Mizuki: ''More importantly, some members of the teams which disappeared have come back aimlessly after several days. But it seems they can't remember anything.''

Mizuki: ''They've forgotten themselves... It's like their brains have been destroyed or something.''

Me: ''But about those disappearances, wasn't the culprit that group Morphine? Morphine itself is like an urban legend.''

Mizuki: ''Well, I guess so...''

...Morphine.

Long ago, it was the strongest and most feared legendary team among Ribsters.

Their tag art was full of black from top to bottom and had a heart and a cross. Their strength was wrapped in mystery.

Though there were various rumors, all contents were scattered and nothing made sense.

Those disappearances were the same.

Even if there are guys that saw Morphine, there are no specific stories or evidence at all.

Mizuki: ''If it turns out that Morphine's not behind this, then I've been thinking that it's probably those Rhyme guys.''

Me: ''Isn't that a bit far-fetched?''

Mizuki: ''I'm not completely serious about it, it's just that recently the Rhyme guys have been getting carried away.''

Me: ''But as for things like the disappearances, and even destroying people's minds, can they even do that?''

Me: ''Wouldn't it have caused a huge commotion if they could?''

Mizuki: ''No, I do know that. That's why I'm not too serious.''

Suddenly, a cheer arises nearby. Surrounding people begin to run in that direction.

Mizuki clicks his tongue and grimaces.

Mizuki: ''...Rhyme, huh.''

Mizuki: ''...Aaaah, I'm not feeling too well. I'll be leaving. See you, and make sure to show your face at the shop.''

Me: ''Okay.''

Mizuki: ''See ya.''

Mizuki waves with his open hand and advances through the crowd, pushing away those who are gathering at the Rhyme site.

After Mizuki's figure disappears completely, I turn my face to the direction in which everybody was running to.

I don't hate Rhyme like Mizuki does, but I'm not very interested in it either.

If you meet Mizuki for the first time and talk about Rhyme with him, you'll probably hate it afterward.

Ren: ''What's the matter?''

Me: ''Nothing. Let's keep going.''

I pat Ren's head and begin to walk in the noisy alley.

Then...

Suddenly, I'm wrapped in a white light.

Me: ''...?''

A mass of light appears in front of me when I stop to see what happened.

It gradually takes a human form and extends its hand towards me.

Its fingertips brush my cheek - and vanish.

Me: ''Eh...''

While I wonder what happened, many people suddenly swarm around me.

Me: ''E, ... Eh? Whoa!''

I'm mobbed by an excited group. I don't think I can slip out of here...!

A large circle of light floats on the ground, and what appears inside is...

A body of a woman with multiple arms sways slowly, and then stops.

Usui: ''Now, sorry to have kept you waiting, everyone! Rhyme's starting now!''

Usui: ''The first battle of todayis between Rhyme names 'Player' and 'Route 44'! ''

...This is Rhyme.

I've seen it several times at a distance, but this is the first time I've been up so close.

What appears within the light is the symbol and a referee of Rhyme, Usui.

Usui speaks in a deep voice, contradicting its appearance.

While brightening the light and swaying two hands, a huge virtual monitor appears over its head.

The audience can watch the state of the game from that monitor.

The participants are already standing on both sides of Usui and adjust the settings on their Allmates.

Usui: ''Can the newcomer successfully break a winning streak!? Or...!?''

Usui: ''Okay, 'Player' seems to have finished preparing! 'Route 44' ... Are you almost ready too?''

Usui: ''Both seem to be finished! Well then, let's start already! GAME ... START!!!''