POV: Isozaki Izumi

"We have to know which one of us is the immortal one!"

"I don't want to die, please!"

"This is the only way, Izumi"

"Save me!"

"No!" I screamed as I got up the bed I was lying on.

I clinched my trembling fist as I started drifting back from the dreamland, I was in, to reality.

As I started calming down I take a better look at the place I was in, the white curtains rolled up revealing a beautiful scenery of the sea like a drawing on the wall, and the refreshing air that came rushing through the slightly opened window, made me feel at ease.

Then a creaking couch sound resounded followed by a voice full of worry, "Are you feeling okay?" and my eyes immediately moved toward its source.

It was Nao, he had huge eyebags under his eyes, and his eyes showed how tired he was, yet he forced a smile on his face, directed my way.

Thanks to seeing him, I returned to my senses as I realize I'm in a hospital room, Nao gets up from the couch and move closer to me with a confused worried look he asked me, "Why are you crying?"

I gave Nao the look as if I don't understand what language he is talking with, I haven't shed a tear for the last 18 years, I can't even remember the last time I did.

I moved my palm and put it on my cheek as I felt tears being wiped by my hand, "Maybe I had a bad dream" I wondered.

"Well, after an experience like that, it is a wonder if you didn't have any nightmares!" Nao exclaimed in a joking manner, I could hear a gentle kind tone in his voice, which showed his concern.

"How long have I been out for? For all my injuries to heal, I must have been out for long. I hope it's not more than two years." I asked out of curiosity as I inspected parts of my body that looked as good as new.

The truck hit me on the left side, but I couldn't feel any different than usual, the doctors in this hospital sure know what to do, even my stomach! The pain was unbearable but now it all seems like a distant dream!

"What are you talking about? You suffered almost no injuries in the accident rather it was the one driving that suffered most of it." Nao declared showing a confused look at my previous statement.

I was shocked by what he said, mainly because of the phrase 'the one driving' I was drowning in the river what does he mean the one driving?

"What are you talking about? I drowned in the riverbank after being hit by a truck." I corrected Nao.

"Are you half asleep? You were in an accident while in the car and you bumped into a tree, not drowned in a riverbank." Nao explained, and he continued, "the person who you were with was in a critical condition, but he recovered fast after getting your blood and he even checked out!"

I was confused I didn't know what Nao is talking about! his story doesn't match up to mine, the place, the people involved even the way of the accident was different. Just what the hell really happened? And who is that person he keeps on mentioning?

I decided to ignore the complicated stuff for now, "Anyway, what day is it today?" I asked Nao trying to change the confusing topic.

"21st of November" Nao stated while staring with a blanked look.

21st? that means more than one year passed from the accident, I let out a small sigh. That would explain a bit why Nao is not sure of the details. Yes, this must be it.

"What happened at work? Did the new president come?" I asked casually, "What are you talking about? Today is his first day, I think he's introducing himself by now" Nao said while looking at his watch.

What is this? Something is not adding up. "Nao..." I showed worry, "Just in case... W-What year is this?" I asked scared of the answer to come.

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"20XX" Nao stated and as shivers ran down my spine, I couldn't believe my ears.

If what Nao said is true that means, only half a day passed since the accident! And my injuries in that accident all healed in like less than 6 hours! It was unbelievable!

"Ho-how can this be?!" I panicked as I showered Nao with questions, "why is the accident different? What happened that day? Why am I okay? I really thought I died I really thought I died"

Nao put both of his hands on my shoulders and reassured me, "its fine Izumi its fine! Calm down, everything going to be okay."

Hours later, I was getting ready to check out of the hospital.

"I have the car parked outside, you come down whenever you're ready I'll drive you home," Nao said as he heads toward the door and opens it.

I called out, "Nao!" making him stop his movements and turn around then he stared right at me wondering what I wanted, after intensely staring back at him I said, "Let's go to the company instead."

