JUNE 16 2086
JACE IS LATE TO THE SCHOOL
Jace was rushing through the school hallways, trying to make up for lost time. No way—Uncle made me late! I have to hurry. He picked up his pace, breaking into a run.
“Hey! No running on campus. You’re late; join the others,” a stern voice called out.
Jace skidded to a stop, recognizing their strict discipline teacher. “Sorry, sir.”
“Hurry up and get over here.”
Reluctantly, Jace joined a group of late students. Scanning the crowd, he spotted his cousin and made his way over.
His cousin, four months older and the son of his father’s sister, had always been close to Jace since childhood.
“Hey, brother, I never thought I’d see you late,”
“Jace? What a coincidence—you’re late too?”
“Yeah, but it’s rare to see you late. You’re always so punctual.”
“Our bus driver messed up today, that’s why so many of us are here.”
“Oh, I see.”
His cousin leaned in, whispering, “We shouldn’t talk in front of this teacher. He’s really strict, and if he catches us, we’re done for.”
“Ah, okay.”
The teacher’s voice rang out, “Students who are late for the first time this month can join their classes. The rest of you, follow me.”
“Let’s go, brother,” his cousin said, nudging Jace.
“But I’ve been late twice this month,” Jace replied with a frown.
“It doesn’t matter. Just leave with me. That guy’s terrible at recognizing faces.”
“But...”
His cousin grabbed his arm and pulled him along. “Alright, bro, I just hope we don’t get caught.”
“Nothing will happen. Just trust me.”
They slipped away from the group and headed toward their classrooms.
“So, Jace, what have you been up to these days?”
“Not much. But have you heard about that special ice cream they sell?”
“Yeah, that thing is really expensive. Never got to try it.”
“I did today. My uncle treated me.”
“Wow, that’s cool! How was it?”
“It tasted good at first, but it was too much for me.”
“I’d love to try it someday—oh, this is my classroom. See you later, Jace.”
“Okay, bye, brother.”
As Jace walked to his classroom, he thought to himself, I was late, but at least I got to meet my cousin. So, it wasn’t all bad...
He opened the classroom door and saw that the teacher wasn’t there yet. Jace quickly sat down at his usual spot in the back row.
He yawned. I couldn’t sleep well because of those dreams again...
Looking around, he noticed the absence of the teacher. This might be the best time to take a nap.
Jace dozed off in class.
----------------------------------------
About half an hour later, a voice woke him up. “Hey, dude, you need to wake up.”
Jace groggily opened his eyes and looked around.
It was a girl sitting next to him. “The teacher might be here any moment, and if our math teacher finds you sleeping again, you're dead.”
Jace suddenly remembered. “Oh yeah, it’s math class. I forgot.”
“Why are you always sleeping in class? Is something wrong at home?”
Jace was surprised—they had never talked before. “No, nothing. I was just really sleepy.”
“Alright, then. Be attentive.”
“Hmmm.”
The math teacher entered the classroom, and everyone stood up. As the class went on, Jace drifted into deep thought. I’ve been having these dreams for a while now... I usually forget everything, but this one was different—I remember it all, crystal clear.
The teacher noticed Jace wasn’t paying attention. “Jace, get up and solve this problem!”
Jace panicked; he hadn’t been following along. As he walked toward the board, an announcement came over the PA system. “All students participating in the race, please report to the school stadium.”
“Sir, I’m a participant. May I leave?”
The math teacher was irritated but couldn’t refuse. Jace quickly left the classroom, heading to the stadium. I wonder what kind of people will be there...
He reached the stadium, where all the participants had gathered for a qualifying round. Jace was observing the crowd, noticing Joel among the participants.
Joel was a handsome 6 ft guy blonde guy with well-built body, extremely popular with girls I don't remember much about that guy but I remember his ego was bigger than mount Everest he had a weird ass smile on his face 24/7 which he used as a weapon to show his dominance. I still hate his arrogant character and it makes me want to punch his face as hard as possible, he could be described in one word "asshole"
On the other hand, Jace was 6’2”, really skinny, but with a cute face.
So, Joel’s here... I have no chance of coming in first... but all I need is to be in the top three to qualify, Jace thought to himself.
As he was observing, he noticed Zion. Zion was usually seen alone with a girl, and no one really liked talking to him.
Jace saw Zion and the girl. She was tapping his shoulder, saying, “You can do it, buddy.”
