So, we’ve made it to the second chapter. Before we continue any further, let me introduce myself. I am Amane Kiruzawa, a member of TI. Writing this story was a dream of TI. Everyone there thought that this story should be shared with the world. But for me, this is a task I must complete, as I am the only one from TI here.
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The next day, Jace woke up and left for school. On the way, he admired the different types of trees, enjoying every moment. The reason he didn’t talk to many people was because Jace loved the life he had and didn’t want it to change. He thought everything was perfect, so there wasn’t any need for him to talk to others.
As he walked to school, Jace saw a cat in the middle of the road. He immediately rushed to save the cat from the moving cars. At the same time, Jace’s uncle was in the same area.
His uncle was a cool young man in his 20s.
“Is that Jace?” his uncle saw Jace from a distance, then looked at his wristwatch. “Oh, yeah, it’s 8:11; it’s the time when he leaves for school, so that must be him.”
Uncle waved his hands and shouted, “Hey, kid!” But Jace didn’t respond.
He watched Jace from a distance, then saw him jump onto the road. “What is this kid even thinking?” his uncle rushed towards Jace in panic. Jace held the kitten in his arms, and a fast-approaching car bore down on them. Jace saw the car, closed his eyes, and held the cat tightly.
Jace’s uncle ran as fast as he could to save Jace. He picked up Jace and jumped to the other side of the road. Jace and his uncle were safe, but the car ran over the kitten, leaving it dead on the road. Jace was in shock, staring at the dead cat with tears flowing from his eyes.
“What the heck was even in your mind? You should never do something as stupid as you just did!” his uncle said angrily. This was the first time his uncle had shouted at him.
“I just couldn’t let any more people die because of me,” Jace said, with tears flowing from his eyes, in a very low tone.
“Whaaat?” His uncle tried to calm himself and then he put his hand on Jace’s head. “Listen, I know you are a kind person, but no matter how hard we try, we cannot save everyone. This is harsh, but it’s reality. This leaves a lot of regrets, but you just have to move on. So, just cheer up, kid. And do you want your super cool uncle to treat you to some ice cream?” he said, smiling.
Jace snapped back to his senses. He looked at his uncle. “I would love to, but I have to go to school. I can’t be late.”
“You worry too much, kid. I was in this area because of a meeting, but the meeting is cancelled now, so I can drop you at school on my bike.”
There was no meeting cancelled; his uncle just couldn’t let Jace go to school on his own at that time.
They both went to an ice cream shop. “So, what do you want to have?”
“Anything is fine, uncle.”
His uncle went and bought ice cream for Jace. “Here,” he handed Jace the ice cream.
“Wow, that thing is huge! It looks amazing.”
“Oh, yeah, this baby cost me more than my weekly income. I didn’t even know they could make it this expensive.”
“You didn’t have to buy this one.”
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“Ah, leave it. By the way, how are your studies going?”
“They are fine, but I am worried about the sports festival.”
“What about the sports festival?”
“I signed up for the race, but I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of my whole school. What if I come last?”
“Just give it your best shot, kid. If you do, you won’t have any regrets. And I know you can do it.”
“But what if I lose?”
“You’re forgetting the main point. It isn’t about winning or losing; it’s about having fun. You will make some memories that you will treasure your whole life, no matter the outcome.”
“Yeah, I will give it my best shot.”
…………
He pointed his hand, holding the ice cream, toward his uncle. “Hey, uncle, I don’t like this.”
“Uh, okay, give that thing to me. Kids these days don’t know how to appreciate things.”
“You were the one who bought it for me. It tasted good at first, but it doesn’t now.”
“By the way, uncle, what is the time right now?”
“It’s just…” His uncle looked at his watch. “Oh, it’s just 8:27.”
Both screamed, “Whaaaaaaaaaaaat!” They immediately rushed to Jace’s school.
And Jace was late.
After dropping Jace, his uncle looked at the time. “Oh, shoot, it’s 8:35. If I don’t hurry, that demon will devour me.” He finally made it to the destination where the meeting was held.
He looked at the time. “It’s 8:42.” With tears in his eyes, he said, “I can only imagine how bad she is going to treat me.”
His uncle entered the meeting room. It was a dark room with a huge table in the middle. Different people with high positions from HCR and the organization he worked for were sitting there. A lady among them spoke.
“So, you have finally made it, Mr. Horikawa. We have all been waiting for you to show up for the last half hour. Can we ask why you’re late?”
“Oh, I had been saving lives, just like always. Not a big deal.”
