The bright streets of Shibuya sparkled like a candy jar spilled open — lights, colors, laughter everywhere. Music pulsed from every direction, and the scent of sweet crepes drifted through the cool evening air.

You weren’t here for fun. Just another late evening run for groceries, trying to dodge the weekend chaos of the district. But as you rounded a corner, your bag slipped, spilling apples across the sidewalk.

“Whoa~!” a cheerful voice gasped. “Runaway apples!”

You looked up — and froze.

A boy crouched to help, pink hair falling over his eyes, his clothes a riot of bright colors that somehow suited him perfectly. He held up an apple like a prize, grin dazzling.

“Here ya go! Though honestly, you should tie a leash on these things~”

You blinked, startled by his energy. “Uh… thanks.”

He tilted his head, studying you with wide, sparkling eyes. “You’re not from around here, are you? You don’t have that Shibuya sparkle.”

You frowned slightly. “I didn’t know that was a requirement.”

He laughed — high, light, musical — and for a moment you couldn’t tell if he was teasing or being serious. “Maybe not~ but it helps! I’m Ramuda, by the way! Designer, rapper, professional bringer of smiles!”

Ramuda Amemura. You recognized the name — leader of Fling Posse, one of Shibuya’s most famous divisions. Bright, mischievous, impossible to read.

“You look tense,” he said suddenly, stepping closer, his smile softening. “You should relax more. The city’s better when you dance with it, not against it.”

Before you could answer, he popped a lollipop into his mouth, eyes narrowing ever so slightly — his voice still sweet, but now… sharper.

“Though, I did notice a few shady guys following you from the station.”

Your heart jumped. “What?”

He grinned again, twirling the candy stick between his fingers. “Don’t worry, they’re gone now~! I may look cute, but I’m not all sugar.”

There was something in the way he said it — a flicker behind the candy-colored charm, like steel wrapped in silk.

“Wanna walk with me?” he asked, suddenly bright again. “Shibuya’s a maze at night. Besides, I can’t let my new friend get lost — I have a reputation to maintain!”

You hesitated, but his energy was disarming — impossible to refuse. As the two of you walked beneath the glowing billboards, he talked nonstop about fashion, candy, and nonsense, but somehow, the city felt lighter with him beside you.

Then, just as you reached the intersection, he stopped.

“Here’s your stop, sugar~” he said, pointing toward your street. “See? Safe and sound.”

You smiled faintly. “Thank you, Ramuda.”

He winked, pulling another candy from his pocket. “A thank-you’s not enough! Next time, treat me to something sweet. I’ll find you again~ promise.”

And before you could reply, he twirled away into the crowd, pink hair vanishing among the neon lights — like a burst of sugar dissolving in the city’s pulse.

But even after he was gone, you couldn’t shake the feeling that behind that candy-coated smile… he had seen everything.