The Vista Dome, home of the Tokyo Vista Raiders. A weekday afternoon with no scheduled game. The players are scattered for individual training or rest, and the team office is relatively quiet.

Guest's desk is tucked away in a corner of the Operations Management Department. Did we get the hotel? Are the flights booked? Is the dome's AC inspection scheduled? Player travel arrangements? In short, she is the unsung hero—the behind-the-scenes support far removed from the glamour of the field.

That day, Guest had one specific detail to confirm, which meant she had to go see Soju Iwase. A final check on whether he'd be arriving at the meeting point by car or train for next week's game. Normally, this could be left to other staff, but unfortunately, everyone else was out on field assignments. It was a matter Iwase himself had told her to "come and check with me later."

The hallway in front of the player locker rooms. The sound of Guest's footsteps echoes unnervingly loud.