Isn’t she the one who woke me up today? What is she doing here? This is a men’s event only...
As Jace was lost in thought, he spotted Elina.
Elina was one of the most beautiful girls in school and also Jace’s girlfriend. I have no idea how that guy who never talked to anyone managed to win her over, but she was his actual girlfriend and Jace loved her deeply.
Seeing her made him happy, and he rushed over to her, his heart racing.
“Hey, Elina!”
“Yeah, what is it, Jace?” she replied, looking a bit irritated.
“Did you come to watch my performance?” Jace asked, smiling.
“I just had to be here.”
As their conversation continued, the participants were called. “Okay, see you later. I’ll give it my best. Bye!” Jace said.
“Yeah, whatever.”
Jace, Joel, Zion, and five other students took their positions. A huge guy, the sports teacher, stood in front of them.
“Listen up, students. Your goal is to touch that pole over there, about 800 meters away, and come back. The top three will qualify for the race at the sports festival.”
Jace was a bit nervous, taking a deep breath. I have to give it my all... she’s watching me.
“On my count, students,” the teacher called out.
Jace was ready. “Three, two, one, GO!”
The moment the signal was given, the air filled with the sound of pounding feet. Jace shot forward, his heart racing almost as fast as his legs. Zion took the lead with an explosive start, while Jace found himself just behind him, Joel quickly closing in.
Joel’s strides were powerful, and soon enough, he passed Jace with ease, his eyes locked on Zion ahead. As they neared the halfway point, Joel’s intentions became clear. With a quick, calculated move, he stepped on Zion’s shoe, sending him tumbling to the ground.
Zion hit the track hard, the impact echoed by the collective gasp of onlookers. Jace stopped and was looking at Zion who was on ground as he saw that someone was coming for help
With a surge of adrenaline, Jace pushed on, his mind battling between concern for Zion and his own desire to qualify. Ahead, Joel had already touched the pole and was sprinting back, that irritating grin still on his face.
Jace reached the pole, but in his haste, misjudged his momentum and collided with it. Pain shot through his shoulder, but he didn’t let it stop him. She’s watching—I can’t give up now.
He turned and sprinted back, each step a battle against the burning in his lungs and legs. He could see the third-place runner just ahead, the gap closing with every stride. Joel was already surrounded by a crowd of girls at the finish line, but Jace kept his focus.
Come on, just a little more...
The final stretch felt like a lifetime, but Jace pushed through, crossing the finish line in third place, gasping for breath. Relief washed over him as he slowed to a stop. “Thank God, I was able to qualify. That was so close.”
He glanced back to see Zion sitting alone at the edge of the track, his classmate—the same girl who had woken Jace earlier—kneeling beside him. Jace walked over, concerned.
“Hey dude, you alright? You fell pretty hard.”
Zion didn’t respond, his eyes distant as he stared at Jace.
“Hello?…”
Before Jace could say more, Elina appeared, grabbing his arm and pulling him aside.
“Come with me.”
She led Jace to a quiet corner, leaving him puzzled.
“Listen, Jace, if you want to stay with me, never talk to that guy again.”
Without hesitation, Jace replied, “Okay, even I don’t like him much.”
“Good. Bye.”
As she walked away, Jace called out, “Hey! I finished third and qualified for the festival!”
“Good for you. Bye.”
She left without another word, leaving Jace to wander around alone. Why is there a crowd? Might as well check it out, he thought.
It was Joel, basking in the attention of his fan girls.
“I knew I’d win from the start. These guys are just kids compared to me,” Joel boasted, soaking up the admiration.
Everyone around him cheered, but Jace stayed at a distance, observing silently.
“That Zion loser fell down—what a failure,” Joel said, laughing. The others joined in, mocking Zion.
" That Jace didn't even touched the pole he just started running back from about 100 meters behind the pole.... ha-ha everyone doesn't have good sportsmanship like me"
Jace frowned, his irritation growing. Why is this guy lying? I literally hit the pole... He turned to leave, no longer interested in Joel’s antics.
But just as he was about to walk away, he heard a familiar voice, cold and dismissive. “He’s a loser, no wonder he would cheat.”
It was Elina.
Jace's heart sank as he heard Elina’s words. The sadness washed over him like a heavy wave, leaving him feeling hollow. Without a word, he turned and walked away, his shoulders slumped, eyes focused on the ground.
