Chapter 1: Waking Up to Nothing

The morning sun had a knack for finding Alexis, no matter how tightly he pulled the curtains. As its bright rays filtered through the fabric, they rudely nudged him awake. With a groan that could rival a bear's, Alexis muttered, "Let me live, mate!"

At 21, Alexis was a whiz-kid coder at Hyozan Gaming, Japan's colossal hub for all things gaming. His passion for virtual worlds and game mechanics was unmatched, yet his organizational skills left much to be desired. This was evidenced by the chaotic state of his shared apartment with Rei Sato, his senior colleague and reluctant roommate.

Rei, at 33, was the embodiment of responsibility and order. He had taken Alexis under his wing out of a mixture of obligation and genuine affection. Despite the mess Alexis seemed to generate effortlessly, Rei couldn't help but care for him like a younger brother. Beneath the exasperated sighs over unwashed dishes and cluttered common areas, there was an unspoken bond that tied them together.

Their apartment was a microcosm of contrasts: Rei's side impeccably neat, with everything in its rightful place, and Alexis's side resembling a battlefield strewn with game controllers, half-eaten snacks, and scattered notes scribbled with game ideas.

Yet, amidst the chaos, there was an undeniable harmony between them. Rei, despite grumbling about Alexis's habits, secretly admired the younger man's boundless creativity and determination. Alexis, in turn, appreciated Rei's steady guidance and the calm he brought to their shared space.

As the morning sun continued its assault on Alexis's sleep, Rei sighed, shaking his head fondly as he prepared to nudge his younger brother-like colleague into another day of game development adventures at Hyozan Gaming. After all, no matter how messy Alexis was, Rei wouldn't have it any other way.

"Alexis, wake up! Enough slacking," Rei's voice cut through the morning haze with a blend of irritation and concern. "Remember, the new CEO is coming to inspect us today. Going late isn't going to help the situation."

Those words were like an electric shock to Alexis. With a sudden jolt, he sprang out of bed, his messy hair standing on end as if he'd been struck by lightning. For a moment, he looked around in a daze, trying to grasp the urgency of Rei's reminder.

In a flurry of motion, Alexis darted around their cramped apartment, his routine a chaotic dance of showering, grabbing clothes from the nearest pile, and half-heartedly attempting to tame his unruly hair. Rei watched from the doorway, a mixture of exasperation and amusement playing across his features. He couldn't help but marvel at Alexis's ability to transform from a groggy mess into a whirlwind of activity when sufficiently motivated.

Within minutes, they were both ready. Alexis, now somewhat presentable but still sporting a slightly disheveled look, grabbed his backpack stuffed with essentials — laptop, notebooks filled with scribbles, and a trusty energy drink. Rei, always composed and impeccably dressed, double-checked his briefcase before nodding in approval.

Together, they walked briskly through the bustling streets of Tokyo towards the towering headquarters of Hyozan Gaming. The morning air was alive with the hum of city life, and Alexis's mind buzzed with a mix of excitement and nerves. The arrival of the new CEO meant potential changes and opportunities, and he was determined to make a positive impression despite his usual tendency for tardiness.

As they approached the sleek glass facade of the office building, Rei glanced over at Alexis with a reassuring smile. "You ready for this?" he asked, his tone more brotherly than colleague.

Alexis grinned back, a spark of determination in his eyes. "Absolutely. Let's show them what we're made of."

With that shared resolve, they stepped into the lobby, ready to face whatever challenges — and surprises — the day might bring.

As Alexis and Rei stepped into the familiar confines of Hyozan Gaming's headquarters, they scanned the bustling office for any signs of change. Yet, everything appeared reassuringly unchanged — the familiar clusters of desks, the soft glow of computer screens, and the low murmur of colleagues deeply engrossed in their work.

"Rei-kun! Nothing's new," Alexis called out cheerfully, breaking the subdued atmosphere. Before Rei could react, a sharp voice cut through the air from a nearby desk.

"You bastard! Stop blasting people's ears as soon as you enter the workplace," scolded Kunishima-san, a senior developer known for his blunt demeanor and intolerance for distractions.

Alexis, accustomed to such reprimands, sighed inwardly but managed a diplomatic response. "I'm sorry, Kunishima-san," he said with a sheepish grin, knowing better than to escalate the situation further.

Rei, suppressing a smile, nodded at Kunishima-san in acknowledgment before guiding Alexis towards their own workstation. Despite the occasional clash of personalities, the office was a cohesive environment where each member played a crucial role in the intricate web of game development