Episode 2: The Station Deity of Shibuya Station

Just as the plaza in front of Hachiko began to bustle, the station deity of Shibuya Station was looking down at the people from above the ticket gates, as they did every day.
The station deity is small and wears a colorful cape. Their hobby is watching the people gather at the scramble crossing, and they mutter with satisfaction, 'Ah, another good wave has come.'

Beyond their gaze, as soon as the light turned green, hundreds of people began to cross all at once. It was as powerful as the moment a sea wave crashes.

'Heh, they're energetic today, too. Oh, you there, the light's about to change. Yes, stop!'

When the station deity waved their hand lightly, the shoelace of a young man lost in his earphones suddenly came loose for some reason, and he stopped in his tracks. The next moment, the light turned red. The young man muttered, 'That was close,' as he retied his shoe.

The station deity breathed a sigh of relief.

Just then, in front of the ticket gates, a group of foreign tourists were bombarding a station attendant with questions: 'Shibuya line? Hachiko? Scramble?' The attendant was sweating as they tried to answer, but it wasn't getting through.

'Alright, this is my cue.'

When the station deity snapped their fingers, directions naturally appeared on the tourists' smartphone screens in both Japanese and English. The tourists cheered, 'Oh!', and passed through the ticket gates with beaming smiles.

The station deity gave a small laugh—but the next moment, they heard the voice of a salaryman confused in the underground labyrinth.

'Wait, which way is the Ginza Line!? The Fukutoshin Line!? The Hanzomon Line!? I have no idea anymore!'

The station deity couldn't help but press their forehead.
'...Sorry, even I can't keep track of everything.'

Shibuya Station's lines are just too complicated. Even the station deity sometimes gets lost and wonders, 'Where am I again?'

Meanwhile, above ground, a couple was walking hand-in-hand toward the scramble crossing. The station deity floated lightly over their heads.

'Well, that's fine. Getting lost is part of the fun of Shibuya!'

With that, the station deity disappeared as if blending into the crowd.