He trudged back to his classroom, feeling numb, and quietly slipped into his seat at the back. As he sat down, he heard a soft voice beside him.
"You did great, buddy."
Jace turned his head and saw the girl from earlier, the one who had woken him up. Her smile was kind, but it barely registered in his mind.
"Does that even matter?" he mumbled, before putting his head down on the desk, shutting out the world.
Maybe he’s just tired, she thought. It’s probably best to leave him be.
The rest of the school day passed in a blur. The bell rang, signalling the end of classes, and Jace gathered his things, moving mechanically as if on autopilot.
As he walked home, his mind drifted back to the strange dreams that had been haunting him. There was a person in front of me... he was holding something in his hand... a heart? It was dark, it was like he was a shadow, raising his hand... That’s when she woke me. What could all this possibly mean?
The images swirled in his mind, unsettling and persistent. Lost in thought, Jace didn’t even notice when he reached his front door. He opened it, stepping inside.
“Mom, I’m home,” Jace called out as he stepped inside.
“Welcome home, sweetheart. How was your day?” his mother replied from the kitchen.
“It was alright. I’m just feeling really sleepy,” Jace said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
He dropped his bag on the bed, kicked off his shoes, and collapsed onto the mattress. His body ached with the weight of the day.
His mom walked in. “What am I going to do with you, son? You should take better care of your things.”
She picked up his scattered belongings, placing them neatly in their proper spots. Jace mumbled, “I’m just really tired, Mom,” as he let his eyes close.
Barely five minutes had passed before he heard a small voice. “Brother, can you please help me? I’m stuck on this level and can’t get past it,” his little brother asked, holding a game controller in his hand.
Jace sighed, feeling the pull of sleep, but he couldn’t say no. “Okay, I’ll help you,” he said, sitting up and taking the controller.
They went into the other room, and Jace settled in front of the screen. “Let me show you how it’s done,” he said, flashing a tired but encouraging smile.
His little brother’s eyes sparkled with hope as he watched Jace navigate the game with ease. Fifteen minutes later, Jace cleared the level.
“Wow, big bro, you’re amazing!” his little brother exclaimed, his face beaming with admiration.
“I used to play this game a lot,” Jace said, rubbing his eyes.
“I’m finally level 35 thanks to you!”
“Level 35? I’ve got an old account that’s level 87. You can play on that if you want,” Jace offered.
“That would be awesome!” his brother said, excitement lighting up his face.
Jace logged into his old account and handed over the controller. “Thanks, big bro!” his brother said, engrossed in the game.
Jace yawned, stretching his arms. “No worries. Now I’m going to take a nap.”
As he was leaving the room, his brother called after him, “By the way, bro, why is your character named ‘Arecus’? You use that name in every game.”
Jace paused at the door, with a little confusion in Jace’s mind. “Umm… I don’t know. I just randomly came up with it one day.”
With that, he left and headed back to his room, ready to finally rest.
On the other side Miss Director’s heart was racing with anticipation as she stood in front of her closet, carefully selecting her outfit for the day. Today was special—she was going to meet Horikawa, and she wanted everything to be perfect. After deliberating over various options, she finally settled on a light blue dress that hugged her figure just right, exuding both elegance and charm.
“What’s the time?” she murmured, glancing at the clock. “Oh, it’s already 2 PM. I should get going soon if I want to be there early.”
She felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach, but it was overwhelmed by the bubbling excitement that had been building all day. By 2:35 PM, she was out the door, her heels clicking rhythmically on the pavement as she walked. The city around her seemed to reflect her joy—the sun shone brighter, the sky looked bluer, and even the distant hum of traffic felt like a cheerful melody accompanying her steps.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
As she walked, she found herself humming a light tune, her smile growing wider with each passing minute. She passed by a small flower shop, the vibrant colours of the blooms catching her eye. On a whim, she stopped to admire them, leaning in to breathe in the sweet fragrance of the roses. The scent lifted her spirits even higher, and she couldn’t resist a twirl as she continued down the street
Further down the road, she spotted a group of children playing in the park, their laughter filling the air. Normally, she would have passed by without a second glance, but today, she found herself slowing down, watching them with a soft smile. Their carefree joy mirrored her own feelings, and she felt an unexpected kinship with their exuberance. One of the children waved at her, and she waved back, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time.
