Tokyo: The Player Behind the Scenes

He wasn't afraid of a chance encounter; he always knew how to leave.

The reason he was here was because of Uesugi, and since Asano came from Kumamoto City, he probably witnessed Asano's visit to Uesugi's parents.

And she probably saw through his disguise, otherwise she wouldn't have followed him to the hotel where he was staying.

If this leads to the exposure of Uesugi's identity, then he would be in grave danger.

Nobi led Asano into a restaurant that had a sign that said it was open, but was completely empty.

The owner, an elderly man with gray hair, was dozing behind the counter. He merely lifted his eyelids slightly at the arrival of the two people and then said weakly, "Welcome."

After ordering their food, Nobita found a secluded corner and sat down with his back against the wall. He took off his mask and breathed a sigh of relief.

He had scouted out the restaurant yesterday. It was in a secluded location with few people and no security cameras. The owner was a man of few words, and if he could sit, he would never stand. It was the perfect place to have a conversation.

The taste was just so-so.

Hot tea was served, and steam rose silently between the two of them.

Asano Hiroshi picked up his teacup, blew on it gently, and got straight to the point:

"The Demon Blade, the Giant of Kyoto, and the eruption of Mount Fuji." He took a sip of tea. "Aren't these like the old 'Subway' game? Like landmines buried in real history that you touched in the game? And now, with your completion of the game, they're being detonated?"

Nobi met Asano Hiroshi's gaze without flinching: "There is a connection. But senpai, you've got it backwards."

Asano Hiroshi's lips curled into a subtle smile of interest.

“These disasters did not occur because of our games.” Nobi knew that based on the current clues, Asano, as a master in the field of puzzle games, could basically confirm that the real-world disasters were closely related to the games for which he had sought help, so he had no intention of hiding it.

"You likened those events to landmines, but they are actually time bombs that were set in time to explode."

"The emergence of games is more like an early warning of disasters and a strategy manual. It allows us to find the real source of disasters, or the weaknesses of monsters, in those unrecorded histories."

“Without games and us players,” he paused, recalling the devastating sight of Mount Fuji, “when these disasters occur, humanity might not even have a chance to react; it would simply be swallowed up completely. From this perspective, the emergence of games actually gives humanity another means to prevent disasters, or at least mitigate them. I don’t think it’s a bad thing.”

Asano listened quietly, his fingers supporting his glasses, clearly processing what Nobita was saying. After a long while, he slowly spoke: "Has the official stance now confirmed the game's existence?"

Nobi nodded: "It's confirmed. In order to stop the disaster, our players' actions... There are too many inexplicable things that point to the same answer. What's more, they already have a dedicated response team, and Muramasa Taki is also a player; she has a partnership with the official team."

Asano leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and revealed a kind of inquisitive excitement: "Judging from your question to me about the solution to the 'Subway' puzzle, this game doesn't seem to exclude non-players from knowing the details? In other words, it's possible to utilize external intelligence without restriction?"

Nobi sighed inwardly, realizing that the truth was obvious and could not escape Asano-senpai's insight.

He carefully chose his words: "For now... the game does not rule out information leaks. But senior, the more you know, the deeper you get involved, and the greater the risk."

“I understand the risks.” Asano interrupted him, his tone returning to calm, but the glint behind his glasses was even brighter. “In that case, Muramasa Taki, who is now officially part of the government, has a significant advantage, right? He can utilize the official think tank experts at any time. If I’m not mistaken, there’s also competition among players? For example, in terms of game progress, different choices, and the rewards obtained?”

Nobita was speechless, feeling like his underwear was about to be ripped off.

"Yes," he readily admitted. "Cooperation and competition both exist, and the progress and outcome affect the final allocation of resources."

Asano Hiroshi nodded, remained silent for a moment, then picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his gaze returned to calm: "You don't want to join the official team. And since there's competition among players, progress and crucial information naturally won't be shared easily, so..."

He paused, looking into Nobita's eyes: "You need a helper, someone who can provide you with puzzle-solving support outside the game."

Nobi understood his meaning; this was precisely why Asano had followed him all this way. He longed to participate in this mystery that transcended reality and history, a temptation for a mystery fanatic like him no less alluring than immortality for Ashiya Dōman.

