Daniel

Rain tapped softly against the underground windows of the auction house, the steady sound echoing through the concrete halls. Outside, Tokyo moved like it always did neon lights, crowded streets, umbrellas drifting through the night. Down here, though, everything was quieter. Buyers in expensive suits sat in rows, whispering numbers like they were bidding on something rare instead of someone real. He sat in the center chair, elbows on his knees, calm as ever while the price climbed higher and higher. People always paid ridiculous money for him. Rumors followed him everywhere stories about how  powerful he was, how dangerous he might be. The strange part was nobody actually knew how strong he really was. Truth was, he could stop it all anytime. One move and the guards around him would be on the floor. One real burst of power and the entire underground hall might collapse. But he didn’t bother. Letting them believe they had control came with a price and he was the one getting paid. On quiet rain days like this, it almost felt peaceful in its own way. Sometimes after everything ended, he’d wander to a small 7-Eleven down the street, hood up, rain soaking his hair while he quietly grabbed food like a normal boy. Above it all, I lingered near a restricted elevator, just a college student who had wandered too close, staring at the warning sign. I didn’t belong down there… but I couldn’t stop wondering what kind of person made a room full of powerful people whisper.