The train stood silently in front of me.
Rain continued to fall, the sound echoing across the empty station. The dim lights flickered slightly, making everything feel… unreal.
For a moment, I hesitated.
Should I get on…?
There was no one around to ask.
No announcements.
No signboards.
Nothing.
Just… that train.
Its old metal body looked worn, as if it had traveled through time itself. The windows were slightly fogged, and a faint yellow light glowed from inside.
My heart started beating faster.
"I shouldn't…"
I whispered to myself.
But my feet… didn't move back.
Instead…
I slowly stepped forward.
The door creaked open on its own.
That sound echoed loudly in the silent station.
I froze.
"...Did it just open by itself?"
For a few seconds, I stood there, unsure of what to do.
Then, gathering my courage, I stepped inside.
The moment I entered, the door closed behind me.
Clank.
I turned back quickly.
"Wait—!"
But it was already shut.
The inside of the train was warm… strangely warm compared to the cold rain outside.
The lights were dim.
There were wooden seats, slightly worn out, but clean.
It felt like I had stepped into a different time.
There were no passengers.
Only silence.
I slowly walked forward, my footsteps echoing softly.
"Is… anyone here?" I asked quietly.
No response.
I swallowed nervously.
Maybe this train was abandoned…?
But then—
"Ticket."
A deep voice spoke from behind me.
I flinched.
My body stiffened as I slowly turned around.
Standing near the end of the compartment… was a man.
Wearing an old-fashioned conductor uniform.
A dark coat. A cap pulled low, covering his eyes.
I didn't even hear him walk in.
"Y-your voice… startled me…" I said nervously.
He didn't respond to that.
"Your ticket," he repeated calmly.
"O-oh… sorry…"
With slightly shaking hands, I took out my ticket and handed it to him.
He looked at it for a moment.
Then…
He chuckled softly.
"This ticket… is not for this train."
My heart skipped a beat.
"W-what do you mean…?"
He slowly lifted his head.
For the first time, I saw his eyes.
They felt… strange.
Calm… but deep. As if they had seen countless things.
"This train does not follow ordinary routes," he said.
"It goes where it is needed."
I didn't understand.
"W-where… is it going?" I asked.
He stared at me for a moment.
Then replied,
"That depends on you."
"...Me?"
I felt even more confused.
The conductor turned away and started walking.
"Sit down," he said.
"The journey has already begun."
At that moment—
The train started moving.
I almost lost my balance.
"W-wait! I didn't even decide to—"
But the train had already left the station.
I rushed to the window.
Outside… everything was dark.
No lights.
No buildings.
Not even the tracks were visible.
It was as if the train was moving through endless darkness.
A chill ran down my spine.
"This… isn't normal…"
I whispered.
I slowly turned back.
The conductor was now standing at the end again… silently watching.
I walked toward one of the seats and sat down.
My hands were slightly trembling.
"What… is this place…?"
The conductor spoke again.
"This train appears only to those who are lost."
My breath caught.
"Lost…?"
He continued,
"Not in the world…"
"But within themselves."
I couldn't say anything.
My mind went blank.
Lost…
Was I… really lost?
I looked down at my hands.
Memories flashed in my mind—
Being alone.
Changing schools.
Being ignored.
Being laughed at.
"...I…"
I clenched my fists.
"I just wanted… to not feel alone anymore…"
My voice came out softer than I expected.
For the first time…
The conductor's expression changed slightly.
Not surprise.
Not sadness.
Something else.
Understanding.
"This train gives people a chance," he said.
"A chance to face what they avoid."
A silence filled the train.
The sound of the wheels echoed slowly.
Then—
The train began to slow down.
I looked up.
"Are we… stopping?"
The conductor nodded slightly.
"Your first stop has arrived."
My heart started racing again.
"First… stop?"
The train came to a complete halt.
The door slowly opened.
Creeeak…
I looked outside.
And my eyes widened.
"No way…"
It was…
My old school.
The one I left years ago.
The place where…
Everything started.
My chest felt heavy.
"W-why are we here…?"
The conductor stepped slightly closer.
Without answering directly, he said:
"Go."
My feet refused to move.
"I… don't want to…"
"You must."
His voice was calm… but firm.
"This is your journey."
I stood there, frozen between fear and confusion.
The rain had stopped.
The silence outside felt heavy.
Slowly…
I took a step forward.
Then another.
And another…
As I stepped out of the train—
I heard the conductor's voice one last time.
"Ryu Ikari…"
I turned back.
He was standing in the doorway.
Watching me.
"Do not run away this time."
The door closed.
And the train…
disappeared into the darkness.
Chapter 3—The Untold Stories which everyone carries