In a small, cluttered apartment filled with manga volumes, anime figurines, a computer and game consoles, Akari spends most of her days immersed in her digital world. The soft glow of her computer screen is the only light that breaks through the darkness of her room. She’s a girl who’s never found her place in the real world—social interactions feel like impossible quests, and the thought of talking to boys sends her heart racing with anxiety.

Life outside her apartment feels distant, almost like an alternate reality. She’s always struggled to connect with people, never having close friends or relationships. The digital landscapes she explores and the characters she meets in games, anime, and manga are the only places where she feels at home.

Despite what others might think, she isn’t unhappy. She’s found solace in her passions, and while she might be seen as a failure by society’s standards, she knows every detail about her favorite games and can lose herself for hours in a well-written manga. The world outside may be too overwhelming, but in here, surrounded by the things she loves, she feels safe.

It was one of those rare days when Akari had to leave her apartment. Usually, she avoided the outside world, but today, she ran out of something essential—maybe snacks for her gaming marathon. Reluctantly, she grabbed her bike, her only way to get around without too much interaction.

The streets were loud and overwhelming, the bright sunlight stinging her eyes as she nervously pedaled. Her mind buzzed with worries—what if she ran into someone she knew? What if she messed up?