June 16, 2086
Jace Is Late to 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 barked.
Jace skidded to a stop, recognizing the school's strict discipline teacher. "Sorry, sir."
"Hurry up and get over here."
Reluctantly, Jace joined a group of other 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 too?"
"Yeah, but it's rare to see you like this. You're usually the punctual type."
"Our bus driver messed up today. That's why there are so many of us here."
"Ohh, makes sense."
His cousin leaned in, whispering, "We shouldn't talk in front of this guy. He's super strict. If he catches us chatting, we're done."
"Ah, got it."
The teacher's voice rang out again. "Students who are late for the first time this month may return to 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.
"Doesn't matter. Just walk off with me. That guy can't recognize faces to save his life."
"But—"
His cousin grabbed his arm and pulled him along. "C'mon. Just trust me, bro. We'll be fine."
"Alright... I hope we don't get caught."
"Nothing's gonna happen. Chill."
As they slipped away and headed to their respective classrooms, the two kept chatting.
"So, Jace, what've you been up to lately?"
"Not much. Oh, but have you heard about that new expensive ice cream they're selling?"
"Yeah, I've seen it. Never had the chance to try it though."
"I did today. Uncle treated me."
"Whoa, lucky! How was it?"
"Tasted good at first... but it was too much for me. Way too sweet."
"Still, I wanna try it someday—oh, this is my classroom. Catch you later, Jace."
"Alright, see you, brother."
As Jace walked to his own class, he thought, I was late... but I got to hang out with my cousin. Not too bad, I guess.
He opened the classroom door and peeked in—no teacher yet. Jace quickly slipped into his usual spot in the back row.
He yawned.
Couldn't sleep well again... those dreams keep messing with my head.
Looking around and seeing no teacher in sight, he leaned back and closed his eyes.
This might be the best chance I'll get for a nap.
He dozed off at his desk.
About half an hour later, a voice snapped him back to reality.
"Hey, dude. Wake up."
Jace groggily opened his eyes and turned to see a girl sitting beside him.
"The teacher might show up any second. If Math-sensei catches you sleeping again, you're dead."
"Oh yeah… Math class. I forgot."
"Why are you always sleeping in class anyway? Something wrong at home?"
That caught Jace off guard. They'd never talked before.
"N-No, it's nothing like that. Just... didn't sleep well."
"Alright. Just try to stay awake."
"Hm."
The math teacher entered, and the entire class stood up. As the lecture began, Jace found himself drifting into thought again.
These dreams... they've been happening for a while. Usually I forget them the moment I wake up. But today's? I remember everything. Crystal clear.
Suddenly, the teacher called out, "Jace, get up and solve this problem!"
Jace blinked. He hadn't heard a single word of the lesson. As he got up to walk toward the board, the PA system crackled to life.
"All students participating in the race, please report to the school stadium."
"Sir, I'm one of the participants. May I leave?"
The math teacher looked irritated but nodded. Jace bolted out of the room.
I wonder what kind of people I'll be up against...
At the stadium, a crowd of participants had already gathered for the qualifying round. Jace scanned the area, his eyes landing on someone familiar—Joel.
Joel: tall (6'0"), blond, built like a model, and surrounded by girls 24/7.
Jace squinted.
I don't remember much about him, except for his ego. Which is bigger than Mount Everest. That fake-ass smile of his? He wears it like a crown, everytime i think of you, he makes me want to punch his face. Hard.
Jace, by contrast, was 6'2"—a lanky figure with a cute, soft-spoken face.
"So Joel's here... guess I've got no chance at first place. But I just need to be in the top three."
As he kept looking around, Jace spotted another familiar figure—Zion. A quiet guy usually seen alone or with one specific girl. Most people avoided him.
Jace watched as the girl tapped Zion's shoulder. "You can do it, buddy."
Wait... isn't she the one who woke me up earlier? What's she doing here? This is a guys-only event...
Before he could think more, Jace noticed another familiar face—Elina.
Elina, one of the most beautiful girls in school... and Jace's girlfriend.
I still don't get how someone like me ended up with someone like her... but I love her.
Seeing her brought a smile to his face. He rushed toward her, heart pounding.
