Xiao Daidzhao

Growing up with eccentric materialistic parents who left him in the care of his grandfather for a job overseas, Zhang Heng had learned to adapt and be unfettered by the oddities and challenges in life. But he would soon learn the baffling truth about the world he thought he knew when one day at midnight time froze and he found himself in a world so quiet and still it was deafening. That night, he discovered that he had 24 hours more than everybody else and thus, marked the beginning of his adventures. The mysteries surrounding his newfound ability only deepened when a strange old man claimed to have given Zhang Heng that ‘gift of time’ and recruited the young man to participate in a cryptic ‘life-changing’ game on his behalf. Little did Zhang Heng know that accepting those terms meant embroiling himself in many versions of reality and exposing himself to the hidden secrets of the world—a decision he could never undo.

48 Hours a Day

Akane bent down and dipped her hand into the pool, its water chilly and invigorating.

The Otowa waterfall of Kiyomizu Temple was known throughout Japan. It was said that the spring water here had reiki or healing energy and was excellent for boiling tea. There was a tea house not far from here owned by a kind and pleasant elderly woman.

"Are you hungry? We've been walking for a long time. Let's get something to eat," Akane said, keeping as straight of a face as she could.

Zhang Heng was baffled. What had he done wrong? Why was she so distant towards him throughout the walk up here? He mulled over it for a bit, then said, "Since you're treating me to sushi, let me treat you to some tea."

Akane gave no reply as the pair made their way to the tea house with blue noren curtains*.

"What do you feel like having today?"

Zhang Heng was searching for a seat when Akane suddenly gasped.

Okita Soki