Part 3 — The Alarm That Hasn't Sounded Yet

  Yudoson watched the city from the rooftop.

  Distant lights blinked slowly, almost breathing with the night.

  For the moment…

  I believed.

  Maybe tomorrow things would finally start to fix themselves.

  Maybe there was still a way back.

  He closed his eyes.

  Take a deep breath.

  Like someone trying to convince himself.

  Scene cut.

  Somewhere else in the city.

  Moriko was alive.

  Warm kitchen light partially illuminated her face as she organized items on a table. The atmosphere was quiet… ordinary.

  Peaceful.

  Nothing suggested danger.

  Nothing suggested someone was coming.

  She had no idea.

  No idea Yudoson was moving toward her life again.

  Cut.

  The neon sign of the bar flickered.

  The door opened.

  Noise died for a second.

  Yudoson walked in.

  Some people recognized him — or maybe they simply felt something was wrong. Conversations faded. Frosted mid-air glasses.

  One by one, customers subtly moved aside.

  Making space.

  He didn't react.

  Didn't look around.

  He just walked.

  Straight toward the side hallway.

  Up the stairs.

  And entered the room first.

  The former storage room now looked like an improvised interrogation space.

  Simple table.

  Two chairs.

  Dim lighting.

  Yudoson sat down and opened his notebook.

  Organized the pages.

  Take a breath.

  Then noticed it.

  The timer.

  Still running since the last session.

  — …Tch.

  He turned it off quickly.

  Reset it.

  Ran a hand across his face, annoyed at himself.

  —Careless…

  The door clicked open.

  Sugus entered.

  As if nothing had happened.

  Light steps.

  Playful eyes.

  Dangerous confidence in her smile.

  She closed the door and walked straight toward him.

  No permission asked.

  No hesitation.

  She sat directly on his lap.

  Her arms slid around his shoulders in an almost affectionate gesture.

  — Miss me?

  Yudoson didn’t even look up from the notebook.

  The pen stayed still between his fingers.

  — Get off.

  Flat.

  Cold.

  Emotionless.

  Sugus didn’t move.

  Instead, she leaned closer, clearly enjoying breaking his concentration.

  And right there…

  without either of them fully realizing…

  the game changed.

  It wasn't just manipulation anymore.

  Not just an interrogation.

  It was something worse.

  Something dangerously… intimate.

  Sugus didn’t move.

  If anything, she settled more comfortably on his lap, as if this was exactly the reaction she expected.

  She tilted her head, her hair brushing lightly against his shoulder.

  — Hmm… Yudoson~…

  Her voice came out soft, almost like a sigh.

  He slowly closed the notebook.

  — I’m warning you… get off.

  His tone was firm.

  But not angry.

  Sugus smiled, leaning closer.

  — Just one little kiss… just a tiny one, my sinner~

  Each sentence ended in a soft breath, deliberately teasing.

  She was testing him.

  Pushing boundaries.

  Trying to crack his cold composure.

  Yudoson exhaled tiredly, rubbing his face.

  — Fine… alright…

  He set the pen down on the table.

  — But today the last and second interview sessions are canceled. I already got the information I needed.

  Silence settled between them.

  As if something invisible had shifted.

  Sugus blinked, slightly surprised.

  Not because she won.

  But because he simply… stopped resisting.

  There was no desire in his eyes.

  Only exhaustion.

  Weight.

  Loneliness.

  Her expression softened almost unconsciously as she leaned closer again, slower now, less teasing… more curious.

  The distance between them vanished.

  And for a few moments…

  there was no interrogation.

  No manipulation.

  Just two broken people trying to forget who they were.

  Outside, the neon sign kept flickering.

  They kiss passionately for more than 5 or 6 minutes.

  He cupped her breasts and caressed her hips as they kissed.

  And, almost fifty minutes later, after much sex, they left the bar.

  The night air felt colder now. The city was still alive, but distant — as if the whole world had lowered its volume just for the two of them.

  Sugus walked ahead, hands behind her back, light steps, clearly excited.

  — Follow me.

  It wasn’t a request.

  Yudoson sighed and followed anyway.

  They turned the corner.

  And he stopped.

  A black car shined beneath a streetlight.

  Low.

  Aggressive.

  Far too modern for that neighborhood.

  A Ferrari.

  Streetlights flowed across its body like liquid.

  Yudoson frowned.

  — Wait… what?

  He looked at her.

  — You bought this for me?

  Sugus casually opened the driver’s door.

  — Nope. I didn’t buy it.

  He froze.

  Stolen story; please report.

  — Are you insane?! You stole this?!… what kind of mess did I get myself into…

  She slipped into the car like she owned the world, resting her arm on the window frame and smiling at him.