"Elina!"
She glanced at him, clearly not in the best mood. "Yeah, what is it, Jace?"
"You came to see me run?"
"I had to be here."
As they spoke, the announcement rang out: participants were being called.
"Alright then! I'll do my best! Wish me luck!" he said.
"Yeah, whatever."
Jace lined up with Joel, Zion, and five other students. The burly sports teacher stood in front of them.
"Alright, listen up. Your goal is simple—run to that pole, 800 meters away, touch it, and come back. Top three qualify for the sports festival race."
Jace took a deep breath.
Okay... she's watching. I gotta give it my all.
The teacher raised his hand. "On my count... three... two... one—GO!"
The track exploded with motion. Jace sprinted forward, heart thundering. Zion launched ahead, leading the pack. Jace followed close behind—until Joel passed him effortlessly.
With long, powerful strides, Joel caught up to Zion and then—stepped on his shoe. Zion crashed to the ground hard. The audience gasped.
Jace paused, glancing back. Zion groaned on the track. A girl was already rushing to help him.
Someone's helping. I have to keep going.
He turned and ran. Joel had already touched the pole and was on his way back, that smug grin still plastered across his face.
Jace reached the pole, but misjudged the angle and slammed into it. Pain shot through his shoulder.
She's watching—I can't stop now.
He pushed through the pain, sprinting back. The third-place runner was just ahead—he had a shot.
Joel, of course, was already surrounded by a crowd of girls, soaking in the praise. But Jace kept running.
Just a little more... just a few more steps...
With every ounce of strength, he crossed the finish line in third place, breath ragged and chest burning.
"Thank God... I made it..."
He glanced back—Zion sat at the edge of the track, alone. The girl from earlier knelt beside him.
Jace walked over. "Hey, man. You okay? That fall looked bad."
Zion didn't respond. He just stared at Jace, eyes distant.
"...Hello?"
Before he could say more, Elina appeared and pulled him aside.
"Come with me."
She led him to a quieter area. Jace looked at her, confused.
"Listen, Jace. If you want to stay with me, don't talk to that guy again."
"Alright. I don't like him much anyway."
"Good. Bye."
As she walked away, Jace called after her, "Hey! I finished third. I qualified for the festival!"
"Good for you. Bye."
She left without another word.
What... was that?
Feeling hollow, Jace wandered aimlessly. He noticed a growing crowd.
What's going on now?
It was Joel—basking in attention.
"I knew I'd win. These guys are just kids," he bragged.
The crowd cheered. Jace watched silently.
"That Zion loser fell flat—what a failure!" Joel said, laughing.
"And that Jace guy didn't even touch the pole. Started running back like a coward, ha! Some people just don't have good sportsmanship like me!"
Jace clenched his fists.
Liar. I literally slammed into the pole...
He turned to walk away—but then he heard a voice. Cold. Dismissive.
"He's a loser. No wonder he'd cheat."
It was Elina.
Jace's heart sank.
He didn't say a word. He just walked away, shoulders heavy, eyes fixed on the ground.
Back in the classroom, he slumped into his seat. The girl from earlier spoke softly.
"You did great, buddy."
Jace barely turned his head. Her smile was kind, but it didn't reach him.
"Does that even matter?" he mumbled, resting his head on the desk.
Maybe he's just tired, she thought. 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 of town…
The Director stood frozen in front of her closet, heart pounding louder than the ticking clock behind her.
Today's the day…
Her eyes swept over the clothes again—second-guessing everything. After a dozen outfit changes and maybe a little internal screaming, she finally settled on a light blue dress. Elegant. Not too flashy. Just enough to say "I tried… for you."
She twirled once in front of the mirror. It hugged her just right.
Perfect.
"What time is it?" she murmured.
Her eyes darted to the clock.
2:00 PM.
"Already?!"
Her heart leapt. She had planned to leave earlier—but maybe… maybe being fashionably early still counted?
By 2:35 PM, she was out the door.
Click. Clack. Click.
Her heels echoed down the pavement like a rhythmic drumbeat to her own excitement. The city seemed to glow brighter today—the sky bluer, the breeze lighter, the whole world practically cheering her on.
She caught herself humming. Humming.
