In a flash, the creature lunged out — straight toward his face.
Ryota stumbled backward, but it was too fast.
He felt it — warm, liquid movement — something alive forcing its way into his mouth.
Ryota (Muffled Screaming): MMPH—!!
He gagged and fell to the floor, clawing at his throat. His vision blurred, saliva spilling from his lips. He could feel something crawling deep inside, burrowing through him.
Ryota (Choking): Get out—GET OUT!!
He stumbled to the sink, fumbled for the faucet, drank and spat water frantically. Nothing worked.
He grabbed a knife from the counter, his hand shaking uncontrollably.
Ryota (Voice Cracking): If I cut myself... I'll die. I'll die, but—
He dropped the knife. His knees buckled. His breaths turned shallow.
He staggered toward the front door, reaching for his phone — but darkness swallowed everything.
Blackout.
Tuesday Morning – Shinjuku Central Hospital
The steady beep of a heart monitor echoed faintly.
Ryota's eyes fluttered open. A sterile white ceiling greeted him. The smell of disinfectant filled his nose.
He was in a hospital bed, an IV needle taped to his arm. His uniform was folded neatly beside the chair.
Ryota (Groaning): What... happened?
He touched his stomach, neck, and chest — everything felt normal. No pain, no injuries. Just weakness.
The door opened. A doctor entered, clipboard in hand.
Doctor: Ah, you're awake. How are you feeling?
Ryota: Like I got hit by a truck.
Doctor (Smiling): You were found unconscious in your home last night. One of your neighbors heard noise and called for help. Said you might've been hurt.
Ryota: Neighbor? Who?
Doctor: He didn't leave his name. Just said you were passed out and helped carry you to the ambulance. Then he left before we could thank him.
Ryota stared blankly. His head swam with questions — the creature, the box, the choking, the darkness.
Ryota (Softly): So it wasn't... a dream.
The doctor made a few notes. "You're fine now. No signs of trauma or poisoning. If you feel dizzy again, come back immediately."
He nodded numbly as the doctor exited.
Moments later, another knock came.
Tetsuya: Yo. You alive, zombie?
Ryota turned to see Tetsuya standing at the door, still in his school uniform, holding a bag of convenience store bread.
Tetsuya: You scared the hell out of me, man. You didn't show up today. I thought you died gaming again.
Ryota (Weak Chuckle): I... wish it was that simple.
Tetsuya (Concerned): What happened?
Ryota: I don't even know. I... just blacked out.
Tetsuya sighed and tossed him a bread roll.
Tetsuya: Eat. You're pale as paper. When they discharge you, I'll drive you home.
Tuesday Afternoon – Kagawa Residence
Tetsuya's car pulled up in front of the house.
Tetsuya: You sure you're okay?
Ryota: Yeah. Thanks for the ride.
Tetsuya: Get some rest. Text me if you start floating or something weird.
Ryota (Smirking): Ha-ha. Very funny.
Tetsuya drove off. Ryota stood by the door for a moment, staring at his home — quiet, undisturbed, as if last night never happened.
Inside, the room was a mess. The chair overturned, the broom broken, the knife still on the floor.
And the cage — empty.
Ryota's stomach twisted. He cleaned the room quickly, trying not to think about what could be inside him.
When he finished, he grabbed his phone and dialed his father's number again.
This time, Yori answered.
Yori (Tired Voice): Ryota? What's wrong? You sound shaken.
Ryota (Shouting): What's wrong!? You almost killed me, that's what! What did you send me, Dad? What was in that box!?
A long silence followed.
Yori (Slowly): ...Box? I didn't send you anything.
Ryota froze. "What?"
Yori: I was just at your place a few days ago. Why would I mail you something?
Ryota's throat went dry.
Ryota: The label said it was from you. Your full name.
Yori's voice sharpened. "Ryota. Listen carefully. Don't touch anything unusual. If you still have that package—"
Ryota: It's gone! It disappeared! And something— something went inside me!
Yori: ...What did you just say?
Ryota's breath trembled.
Ryota: What was it, Dad? What did I swallow? Am I going to die?
Silence filled the call — cold and heavy.
Yori (Quietly): Stay calm, Ryota. Lock your doors. I'll be there soon.
The line went dead.
Ryota stared at his phone, fear rising like fire in his chest.
The empty cage sat in the corner of the room, metal door still open.
To be continued...