"So, that shows again that you shouldn't speed through a red light on high speed, because you will get hurt. Back to you in the studio, Hiroshi." The man reporting the car accident nodded to the camera as the display on Hikaru's television returned to the anchors at the studio. "Thanks, Hiroma. In other news, the-" The screen went dark. Hikaru returned the remote to his desk and reached for a small black book, opening it about half-way through, where he had used a pen to mark his progress. He lifted the instrument and began to scribble the name of the man who had been reported to have died in the car accident, until something strange occurred to him.

[i]Hm? His name... It's already here?[/i]

Hikaru inspected the latest entry of the book. To his surprise, it was the very entry he was about to write, already completed.

[b]Arata Nori: 21st/April/2006, 15:49[/b]

[i]But that can't be... I only just heard the report...[/i]

Just then, a young and feminine voice made itself known, startling Hikaru in his seat and making him instinctively turn around. "Pretty cool, huh?" Seated in thin air was a small girl with lavender hair and clothes. She spun around until she was upside down. Even though she was several feet aloft, her long hair skimmed the carpet. After a long pause, she spoke again, "Well?" Hikaru shook his head and looked back up, only to see that she was still there. "I'm real, you know. But it's ok, Twelfth. I'm sure the others won't get it right away either."

"... Twelfth?"

"Hehehe, come with me, He'll explain everything," the girl chimed. In a flash, Hikaru found himself in what seemed like a bright void. He stood on a large circular platform, one of twelve platforms that were arranged in a circle. One by one, silhouetted forms appeared upon the other platforms. Other... people, he presumed. Their looking around caused Hikaru to guess that they were just as clueless as he was about this. It all seemed so random, but one being would make it very clear just how organized this all was...

Deus Ex Machina.

He introduced himself as such, in the form of a massive humaniod-esque skeleton resting upon a giant throne. In detail he elaborated the purpose of what he called a "survival game." Upon resolution of his debriefing, Hikaru found himself alone in his room once more. He reopened his diary and read the latest entry. The future-entry from earlier was still there, as was his half-finished present time version.

[i]A game of death...? Finally... Something I'll enjoy...[/i]