Yuuto woke up with an aching headache partly from the drinking the night before.

Was it the next day? He couldn't tell as there were no windows in the room.

His aching head was more than likely caused by being kicked in the head.

He rubbed his temples while his hands were still handcuffed. It was able to lessen the ache, clearing his head and allowed him to sit up.

At the sudden movement, the uncomfortable metal cot creaked in protest.

Looking around the dimly lit room there was nothing out of the ordinary, bare walls, a desk with a face towel next to a steaming hot bowl of water, and an old man sitting in a chair next to him.

Nothing out of the ordinary, just a small room and an old man sitting next to him... wait a second.

The old man sitting next to him who seemed to be in his early 60s was staring at him. He was resting his head of gray hair on his hands that were also both relaxing on top of a carved cane which had a dragon carved for the handle.

They stared at each other for a few more minutes before the old man spoke.

“Hello Young Man. It seems you've had a bit of trouble lately,” said the old man.

Before Yuuto could reply back he was interrupted, “Don't talk. I don't need your long-winded life story or your excuses and complaints on why the world has wronged you. You are here because you have racked up some pretty large amounts of debt to a number of influential people, who you are unable to pay back. How that came to be, does not matter to those you owe that money to. Now I...am here to perhaps help you with your problem. That is if I deem you physically fit and mentally stable enough. I can't have a nut job working for me, it would cause problems for the customers and for me. If everything checks out right then I will be able to take care of the debt for you. In return, you would then be an indentured servant, working for me until you have completely paid off your debt. What do you think?”

“Who are you and what will you do if I refuse to cooperate with you?” asked Yuuto.

“I am Kentaro. If you refuse, I will have to hand you over to your creditors. You should know the Yakuza are not kind to those who borrow vast amounts of money, they are unable to pay it back causing them to take losses. You would be doing many unsavory tasks and 'odd jobs'. Some that could cause you bodily harm.”

“What sort of job will I be doing to pay off such a large debt?”

“My wife and I run a small host and hostess club. You will work as a host in club Winter Night. That is if we both come to an agreement.”

“What do you need me to do so we can reach that agreement together?” asked Yuuto.

“I will give you some time to think things over, there's no need to hurry and rush things. I will leave you for a short time to think it over. You should freshen yourself up with the towel and warm water in the basin. There's aspirin and a jug of water with a glass to help you get over your hangover. When I get back we will start your test. You can decide then or anytime during the test whether or not you want my help”, said the old man as he stood up using his cane to walk out the door.

The door shut with an audible click of a lock being turned back in place.

Yuuto rose up from the cot and hobbled over to the table with the water basin and jug of water.

On top of the towel was a key, most likely for the handcuffs and an aspirin.

He fumbled while picking up the key, finally grabbing it and unlocked the handcuffs.

Rubbing his sore wrist, he then bent over and untied the rope from his feet.

It felt much better to be able to move freely again.

Pouring a glass of water, he popped the aspirin in his mouth and chugged down the water.

Grabbing the hand towel, he dipped one end of it into the steaming water of the basin and started scrubbing his face clean.

He soaked the towel again and wiped down his neck, shoulders, and under his arms.

Dipping his hands into the water, he ran his fingers through his hair trying to sort the messy hair.

Yuuto lifted his arms and sniffed himself to see if he smelled any better. He shrugged to himself, he couldn't tell if he did or not.

Pouring another glass of water, he drank this one more slowly. He then walked back over to the cot and plopped down on it, lying down and started to contemplate his options.

Ten or twenty minutes had passed while thinking when he heard footsteps coming back towards the room.

Deciding to try and escape when the old man opened the door, he walked over to the door and waited for it to open.

When it opened wide enough, he jumped out into the hallway and got ready to run.

Before he could step more than two feet forward a cane shot out and jabbed him in the stomach and whacked him on the head. Forcing him to his knees and making him clutch his gut and trying to catch his breath in shallow breaths. Running seemed like a bad idea now.

“Not a good start, if you're trying to wear my patience it's working. Now if you're done horsing around, we can go and get the test started. Or I can hand you to the Yakuza. Doctor Doi would you please pick him up and then we can be on our way to the gym.” said the old man.

Someone behind Yuuto grabbed under his armpits and lifted him up.

He had been to busy trying to escape to notice that someone else was with the old man.

He was being half carried half dragged down a small dim hallway.

They stopped in front of a closed door which was then opened by the old man to reveal a staircase leading underground.

Which they continued to descend the stairs and entered a large room where it was very dim until Dr. Doi flipped a few switches lighting the full room.

There was a large variety of exercise equipment far away at the back of the room.

The majority of the room was open enough that you could play many different types of sports or have a large group of people exercising. It was currently empty and eerily quiet.

“I will leave you in the capable hands of Doctor Doi who will be taking care of your physical tests. When you’re done come back to the room for the interview,” The old man replied before turning around and walking back up the stairs.

While doing some stretches Yuuto asked, “What exercises do you need me to do doctor?”

“Well to tell you the truth I'm not a doctor, it's just one of my many hobbies. It's true I try to fix people up when they get hurt at the gym or in the club. The truth is I'm just a physical fitness trainer here, just trying to keep everyone in shape. Due to my hobby, I got the nickname.”

“I see so you have an interest in helping others stay healthy.”

“Well, I guess you could say that. I'm more interested in practicing my skills and experimenting with things, cutting them open and seeing what's inside. Although it is quite hard to put everything back together. I still have to work on that part.”

