Episode 6: ∆T0 The T0P!∆ (Part 1)

(𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑵 𝑻𝑶 𝑫𝑨𝑹𝑲 𝑪𝑨𝑻 - 𝑩𝑼𝑩𝑩𝑳𝑬 𝑻𝑬𝑨 𝑾𝑯𝑰𝑳𝑬 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑷𝑼𝑻 𝑰𝑻 𝑶𝑵 𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑷)∇∇∇
 

...

Consciousness dragged Tsugumi back to the ethereal plane of the UG. Her eyes fluttered open to the familiar, unyielding landscape of AMX. The ever-present hum of Shibuya, the bustle of its populace, was the only sound.

It was Day 6, only one more day to end this nightmare.

Tsugumi pushed herself to her feet, her gaze sweeping across unfamiliar surroundings. This wasn't a part of Shibuya she'd seen in the Game before. AMX. A knot of anxiety tightened in her stomach. With no mission prompt, no sign of Ao, and the chilling realization that it was already Day 6, a desperate urgency clawed at her.

Her mind raced, searching for a familiar anchor. Ao. Where would Ao be? A faint memory surfaced Ao's usual spot, the Statue of Hachiko's Sunshine Stationside. That was it. That was her best bet.

Now, the challenge was getting there. She was on AMX. That meant navigating through the invisible labyrinth of the UG. She mentally traced a path. First, she had to find the Central Street Entrance, then push through to Scramble Crossing. The clock was ticking.

Tsugumi moved with purpose, the eerie silence of AMX amplifying the urgency in her chest. Each step was a calculated effort, her internal map of Shibuya’s UG overlaying the unsettling reality of her solitary journey. She passed through the echoes of AMX, the bustle of its former life a stark contrast to her own, silent presence.

Then, she reached the Central Street Entrance. The familiar archway, even in its translucent form, offered a tiny flicker of reassurance. She pushed through, the unseen crowds of Central Street parting before her, their murmurs a dull, omnipresent backdrop. Her senses were hyper-alert, scanning for any deviation, any sign of Noise, or, more importantly, any trace of her partner. The path felt longer, more desolate without Ao's buoyant presence and endless chatter. Every shadow seemed to stretch, every detail of Shibuya’s architecture taking on an ominous quality.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Tsugumi emerged into the sprawling, chaotic heart of Scramble Crossing. The cacophony of the living world, muted to a gentle thrum in the UG, was still louder here, a testament to the sheer energy of this iconic intersection. Her eyes immediately swept the vast expanse, searching for a familiar figure.

And then she saw them.

Not Ao, but two other Players. Ai and Mina. They stood near the central pedestrian area, amidst the ethereal flow of unseen people, their forms subtly visible as Players in the UG. Ai, ever the vibrant one, was gesturing animatedly, her bright pink hair a beacon. Mina, beside her, seemed calmer, her expression thoughtful as she listened.

A jolt of something akin to relief, quickly followed by a sharp edge of irritation, shot through Tsugumi. They hadn’t seen them since… well, since before the Game really started for them. Maybe they knew something. Maybe they’d seen Ao. Or at least, they could tell her what was happening.

Tsugumi approached them, her footsteps silent on the invisible pavement. As she got closer, Ai noticed her first, her eyes widening.

"Tsugumi-sama! Is that really you?!" Ai shrieked, her voice cutting through the ethereal quiet of the UG. She practically leaped towards her, her usual effervescent energy unmistakable. "Oh my gosh, you're alive! Well, you know, alive-alive! We haven't seen you guys in ages! Where's Ao? Are you together? What happened?!" Ai’s questions tumbled out in a single, breathless rush, her hands already reaching out as if to hug Tsugumi, then stopping mid-air as she remembered their strange, disembodied existence.

Mina nodded grimly. "Tsugumi-sama... Good to see you. We were wondering what became of you two. It's been... rough, hasn't it?" Her gaze was empathetic, recognizing the toll the Game was taking.

Tsugumi exhaled slowly, a tension she hadn't realized she was holding finally releasing. She wasn’t completely alone. "Ai, Mina. Yeah, it's me. And... it's been a lot." She looked around, then back at their expectant faces. "Have either of you seen Ao? I woke up alone on AMX today, and I haven't gotten any mission prompts. I was heading to Hachiko's Statue, hoping she'd be there."

Ai's bright demeanor dimmed slightly. "Alone? Oh, no! That's... that's not good. They usually keep teams together. We haven't seen Ao since, well, since before yesterday. We've been mostly around here, trying to figure things out."

Mina nodded grimly. "The Game's been... intensifying. We're on Day 3. It feels like weeks. No new rules, just higher stakes, harder Noise. It's rough out there. And the Reapers are getting more aggressive. Some of them are just... enjoying it too much."

"Day 3 for you," Tsugumi mused, nodding. She already knew the Games happened on different timelines for different Players, so the discrepancy in days didn't surprise her. "It's Day 6 for me." A chill ran down her spine as she spoke the words. "It means my Game is almost over."

