Chapter 2.1: Endless Struggle

Days blurred into nights as Hiroto's life spiraled into a relentless cycle of work and desperation. His world had become a series of sleepless nights and endless days, each hour dedicated to repaying the mounting debts that threatened to consume him. His work hours stretched, becoming a 24/7 endeavor as he took on every odd job he could find.

Hiroto's co-worker Yuki observed his relentless dedication with a mixture of concern and admiration. "Hiroto, you need to take care of yourself," she urged during a rare moment when they found themselves alone in the break room.

"I can't afford to slow down, Yuki," Hiroto replied, his voice tinged with a weariness that went beyond physical exhaustion. "I need to keep going, no matter what."

Hiroto's visits to the hospital had become his lifeline, a temporary escape from the suffocating weight of his financial obligations. In the sterile environment, he would sit by his father's bedside, pouring out his heart as if the sound of his voice could somehow bridge the gap between them.

"Hey, Dad," Hiroto's voice was a soft whisper amidst the beeping machines. "I know you can't respond, but I hope you can hear me. The hospital bills are piling up again, and the loan sharks... they're getting more relentless. I'm trying my best, Dad. I'm doing everything I can to keep you here, but it feels like I'm drowning."

He blinked back tears, his throat tight with emotions he struggled to put into words. "I won't give up, though. I promise. I'll find a way to get us through this, no matter what it takes."

As the days stretched into weeks, Hiroto's fatigue deepened, the lines between reality and exhaustion blurring. One evening, after another grueling work shift and a visit to the hospital, he returned to his apartment with his legs feeling like lead.

Collapsing onto his bed, Hiroto's mind felt like a foggy haze as he closed his eyes for just a moment. But the exhaustion was too overpowering, and he slipped into a deep sleep.

Hours later, Hiroto awoke to the dim light filtering through his apartment window. Panic surged through him as he realized he had fallen asleep, missing his usual check-in with the loan sharks. He scrambled to his feet and checked his phone, his heart racing as he saw multiple messages from them.

His hands trembled as he tried to reply, his apologies and promises sounding hollow even to his own ears. The weight of his circumstances pressed down on him like an insurmountable burden, his shoulders sagging under the weight of obligation.

In a moment of despair, Hiroto glanced at his phone's screen. But instead of the usual messages from the loan sharks, he saw a new app icon that he didn't recognize – "Money Clicker." Curiosity piqued, he tapped on it, and the screen came alive with a simple interface.

A button in the center of the screen bore the words "Tap to Earn." With a sense of resignation, Hiroto pressed the button, not expecting anything to happen. To his surprise, the number on the screen increased by 0.2 US dollars. He blinked in disbelief, tapping again to see if it was a fluke. The number increased once more.

As if in a trance, Hiroto continued to tap, each press of his finger adding to his virtual earnings. A strange sense of relief washed over him – a small escape from the bleak reality he faced. He noticed an "Upgrade" button and tapped on it, watching as the earning rate increased.

In his exhaustion and desperation, Hiroto found solace in the simple act of tapping. The virtual earnings were far from a solution to his problems, but they provided a momentary distraction from the relentless pressure he was under.

As he tapped and upgraded, time seemed to blur, the virtual and real worlds blending into one. With every press of the button, Hiroto's earnings grew, offering a glimmer of hope in a sea of darkness.

Hours passed, and Hiroto's fingers moved mechanically. It was only when his phone's battery reached its limit that he snapped out of his daze. He blinked, realizing the virtual earnings had accumulated significantly. The app had given him a taste of a different reality, a fleeting escape from his troubles.

As Hiroto stared at the screen, a mix of emotions flooded him – disbelief, confusion, and a hint of determination. He may have stumbled upon something strange, but perhaps, just perhaps, this was the spark he needed to find a way out of the seemingly endless struggle.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Hiroto's thoughts turned to the possibilities the app presented. Little did he know that the simple act of tapping on his phone would set into motion a series of events that would challenge his understanding of reality, open doors to unexpected opportunities, and push him to confront the very essence of what it meant to earn, owe, and truly live.

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