Welcome To The N.h.k. -dub- -

“It’s not a cult. It’s a… therapy. The ‘Exposure to Reality’ contract. You agree to leave your apartment for one hour a day. And I agree to follow you. To make sure you don’t run away. Or… you know.”

Satō stares at her. In the bad TV light, she looks like a ghost. Or an angel. He can’t tell the difference anymore.

“The rice better not be stale.”

He lets her in. The door closes. The CRT TV flickers one last time, then goes black.

“Into what? The bottom of a cup noodle?” Welcome to the N.H.K. -Dub-

Satō freezes. His eyes dart to the peephole. The fish-eye lens distorts her into a worried alien.

He takes the contract. He doesn’t sign it. He just holds it. “It’s not a cult

Misaki looks down at her sneakers. They’re dirty. The laces are mismatched.

“I need to believe someone can be saved. If I can save you… maybe it means I’m not broken, too.” You agree to leave your apartment for one hour a day