Ai gasped, her eyes wide. "Day 6?! Oh my gosh, Tsugumi, that's terrifying! What happens on Day 7?!"

Mina's expression became even more somber. "Have you... learned anything? About the Game? About what happens if you lose?"

Tsugumi hesitated. She hadn't been told much, just fragments she'd pieced together or had explained by Kariya. But seeing their desperate faces, her own isolation weighing heavily, she decided to share at least some of what she’d picked up over her six grueling days.

"I've learned a little," Tsugumi began, her voice low. "For one, we're all... dead. That's why we're here, why we're invisible to the living."

Ai and Mina exchanged wide-eyed glances, then looked back at Tsugumi, their faces a mixture of shock and dawning horror. "Dead?!" Ai whispered, her hand instinctively going to her chest. Mina's lips pressed into a thin line. This was clearly new, terrifying information for them.

"Yes. And this... this is the Reaper's Game. We have to complete daily missions, defeat Noise, whatever they throw at us. If we don't, if we fail... we're erased. From existence." Tsugumi watched their reactions, the terror dawning in their eyes. "The objective is to survive until the end. We've heard that on the seventh day, you have to fight the Game Master."

Ai let out a shaky gasp. "Erased?! Oh my gosh! I don't want to be forgotten! And fighting the Game Master? Who even is the Game Master?!"

Tsugumi sighs "We don't know anything about the Game Master yet...."

Mina put a comforting hand on Ai's shoulder, though her own face was drawn. "This is... a lot to take in. But thank you for telling us, Tsugumi. It's... it's better than being completely in the dark." She then frowned. "And how do we buy things? We've seen stores, but we thought we couldn't interact with the living world."

"The stores are connected by something called 'Noise Graffiti'," Tsugumi explained, recalling Kariya's earlier explanation. "They make you visible and tangible inside the shop, so you can use the Yen Pins like real money. But they also make it so you can't talk about the Game to anyone real. Your words get scrambled." She then briefly touched upon the concept of Pins. "And the Pins we use, some are 'Brand Pins' tied to real-world brands, Others are 'Unbranded Pins' more basic psychs, not linked to any company. They're both used for psychs, but their origins are different."

Ai sniffled, wiping her eyes. "This is all so crazy. But... we have to fight, right? We have to win!" Her usual determination began to reassert itself, fueled by fear rather than carefree optimism. "So, if you're looking for Ao, and we haven't seen her, Hachiko's Statue is probably the best place to start. She's usually pretty good at finding safe spots."

Tsugumi nodded, a renewed sense of urgency propelling her. "That's what I figured. I should go now. Every minute counts."

"Be careful, Tsugumi," Mina warned, her gaze serious. "And if you find Ao, tell her we're thinking of her. Maybe we can all meet up later, share information. We're stronger together."

"We definitely are!" Ai chimed in, managing a wobbly smile. "Good luck, Tsugumi! Stay safe!"

Tsugumi offered a brief nod of thanks. The encounter had been a chaotic mix of fear, information, and the strange camaraderie that only Players in the Reaper's Game could truly understand. She was no less anxious about Ao, but at least she wasn't completely in the dark anymore. The knowledge, however grim, was a weapon.

With a final glance at Ai and Mina, Tsugumi turned. Her path was clear. Hachiko's Statue. She had to find Ao.

Tsugumi's hurried steps finally brought her to the familiar, Statue of Hachiko, Her eyes scanned the base of the beloved canine's likeness, and there, nestled close to the phantom bronze, was Ao. She was sitting, her head bent, seemingly engrossed in her phone, utterly oblivious to Tsugumi's frantic search.

"Ao!" Tsugumi called out, her voice a mix of relief and lingering exasperation.

Ao gasped, her head snapping up. Her eyes, wide with surprise, quickly registered Tsugumi's presence. "T-chan!" she shrieked, leaping to her feet. Without hesitation, she threw herself at Tsugumi, wrapping her in a tight, transparent hug. "Oh my gosh, you're okay! I was so worried for a sec! I woke up and you weren't there, and there was no mission, and I just... I didn't know what to do!" Her voice was muffled against Tsugumi's shoulder.

Tsugumi, caught off guard by the uncharacteristic display of genuine concern, sighed, a little of her tension easing. She awkwardly patted Ao's back. "Um... Yeah, I'm fine. And I just ran into Ai and Mina on Scramble Crossing a minute ago. They were pretty lost, just like us, and wondering where we were."

Ao pulled back, her face a mix of relief and sympathy. "Oh, man. Ai and Mina? That's rough. I wish them good luck."

"I told them we wished them luck too," Tsugumi replied, a faint nod. "They're still on Day 3. So it's probably going to be a while before we see them again, if at all."

As they spoke, a sharp, sudden pain lanced through both of their hands. It wasn't physical, but a jolt of psychic energy, coinciding with a rapid, almost frantic ticking sound emanating from their invisible timers. Simultaneously, their phones, or rather the phantom devices the Game provided, vibrated violently in their palms, displaying a new message.

Tsugumi glanced down at her screen, her eyes scanning the glowing text.

𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡========================>

"REACH THE TOP OF THE WORLD... BUT DON'T BECOME TOO... ARROGANT OR FACE ERASURE YOU HAVE 190 MINUTES"

                                               - The Reapers.

================================

Ao's eyes widened, her previous relief melting into bewildered frustration. "What?! 'Reach the top of the world'? And 'don't be arrogant'? What is that even about now?! Another riddle?!" She threw her hands up in exasperation, then looked at Tsugumi, her gaze pleading for an explanation.

Tsugumi sighed, the familiar weight of a new, cryptic mission settling upon her. She considered the message, breaking it down in her mind. "Top of the world... it could be literal, or figurative. And 'arrogant'... that's a warning. It suggests a trap, or a specific kind of behavior they want to avoid."

"But which 'top of the world'?" Ao pressed, pulling at a strand of her hair. "Shibuya has a lot of tall buildings! Like Shibuya Hikarie, or the Shibuya Stream building, or even the 104 Building if we go inside! And 'arrogant'? How do we even know if we're being arrogant in a 'Game' way?"

"Exactly," Tsugumi agreed, her mind already racing. "It's intentionally vague. This means we'll have to investigate. We can't just run blindly towards the tallest building. That's probably exactly what they want us to do, and then spring a trap on us."

She began to pace, her gaze sweeping across the familiar cityscape. "First, 'top of the world.' It implies elevation. A high point. Second, 'don't be arrogant.' This could mean many things. Don't be overconfident, don't ignore warnings, don't try to take on too much at once. It could also refer to interacting with Reapers. Some of them, like Kariya, clearly thrive on playing mind games."

Ao clapped her hands together. "Okay! So we need to look for clues! Like, maybe there are some weird Noise blocking a path to a high place, or a Reaper giving out hints, or some strange graffiti pointing us somewhere!"

"That's a good starting point," Tsugumi conceded. "We need to scan the area, look for anything out of the ordinary, anything that points to a specific 'top of the world' within Shibuya. And we need to be mindful of this 'arrogance' warning. This feels like a test of caution as much as it is a test of strength."

She looked at their timers. 190 minutes. That was roughly three hours and ten minutes. Not a lot of time for a riddle-based mission.

"Alright," Tsugumi said, a plan beginning to form in her mind. "Let's start by scanning the immediate area around Hachiko. Then, we systematically expand our search. We should prioritize areas with clear vertical access, but also look for any unusual concentrations of Noise or Reapers. And remember, we need to be smart about this. No rushing in. No overt displays of power that might be interpreted as 'arrogance' if that's the trap."

Ao nodded, her initial frustration giving way to a more familiar sense of purpose. "Got it, T-chan! Scan, look for clues, and no being a hotshot! Let's do this!" She activated her Scan psych, her eyes already darting around the invisible landscape, ready to pick up on any hidden signs or energy signatures.

Tsugumi activated her own Scan, her gaze more focused, less scattered than Ao's. The familiar Shibuya landscape, unseen by the living, shimmered into higher relief for them. The game was on. And this time, it felt like a psychological test, a subtle trap woven into the fabric of their very objective.

Tsugumi's brow furrowed in concentration, her Scan psych spread across the familiar streets around Hachiko. Her enhanced senses picked up the usual hum of the UG, the faint psychic residue of Noise, and the subtle energy signatures of other Players, but nothing. No glowing mission markers, no unusual concentrations of hostile Noise, no cryptic symbols painted on the invisible walls. The air remained stubbornly normal, or as normal as the Underground can be.

"Anything, T-chan?" Ao asked, her own Scan coming up empty.

Tsugumi shook her head, frustrated. "Nothing. Perhaps this mission isn't about scanning for a specific location, or for Noise."

As they spoke, their attention was drawn to a peculiar sight in the very center of the bustling, real-world intersection. A young boy, seemingly their age, stood amidst the flowing crowds. He was clutching a large cardboard box overflowing with Mus Rattus merchandise such as t-shirts, keychains, small plushies. He looked incredibly determined, almost desperate, as he yelled out, trying to hawk his wares to the uninterested passersby.

"Buy your trendy Mus Rattus gear here! Get with the times! Don't miss out!" he shouted, his voice cracking slightly.

Tsugumi and Ao exchanged a look. He was definitely out of place. Tsugumi quickly activated her Scan on him. The boy shimmered, revealing his true nature: he was a regular person, a living denizen of Shibuya. But his thoughts, projected onto her mind via the Scan, were crystal clear.

"Man... it's not working at all. This is impossible. I need to be trendy... I really need that promotion."

Ao giggled. "He's trying so hard! He's kind of strange, but... cute, trying his best like that."

Tsugumi, however, wasn't amused by his efforts. She considered the boy, the box of trendy merchandise, the desperate plea for a "promotion." Then, her eyes widened slightly as the pieces clicked into place, connecting to the cryptic mission statement.

"He's the mission," Tsugumi stated, a resigned sigh escaping her lips.

Ao gasped, her eyes wide. "What?! How so?!"