Yuuto started to inch away being weary of the Dr, Doi lest he tried to do something.

Dr. Doi noticed it and said, “Oh don't worry, I'm not an evil genius or mad scientist that would slice you open and do weird experiments on you, although I'm sure they would be fun.” while rubbing his hands together and examining Yuuto with his eyes.

“Well back to business. For the first task, get into a pushup stance and hold a plank pose for 2 minutes. We will begin when you are ready.”

Yuuto knelled down and got in position looked over at Dr. Doi to signal he was ready.

“The time will start now.” A beep was heard from the stopwatch in Dr. Doi's hand as he pressed a button to start the timer. When the stopwatch beeped again, the 2 minutes that felt like an eternity where over.

“Now, stand up and squat your bodyweight twenty times.”

Yuuto was able to complete the squats quick and easily.

“For the rest of the exercises, we need to move over to the back of the room where the equipment is. I need you to do twenty unbroken pull-ups,” said Dr. Doi as he pointed to a pull-up bar on the other side of the room.

Yuuto walked over to the bar and jumped up and grasped the bar. Using a wide grip, his hands were spaced out at a distance wider than his shoulder width. He struggled to do all twenty but finished it successfully.

“Now go to the rowing machine. See if you can finish 500 meters of rowing in 90 seconds or less.”

Sitting down at the rowing machine, he placed his feet on the footrest and strapped them in.

Testing if they were tight enough by moving back and forth a few times.

Picking up the handle, he got into position with his chest out, lower back in and keeping his core muscles tight and arms out straight.

He waited for Dr. Doi to set the distance and resistance.

At the word ‘go’, he started to row in good form, arms out straight and letting his legs pull the weight first until the handle was past his knees where he then used his arms to pull it the rest of the way to his mid-body.

And reversing the process going forward and repeatedly doing it over and over again until the machine read 500 meters.

He was able to complete it in 89.4s.

“You can rest for 3 minutes. Then I'll have you do the last test. Which you will have to run a mile under 9 minutes.”

Unstrapping his feet, he took a small blue water bottle that was handed to him and took a drink of what seemed to be an energy drink.

Yuuto took three minutes of rest, he then got on the treadmill and waited for Dr. Doi to set the timer and he replied with an OK to Yuuto who pressed the start button and was off running at a decent speed.

After a short warm up, he pressed the button to turn up the speed. He was able to run the mile in 8:46.9s.

“You’re no superhuman but you're physically fit enough. You can go clean up in the men's locker room on the right which has its own showers. There are some clean clothes you can change into after your shower. I believe they should fit you just fine. When you’re done, we can go back to the room and do your interview.”

After showering and changing Yuuto walked back to the small room with Doctor Doi.

The old man was sitting on the chair reading a newspaper. He had been waiting for them to finish so he could test Yuuto to see if he had any mental disorders or problems.

Standing up from the chair he pointed to a booklet and an answering sheet and commanded, “Answer the questions honestly.”

He then sat down on the bed to let Yuuto use the chair and desk.

When Yuuto finished 30 minutes later, Dr. Doi graded the test and handed the results to the test.

“Well it looks like you're are a normal human being but that's not much of an achievement because humans are a crazy and dark-minded species. You're a bit naive but we can work with that. Since you are both physically and mentally fit, I will allow you to work for me. That is if you are willing to accept the conditions set forth. What will it be?” asked the old man.

“I rather work here then be pawned off to the Yakuza. I have no choice but to accept.”

“Then read this contract and sign it.”

A contract and a pen were handed over to him.

Taking his time, he slowly read every word to see if there were any scams or disagreeable conditions.

After finishing reading the front, he turned it over to see if there was any more text but the back was blank.

Summarized what the contracted wanted of him was to work as a host for the club until his debt was paid off.

When his debt was paid off, if he wanted, he could stay employed or retire.

He would share a dorm room with other hosts. A bill for staying in the room and the cost of food would be added to what he already owed monthly as rent.

If he tried to escape or started to slack off and stopped cooperating, he would be given over to his creditors. He quickly read it over again and signed the document.

Doctor Doi picked the paper up and handed it over to the old man.

“Well I will let Doctor Doi escort you to the room you will be staying at while in training. There you can meet your new roommates. Tomorrow you will start physical training, along with lessons to start learning how to be a proper host. If you pay attention, you will have an easier time later on.”

With that, he left the room carrying the contract in his left hand.

“Well, I guess congratulations on joining club Winter Night. Let's get headed to your new room and say hello to your new future co-workers. “

They walked through a maze of hallways and stairs until they were several floors above the one they had been on all day.

The current hallway they were walking in was wide enough for two people to walk side by side, and its length stretched out long enough to have multiple doors on each side.

This floor was lively with different noises coming from each room.

They stopped walking at the end of the hall in front of the last door on the right side of the hallway. Dr. Doi stepped forward and opened the door while motioning Yuuto going inside.

As he entered the room, two bunk beds could be seen one on each side and further in a couch was in front of a mini fridge that had a flat screen TV placed on top of it.

“Everyone this is your new roommate Yuuto. You all know the schedule and how things work around here so bring him up to date, and please do get along with each other. Now if you'll excuse me I left some of my experimental dissection unattended, and I have to get back to them.” said Dr. Doi in a hurry.

Just before he left the room he turned around one last time and looked at Yuuto while saying, “One last thing I should remind you about Yuuto. Don't try and escape, it never ends well.”