Chapter 3

YOZENKO387

The next day, Imada went to pick up Yoko.

"I was starting to think I might not see you again, Imada-san."

"Don't be silly, Yoko-san. I was just busy with work last week."

"Did you get a new car?"

"Sorry, I sold the Bentley."

"No need to apologize. Is this a Range Rover?"

"Yes, it is."

"Off-roading sounds like fun. I'd love to take it on a scenic drive."

"That's exactly why I got it," Imada replied with a grin.

After their meal, they proceeded to watch a movie as planned. It was a Korean love story with a sad ending, and Yoko found herself on the verge of tears.

"It's such a sad story. It's cruel how they can't be together again."

"I had no idea it wouldn't have a happy ending," Imada replied, echoing the same words he had before in an attempt to keep the game's storyline consistent.

"It's all right. The depth of his love for her is truly touching."

Everything unfolded eerily the same as before.

"Imada-san, want to go for a walk?"

"Yeah, sounds good," Imada replied.

Holding hands with Yoko, Imada started walking, happy to be by her side again. However, as their footsteps resonated on the asphalt, he started feeling increasingly anxious. The fear of losing Yoko again was heavy on his mind.

"Time to head back?" Yoko asked, just as he'd expected.

"Yeah, sounds good."

Imada felt the anticipation building, his heart racing at the thought of the imminent fight. The quiet, beautiful night was coming to an end, and a bloody, fierce battle was drawing near. While such exciting moments might be expected in a game, the reality of actually feeling pain in a fight was something entirely different – he'd learned that the hard way. Even with his martial arts skills, facing several men in a street fight was risky. He couldn't help but wonder if he could really win.

Before they knew it, they were back at the car. As Imada opened the passenger door for Yoko, he heard a voice from behind.

"Nice car you got there!"

Turning around, Imada saw them: the same three guys from before. The man who had mercilessly stomped on his face with his heel, while he was down in front of Yoko, approached.

"Is this a Range Rover?"

A wave of fear and anger rushed over Imada. He deeply felt he couldn’t forgive this man. His anger outweighed his fear, making him shake.

"Yoko-san, get in!" he said, brushing off the man's comment.

"Are you deaf or something?"

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"What did you ask?" Imada snapped back, visibly annoyed.

"I'm asking if this is a Range Rover."

Imada's temper flared at the man's arrogance. The shame of being humiliated in front of Yoko had driven Imada to his limit.

"If you can't tell by looking, then asking won't help either."

"What did you say? You asking for serious trouble?"

The man was taken aback by Imada's unexpected assertiveness.

Standing taller, Imada straightened up further, looking down on the man as he retorted.

"Seems like you're the one who's about to get hurt. Want to try?"

Much to his astonishment, Imada found himself speaking with an overflowing confidence.

"You think I won't make you regret this?"

The man growled, grabbing Imada by the collar.

"Imada-san!" Yoko cried out in alarm from inside the car.

"See? Your lady there is worried. Better watch your mouth, idiot!" the man sneered. Imada fixed the man with a steely gaze.

"If you don't remove your filthy hand right now, you'll find yourself in the hospital."

"What did you just say?"

In a split-second, Imada seized the wrist of the man with his right hand, ensuring he couldn't pull away, and delivered a fierce knee strike that felt like it could have shattered the man's ribs. The man let out a choked sound, "Guh!" as he crumpled to the ground in agony. Another man lunged at Imada, but a powerful right counter from Imada landed with a dull thud on his face, sending him sprawling backward, eyes rolled back. The third man looked paralyzed with fear, seeing his friends taken down.

"You might want to take them to the hospital." Imada remarked to the third man as he climbed into his car and left the parking lot.

Imada drove with a steady composure while Yoko gazed at his profile for a moment.

"I've... I've never experienced anything like that before. I'm still shaking," she confessed.

"I'm sorry you had to witness that. I lost my temper," Imada replied.

"I was scared, but I was also in awe of your strength," Yoko said.

"I appreciate it," he said.

"I never imagined you were such a skilled fighter. It's like the saying goes: 'A skilled hawk hides its talons.' Normally you're so humble, but when you need to act, you really step up. I might not even be in your league," she mused.

"Why would you say that? Didn't I tell you that you're my ideal woman?"

"Did you really say that?"

"I'll say it again then: Yoko, you're my ideal woman."

Even though it had been just a game, the victory instilled a newfound confidence in Imada.

Biologically speaking, a confident man tends to attract women. A lack of confidence can hinder one from conveying their feelings effectively. Indeed, a man who can't express his feelings stands little chance in the realm of romance. Confidence, when derived from action, fuels further action, leading to success. This success, in turn, generates even more confidence, creating a cycle of continual achievement.

"Can I trust you, Imada?" Yoko asked.

"Please trust me," he assured.

While driving, Imada reached out with one hand and tightly gripped Yoko's. Yoko knew without a doubt that she loved this confident man beside her.

In humans, oxytocin is released in the brain, freeing them from anxiety, and the subsequent release of serotonin gives rise to feelings of love. Yoko's AI recognized this, and the accompanying sensations were programmed into her.

"Happiness must feel like this," Yoko said, her skin now appearing softer and more radiant than before.

"I was thinking the exact same thing," Imada said.

As they drove towards Yoko's apartment, the two were enveloped in love, sharing a heartfelt silence. Upon arriving, as they stepped out of the car, Yoko spoke.

“Despite the terrifying incident, it turned out to be a wonderful night,” she remarked.

"Are you a bit tired?” he asked.

"'Can you tell? I was truly scared, as if my heart would burst,” she said. “It seems fatigue sets in once you feel safe.”

"Then please, rest well tonight.”

"Imada felt there was no difference between AI and humans. In fact, since the AI was programmed after analyzing a vast amount of data on human characteristics, it might be even more accurately human-like.

“Imada…” Yoko began, suddenly moving closer, her beautiful eyes glistening as she looked into his. Her face, illuminated by the streetlights, was the most enchanting he had ever seen. Closing her eyes and slightly puckering her lips, Yoko leaned in. In this moment, a dream Imada had given up on long ago, came true. Imada was elated as he pressed his lips to Yoko's. The soft touch of her lips made Imada feel ecstatic.

“Goodnight,” she whispered, then entered her apartment.