  — Don’t be dramatic, love. I’m crazy about you.

  She tapped the passenger seat twice.

  — Now get in… let’s go for a ride~.

  Yudoson hesitated.

  A lot.

  But eventually got in.

  The engine roared to life.

  Loud.

  Alive.

  Intimidating.

  — I don’t even know how to drive something like this…

  The car jerked forward awkwardly at first.

  Sugus laughed softly, clearly entertained.

  — Relax… just feel it.

  Little by little, he got the hang of it.

  The city faded behind them.

  Buildings turned into open road.

  Wind rushed through the windows, carrying away the smell of alcohol, neon, and confusion.

  For a few minutes…

  there was no past.

  No guilt.

  Only the sound of the engine and the endless road ahead.

  And for the first time in a long while…

  Yudoson stopped thinking.

  Part 4 — Sync Error

  The engine roared like a living beast.

  Yudoson gripped the steering wheel, his eyes half-closed as the city became a blur of lights around them.

  Something was… wrong.

  It wasn't just the speed.

  He felt it.

  A slight tingling ran through his arms whenever he touched the dashboard. Small arcs of bluish energy raced across the car's interior surface—too fast to be seen by an ordinary person.

  He frowned.

  — …This car isn't normal.

  Sugus turned in his seat, resting his chin on his hand, smiling as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

  — You just figured it out?

  Another electrical pulse ran through the seat. Yudoson waited for the pain to come.

  It didn't.

  No shock. No burning.

  Just… energy.

  — The electrical impact doesn't hurt you… — he murmured. — It reacts to the user…

  His eyes gleamed with understanding.

  — Wait… if it responds to thought…

  He turned quickly to her.

  — If we synchronize our minds, maybe we can use this as a jump point. Teleportation. A whole country away.

  Sugus blinked, surprised.

  Then a dangerous smile spread across her face.

  Before she could answer —

  Siren.

  Red and blue lights exploded in the rearview mirror.

  Several.

  Yudoson clicked his tongue.

  — Tsk… what the hell, Sugus! We're in trouble because of you!

  Her eyes widened, indignant.

  — ME?! Don't blame me! Seriously!

  Behind them, police cars appeared, swerving through traffic.

  The speedometer climbed.

  — Hold on! — he shouted.

  The car sped forward like a missile. They tore through trucks, dodged signs, squeezed through an intersection by inches while horns blared all around.

  The vibe was pure chaos.

  Asphalt trembling. Neon reflections racing across the bodywork. The whole world seemed slow compared to that car.

  Sugus started laughing.

  Not a nervous laugh.

  A genuinely amused laugh.

  —THIS IS REALLY GOOD!

  —FOCUS! — Yudoson replied.

  He took a deep breath.

  —Mental synchronization. Now.

  She closed her eyes.

  He did too.

  The car responded immediately.

  The cabin filled with light.

  ?

  Memories began to blend.

  Sensations.

  Thoughts.

  Heartbeats.

  For a second, they thought as one person.

  Destiny set.

  Japan.

  Moriko Street—

  The car disappeared.

  Explosion of light.

  Silence.

  …and reappeared.

  Snow.

  Mountains.

  — …This isn't Japan— Yudoson said slowly.

  Sugus began to tremble.

  Not from fear.

  From holding back laughter.

  The car flashed again.

  VANISHED.

  Appeared in the middle of a European avenue.

  Horns.

  People shouting.

  VANISHED again.

  Now a desert.

  Then a beach.

  Then an unknown night city.

  Yudoson opened his eyes, incredulous.

  — Sugus…

  She was already laughing uncontrollably.

  — I COULDN'T HOLD IT IN HAHAHAHA—

  — YOU SABOTAGED IT?!

  — Of course I sabotaged it! — he said, laughing. — No way I'm going to let you leave me to chase after your ex!

  The car's flashing light died again.

  The power was out.

  A final flash enveloped everything.

  Absolute silence.

  The car reappeared… motionless.

  Engine off.

  Still air conditioning.

  Yudoson looked out the window.

  Familiar architecture.

  Japanese license plates.

  He sighed deeply.

  — …We're here.

  Sugus crossed his arms, pouting, still smiling.

  — Against my will, actually.

  He leaned his head back on the seat, exhausted.

  — You almost killed us.

  — But it was fun.

  Pause.

  He tried to keep a serious expression.

  He failed.

  A small smile escaped.

  Outside, their destination finally awaited.

  And now... there was no turning back.

  The Ferrari’s engine finally went silent.

  The highway was gone.

  Now there was only a quiet street, lit by a few street lamps and the distant sound of wind passing between the houses.

