Rosie steps out of the subway station and takes a deep breath as she takes in the bright lights of Times Square. In one hand, she has shopping bags from various outlets around the city. In the other, she’s clutching a deck of Tarot cards she takes everywhere as her good luck charm. Slung across her shoulders is a messenger bag emblazoned with the Phantom Thieves logo.
“Been so long since I came here,†she says. “I’ve hung around Shibuya for three years; now I can’t tell if that district’s lights are brighter than the ones here, at the crossroads of the world.â€
Rosie decides to visit Starbucks for old time’s sake. When she enters the café, she orders a seasonal iced beverage and has a seat near Six, unaware of his presence. As she takes a sip, she feels a strange pulse in the air, as if… No, that can’t be. She’s hundreds of thousands of miles away from Tokyo; no way can there be a Metaverse.