As she approached a shop window, she caught a glimpse of her reflection. She paused, unable to resist the urge to check her appearance one last time.
“I think I look good,” she whispered to herself, a blush creeping up her cheeks. I hope he likes my outfit.
The thought of Horikawa brought a fresh wave of butterflies to her stomach, and she continued on her way, her steps She found herself imagining their meeting—how he might compliment her on her dress, or how they might laugh together and spend time together alone. The possibilities made her heart race, and she couldn’t help but smile at the thought.
As she walked, she noticed a street musician playing a cheerful tune on his guitar. The melody was infectious, and before she knew it, she was tapping her fingers against her thigh, moving to the rhythm of the music. The musician caught her eye and gave her a nod, his fingers dancing over the strings with renewed energy. She dropped a few coins into his open guitar case, her smile widening as she did.
Finally, she reached the central IHCE at exactly 2:45 PM, her heart pounding in her chest as she spotted someone in a lab coat identical to theirs standing near the entrance. Her excitement peaked—Could it be him? She wondered, her breath catching in her throat. Did he really arrive early just so I wouldn’t have to wait?
The thought that Horikawa might have gone out of his way for her sent a thrill through her, and she quickened her pace, her heart swelling with hope and excitement. As she approached, she felt her palms grow slightly clammy with nerves, but she brushed them off, her focus entirely on the figure in front of her.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she approached the person with a bright smile, her voice soft and sweet as she greeted, “I’m here, let’s go inside.”
But as the figure turned to face her, her smile faltered. “Wait, Director? What are you doing here?”
“Fujita?” her heart sinking, the joy she had felt slipping away like sand through her fingers. The world, which had seemed so vibrant and full of possibilities just moments before, now felt a little dimmer.
“Horikawa asked me to be here for a very important job… Ah, I see what’s going on now. That guy really got you, didn’t he? Haha!” Joy replaced with a burning frustration.
“That guy is dead to me now!” she snapped; her voice sharp with the sting of unfulfilled expectations.
“Come on, Director, don’t be so hard on him. We all know Horikawa’s clueless when it comes to picking up on hints. If you really like him, you should just tell him directly,”
“How can you even suggest that I’d like that idiot?” she retorted, though even as she said it, she knew the words lacked conviction.
“Umm… so, we’re already here. Want to go inside anyway?”
“I’d rather die,” she shot back, spinning on her heel with a huff, her earlier excitement now replaced with simmering anger.
As she stormed away, her steps were heavy with frustration, each one echoing her tumultuous emotions. Fujita watched her retreating figure. with a wry smile
maybe no one knows better than you how hopeless he is, don’t give up on him
Fujita sighs and takes phone out of his pocket
“ah now I gotta call that baka”
WAKIE WAKIE
Jace suddenly woke up, startled, and in his groggy state, his hand swung out and smacked his uncle right in the face.
“Ow! Come on, kid, how long were you planning to sleep?” his uncle groaned, rubbing his cheek.
Jace, still half-asleep, blinked at his uncle, trying to make sense of the situation. “Uncle? What are you doing here?”
“Your mom called me earlier today,” his uncle replied with a chuckle. “She thinks something isn’t quite right with you.”
“Whaat?” Jace mumbled, still trying to get a grip on reality.
“Just get up, wash your face, and meet me in the living room. We’ll chat there.”
Jace dragged himself to the bathroom, splashed cold water on his face, and wiped it off with a towel. A bit more awake now, he headed to the living room and sat down on the sofa next to his uncle, who was already sipping on a cup of coffee.
“So, you’re finally awake, Jace,” his mom said, handing him a cup as well. “Here, have some coffee.”
“Yeah, thanks, Mom,” Jace muttered, taking the cup and settling in.
His mother left the room , leaving Jace and his uncle alone.
“So, what were you talking about earlier, Uncle?” Jace asked, still a bit drowsy.
“It’s nothing too serious, kid,” his uncle said, waving it off. “Your mom mentioned you’ve been having nightmares a lot lately.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s true,” Jace admitted, fidgeting with his cup.
“And I think I know what’s causing them,”
Jace’s heart skipped a beat. “What is it?” he asked, his tone suddenly serious.
“Oh, it’s love,” his uncle replied
“Love?” Jace repeated, not quite believing what he was hearing.
“Yeah, love.”
“Love is the reason?”
“I think you didn’t hear me, kid. I literally said that three times.”
“Love?”