Since when do I hum?
Her smile only widened.
As she passed a flower shop, the colors of the roses pulled her in. She leaned closer, letting the sweet scent wash over her.
She didn't plan to buy any. But somehow, just smelling them made her feel lighter. Softer.
She gave in to the moment. Spun on the spot. Just once. Just because.
A little further down, children were playing in the park. Laughter filled the air.
Normally, she would've ignored it. But today… today she stopped.
Watched.
Smiled.
One of the kids waved at her. She waved back, heart fluttering like it hadn't in years.
Then, as she passed by a shop window, her reflection caught her off guard.
She paused.
Looked.
Blushed.
"…I think I look good," she whispered.
I hope he thinks so too…
Her mind drifted to Horikawa—his voice, his clumsy laugh, the way he looked when he was trying too hard to act like he didn't care. Just the thought made her heart skip.
And then—
Music.
A street musician was playing guitar on the sidewalk. A soft, cheerful tune that made her fingers tap against her thigh before she even realized it.
She dropped a few coins into his case with a smile.
He nodded. She smiled wider.
Everything just felt… right.
And then—
2:45 PM.
She reached the IHCE building.
Her eyes landed on a familiar lab coat near the entrance.
Is that…?
Her breath caught.
He came early?
Her steps quickened.
Did he really come early… just so I wouldn't have to wait?
Her heart was practically pounding out of her chest now. She smoothed down her dress and approached with her brightest smile.
"I'm here," she said softly. "Let's go inside."
The figure turned.
Her smile froze.
"…Director?"
"…Fujita?"
Everything came crashing down.
No… no no no.
The warmth she'd carried all day evaporated. The city, the music, the flowers—all of it felt like a cruel joke now.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, already dreading the answer.
"Horikawa asked me to be here for an important job," Fujita said, scratching the back of his neck. "Ahhh. I see what's going on now. That guy really got you, didn't he? Haha!"
Her expression darkened.
"That guy is dead to me now," she snapped, each word laced with venom.
Fujita blinked. "Come on, Director, don't be like that. You know he's hopeless at picking up hints. If you really like him, maybe just tell him directly?"
"How can you even suggest that I'd like that idiot?" she shot back.
But even she didn't believe her own voice.
"…So," Fujita offered, gesturing to the building, "we're already here. Wanna go inside anyway?"
"I'd rather die."
And with that, she spun on her heel and marched away, her heels clicking with fury.
Fujita watched her go, sighing with a lopsided smile.
"Maybe no one knows better than you how hopeless he is…" he muttered under his breath. "But don't give up on him just yet."
He pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Alright, time to 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. The screen lit up: Fujita.
"Hold on a sec, Jace," his uncle said, answering the call.
"GG, bro, you played well!" Fujita's voice boomed through the speaker.
"Why are you shouting? And what happened?" his uncle asked, frowning.
"She's super pissed at you now," Fujita replied, suddenly serious.
"Who? The director?" his uncle guessed, already dreading the answer.
"Who else would it be?" Fujita sighed.
"What? Why? I booked two tickets for her, and because she didn't want to go alone, I even asked you to go with her."
"Why can't you understand?" Fujita said, exasperated.
"It's just that the world is full of ungrateful people. I didn't do anything, but she's always mad at me for no reason," his uncle muttered, clearly frustrated.
"Exactly—that's the problem. You didn't do anything… not when it actually mattered," Fujita snapped.
"What are you talking about? I did everything she said."
The conversation dragged on, Fujita growing more annoyed until he finally hung up with a sharp sigh.
His uncle stared at the phone, baffled. "What did I even play? I seriously don't get it."
Then, a grin spread across his face as he turned to Jace. "Yo, kid, wanna go to Central IHCE? I have two tickets, and we can finish our talk there."
"We already have an IHCE near our home. Why would we go all the way to that one?" Jace asked, puzzled.
"Listen, that one's on a whole different level," his uncle said, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Umm… I don't know. IHCEs are for depressed adults," Jace said hesitantly.
"There's literally one standing in front of you," his uncle teased.
"It's not that I don't want to go. It's just… what would I even 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 eyes lit up. "Alright, then, let's go!"
