God's entertainment

Chapter 1- the beginning of the end

My body shot up from the bed. The heavy blanket falling off of my body as I gripped my shirt. A cold sweat trailed down my body, my breathing rough and erratic. This was the third dream in a row that I had died in. I was beginning to get tired of it since I would wake up hours before my alarm would go off. At the very least, I was never late for my job.

I got up and made my way through the dark apartment. Using the wall and gentle light from street lamps to guide me to the bathroom. Flicking the light switch I squinted my strained eyes till they adjusted to the bright light. I looked into the mirror after splashing water on my face from the sink.

A half Korean man stared back at me. My hair was a mess and my shirt drooped to one side. I was always told I was somewhat attractive, even if it was primarily from my father. Personally, I didn't see it and it seemed most didn't either. My face was primarily Korean despite my mother being Japanese. The only thing I really got from her was my name. My face didn't have any scars or marks which was a win. Many told me I had cold eyes, though I believe my personality is just cold in general.

After a quick, hot shower I got ready for work. A simple suit was all anyone really needed to wear for a desk job. I worked at a boring office in the marketing division of a somewhat big company. My job was mostly meetings and typing. Boring on top of boring. When I was hired the company was excited I was fluent in Japanese and Korean. Since I moved from Seoul to Kyoto with my parents. The company never has me use my Korean however.

After grabbing my work bag I walked out of my apartment. The hallway was dimly lit since the lightbulbs were starting to go out. It was a sad place, but the rent was cheap here and I only had to walk to get to my job. No awkwardly close train ride for me. On my way out of the building, I was stopped by a familiar face.  A shorter Japanese girl with black hair tugged at the back of my button-up. Her voice was high yet cute, "Akira! Why are you leaving already?"

I  looked back at her and smiled. She obviously didn't believe it though. Still trying to explain I spoke, "Just trying to get a head start on the day and get to work early. The earlier the better, Yua"

Mikami Yua, my neighbor, responded grumpily, " You need as much rest as possible. You should be like me sleeping as much as I can!" She was proud of that for some reason, "The bags are showing it's making you less attractive"

I sighed and let out a grumble before continuing the conversation, "shouldn't you be getting ready for your morning classes?"

"I may be a college student, but I'm not stupid. My classes don't start till later," a slight humph came from the younger girl. She didn't seem to be mad at me though.

I turned towards the building exit and sighed, "Well I'll be heading to work you sleep all day like you usually do. Goodbye, Yua"

"Goodbye," she said somewhat sadly.

Leaving the building into the busy streets I let out a long sigh. It wasn't supposed to rain but the day was still cloudy. It made me worry the reports were wrong and I didn't have an umbrella. Well, it's too late now. I recognized this weather, from one of my nightmares actually. One of the earlier and kinder nightmares. It was maybe a week ago.

The clouds were similar to how they were currently, but they were blood red and filled with lightning. No rain fell on the people staring up in terror at the sky. Fear striking them to be frozen in their spots. Convinced that this was the end that so many religions and people believe would come. It was the end and that was a collective truth.

I continued my walk ignoring that memory. It was just a dream, no way it could become real. My job was close so I couldn't think of it much. Inside the large office building was a battle. My old view boss was in there so no doubt I'd get an earful. 

Walking into the building and taking the elevator to the 6th floor where I worked. The floor was filled with cubicles where Japanese men and women worked for their wages. It was a soul-sucking place but it was my job. The sad cloud of people who have given up almost choked me. I honestly hated people who gave up simply cause of their job.

"Ah, Gaijin*! Good, I have work for you!", A deep voice bellowed from across the room. Looking over I could see my scum of a boss. He hates foreigners for some reason I still haven't found out. So, he always sticks the rough jobs with me. He was a big man, Largest in the belly, and his hair was thinning but enough to pass.

*Gaijin: Japanese word for foreigners

I responded with a strained smile to him, "My name is Akira, sir. What do you need me to do?"

"The people over in marketing messed up their sheets, I need you to fix it", He grinned happily.

With that, I began several hours of boring and tireless work. It wasn't super tiring to me. The work was always a lot so I was pretty used to it. There wasn't much to think of other than that. Just mindless work because of the failure of others.

After working so long my body got stiff. When I stood up to leave my body popped in random places. A small groan escaped my throat as I stretched. I made my way to the exit of the building, people were gathering at the windows, some commotion about a possible storm. On my way out the receptionist waved me down.

"Are you sure you wanna go out? It might rain", she warned me in a caring voice.

I was quick to respond, "Even if it does I don't live very far" with that I walked out of the building. The wind had certainly picked up since this morning but no rain in sight. Continuing on my way down the street towards my home. I was met with a sight I wasn't expecting. 

Yua stood in front of our building wearing a poncho. She waved energetically, "Akira!"

I quickened my steps to reach the younger girl, "Why did you come and meet me?"

The girl pulled out a second poncho, "In case it was raining when you got back"

I stared at her for a few seconds before laughing a bit to myself, "You really didn't have to. I would have already been soaked"

Yua chuckles, "Well It's the thought that counts" I would have responded but suddenly, Her eyes filled with fear. She shakingly pointed behind me, "A-Akira-" she looked like she was about to drop.

I turned quickly around. The same fear filling my eyes as it did her and so many others. The clouds had an opening in them. Swirling into the sky above them and creating a pathway. A red corruption spreading throughout the grey clouds that had been hanging over us all day. People began running into a building, others like Yua and me were stuck rooted with fear.

It was my nightmare come to reality. A sick to my stomach feeling filled my body as my knees began to turn weak. Yua had already fallen onto the ground next to me. As the corruption of the sky neared its end a single figure drifted out of the opening. 

It was a woman in a long yellow kimono. her voice rang out as if she was standing next to me, "Hello subjects of Earth. A new era will be dawning on the Earth, one brought forth by the gods you worship every day. I am only but an overseer gifted with the chance to run this city" She stopped and looked towards Yua and me. Slowly beginning a descent as if she was walking on invisible stairs. 

It wasn't long before I was face to face with her. The presence around her made the air hard to breathe, "Two unique cases right next to each other, makes my job easier. U-jin Akira, you are not where you belong, and thus I will make it right"

I saw nothing, no movement or warning. A warm substance rose to my mouth and began pouring out. Looking down I watched red spread through my clothes and stain them. This woman had stabbed my chest with nothing.

The weak feeling in my knees had increased to the point I collapsed to my side. My world going black. I could have sworn this was the end, my death right at the start. Like a side character in a novel. Death didn't feel like I expected it to. Suddenly something popped into my view.

<Welcome "U-jin Akira">

<Beginning system set up....>

<System set up Is complete. Consciousness will be regained shortly>