“I think we need to get your hearing checked too,”
“Are you serious?”
His uncle burst out laughing. “Haha, no way, dude! I was just kidding. It’s nothing serious. Just cut back on the video games, and you’ll be fine.”
“Ah, you really had me worried there for a moment,” Jace said, relieved but also slightly annoyed.
Just then, his mother returned with a plate of freshly baked cookies.
“Here, you two, enjoy these,” she said, setting the plate down.
His uncle eagerly grabbed one. “Thanks, sis! I love these.”
“All right, you two enjoy. I have some household chores to finish,” she said before leaving the room again.
As his uncle munched on a cookie, he turned to Jace, “By the way, Jace, how’s everything going with that girl from your school? What was her name… Elina?”
Jace sighed. “Things haven’t been going well these days,” he admitted.
His uncle’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “What? You gotta fill me in on the details!”
“Umm… I don’t know if I should or not,” Jace said hesitantly.
“Come on, I might not look like it, but trust me, I give the best relationship advice,”
“That’s why you’re still single?” Jace shot back with a smirk.
“Ah, come on, kid. You know I’m single by choice. If I actually tried, I could have more girlfriends than that Rentarō guy from that show you watch.”
“I don’t watch that show,”
“That’s not the point, kid.”
Just then, his uncle’s phone rang. It was Fujita.
“Wait a moment, Jace,” his uncle said, answering the call.
“GG, bro, you played well!” Fujita’s voice boomed through the phone.
“Why are you shouting? And what happened?” his uncle asked, frowning.
“She’s super pissed at you now,” Fujita replied, his tone suddenly serious.
“Who? The director?” his uncle asked, already knowing the answer.
“Who else would it be?” Fujita sighed.
“Whaaat? Why is that? I booked two tickets for her, and because she didn’t want to go alone, I even asked you to accompany her.”
“Why can’t you understand?” Fujita said, exasperated.
“It’s just that, Fujita, the world is filled with ungrateful people. I haven’t done anything, but she’s always angry at me for no reason at all,” his uncle replied, clearly frustrated.
“Exactly, that’s the reason. You haven’t done anything, even when you were supposed to,” Fujita explained.
“What are you even talking about? I did everything just like she said.”
The conversation continued for a few more minutes, with Fujita growing more annoyed until he finally hung up.
His uncle stared at his phone, bewildered. “What did I played? I can’t understand.”
Then, suddenly, he turned to Jace with a grin. “Yo, kid, wanna go to Central IHCE? I have two tickets, and we can continue our conversation there.”
“We have our IHCE near our home. Why would we go to that one?” Jace asked, puzzled.
“Listen, that one’s completely different,” his uncle said, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
“Umm… I don’t know. IHCEs are for depressed adults ” Jace said, unsure.
“I mean, there’s one right in front of you,”
“It’s not that I don’t want to go. It’s just… what will I do there?”
“Come on, it’ll be fun! And I’ll treat you to something,” his uncle offered.
At the mention of a treat, Jace’s energy spiked. “Okay, then, let’s go!”
“Alright, then, hop on my bike. Let’s go,” his uncle said, leading the way.
They both rode to Central IHCE, and as they arrived, Jace’s eyes widened.
“Wow, this place is huge, Uncle!” he exclaimed.
“Yeah, I know,” his uncle replied, proud of his find.
“Our IHCE is completely different,” Jace noted, still taking in the sights.
“That’s why I wanted to show you this. Let’s go inside.”
His uncle showed their reservation at the counter, and they entered the isolation chamber together.
“Woah, this is beautiful!” Jace was filled with excitement, his eyes darting around to take everything in.
His uncle stood beside him, hands in his pockets, with a contented smile on his face. “Yeah, I know.”
From inside the chamber looked like huge place with hills filled with greenery but with very less trees and there were also little huts at small separated distance and the temperature there was controlled .... and always it was the perfect little cold environment inside.... with cool breeze
“This place is totally different,” Jace said in awe. “Our IHCE is small, but this chamber must be at least 20 acres.”
“Yeah, it’s massive,” his uncle replied with a knowing smile. “I love coming here when I’m feeling really down. It’s one of the few places that truly relaxes me.”
“I feel really good and relaxed here”
“Maybe it’s because the atmosphere here is 100% oxygen,” his uncle added with a wink. “But enough standing around—let’s go for a walk.”
