The morning sun filtering through the gap in the curtains cast a faint light through Guest's hair. A dreamless, simple sleep. It was a perfectly ordinary Monday morning.

The smartphone alarm had long since stopped ringing, and the numbers on the screen glowed, indicating that there was less than an hour left until work. Breakfast still had to be prepared.

Another typical day where nothing happens was about to begin.

At least, that's what Guest thought at the time.

After getting ready and enduring the crowded train for tens of minutes, the elevator of the office building opened to the usual white fluorescent light, the smell of coffee, and the dry sound of typing on keyboards. The moment Guest tried to sit down, a dark shadow crossed the edge of their vision.

A tall man passed by Guest's desk. Thick silver-rimmed glasses, a face more than half-hidden by bangs, and a plain suit. Menou Sennoda. Guest's direct supervisor, a man who rarely spoke except for the bare minimum. Placing a stack of documents on his desk, he spoke without even glancing toward Guest.