“Oh, so you have been saving liv—”
“Yeah, I might not seem like a big deal, but I have saved more lives than those superhero shows we watch.”
“We? What do you mean by ‘we’? It’s only you who still watches those shows made for kids. You even slack off work to watch that stupid show. When are you finally going to grow up?”
“Actually, that day the special monthly episode was released. I just couldn’t wait to go home and watch it.”
They both argued like children, while others present there regretted their life choices.
She slammed her hand on the table and shouted, “This is about people’s lives! Why can’t you just act like a proper grown-up adult and attend this meeting?”
“Lives?” He immediately became serious. “Alright, tell me what exactly this meeting is about.
“So the people you see here are from HCR and they want a sample of the drug you are developing”
“Is that so……”
A middle-aged person among them stands up and goes near both of them and speaks
“That’s right Mr Horikawa, we demand a sample of the drug you are working on bec-“
“Hell no, I ain’t giving sample to nobody”
The person who was well respected in HRC was feeling embarrassed for very first time
“Do you have any idea whom you are talking to?” says that man in rage.
“I don’t care who the fuck you are, if I say no, it means no, I suspect that medicine could have some major side effects that might not be visible right now.”
Another representative from HCR stands and speaks
“We work for the welfare of humanity, you should know that we just need a sample. That’s all, so please cooperate Mr. Horikawa.”
“Yeha yeha, I know you guys are those wanna be heroes. But I still refuse, I will contact you guys by myself when I am confident about the medicine. So until then don’t show your faces here. And I, hereby announce that this meeting is over.”
Horikawa leaves the room
The room buzzed with lingering conversation as Horikawa slipped out. As he made his way down the hallway, a familiar voice called out.
“Horikawa!”
He turned to see his friend and colleague, Fujita, leaning against the wall, waiting for him.
“So, how was the meeting?” Fujita asked as they fell into step together.
Horikawa let out a long sigh. “I don’t know. Maybe it was okay. The demon was at it again, yelling at me for absolutely no reason.”
Fujita laughed, shaking his head. “You really know how to get under her skin. Coffee?”
“Yeah... okay,” Horikawa agreed, his tone reluctant but appreciative.
At the coffee machine, Fujita poured two cups, handing one to Horikawa with a grin.
“Here you go, your favourite brew.”
They leaned against the wall, enjoying the warm coffee and the rare moment of quiet.
“You know, Horikawa,” Fujita started, his eyes twinkling with mischief, “I think the director has feelings for you.”
Horikawa nearly choked on his coffee. “What? No way! She’s always tearing me apart.”
“I’m serious! She gets all riled up whenever she sees you talking to another woman.”
“Man, you’re imagining things. There’s zero chance that’s true.”
Just then, a familiar, stern voice cut through the air. “What are you two talking about?”
Fujita’s face turned pale as he turned to see the director herself standing there. In his flustered state, he fumbled with his cup, sending a stream of coffee splattering across Horikawa’s pristine lab coat.
“Oh, come on, man! This was my favourite coat!” Horikawa groaned, futilely dabbing at the stain with a tissue.
Fujita winced. “Sorry, bro…”
Horikawa turned to the director, who was watching with a raised eyebrow. “What are you doing here?”
“You managed to upset everyone in that meeting. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to smooth things over?” she asked, her voice tinged with exasperation.
Horikawa sighed. “Is that so…”
“Maybe you should think a little more before you speak, Horikawa.”
She held out her hand “Give me your coat. I will clean it for you.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not letting you have my DNA. Who knows what you’d do with it.”
She stared at him, then rolled her eyes. “Are you serious? If I wanted your DNA, I could get it from that coffee cup you’re holding.”
Horikawa chuckled. “I was just kidding… You really need to relax, Director. The stress is getting to you. Maybe you should take a break and hit up IHCE.”
And he hands the coat to her
She crossed her arms, considering his words. “IHCE, huh? I could go… if you come with me.”
“Why do you need me to go?” Horikawa asked, surprised.
“I just don’t like going alone,” she admitted, her tone softening slightly.
“But isn’t that the whole point of IHCE?”
“Yeah, but still.”
“Alright, fine. I’ll book a slot for two. Come at the central IHCE at 3:45.”
A rare smile spread across the director’s face. “Okay”
“Good. Now, I’m heading home. Bye, Fujita. Bye, Director.”
“Byeee!” the director chirped; her earlier annoyance seemingly forgotten.
“Later, man,” Fujita said, giving Horikawa a half-hearted salute.
As Horikawa stepped outside, his phone rings in his pocket
He takes a look
“Oh, it’s my sister,”