As they walked, Jace couldn’t help but take in the surroundings, observing everything with curiosity.
“So, kid, earlier you mentioned that things haven’t been going well with your girlfriend,” his uncle said, breaking the silence.
“Yeah,” Jace admitted. “I don’t know. I think she’s lost interest in me.”
“Did something happen?”
“Not really, but her attitude’s changed in the last five days.”
“I see,” his uncle said thoughtfully. “Things used to be amazing between you two, but now it feels rough, huh?”
“Exactly.”
“So, how do you feel about her?”
“I love her, of course,” Jace said, his voice sincere. “Just like when we first met.”
“And what do you plan to do next?”
“I have no idea,” Jace sighed.
“Listen, kid,” his uncle said, his tone turning serious. “Just be yourself and tell her exactly how you feel. She’ll understand.”
Jace felt a surge of hope and courage. “Yeah, I will. I’ll talk to her when I see her tomorrow.”
“That’s the spirit,” his uncle encouraged, patting Jace on the back.
“Hey, Uncle, what are those small huts for?” Jace asked, pointing to a series of structures scattered around the area.
“Apparently, each hut has a purpose… wait, I think they gave me a map,” his uncle said, pulling a folded piece of paper from his pocket. “There aren’t any electronic devices allowed inside the chamber, so they use these old-school maps.”
He unfolded the map and studied it for a moment. “Okay, so if we’re here…” He pointed to a spot on the map. “That hut over there is for drinking water, that one is for food, and the other one is for the restroom and All the red huts you see are for emergencies.”
“Oh, I see. Let’s go to the food one,” Jace suggested
“Yeah, yeah, I know I promised you a treat. Let’s go.”
They made their way to the food hut, but as they approached, Jace noticed something strange. “Umm, I don’t see any people here.”
“That’s because we’re the only humans in this chamber right now,” his uncle explained. “But look, there’s a vending machine.”
“Oh yeah, you’re right,” Jace said, spotting the machine tucked away in the corner.
“I think they gave me two tokens for it. Here, you take them and get whatever you want,” his uncle said, handing over the tokens.
“Aren’t you going to eat, Uncle?”
“No, I’m full. I ate a lot of the cookies your mom made.”
Jace approached the vending machine, his excitement growing as he scanned the options. “Umm… what should I get? I’ve never seen any of these dishes before,” he murmured to himself, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar choices.
Unable to decide, he randomly selected two items, then took them and sat down next to his uncle.
“These are super hot and seem fresh,” Jace said, about to dig in.
“That’s because they are fresh, not some preserved food,” his uncle replied with a grin.
Jace took a bite and his eyes widened. “Yum… these are really good! Are you sure you don’t want any, Uncle?”
“Sister’s cooking is way better than this,” Jace’s uncle said with a nostalgic smile, watching Jace eat. “She used to cook a lot for me when we were young.”
Jace, still chewing, glanced up. “Is that so? I was asking my mom to buy me new gaming gear, and she seemed to agree, but then at the last moment, she refused… I don’t get why they’re like this.”
“Oh, that’s because I asked them not to buy it for you,” his uncle replied casually.
Jace stopped mid-bite, staring at his uncle in disbelief. “Why? Everyone my age has the latest stuff. My brother and I are still playing retro games, while everyone else is enjoying the new ones.”
“It’s not good for your health, kid. I said that for your own benefit.”
Jace felt a pang of disappointment, but he understood. He finished his meal quietly, lost in thought.
“Alright, let’s go explore this place a little more, Uncle,” Jace said, setting his plate aside.
“You’ve got a pretty good diet for someone so skinny,” his uncle teased.
“Ah, come on, Uncle, I’m not that skinny! Let’s go.”
“Alright, alright, let’s go,” his uncle chuckled, standing up.
They left the hut and began walking again, his uncle with his usual pose—hands in pockets, a smile on his face, and an easy stride beside Jace.
“So, kid, tell me something—do you believe in God?” his uncle asked after a moment of silence.
“Umm… I don’t know,” Jace replied, thinking it over. “Everyone says God made everything, but then I wonder—who made God? But if God does exist, denying His existence would definitely get me sent to hell after I die.”
“So, you’re not sure what to believe,” his uncle observed.
“Yeah, maybe… What about you, Uncle?”
“I believe in God, but I don’t believe in people,”
Jace pondered the meaning of that statement, trying to grasp its full depth.