However, there were many risks involved. Nobi hesitated, "Senior, the authorities know we know each other. What if they trace it back to us?"

"The authorities are currently overwhelmed, focusing their efforts on Tokyo's recovery and potential follow-up supernatural events. As an ordinary high school student who has been questioned and confirmed to have no supernatural abilities, I have a very low priority."

Asano Hiroshi's tone was confident: "Besides, we only need to establish a secure one-way communication method. I won't actively contact you, but will only provide a channel for solving puzzles when you need it, just like before."

"All I want is to participate in the process of cracking the game."

Nobita fell silent. He did need help, especially a top-tier puzzle player like Asano Hiroshi.

Moreover, his [Guidance] card, formed from the bond with Asano Hiroshi, had already been upgraded to level two a long time ago.

I wouldn't dare say I would never betray, but there's no reason for me to do so either.

However, with the game update imminent, what changes will the new version bring? How will the security of information transmission be ensured? These are all unknowns.

"I need some time," Nobi said cautiously. "There shouldn't be any new games this month, and correspondingly, there shouldn't be any problems in reality. I need to think about what kind of cooperation is the safest."

A genuine smile spread across Asano Hiroshi's face. He raised his hand and habitually adjusted his glasses. "That makes sense. Nobi, you're much more cautious than before. That's a good thing."

He added, "Whether in reality or in a game, caution is the first essential element for survival."

Looking at Asano Hiroshi's smile, Nobita felt much less nervous about the reunion.

Asano-senpai is actually quite simple-minded; as always, she cares more about enjoying the pleasure of solving puzzles.

It's a bit odd that he describes others as naive.

He did not use the "Guiding Path" to seek guidance on this matter.

He already knew that, when it came to many things in the game, the hints given by the cards were often vague and unclear.

More importantly, he cannot rely too much on this ability. True growth requires relying on one's own judgment and choices.

The two didn't delve into the details further and tacitly ended the topic, then, like ordinary friends, chatted about some of the bigger things that happened at school when Nobi wasn't there.

It was at this moment that he realized that, strictly speaking, he and Muramasa Taki were actually classmates!

Muramasa Takii didn't bring it up, nor did he actively look into it, so he really didn't know.

After the meal, Asano left a note with his itinerary and contact information for the next two months. He would strictly adhere to the itinerary unless something unexpected happened.

It's clear that Asano really wants to play this game, and Nobita can't understand why his senior, who has such a high talent for solving puzzles, wasn't chosen as a player.

Nobita used the save point card to leave the small town, returned to the pre-set Osaka, and then headed towards Tokyo.

July, with its alternating cold and heat, slowly passed by as the days dragged on for Tokyo residents.

Electricity has been restored intermittently, but many residents' electronic devices were damaged by the EMP blast from the nuclear explosion, forcing them to purchase new products. Fortunately, domestic and international aid has enabled them to receive at least one mobile phone each.

However, there were no large-scale donations of home appliances such as refrigerators; only government subsidies were provided.

This made things even worse for families that were already struggling financially.

8 month 1 day.

In Shibuya Ward, Ayako Goto, looking around furtively like a thief, returned to her mother's apartment carrying a large bag.

I thought my mother wouldn't be home today, as she usually does, staying at her siblings' dormitory.

However, today was an unexpected day. Not only was my mother at home, but there were also some strangers whose gazes were hard to describe—both numb and excited, both dazed and fanatical.

As Goto unlocked the door, they were kneeling before the apartment, which had been transformed into a miniature chapel, with statues of angels and Jizo statues placed on the cabinets.

This eerie sight wasn't the first time she'd witnessed it, but each time it made her uneasy and terrified.

".mom?"

Goto took a half step back, making sure she hadn't opened the wrong door, and could only try to ask a question.

"Ayako? You're back."

The small apartment room was crammed with nearly ten people. Goto's mother, still in a kneeling position, slowly crawled out from among the others, a smile on her face, looking up at Goto.

Goto opened his mouth, then silently knelt down and opened his backpack: "This contains some fresh ingredients and a portable stove, Mom."

She looked at her mother's much thinner face and sighed, "You must eat on time."

