Summary

In 2027, following the Yomi Island Decree by Emperor Kenichi, Japanese metahumans were deported and sent to Yomi Island for indefinite detainment. It was here that Sachihiro was born to Yuuta and Atsuko Yamamoto. It was not long before victims of HMHVV--the human meta-human vampiric virus--were sent to suffer on the island as well. Soon, large sections of the island were leased out to Japanese megacorporations, squeezing what few resources the poor inhabitants of the JIS-run concentration camp had. The largest of these was Meifumado, a 50,000 inmate prison holding unfortunates who had crossed Shiawase from around the world. Young Sachi cut his teeth as a runner, stealing from the corporations to survive long before he ever saw freedom. To this day, he holds a grudge against Shiawase.

The Yomi Island Decree was rescinded in 2062; the Huk liberated the island, and thousands of metahumans were freed, Sachihiro among them, now with a much younger sibling. Their parents were not as fortunate, and did not survive to see freedom, leaving Sachi to navigate a Japan he only knew from scattered stories growing up. Izumi was the more fortunate, in Sachihiro's eyes; they were too young to have clear memories of Yomi, and he quickly promised himself that he would do whatever it took to ensure his younger sibling a better life than he had had.

Life was hard. At first, Sachihiro could afford little more for them than a cage apartment in the Osakan barrens. Shiawase owned almost everything; Sachihiro felt little remorse stealing to get by. He clung to what friendships he made, and little differentiated between metahumans and spirits.

Their fortune slowly began to turn five years later, after a tiny fire spirit found his way to the siblings. The spirit quickly led them to an eccentric shaman near Minoh park, calling himself Pagan. Pagan was quick to welcome Sachi in to the fold as one of his runners. Sachi, in turn, found himself living a double life. By day, he struggled through online classes. By night, he took on whatever jobs Ryuichi "Pagan" Kotabe had for him. Slowly, their living situation improved.

The cage apartment became a small studio flat, and Sachi dedicatedly worked his way through his degree plan. This meant more stress, and night after night of coming home and collapsing just within the door of their small apartment.

Contrary to Sachi's optimism, a degree wasn't enough to guarentee a good enough job to improve their life. Interviews were often canceled the instant they saw his face. He was presented with excuse after excuse. He wasn't quite what they were looking for. The position had unfortunately been filled. Perhaps he was mistaken, this was the office for an interview for the art history position.. Had he meant to interview for the janitorial position downstairs? He bounced between construction and other heavy labor jobs and started doing more tattoo work on the side when he wasn't running the shadows. His portfolio started to receive more recognition, but the stress was getting to him.

Sachi began to drink more heavily, which led to him finally snapping at a bar after overhearing a bit of racist diatribe--straw that broke the camel's back--and turned to RAIL on the speaker. The young red samurai and her brother were shocked to suddenly have a very large, and very angry 'oni' at their table. The older brother immediately moved to defend her, but not before being caught by Sachi's right cross. He stole her sword, gulped down what had been left of their drinks, and fled out the front window. To this day he does not remember whatever victorious banality he uttered prior to his escape.

He awoke in Minoh park with faint memories of horrific, burning agony, and shockingly, no hangover. The sword was still at his side, and there a number of missed calls from Pagan, and several panicked voicemails. Sachi and Izumi wouldn't be safe in Osaka any longer, not with an angry red samurai squad out looking for him.

Pagan contacted his friend Daichi in Seattle, and secured discrete travel for Sachihiro and Izumi out of Japan, and to the westernmost coast of the UCAS. He has since found a new crew, and is doing his best to turn things around. It did not take long for the red samurai to follow him, and following Tetsuo's subsequent breakdown induced by supposed "cyberpsychosis," managed to kindle a relationship with the young red samurai when he was the only visitor he received while in the hospital. Sachihiro is convinced of foul play; Yui has come to much the same conclusion, but is not yet willing to put aside their differences (and swallow her pride over honor lost) to work with him on tracking down the perpetrator.