Morning arrived. In the suburbs of Meguro, a woman named Yuki Makihara awoke from her slumber. She also worked at Chiptune City but as a game tester.

Yuki checked her phone for any news. It was the first thing she always did after waking up. There was one text message from her sister, Ai.

"Yuki... turn on the news... I'm in shock..."

On the news channel, TBS reporter Hiroyasu Obayashi was in the middle of covering something Yuki, or anybody for that matter never wished to hear.

"The bodies of Chiptune City CEO Jōji Ono and his wife Kanae were found nearly emptied of blood last night. Neighbors reported screaming at around 19:30. One of them was Michiko Maeda."

"It sent chills down my spine," said Michiko. "I knew in my heart that something bad had happened, but I couldn't have imagined Jōji and Kanae ending up like that. Honestly, who could?"

Yuki received another text message.

"Can I call you?"

She replied, "Yes," and then the phone rang. Yuki picked it up, and Ai started talking right away.

"Great. Now I'm worried sick about Michiko."

"Just ask her to come over to your place. It wouldn't hurt."

"Yeah, you're right. It's just that what if that was her?"

Yuki then reassured Ai with, "It never will be."

"Thank you. This is why I'm glad you and I are sisters."

"So am I. Talk to you later."

They hung up. At least Ai would feel reassured. But that was not what Yuki was feeling right now. This situation reminded her of what happened two years ago. Something that started as a one-time, creepy event escalated into something diabolical. What if that were the case here? No, it couldn't. There was no way.

Just then, the man who told Yuki about the so-called one-time, creepy event came into the bedroom. It was Ryo Shindo, who had moved out of his previous residence to live with her.

"It looks like Chiptune City is closed for the time being. I just read an article on it."

"I'm not surprised. Hey, can I talk to you?"

"I don't see why not."

"Do you think this is the start of something?"

"Start of something? What do you mean?"

"I mean, what if these deaths continue?" Yuki's eyes turned misty.

"I'm sure they won't. The sick fuck that did this will be caught," Ryo stated, his voice trembling with anger and sadness.

Yuki went over, and Ryo held her in his arms. She whispered, "And if not?"

He whispered back, "We'll do it ourselves."