All around him were people. Normal people. Phones out, camera lights flashing. But this was no paparazzi or fans- the look on each face was nothing less than terrified. Disgusted. Whispers clawed at his eardrums, forcing him to face it- "It's the monster!" "The monster's the murderer-" "Careful, don't get too close..."

Harumasa's eyes widened- chest beginning to tighten. The lights, the sounds, the panic- it was all too much. Too overwhelming. Reverberating in his chest and brain until all senses were full of the scene around him. He gasped for breath that wasn't there, desperate. No. No. He- He wasn't a monster, he wasn't, he wasn't, he-

A sudden tap on the shoulder jolted him from the nightmare, and he opened his eyes blearily, looking up at the one who woke him.