Tsugumi sighed again, running a hand through her hair. "The message: 'REACH THE TOP OF THE WORLD... BUT DON'T BECOME TOO... ARROGANT.' It's not a physical place. It's about his goal. He wants a 'promotion,' he wants to be 'trendy,' to 'reach the top' of his career. And his problem? He's being too... apelative." Tsugumi's lips thinned. "He's trying too hard, forcing it, being too loud, too desperate. That's his 'arrogance.' His lack of genuine trendiness, or understanding of how to actually be appealing."

She looked at the boy, who was now red-faced from shouting, still desperately trying to sell a Mus Rattus plushie to a businessman who clearly wanted nothing to do with it.

"He's the mission," Tsugumi repeated, a new grim determination settling over her. "We have to help him. We have to make him 'trendy' enough to get his promotion. We have to fix his 'arrogance,' so he can reach his 'top of the world'." It was a bizarre, humiliating task, but it fit the Reaper's twisted logic perfectly.

Ao tilted her head, observing the struggling boy. "He doesn't look arrogant at all, T-chan. He just looks... really desperate."

Tsugumi sighed and nodded. "I know. But he's the mission anyway." Ao looked around. "How are two dead people supposed to help him? We can't just walk up and give him advice. We're invisible to him. And we certainly can't help him sell all that Mus Rattus stuff like this..." She gestured vaguely at their own translucent forms.

Tsugumi considered her point and sighed, scanning around again. As she scanned some people's thoughts, someone thought, "I need to go to Scramble Crossing." Suddenly, both Tsugumi and Ao's phones vibrated.

"Was that a call!?" Ao gasped, her eyes wide with surprise. She looked at her phone, and it was just a meme with a scrambled egg and people walking around it, captioned "Scramble Crossing."

Tsugumi and Ao tilted their heads, a little "Eh!?" escaping their lips.

Tsugumi looked back at the young boy trying to sell his merchandise, and suddenly a green blur of energy appeared on his heart. On her phone, below the meme, was a red letter saying "Imprint" like a command line. Tsugumi slowly whispered "Imprint." The boy instantly snapped and gasped, saying, "Yeah! Scramble Crossing! Maybe I will be lucky there with a bunch of people around!" With that, he grabbed his stuff and went to Scramble Crossing, passing them.

Ao blinked. "Did you just influence the young boy to go to Scramble Crossing?"

Tsugumi considered. "That could be a new feature. Imprint... the ability to change people's minds."

Ao gasped. "That's pretty OP and dangerous!"

Tsugumi nodded and sighed. "Perhaps it could be the way to help him out. Now we have to follow him."

Tsugumi and Ao followed the young boy, their invisible forms weaving through the real-world crowds of Scramble Crossing. He was still shouting, his voice growing hoarser, his desperation more palpable. The boy settled near the iconic video screens, setting up his box of Mus Rattus goods with a fervent, almost aggressive energy.

"Come on, people! Get your Mus Rattus! Don't miss out on the hottest trend!" he bellowed, his voice cracking slightly.

Tsugumi watched, a plan already forming. This "Imprint" ability was powerful, but also delicate. They couldn't just force thoughts into his head. They needed to find thoughts that resonated with his situation, then "Imprint" them to subtly nudge his behavior or the reactions of those around him. And the key was the memes. Each meme seemed to represent a specific, impactful phrase. They needed to find thoughts in the crowd that matched those phrases.

On their phones, the first set of memes were visible: Come get Hot Stuff!, Freaky as bananas, Come feel like a King, Don't hurt the poor one, 104, Come be trendy, Chill, Don't worry is just the hot stuff.

"Alright, Ao," Tsugumi whispered. "We got some pretty good ones for now, We'll focus on the positive, appealing ones first to help him sell."

Ao nodded, her earlier awe at "Imprint" now replaced with focused determination. "Got it, T-chan! Let's get this guy his promotion!"

The boy, still attempting his loud, forceful sales pitch, was getting nowhere. People actively avoided eye contact, some even veering around him.

"This isn't working," Tsugumi muttered. "He's too... aggressive. We need to make him more appealing, and the crowd more receptive."

Ao's eyes narrowed. "I got something! Someone's thinking, 'Ugh, I wish I could find something that's actually, like, cool. All this stuff is so boring.' "That's perfect for Come get Hot Stuff!, right?"

"Good," Tsugumi confirmed. She focused her Scan on the woman, then clicked "Imprint" on her phone, selecting the Come get Hot Stuff! meme. A faint green glow pulsed from her hand, directed at the woman. "Change your mind! Now!" Tsugumi says with determination.

Suddenly, a few passersby, who had previously ignored the boy, paused. One woman even glanced at his table, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. It was subtle, but it was a change.

Just then, Tsugumi found a thought. A young man, looking particularly fashion-conscious, thought: 'Man, I need something that's really going to make me stand out. Something unique.'

"I've got Come be trendy," Ao shouts, activating her Scan on the man and then pressing "Imprint" on her phone. "Consideration Beam! Go!" Ao shouts as the green blur pulsed out towards the man. He suddenly stopped, a flicker of inspiration on his face, and his gaze landed on the boy's stall.

