Fate DxD

Chapter 39

Friday, January 14, 2023.

*Vibrate*

"Hmmm, who's that texting me at this hour?" The vibrations from my phone wake me up.

I rest my head on the pillow, trying to forget the message I've just received. But after only a few seconds, I slowly move my arm and grab my phone, turning it on.

"Ten o'clock in the morning, who can it be... Shuka?" I sit up, surprised.

In truth, this is hardly surprising, given that we often talk to each other, but never this early, especially at weekends.

"Hi Senji! I don't know if you've noticed, but the event will start this afternoon, let's meet at 11 o'clock at this address, see you then!"

(Huh... She was right to warn me, it's been a while since I opened the app. Hmmm... it's a good idea to meet before the event starts, so we can help each other out.)

I get up, change and head for the bathroom to splash some water on my face. The only living thing here awake apart from me is Monji, the cat Inaho found a few months ago. He comes to me and purrs at my touch.

"Hi buddy, I'm going out, so I'm counting on you to watch the house okay?"

He meows softly, probably because he too has just woken up. I stand up and go out, heading for the address Shuka gaveme.

I step out of Shibuya station, having sent a message to Shuka that I was on my way, and look around me, surrounded by these huge buildings and this sheet-covered statue, the scene of a massacre a few months ago.

Senji! Youhou!" I turn to see Shuka dressed in a black dress, with a big ribbon at the hip and velvet gloves. "Haven't I kept you waiting too long?"

"No, I just got here."

"Perfect. Then come quickly!" She grabs my arm and pulls me toward her.

"Where are we going?"

"To the restaurant, for starters!"

"What?"

We enter a café-restaurant for a hearty breakfast, but I'm still unsure, not really knowing what's going on.

"Aren't you hungry?" Shuka asks, seeing me like this.

"Yes, totally, but I thought you wanted to talk strategy for the Darwin's Game event..."

"Don't be in such a hurry! We've still got time. And I've got a few things to tell you about that. But first, tell me Senji, did you know about Darwin's Game before you joined?"

"Um, no, I haven't."

"That's what I thought, in Japan it hasn't become a phenomenon yet, but you should know that in other countries, Darwin's Game is universally recognized."

"Talk about a game..."

"Some time ago, you couldn't pronounce the name Darwin's Game in public, or you'd end up Game Over, but given the number of players that has exploded, the game has become completely transparent to the world, it's caused a huge amount of debate, especially in governments. But unfortunately for them, Darwin's Game is untouchable, like so many other things."