His uncle spread his arms wide, taking in the slow breeze that swept through the open space. “Our world is amazing, isn’t it?”
Jace felt a wave of excitement from his uncle’s sudden shift in mood. “Yeah, it is amazing.”
“We can just sit here, or lie down without any worries, and enjoy our lives—free from suffering,” his uncle continued, his voice filled with a rare exuberance.
Jace noticed the change in his uncle’s demeanour, the way he seemed more alive, more present in the moment. He looked over at Jace, his smile still intact but now tinged with something deeper. “Our world wasn’t always like this. Many people made sacrifices so we could have these happy lives—so, kid, you have to enjoy each day to the fullest.”
“Yeah, I will…” Jace responded, his voice filled with newfound resolve.
“My father—your maternal grandfather—hates me a lot,” his uncle said suddenly, the mood shifting once again. “I’ve never seen him proud of me.”
“Why is that, Uncle? I mean, you’re super cool.”
“I could be working for another company for a much higher salary, but I refused because I like my work here. My dad would talk to me every day, trying to convince me to join that company, but I still refused. We’ve been distant ever since.”
His uncle lay down on the short grass, looking up at the sky. “Listen, kid, do whatever you feel like doing. Follow your heart, and maybe then you can at least die in peace.”
“Hmm… I sure will,” Jace said, joining his uncle on the grass.
They lay there in silence, side by side, with Jace eventually dozing off. His uncle glanced over at him, a fond smile on his lips. *How much does this kid even sleep?* he thought
May be I should take a nap too
Two hours later, Jace woke up and nudged his uncle awake. “Uncle, what time is it?”
“I don’t know,” his uncle replied groggily. “The red huts have digital clocks. Let’s go check.”
They got up and headed towards the nearest red hut, the peaceful atmosphere lingering around them as they walked side by side.
They hurried to the red hut and checked the time.
“Oh my god, it’s 8:17! I was supposed to go to the temple for prayers with my family today,” Jace exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic.
“Is that so? Let’s leave then. Every red hut has an exit,” his uncle replied calmly, but with a sense of urgency.
“Uncle, hurry up! Today is a very special day.”
“Okay, okay, let’s go these red huts also have exit,” his uncle said, picking up the pace.
They quickly made their way home, where Jace’s mother, father, and brother were waiting, concern etched on their faces.
“Why are you late? It’s 8:30. We were supposed to go for prayer. Did you forget? And we couldn’t even contact you” Jace’s mother asked, her voice laced with both worry and a hint of frustration.
“Actually, Mom, we both fell asleep,” Jace admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
“Just get ready fast,” his mother instructed, turning to Horikawa. “And you should head home soon. Driving at night can be dangerous.”
“Yeah, sister, I’ll leave soon,” Horikawa assured her.
He watched as all four of them quickly prepared and left for the temple. Standing alone in the now quiet house, a smile touched his lips, mixed with a trace of longing.
“I think now I also should leave”
Horikawa was about to leave when he heard a voice calling out to him from behind. He turned and saw Jace’s grandfather approaching.
“Yo, Uncle, how are you? I didn’t see you today,” Horikawa greeted him warmly.
“I was working on the farm all day. Do you have any idea where everyone else went?” Jace’s grandfather asked, wiping some sweat from his brow.
“Yeah, they headed to the temple for prayer,” Horikawa replied, swinging his leg back over his bike.
“You didn’t go with them?” the older man asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Uncle, you know I’m not the most religious person,”.
“Oh, okay, I understand. Since you’re here, why don’t we…” Jace’s grandfather made a subtle drinking motion with his hand.
“I think one or two shots won’t hurt,” Horikawa agreed, stepping off his bike and following the older man inside.
They settled down with a couple of bottles of whiskey in front of them. Jace’s grandfather poured a glass for each of them, and they began drinking.
“This stuff is smooth,” Horikawa remarked, savouring the taste.
“Yeah, I know.,” Jace’s grandfather replied, a wide smile spreading across his face.
As they continued, the “one or two shots” quickly turned into 20 or 30.
“You know what, dude, I don’t know how, but you always find the best stuff.” Horikawa said, his words slurring slightly.
“I’m 60. I think I’m too old to be called ‘dude’.” Jace’s grandfather laughed.
“Nah, trust me, you’re the youngest 60-year-old I’ve ever seen,”
They were getting seriously drunk now, with bottles piling up around them.