The boy, seeing the slight shift in attention, puffed out his chest, but his shyness, mixed with desperation, got the better of him. "Uh, yeah! Trendy stuff! It's... it's really cool! You should... you should get it!" he stammered, his voice losing all confidence, his gaze darting away.

The brief interest in the crowd dissolved. The young man shrugged and walked off.

Tsugumi groaned. "He's sabotaging himself! His shyness is making his 'arrogance' warning fire off in a different way. He's too apologetic, which makes him seem unconfident."

Ao frowned. "So, he needs confidence, but not arrogance? This is harder than fighting Noise!"

As the boy continued to flounder, getting more flustered, a group of older, tougher-looking high schoolers approached, sneering at his attempts.

"Look at this loser," one of them scoffed. "Trying to sell kiddie stuff. Get a real job, dweeb!"

The boy visibly recoiled, his face flushing red. He clutched a Mus Rattus plushie, his eyes darting, unable to meet their gaze. "It's... it's not kiddie stuff! It's... it's popular!" he mumbled defensively, looking down.

The leader of the group stepped closer, an ugly smirk on his face. "What was that? Can't even look at me when you talk, huh? Maybe we should teach you some manners." He raised a fist, clearly intending to scare, if not outright beat, the boy.

"Oh no!" Ao gasped. "He's going to get hurt!"

Tsugumi's mind raced. This was one of the "problems" they had to fix. The "bad stuff because of shyness." They needed a meme to deflect the situation, to change the bullies' minds.

Tsugumi desperately scanned the bully's thoughts. She needed a quick hit. His thoughts were mostly aggressive, but there was a flicker of something else. "Man, this is so boring. Wish something actually interesting would happen instead of this punk."

"I've got it!" Tsugumi exclaimed, activating her Scan on the bully, then pressing "Imprint" to select the "Chill" meme. A green pulse shot out.

The bully's raised fist hesitated. His eyes glazed over for a split second, and the aggressive tension in his body deflated. He frowned, then let out a bored yawn. "Ugh, whatever. Not worth it. Let's go, guys. This is lame." He turned and, to Tsugumi and Ao's relief, lumbered off with his crew, leaving the boy shaken but unharmed.

Ao let out a shaky breath. "Whoa! That actually worked! You just chilled him out!"

Tsugumi nodded, a thin line to her lips. "This 'Imprint' ability is more versatile than I thought. It can alter moods, deflect intent. But we used up a lot of time on that. We need to be more efficient."

The boy, still reeling from the near-altercation, tried again, but his voice was even weaker, his confidence shattered. "Mus... Mus Rattus... for sale..."

"He's too quiet now!" Ao exclaimed. "He needs to stand out! But not too much!"

Tsugumi scanned. She needed a bold, positive message. She found a thought from a passing girl: "I really want to feel special today. Like royalty or something." This was a stretch, but it aligned with "Come feel like a King. Do it Ao"

"I'll try the Come feel like a King," Ao nods, scanning the girl and pressing "Imprint."

The green energy pulsed. The boy, instead of just shouting, suddenly stood straighter. He puffed out his chest, a fleeting, almost regal, air about him. He picked up a plushie, holding it aloft like a scepter. "Come on, people! Feel like a king with this awesome Mus Rattus gear!"

A few people in the crowd paused, confused. A nervous titter ran through a group of high school girls. The boy's attempt at regal salesmanship was so out of place that it just looked... odd. He hadn't sold anything.

"Bad choice," Tsugumi mumbled, annoyed. "Too weird. It made him look more ridiculous than confident. He needs to be trendy, not a jester."

Ao winced. "Yeah, that didn't work. Okay, lemme try again! I need something that's catchy and not too... king-like." She scanned, looking for an opening. She found a group of young, trendy shoppers. 'Ugh, everything here is so bland. I wish there was something edgy, a little bit rebellious.'

"Got it! the Freaky as bananas one!" Ao chirped, excitedly scanning the shoppers and pressing "Imprint" for the meme.

The boy, still slightly embarrassed by his "king" phase, suddenly adopted a new demeanor. He held up a Mus Rattus t-shirt, giving it a sly, almost rebellious flick. "Don't be basic, Shibuya! Get your gear that's freaky as bananas! Stand out amongst the others!" he smirked, a strange, half-confident, half-awkward glint in his eyes.

This time, it worked! A few of the trendy shoppers, intrigued by the bizarre, yet confident, new slogan, actually approached his stall. One girl picked up a keychain, a curious smile on her face. "Huh. 'Freaky as bananas'? I kinda like that. It's... different." She bought it!

"Yes!" Ao cheered, doing a silent little fist pump. "First sale! T-chan, we're getting somewhere!"

Tsugumi managed a small, rare smile. "Good job, Ao. That was a much better fit. It gave him confidence without making him like a fool. It appealed to their desire to be unique, to be 'freaky'."

Despite the single sale, the crowd in Scramble Crossing was still vast and largely uninterested. The boy was making slow progress.