"Hop on the bike. Let's move!"
They rode to Central IHCE, and as they arrived, Jace's eyes widened.
"Whoa, this place is huge, Uncle!"
"I know, right?" his uncle said, clearly proud of the spot.
"Our IHCE looks nothing like this," Jace said, still stunned.
"That's why I brought you here. Let's go in."
After confirming their reservation at the counter, they stepped inside the isolation chamber.
"Whoa… this is beautiful!" Jace's eyes sparkled as he took in the view.
His uncle stood beside him, hands in his pockets, smiling. "Yeah, I know."
Inside, the chamber opened up like an entire landscape—rolling green hills, barely any trees, tiny huts spaced out at gentle distances. The air was cool, a perfect chill with a steady breeze. The temperature was controlled, just cold enough to soothe the skin.
"This is completely different from our IHCE," Jace said in awe. "That one's tiny. This must be, like, twenty acres!"
"It is," his uncle said with a satisfied nod. "When I feel really down, I come here. It's one of the few places that actually clears my head."
"I feel really calm here," Jace admitted.
"Maybe it's because the atmosphere here is 100% oxygen," his uncle said with a wink. "But hey, enough standing around. Let's go for a walk."
As they strolled through the quiet scenery, Jace soaked in the environment.
"So," his uncle said, "you mentioned things haven't been great with your girlfriend."
"Yeah," Jace replied. "I think she's lost interest."
"Did something happen?"
"Not really. It's just… she's been distant for the last five days."
"Things used to feel perfect, but now it's all rocky, huh?"
"Exactly."
"How do you feel about her?"
"I love her," Jace said honestly. "Just like when we first met."
"And what do you plan to do?"
"I don't know."
"Listen, kid. Just be yourself. Tell her how you feel. The real you is always the best bet."
Jace smiled faintly, a flicker of hope lighting up inside. "Yeah. I'll talk to her tomorrow."
"That's the spirit." His uncle gave him a firm pat on the back.
"Hey, Uncle, what are those huts for?" Jace asked, pointing to a few scattered around the landscape.
"Oh, they each serve a purpose. Hold on—I think they gave me a map." He pulled a folded paper from his pocket. "No electronics in the chamber, so they do it old school."
He unfolded it. "Alright, that one's for water, that's for food, and that one's the restroom. The red ones are emergency huts."
"Oh. Let's go to the food one!" Jace grinned.
"Yeah, yeah. I promised you a treat, didn't I?"
They walked to the food hut, but Jace quickly noticed something strange.
"There's no one here…"
"That's because we're the only ones in this chamber right now," his uncle said. "But hey, vending machine!"
"Oh yeah!" Jace spotted it tucked into the corner.
"I think they gave me two tokens. Here, go crazy." He handed Jace the tokens.
"Aren't you eating?"
"I'm full. Your mom's cookies did a number on me."
Jace scanned the machine. "What are these dishes? I've never even heard of most of them…"
Overwhelmed, he just picked two at random, then sat beside his uncle.
"These are super hot and taste fresh!"
"That's because they are fresh," his uncle said, grinning.
Jace's eyes lit up after the first bite. "Yum… Are you sure you don't want any?"
"Sister's cooking is way better than this," his uncle said, lost in thought. "She used to cook a lot for me when we were young."
Still chewing, Jace looked up. "Is that so? I asked Mom for new gaming gear, and she kinda agreed… but then backed out last minute. I don't get it."
"Oh, that's because I told them not to buy it for you," his uncle replied casually.
Jace froze, mid-bite. "What? Why?"
"Everyone your age has the latest stuff, sure. But I said it for your own health."
Jace sighed, disappointed but understanding. He finished quietly, thoughts swirling.
"Alright," he said, setting the plate aside. "Let's explore a little more."
"You've got a good appetite for someone so skinny," his uncle teased.
"Ah, come on, Uncle! I'm not that skinny."
They both laughed as they set off again.
As they walked, his uncle asked, "So, kid, do you believe in God?"
"Umm… I don't know," Jace said, thinking. "Everyone says God made everything… but who made God? And if He does exist, denying Him might get me sent to hell."
"So you're not sure."
"Yeah. What about you?"
