I stand near the edge of a rooftop, high above Neo-Tokyo’s neon arteries. Far below, streams of light and color pulse through the streets—almost like blood coursing through the city’s metal veins. The wind brushes my hair, carrying the hum of a city that never really sleeps, only dozes in a haze of neon dreams.

Rose’s voice cuts through my reverie. “There’s a storm coming, Tatsuya.” She stands at my side, the electric glow painting her pink hair in dazzling shades of magenta and crimson.

I nod, my fingers instinctively sliding over the Limit Breaker chip in my jacket pocket. A chill of unease dances along my spine. “Feels like every faction out there is shifting into high gear. The Guardians, Rebels, Investigators, Rangers...it’s like they’re all hearing some secret war drum we can’t fully make out.”

Rose spares a glance over the skyline. “No one will be left untouched, whether they choose to fight or not,” she murmurs. Her gaze locks with mine, and for a moment, I’m reminded that she’s more than a stoic Guardian—she’s someone who cares about the people caught in this crossfire. Maybe she even cares about me.

A wave of déjà vu hits me: faces I can’t name, a memory of laughter that leaves a hollow echo in my mind. Could I be some kind of manufactured piece in Professor Akira’s grand design? The question churns in my gut.

Rose’s voice pulls me back. “This isn’t just about who’s strongest, Tatsuya. It’s about the soul of Neo-Tokyo. If Breaker tech can turn anyone into a living weapon, then it changes what it means to be human in this city.”

I swallow, letting her words sink in. She’s right. If I’m involved—if my existence is tethered to Akira’s research—I might be either the tipping point that saves this place or the spark that sets it all ablaze.

My earpiece crackles with Hidari’s calm, digital timbre. “Incoming message from Haruto. He requests an immediate meeting at the Old Market.”

I lift an eyebrow. “Haruto’s not usually this urgent.”

Rose’s expression tightens. “We should check it out.”

**---

We descend from the rooftop and make our way through winding avenues lit by neon signs stuttering in and out of focus. The Old Market is a labyrinth of rickety stalls, lantern-lit thoroughfares, and narrow side streets where whispers of contraband deals mingle with the aroma of strange foods.

Navigating it is like stepping into the city’s nervous system, every stall an impulse, every vendor a neuron firing signals of greed or desperation or ambition. People brush by in a throng, most hardly giving us a glance.

“Second alley on the left,” Hidari guides me. “And watch your wallet. This place is known for quick fingers.”

A faint smirk touches my lips. “Thanks for the PSA, Hidari.”

Rose presses closer, scanning the crowds. “Let’s not cause a scene,” she mutters, though her posture is rigid, ready for trouble.

We slide into a narrower alley. Haruto waits, leaning against a shuttered stall. His tech visor flickers with lines of code, reflecting swirling patterns onto his sharp features.

“You made it,” he says, straightening up. A roguish grin plays on his lips as he spins a stylus between slender fingers. “I figured you might be too busy playing detective or forging alliances to show.”

“Cut to the chase, Haruto,” I say, fighting the swirl of tension in my chest. “What’s so urgent that you dragged us here?”

He exhales, tapping his stylus against a battered datapad. “Every faction is in motion, ramping up for something. The Rangers especially—they’re preparing an operation with some big backers in the government. From what I’ve gathered, it all ties back to Akira’s research.” His eyes flick to me, tinged with sympathy. “In other words, Tatsuya, they’ll come after you if they think you’re a piece in Akira’s puzzle.”

My stomach dips. A chill anchors in my gut. So it’s not just me who wants answers about my past—others want them, too, and not for any gentle reason.

Rose’s jaw tightens. “Sounds like they’re moving faster than we expected. If they think Tatsuya’s the key to controlling Breaker tech, they’ll do anything to capture him.”

Haruto’s gaze slides from Rose to me. “My advice: gather allies. We’re talking about a citywide game of chess, and you’re a piece everyone wants on their board.”

I nod, forcing a calm I don’t truly feel. “We’ll do what we must.”

**---

We decide on a temporary refuge: an old, abandoned warehouse near the city’s outskirts. It’s quiet and dark, but it’ll serve as a place to regroup. The dull, hollow structure stands in contrast to the neon mania we’ve left behind. Moonlight filters through cracks in the roof, illuminating swirling dust motes in the gloom.

Inside, I press a button on my earpiece. “Hidari, secure the line. We need privacy.”

A soft beep confirms compliance.

Rose moves closer, her gaze steady in the dim light. “You good?” she asks, voice low. “You look like you’re about to unravel.”

I manage a shaky laugh. “It’s just…my entire existence might be the fuse to a citywide explosion. Hard not to be a little freaked out.”

She exhales gently, then places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Look, I don’t have all the answers, but I know we can’t solve this by running. We keep digging, unearthing Akira’s secrets. One way or another, we’ll be ready for whatever’s coming.”

The tension in my chest eases slightly. Her confidence is contagious. “I just wish I knew what the truth really is…who I was before all this.”

Her eyes soften, the pink highlights catching faint beams of moonlight. “Whatever happened before, it doesn’t define you. You’re shaping a new path now. That’s all that matters.”

Reflective Thoughts: Tatsuya
 Standing in the half-light, I realize how heavily my own doubts have weighed on me. The swirling confusion of not knowing if my life is my own or just some experiment. But Rose’s certainty, the warmth in her voice, and the subtle loyalty in her stance, remind me that I’m not facing this alone. Maybe that’s enough to keep me going—even if the truth turns out darker than I can handle.

I let out a long breath and look at her. “Thank you.”

She just nods, and in that moment, I sense a silent promise between us: we’ll see this through to the end, no matter the cost.

Outside, Neo-Tokyo continues to throb with its endless cycle of color and chaos. But I don’t feel as lost anymore. Even as the specter of confrontation looms, even as my unknown past hangs over me like a sword, I have a direction. The night seems less daunting.

Because the real storm is coming, and I’ll be ready—even if it means standing at the center of it, chip in hand, waiting to learn if I’m the spark or the shield.