"He needs a new location," Tsugumi determined, looking at their rapidly dwindling timer. 120 minutes left. "Scramble Crossing is too chaotic. He's getting lost in the noise. He needs a place where his particular brand of... well, 'freaky as bananas' can thrive."

"But where?" Ao wondered. "And how do we get him there? Just 'Imprint' a location into his head?"

Tsugumi scanned the thoughts of the people who had just bought something from the boy, or who seemed intrigued by the "freaky" vibe. She found a common thread: "I'm heading to 104 next. Always find something interesting there."

"104," Tsugumi said, her voice decisive. "It's known for trendy, pop culture, unique fashion. It's a shopping mall, but more niche than the main street. It's where we bought the tote bag and your Pin, remember? People there are looking for novelty."

"Right!" Ao agreed. "But how do we make him go there? Just 'Imprint' '104'?"

Tsugumi scanned the boy's mind. He was thinking 'Ugh, this isn't enough. I need more people, but this place is overwhelming. Where can I find my real market?"

Tsugumi scanned the boy and then pressed "Imprint" on her phone, selecting the "104" meme from their current set.

The green energy pulsed over his heart. The boy's eyes widened. "104!" he suddenly declared, snapping his fingers. "That's it! More concentrated foot traffic looking for exactly this kind of thing! Brilliant!" He quickly packed up his remaining goods and, with renewed vigor, started heading towards the 104 Building.

"Alright!" Ao cheered quietly. "We moved him! Now to follow!"

They followed the boy into the bustling, mall. The energy here was different, more focused on consumption. He set up his stall near the entrance of the Mus Rattus store, a prime spot.

He started his pitch again, but this time, he led with his new, successful slogan. "Come get your Mus Rattus! Gear that's freaky as bananas! Stand out!"

Customers were certainly more receptive here. Several people glanced his way, some even approaching. The boy was making more consistent sales.

But then, a new problem arose. A rival vendor, a stern-looking woman with a competing brand of cutesy animal merchandise, approached the boy. She glared at him.

"Hey, kid! This is my territory! You're stealing my customers with that loud nonsense! Take your 'freaky bananas' somewhere else!" she hissed, trying to intimidate him.

The boy, despite his recent successes, faltered. His face flushed with shyness. He instinctively clutched a plushie, shrinking back. "I... I'm not... this is a free space..." he mumbled, his voice barely audible.

The woman smirked, seeing his weakness. "Yeah, it's about to be my space. Move it, punk."

"Oh no, she's going to shut him down!" Ao worried. "We need a meme for this!"

Tsugumi quickly scanned the woman's thoughts. She was thinking: "This kid's a nuisance. I need to assert dominance. Make him feel small. No one ignores me." And also, almost subconsciously: "I really want to show these young whippersnappers who's boss."

Tsugumi found it. A slight stretch, but it fit the intent. She scanned the woman and then pressed "Imprint" for the "Don't hurt the poor one" meme.

The green energy pulsed. The woman's aggressive posture softened, just slightly. Her glare lessened. She still looked annoyed, but a flicker of pity, or perhaps professional courtesy, crossed her face. She shook her head. "Fine. But stay on your side, kid. Don't push it." She walked away, grumbling, but the immediate threat was gone.

"Whew! That was close!" Ao sighed in relief. "You made her feel bad for him!"

"It worked," Tsugumi confirmed, "but it was a subtle manipulation. And it cost us time with only 90 minutes left."

 The pressure was immense, yet the mission was far from done.

The boy, shaken but relieved, continued to sell. He was doing better now, the "freaky as bananas" slogan attracting a niche but dedicated crowd.

As the boy made more sales in 104, Tsugumi and Ao's phones vibrated again, as they scaned new memes, ready to be imprinted.

"More memes!" Ao exclaimed, her eyes wide as she scrolled through the new list. "Looks like we've go head to another place."

"Indeed," Tsugumi confirmed, scanning the boy's thoughts. He was thinking: 'Sales are good here, but this is 104. I need good here, but this is 104. I need to conquer new territory for that big promotion. Somewhere with a different crowd, maybe a bit more... unique. Ramen. Ramen always brings people.'

"He's thinking about ramen and new territory," Ao stated. "Dogenzaka is known for its ramen shops. We need to print Dogenzaka to him." She quickly scanned the boy and printed the Dogenzaka meme.

The boy's eyes lit up. "Dogenzaka! Perfect! A whole new crowd, maybe even some hungry shoppers after a good bowl of ramen!" He swiftly packed up his remaining, dwindling stock and headed towards Dogenzaka.

Tsugumi frowns a little "Are you....okay with heading there? I don't want you to have another Trauma attack, Ao"

Ao giggles nodding "Yeah! Why not? We are closer to going back to our lifes... Just the thought of going back to my besties with my new bestie is amazing! Friendship and determination are the medicine to fight any trauma! Hehe..."

Tsugumi smiles a little "Dumb ass..."

Let's go, T-chan! Let's not waist another minute!" Ao urged, already moving.