The mother was overjoyed to see the ingredients: "I understand, but fresh food is so rare these days. How did you get it? Is there any way to get more? We haven't offered the angel enough high-quality food for several days. What a sin that is!"

Goto shook his head: "There are only so many, and it was very difficult to get them. I don't know when the next one will be. I have to go back now; I can't stay away from there for too long."

“Okay, okay, if you have any fresh ingredients, remember to bring more, or you can just bring money, we can find a way to buy them ourselves,” the mother replied with a smile.

Goto pursed his lips, his gaze somewhat dimmed, and without looking at the people inside, he hurriedly left.

She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, her mother would continue to nag her about how wonderful it was to join the religious community.

"Ho ho."

She arrived at another supply point, where a staff member nodded to her and gestured for her to go aside to talk.

The two walked to a secluded corner, and the man spoke up: "It's almost two hours late. I thought you didn't want it anymore."

"Sorry, it's too crowded on the road right now."

"Alright, alright, the money."

"it is good."

Goto took out a stack of banknotes and handed them to him without counting them.

Prices in Tokyo are soaring, but money is still useful because you can actually buy things at supply points.

The man counted casually, then picked up a black plastic bag from the ground and handed it to her.

"Isn't it a little small?" Goto asked timidly.

"This is the biggest we can make; any bigger and it will be too difficult."

"Okay. So, do you have those matching items?"

Yes, they're all inside.

Goto reluctantly accepted and left with the plastic bag.

When I got home, Shicang was cooking.

At times like these, although Iwasaki isn't picky about food, he doesn't want to eat free convenience food every day, so he asks Goto to go to the supply point to buy some fresh ingredients.

That thing is currently heavily overpriced, but Iwasaki doesn't have much in the way of cash.

Goto gave Tokura a wink, and the latter understood immediately, quickening his movements.

Then Toto took out the contents of the black bag. It was a Black Forest cake, which she had spent a lot of money to have ordered from the person at the supply depot and brought back. It was quite expensive.

As a caregiver who had looked after Iwasaki for several years, how could she not know Iwasaki's birthday?

She took a piping bag, wrote Iwasaki's name on it, and then placed candles on it. At that moment, Tokura had also finished cooking.

"."

What they did did could not escape Iwasaki's perception.

He just felt a little irritated for some reason.

He seemed unwilling to accept kindness from others, as he was quite unfamiliar with this feeling. And this unfamiliarity represented a sense of insecurity for him.

"It's all about exchanging favors. She's doing this simply to gain more benefits from me. I can accept it; I don't need to feel guilty about it."

Iwasaki closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he had convinced himself to return to his usual indifference.

"Mr. Iwasaki! Dinner's ready!"

Goto knocked on the door and said.

Iwasaki walked outside, and as soon as he opened the door, he saw Goto's somewhat silly smile.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Tokura spoke first: "Happy birthday, Mr. Iwasaki."

"That's right, happy birthday! Mr. Iwasaki, would you like to eat cake first or dinner first?"

Goto went too far this time, pushing Iwasaki by the back and shoving him towards the table.

"Let's have cake tonight," Iwasaki said calmly, his expression unchanged.

"Okay! Please sit down, I'll serve you rice right away!" Goto quickly picked up the cake, placed it on another counter, and served him rice.

After Iwasaki stared silently at the dishes on the table for a while, he suddenly heard Tokura exclaim in surprise.

"Look! It's the sun in the sky!"

Iwasaki turned his head and looked at the balcony, which was usually closed and covered with a layer of volcanic ash that hadn't been cleaned up that day. In the sky, a crack appeared in the thick volcanic ash cloud, and golden sunlight pierced through and fell on the earth.

"It's so beautiful." Goto and Tokura were practically pressed against the French windows, gazing at it intently.

She had forgotten how long it had been since she had seen real sunlight.

The clouds quickly closed again, and the sunlight was gradually obscured, but the warmth that fell did not completely dissipate, and continued to soothe the hearts of those who had been lonely for so long.

Iwasaki turned his head and secretly glanced at the Black Forest cake with its somewhat crooked name on it.

8 month 5 day.

The players gathered in the lobby in perfect unison.

As they watched intently and silently counted, the countdown at the center of the round table slowly reached zero.

System update complete.

[Version 2.0, officially released]