[color=#2e2c2c]Invisible Line Break FTW![/color]
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[i]Netsu Tanashi, twenty-seven—an accountant working for the Taishi Corporation—is seen walking alongside a train platform at sunset and stops when he reaches a specific transfer line to await his train. "There are times in my life where I think, 'I might actually die from being overworked.'" On the train, Netsu struggles to stay awake as his head bops to and fro; his chocolate leather messenger bag resting in his lap while in his embrace. "I frankly feel underappreciated and exploited. The overtime rate isn't anything to brag about." He finally succumbs to his exhaustion as his head falls onto some stranger's shoulder.

At home—a modest one-bedroom apartment—and in his pajamas, Netsu is feeding his goldfish an appropriate amount of flakes with a slight smile visible on his face. He seems content; perhaps happy even. "But then I think..." Next, he is seen sitting cross-legged in bed talking on the phone with someone. "Even someone like me has people who'll be sad if I suddenly disappear." The visual imagery of his family and his goldfish appears in his mind. "No matter how grueling the work is, I can't just give up and die. They need me-[/i]

[center][b]"Trust me, Tana-chin. None of the bosses will miss you if you suddenly bite it."[/b][/center]
That line brought Netsu abruptly out of his train of thought. As it turns out, Netsu was simply talking to his neighbor at work; which is where they're currently are: at the main offices in Shibuya. [color=#649381]"I wasn't referring to them actually-"[/color]

"We're just cogs in a giant corporate shit machine, dude. Easily replaceable. Man, it pisses me off." A man of similar age to Netsu with blonde-dyed hair leans back in his chair, frustrated. "By the way, that expense report done yet?"

[color=#649381]"Huh? Oh, right..."[/color] Netsu types a few lines on his keyboard and proceeds to print something out. He turns his chair to face right and hands the fresh report to his neighbor. [color=#649381]"Here you go, Kurosawa-"[/color]

His neighbor promptly snatches it out of his hand. "Thanks, dude. You're the man! I would've done it myself last night but the game was on and me and some buddies totally got way too hammered."

Netsu politely nods. [color=#649381]"It's no problem."[/color]

"Oh shit, boss's coming!" Kurosawa quickly hides himself behind his cubicle. A middle-aged manager with something of a gut stops at Netsu's desk. "Hey Tanashi, I'm gonna need you to cover a few extra hours today. That okay?" He asks.

[color=#649381]"Actually, I have somewhere I need to b-"[/color]

"Great, thanks." The manager simply walks away before Netsu could finish giving an answer. Kurosawa is quick to pop back into view. "Well, I guess you can make the case that they [i]would[/i] miss their #1 Mook if you died. Man, you gotta stop letting people take advantage of you." Netsu stares blankly at his computer screen; an empty feeling fills his chest.

[color=#2e2c2c]Invisible Line Break FTW![/color]
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Once again, Netsu finds himself sleeping on the train on his commute to work. Next to him is a cardboard drink carrier full of coffee cups. He's made it something of a habit to bring refreshments for his coworkers in the morning, even if no one realizes it's his doing. Just then, an unidentifiable figure in a heavy coat stops in front of the dozing salaryman. He wears a cold scowl, and the upper half of his face is hidden by a fedora. In his right hand, he holds... a drink carrier full of coffee cups also?

Back at work, Netsu walks into the employee breakroom and sets the coffee onto a nearby table; taking one for his own and leaving the rest for any interested coworkers. Walking out the room, he picks a corner to stand by while counting down the time until work starts. He's typically not noticed by anyone, so he has the advantage of overhearing the office chatter.

Unexpectedly, a voice comes over on the PA system. [b]"Everyone to the conference room in ten minutes. We have a special announcement we'd like to share with you all."[/b] Immediately, the office livens with the sound of gossip.

[color=#649381][i]"That was Mr. Hanazawa's voice. He doesn't usually make announcements."[/i][/color] Kotsuki Hanazawa—otherwise known as the Demon Middle Manager to his underlings. His grimly serious demeanor could peel paint off the walls. And he rarely, if ever, makes a personal visit down to the 43rd floor. Netsu wonders what this could be about as he takes a quick sip of his drink. [color=#649381][i]"Ugh... What's wrong with today's coffee? Tastes strangely stale. I should dispose of the rest before anyone grabs one."[/i][/color] Out of morbid curiosity, Netsu goes in for another sip. [color=#649381][i]"Hmm..."[/i][/color]