Dogenzaka was buzzing with a different kind of energy, focused on nightlife and, indeed, many ramen shops. The boy set up his stall near a popular ramen spot, seemingly oblivious to the change in atmosphere. He reverted to his earlier, aggressive pitch.

"Mus Rattus! Get your trendy gear!" he shouted, his voice echoing awkwardly in the evening air.

A group of businessmen, just leaving a ramen shop, frowned at him. One thought, I just want to enjoy my food, not be bothered by a loud kid."

"He's being too loud for this area," Tsugumi observed. "People here are focused on relaxing, eating. We need to make him fit in, make his product appeal to their post-meal contentment." She scanned the group, then imprinted Keep more tasty like Ramen into their minds. It was a subtle nudge, linking his product to their pleasant experience.

The businessmen paused, looking at the boy's stall with a flicker of thought. "Hmm, 'tasty like ramen'... well, maybe it's not so bad after all." One of them, still chewing even considered a keychain.

But then, the boy's shyness kicked in again. He saw the businessmen's mild interest and started stammering. "Uh, it's... it's really good stuff! Just like... ramen!" He looked down, embarrassed.

"Ugh, he's still struggling with confidence," Ao grumbled. "He needs to feel special! Not make ramen comparisons!" She scanned a young woman who was walking by, thinking, "I just want to feel unique, like I matter." Ao quickly impprinted Come Feel Special to the boy.

The boy straightened up, a newfound, quiet confidence blooming on his face. He held up a Mus Rattus hat, a genuine smile replacing his anxious one. "Mus Rattus gear... for those who want to feel truly special."

This more subtle approach worked. A few people, intrigued by his newfound calm and confidence, approached. One woman bought a hat, saying, "That's a nice sentiment. I'll take it."

Success! But it was short-lived. A group of rowdy drinkers stumbled out of a nearby bar, spotting the boy. "Look at this kid! Trying to sell junk! Get lost, punk!" one slurred.

The boy flinched, looking panicked.

Tsugumi scanned the drunk. 'Just trying to have some fun, no one's gonna bother me.'

"Imprint It's going to be alright," Tsugumi quickly decided, scanning the drunk man and pressing print. The green glow pulsed.

The drunk man paused, swaying. 'Yeah... yeah, it's gonna be alright. No need for trouble. Let's just... keep moving.' He stumbled past the boy, his aggression deflated.

Ao cheered silently. "Good for him! That drunk guy is going back home early today! Hehe"

"We need to keep him selling here," Tsugumi said. "And not get into more trouble." She scanned for more general positive thoughts that might make people receptive. She found a fleeting thought 'I just want everything to be easy tonight.'

Tsugumi imprinted "Fine" to a group of passing shoppers, aiming to make them simply accept the boy's presence without conflict. They walked past, ignoring him, but without animosity.

Suddenly, another seller, an older man with a food stall, started eyeing the boy suspiciously. He thought, "This kid's cutting into my profits. He's too cheap, making my prices look bad."

Ao saw the threat. "Oh no, a price war!" She quickly scanned the food vendor. "I'll imprint 'Cheaper doesn't always mean bad'!"

The green energy pulsed. The food vendor frowned, looking at the boy's prices, then at his own. He shrugged. "Well, I guess not. Different products. No real competition." He went back to his own business.

"Good save!" Tsugumi praised. "He's making good sales here. But his time is running out. We need to get him to A-East for the next stage of his 'promotion'." She scanned the boy. 'I'm doing well, but I need to be bigger. More... edgy. A-East is where the true fashion rebels are.'

"He's thinking about A-East," Tsugumi said. "And 'edgy.' Let's move him." She scanned the boy and printed A-East from her phone.

The boy nodded to himself. "A-East! That's it! Time to go truly edgy!" He packed up his remaining handful of items and started walking towards A-East.

A-East was a labyrinth of narrow streets, vintage shops, and live houses, a haven for Shibuya's subcultures, particularly the gothic and visual kei crowds. The boy set up his stall near a dark, edgy clothing store, his brightly colored Mus Rattus plushies looking starkly out of place.

He started his pitch, trying to sound "edgy." "Come get your Mus Rattus! For the true rebels! Be... uh... really cool!"

A group of impeccably dressed goths, all black lace and serious expressions, glared at him. One thought, "This bright nonsense is an affront. It ruins the aesthetic. Edginess comes from darkness, not cartoon rodents."

"Oh no, they're judging him!" Ao whispered. "He's completely missing the mark on 'edgy' here!"

Tsugumi quickly scanned the goths. She needed to make them see beyond the bright colors, or at least tolerate them. She had to use her new memes wisely. She thought about "Color doesn't make the edgy" and "Don't waste your fantastic badass clothes. Use those to just chill."

"I'll try Color doesn't make the edgy," Tsugumi decided, scanning the goth group and imprinting the meme.

The green energy pulsed. The goths blinked, a flicker of contemplation in their eyes. They still looked disdainful, but their hostility seemed to lessen. "Hmm, true, edginess is an internal state, not just external color..." one thought. They didn't buy anything, but they didn't try to shut him down either.