  Yudoson stared ahead.

  There it was.

  The house.

  Without saying a word, he raised his hand to shoulder height and opened his palm toward Sugus.

  A simple gesture.

  Like saying:

  "Give it to me."

  Sugus tilted her head with a mischievous smile.

  Instead of the weapon…

  She gently rested her chin on his hand, looking up at him with affection.

  — Hmm?

  He sighed, clearly annoyed.

  — The revolver.

  A pause.

  — The weapon… not you.

  Sugus pouted dramatically.

  — Wow… rude.

  But she still pulled the revolver from her jacket.

  She placed it in his hand.

  — Take good care of her… love.

  Yudoson ignored the comment.

  He spun the cylinder quickly, checking the bullets.

  Click.

  Closed it.

  Then he turned the car off completely.

  The silence of the street returned.

  He opened the door and stepped out.

  The night air felt cold.

  A few meters away stood the entrance to the house.

  Moriko’s house.

  For a moment he just stood there, watching.

  Lights off.

  No movement.

  Nothing.

  Behind him, Sugus remained inside the car, leaning against the window, watching curiously.

  — So… — she murmured. — This is where the famous Moriko lives?

  Yudoson didn’t answer.

  He simply started walking.

  Step by step.

  Until he stopped in front of the door.

  The revolver still in his hand.

  And for the first time since arriving…

  his heart started beating faster.

  Part - wrong door

  Yudoson took a slow breath.

  He raised his hand.

  Knock. Knock.

  The sound echoed softly against the wooden door.

  For a few seconds… silence.

  Then the handle turned.

  The door opened slowly.

  A girl appeared in the doorway, half-awake, rubbing one eye. Her hair looked messy, like someone who had just woken up.

  But her gaze…

  was strangely relaxed.

  Effortlessly seductive.

  She looked Yudoson up and down.

  — Hi… who’s that?

  She tilted her head.

  — Jake isn’t home today.

  She said it casually.

  Yudoson blinked twice.

  Confused.

  — Uh…

  He pointed behind him with his thumb.

  — Sorry.

  A short pause.

  — Wrong house.

  He was already turning away.

  — Go back to sleep.

  And just like that he started walking back toward the street.

  Halfway between the sidewalk and the black Ferrari.

  Behind him, the door was still open.

  — Hey!

  The girl’s voice came from the entrance.

  Yudoson didn’t stop.

  But he heard her.

  — You’ve got dark circles under your eyes…

  She leaned against the doorframe.

  — Tired?

  A slow smile appeared on her face.

  — If you want… you can come inside and rest, my guest~.

  Yudoson didn’t turn around.

  Didn’t answer.

  But his eyes shifted slightly…

  toward the parked car.

  Inside it…

  Sugus was watching everything.

  With that unreadable expression.

  Somewhere between amusement…

  jealousy…

  and curiosity.

  Yudoson stood still for a moment.

  Not sure if he should keep walking…

  or turn back.

  Yudoson stood still for a second.

  The invitation still hung in the air.

  Behind him, the girl remained leaning against the doorframe, watching with that curious smile.

  He needed to end this quickly.

  Without really thinking, he answered:

  — No… maybe next time.

  A pause.

  He scratched the back of his neck as he started walking again.

  — Maybe after… well… after I finish my work, alright?

  The girl kept watching him.

  Then he added way too fast:

  — Good night, pretty lady-love-you!

  The last words came out rushed and mashed together before his brain could catch up.

  Yudoson froze for half a second.

  …Did I really just say that?

  Embarrassment hit instantly.

  He didn’t turn back.

  Didn’t even want to see her reaction.

  He just walked faster toward the Ferrari.

  Opened the door.

  Got in.

  THUMP.

  Closed it.

  Sugus was there.

  Silent.

  Watching him.

  With a smile that promised nothing good.

  She leaned slightly closer, speaking low so only he could hear.

  — You gotta be kidding me.

  Yudoson stiffened in his seat.

  — I…

  Sugus narrowed her eyes.

  — “Pretty lady-love-you”?!

  She let out a disbelieving laugh.

  — Seriously?

  She crossed her arms.

  — Five minutes away from me and you’re already spreading love around the neighborhood?

  Her voice dropped even lower, almost a sharp whisper.

  — You got some nerve, Yudoson.

  He sighed, rubbing his face.

  — I said it without thinking.

  — Oh, you said it without thinking, huh?

  Sugus lightly smacked his shoulder.

  — Next time think before confessing love to random girls at other people’s doors!

  But even while complaining…

  the corner of her mouth was still lifted.

  Like, deep down…

  she actually found the whole thing pretty amusing.