Nao had a very chaotic look, I can already imagine what he is thinking but he didn't leave it in my imagination and made it a reality; he shouted at me, "What the hell are you talking about? Do you even know what you been through? And you want to go to work? Insane!"

Ignoring me he started turning around to get out, I shrieked, "But I'm really curious!" making him groan and look at me with weary eyes, "There is no arguing with you! Fine, just get ready already."

Then Nao drove us to Miscul, and I ran out of the car in a hurry and rushed Nao, "Hurry up, Nao! We're going to miss it!" Nao, on the other hand, walked behind me slowly, while showing zero interest in the destination.

Miscul, as stated previously, is a large company. It is 30 stories high; first 14 levels for the staff offices, having each floor with a team for a distinct purpose than the other one, the rest of the floors are for higherups offices, having the president office at the highest level.

Miscul is very generous in salaries but quite severe in rules, and it has three significant rules;

Unless you get a permit, a staff can never go higher than floor 14 or else he will receive a cut in salary or might even get fired.

Everyone is of equal status when working on projects even when working with higherups, which is really disturbing to me, since if that is so, then why do we bother to aim to become higher in position? Which lead to the third rule,

Asking to get promoted or asking how to get advanced is not conceded, promotions happen rarely, but when they do, no questions should be asked on the reason why.

Other than an insignificant growth in salary, any position in Miscul is not that much different than other positions.

It is a bit different than usual, but this resulted in our progress in the past years and it bore fruits, so no one can really criticize it.

As I hurried to the elevator I kept pushing the button, even though one time was enough, I couldn't stop my excitement.

"You look like a kid that's about to get his candy." Nao made fun of my action as we waited for the lift.

"Do you know anything about the new president?" I asked Nao unable to take the suspense of not knowing anything anymore.

"let me see," Nao said before getting his legendary notebook from his pocket and opened it and started scanning, "His name is Hoga Yasahiro, 26 years old, two years older than us? he finished four areas in university, very impressive, it was only at age of 18 when he completed them! Also, it seems he does have past job experiences being a doctor and lawyer, but this is his first time working in the I.T field-"

"What?!" I blurted, cutting Nao off and making him shift his eyes from his notebook to me while questioning the thing that shocked me, "This can't be it! you must be mistaken, how can the chairman talk about him like that when he never worked in this field? I doubt it." I explained.

"you are right it does seem weird, but-"Nao tried to explain but got interrupted by the beep that indicates the arrival of the lift. "Let's go," I said but my enthusiasm has already left my face.

I was frustrated, not only did I just know that the chairman praises might be wrong, but I also felt second-rate to the 'astonishing' new president.

"By the way, he is probably in his office, will you be okay?" Nao questioned after pressing key number 30.

"Are you talking about the rule? It's fine, no one will notice I'll just peek and go back. No one will know." I said while caring less about the rule, I mean the gravest thing that can happen is getting fired, and that means more free time to sleep in.

"Well, since it's you I think it might be okay," Nao replied while spacing out.

"What do you mean?" I asked but my inquiry didn't receive a response as we finally reached the top level.

After walking through a corridor, at the end of it was a huge door, and Nao knocked on it and glanced at me and with a smirk on his face he said, "are you ready?"

I nodded with eyes full of curiosity, as the door of truth started rasping open.

My eyes moved hastily through the room, noticed a small table surrounded by couches in the middle of it, enormous bookcases that have several books on each wall and the large desk near the window had a leather seat which was turned to the other side.

As we opened the door, the chair turned to show a man in his mid-20s, had bright sky-blue eyes and deep blue hair which was slightly waved toward the edges, he had a very attractive facial traits, and he had a book in his hand, he glanced at us then returned to reading his book.

"u-um" Nao attempted to get his attention from the book he was holding, which ended up working as he closed the book shut before putting it aside. He then directed his sight to us.

His eyes opened wide as he stared at us, and had a very paranoid expression on his face as if he just saw a ghost, but soon that expression shifted to anger and he yelled with a very hostile tone,

"IT'S YOU?!"

-End of Chapter 4-