The boy, feeling a slight shift in the atmosphere, tried again. He looked at a girl with elaborate gothic makeup. "Hey! You! This stuff... it's... it's really deep! Like... a dark void... but cute!" He stammered, clearly trying to sound profound but failing miserably.

The girl's eye twitched. Her thought was a cold, sharp, "This insolent fool. He defiles our sacred aesthetic. He needs to be put in his place."

"Uh oh, she's really mad now!" Ao worried. "He's about to get canceled by the goths!"

Tsugumi quickly scanned the girl, selecting a meme that acknowledged her subculture but also subtly offered an alternative. She chose "No no! Gothic rules! But try Mus Rattus!"

The green energy pulsed. The goth girl paused, her expression softening infinitesimally. A flicker of amusement, or perhaps begrudging respect, crossed her face. "Gothic rules, yes... but the acknowledgment is... unexpected. And the rodent... surprisingly not offensive given the context." She didn't buy, but she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod to the boy, then walked away. Another potential conflict averted.

The boy, seeing he wasn't being chased away, gained a little confidence. But he still wasn't selling. His Mus Rattus was simply too out of place.

"He needs to understand the local vibe," Tsugumi sighed. "He's trying too hard to be what they think he is, not what they want."

Ao looked through their remaining memes for A-East. "Mus Rattus and Lapin Angelique can be together! A Combo Combo!" and "Come feel the combo!" Her eyes lit up. "T-chan! What if we make him combine his brand with something they already like? Like Lapin Angelique! It's a popular brand around here, right?"

Tsugumi's eyes widened. "That's brilliant, Ao! He needs to offer a bridge, a way for them to accept his 'cuteness' within their 'edgy' world." She scanned the boy, focusing on his internal struggle to connect. Then she printed the "Mus Rattus and Lapin Angelique can be together! A Combo Combo!" and "Come feel the combo!" memes into his mind, aiming for a surge of creative inspiration.

The green energy pulsed, strong this time. The boy's eyes widened. He looked around, then at his Mus Rattus merchandise, then at a Lapin Angelique boutique across the street. A sudden idea sparked in his mind. He pulled out a large marker and a blank piece of cardboard. He quickly scrawled a sign: "MUS RATTUS X LAPIN ANGELIQUE: THE UNEXPECTED COMBO! COME FEEL THE CONTRAST!"

He held up a Mus Rattus plushie next to a stylized drawing of a Lapin Angelique logo he'd quickly sketched. It was crude, but the concept was clear.

A group of trendsetters, looking for the next big thing, passed by. Their thoughts were about finding something truly original. Tsugumi quickly scanned them, imprinting "The darkness also needs to rest right?" and "Don't waste your fantastic badass clothes. Use those to just chill" at them, subtly linking the edgy aesthetic to relaxation and the unexpected.

The effect was subtle but powerful. The trendsetters paused, their eyes catching the boy's new sign. The juxtaposition of cute and edgy, the idea of "resting" in their "badass clothes" with something comforting, intrigued them. One of them actually approached.

"A Mus Rattus and Lapin Angelique combo, huh?" the trendsetter mused. "That's... surprisingly fresh. I kind of like the irony." They picked up a Mus Rattus t-shirt. "I'll take this. It'll be a conversation starter."

Sales started to trickle in. The boy, now genuinely confident and innovative, continued to pitch his "combo" idea, even creating makeshift pairings of his items with the perceived style of A-East. He wasn't just selling; he was creating a new trend.

His thoughts, when Tsugumi scanned them, were now: 'This is it! I'm breaking ground! This is the promotion! This is reaching the top!'

The timer on Tsugumi and Ao's hands flickered to 5 minutes remaining. The mission was almost complete. They had guided him through the chaos, the shyness, the intimidation, and the missteps, using the "Imprint" memes to subtly steer him to his "top of the world." The Game hadn't ended yet, but they had won this specific, bizarre challenge.

The young boy looked down at his box, his eyes widening. It was completely empty. He had done it. He had sold every single piece of Mus Rattus merchandise. A triumphant yell escaped him, and he jumped, punching the air in a wild, uninhibited celebration.

"Yes! I did it! I really did it!" he crowed, his voice filled with an almost manic joy. "That promotion is mine! Working for real at Mus Rattus, in their big spaces! I knew it! I knew I was better than them!" His smile twisted into a smug, self-satisfied grin. "All those co-workers, always pushing me down, telling me to try this and try that... nobody knew nothing. They were just trying to hold me back. But I showed them!"

Ao gasped, a look of horror spreading across her face. "T-chan! The things he's thinking..."

Tsugumi sighed, a heavy, weary sound. Her gaze was fixed on the boy, and as he reveled in his self-proclaimed superiority, faint, swirling Noise Tags began to materialize around him, flickering like malicious purple static. The symbols of pure, unadulterated psychic dissonance.

"That's it," Tsugumi murmured, her voice grim. "That was arrogance." Tsugumi shouts "Prepare yourself, Ao!"

Ao prepares herself, standing side by side with Tsugumi, right close to her "On it!"

                                             To Be Continued....