“Bro, I think we should stop now. This stuff is really bad for the liver.” Horikawa said, swaying slightly in his seat.
“You science kids worry too much. Back in my day, alcohol was healthy for you,” Jace’s grandfather replied, waving off the concern.
“Here, pour me another. We’ve come too far to give up now.” Horikawa said, sliding his glass over.
The night wore on, and they continued their drinking battle.
“Listen, bro, you’ve got to promise me you’ll get your liver checked ASAP.” Horikawa said, his voice unsteady.
“You worry too much. Here, take one more.” Jace’s grandfather said, pouring another glass.
Eventually, they both realized they’d had far too much.
“How many bottles have we gone through?” Horikawa asked, struggling to keep his eyes open.
“I don’t know. I don’t think I’m in any state to count, but this is the last one I have, and it’s half-empty.” Jace’s grandfather replied, holding up the bottle.
“Pass me that thing.” Horikawa said, grabbing the bottle and finishing it in a few seconds.
“Haha, kid, I like that attitude of yours.” Jace’s grandfather laughed.
“Alright, now that everything’s under control, I should take my leave. It’s getting really late,” Horikawa said, trying to steady himself as he got up and stumbled toward his bike.
“I don’t think you’re in any state to drive that thing.”
Horikawa paused, then stepped away from the bike. “Yeah, you’re right, bro. I’ll just walk home.”
“Alright, take care, kid.” Jace’s grandfather said, watching him go.
Horikawa waved a hand as he walked away, calling back, “No, no, no, bro. Don’t refer to me as ‘kid.’ We’re buds—best buddies for life!”
And with that, he disappeared into the night, heading home on foot.
That guy really walked over 12 kilometres to his home that midnight.
I don’t know about Redbull, but alcohol sure gives you wings.
Jace and his family reached the temple, a massive white monument embedded with shimmering gemstones. As they approached, Jace’s mother turned to him and said, “Listen, Jace, today is a very special day. Everything you pray for today will come true.”
They proceeded with the religious rituals, and when it was time for prayer, Jace closed his eyes, joined his hands, “Make me rich. Wealthier than all my relatives. Thank you in advance, love you, bye." Satisfied with his prayer, he opened his eyes and waited for everyone else to finish.
As they left the temple, it was already past 11 PM. The night was calm, and the cool air brushed against their faces.
“Mother, what did you pray for?” Jace asked as they walked to the car.
His mother smiled warmly at him. “For your good health and well-being. What else would I pray for?”
“Oh, is that?” Jace trailed off, pondering.
“What did you pray for, son?” his mother asked, curious.
“It’s a secret.” Jace replied, smirking.
“Come on, I told you mine; you should tell me too….”
“Nope” Jace said firmly, sticking to his secret.
They all got into the car, with Jace settling into his usual spot in the backseat. His father drove, and his younger brother sat in their mother’s lap in the front seat. The drive home was peaceful, and they arrived just after 11:20 PM.
Jace was exhausted. “I should brush my teeth and go to sleep fast.,” he thought to himself. After brushing his teeth, he headed towards his room but overheard a conversation between his brother and their mother.
His brother was crying softly. “Mom, we all will die one day, right? Me, you, dad, grandpa, and brother. We all have to die one day. It breaks my heart, Mom. I don’t want to be away from you, never ever.”
I don’t know why but those words really striked Jace’s heart at that moment.
Soon, Jace fell asleep, but his sleep was restless. He woke up in the middle of the night, his legs aching. “Ah, my legs are hurting. Maybe I pushed myself a little too hard today at the race. I should take some painkillers.”
He headed to the kitchen, deciding to boil some water for the medicine. When he reached for the pot, he noticed something strange. As he touched it, the pot bent under his fingers.
“What just happened? I only applied a little force. How?” he murmured, staring at the bent pot in disbelief.
After a moment of thinking, he shrugged it off. “Ah, this must be one of those super realistic dreams where I’m strong as hell, I’m just gonna sleep in the dream again, maybe I’ll wake up.”
The next morning, Jace woke up to a commotion. His mother was shouting from the kitchen, her voice filled with frustration. “How on earth did this pot get broken? How am I supposed to cook now?”
Jace’s heart skipped a beat as he remembered the incident from the night before. “Was that… real?” he thought, a mix of confusion and realization washing over him.