"I believe in God. But I don't believe in people."
Jace mulled over that for a moment.
His uncle stretched his arms wide, letting the breeze wash over him. "This world… it's amazing, isn't it?"
Jace smiled, surprised by the shift in tone. "Yeah, it really is."
"We can just lie here… no pain, no pressure. Just peace."
Jace noticed the joy in his uncle's expression, the way he seemed fully alive in that moment.
"Our world wasn't always like this," his uncle said softly. "People made sacrifices so we could live this way. So enjoy it, kid. Every single day."
"I will…" Jace replied quietly.
"My father—your grandfather—hates me," his uncle added suddenly. "Never once seen him proud of me."
"Why? You're super cool, Uncle."
"I could've worked for a big company, made lots of money. But I chose this job. He never agreed with that. Tried to convince me every day. I never gave in. Since then… we've barely spoken."
He lay down on the soft grass, gazing at the sky. "So listen, kid. Do whatever you want. Follow your heart. That way… you might die with peace."
Jace lay down beside him. "Hmm… yeah. I will."
Eventually, Jace dozed off. His uncle smiled at him fondly. How much does this kid even sleep?
Maybe I should nap too…
Two hours later, Jace stirred and nudged his uncle. "Uncle, what time is it?"
"I don't know," he said groggily. "Red huts have clocks. Let's check."
They rushed over and saw the time.
"Oh my god—it's 8:17! I was supposed to go to the temple with my family!"
"Let's go then. Every red hut has an exit."
"Uncle, hurry! It's a special day!"
"Okay, okay, I'm coming," he said, picking up the pace.
They reached home quickly. Jace's mother, father, and brother were waiting at the door.
"Where were you? It's 8:30! We had to go for prayer and couldn't even contact you," his mom said, clearly worried.
"Sorry, Mom. We both fell asleep," Jace admitted sheepishly.
"Go get ready," she said, then turned to Horikawa. "And you should head home soon. Night driving isn't safe."
"Yeah, I'll head out soon," he said.
He watched as the four of them got ready and left together. The house fell quiet. A bittersweet smile touched his lips.
"I guess I should leave too…"
He turned to go—but a voice called out.
Horikawa turned and saw Jace's grandfather approaching from the farm.
"Yo, Uncle! How are you? Didn't see you earlier," Horikawa said 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 said, swinging his leg off his bike.
"You didn't go with them?" the older man asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Uncle, you know I'm not exactly the most religious person."
"Ah, right. Since you're here, why don't we…" Jace's grandfather made a subtle gesture, miming a drink.
Horikawa smirked. "One or two shots won't hurt." He leaned his bike on the wall and followed the old man inside.
They settled around a small table, two bottles of whiskey between them. Jace's grandfather poured their glasses.
"This stuff's smooth," Horikawa remarked, savoring the taste.
"I know, right?" the old man grinned, clearly proud of his selection.
Before long, "one or two" turned into twenty or thirty.
"Man, I don't know how, but you always get the best stuff," Horikawa slurred, raising his half-empty glass.
"I'm sixty, kid. Little weird to be called 'dude' at this point," Jace's grandfather laughed.
"Nah, you're the youngest sixty-year-old I've ever seen."
Bottles began piling up like trophies in front of them.
"Bro, we should stop. This stuff's a liver killer," Horikawa mumbled, swaying.
"You science kids worry too much. Back in my day, alcohol was healthy."
"Pour me another. We've come too far to stop now," Horikawa said, sliding his glass over.
They kept going, as if it were a competition neither wanted to lose.
"Promise me you'll get your liver checked, alright?" Horikawa said, eyes half-closed.
"You're too serious," Jace's grandfather replied, pouring another. "Cheers."
By now, they both knew they'd gone too far.
"How many bottles did we finish?" Horikawa asked, blinking slowly.
"No clue. This one's the last, though. Half-full," the old man said, lifting the final bottle.
"Gimme that." Horikawa took it and downed the rest.
"Haha, kid, I like your style."
Horikawa stood, staggering a bit. "Alright, everything's under control. I should head home."
He reached for his bike.
"You're in no shape to ride that."
Horikawa paused, then backed off. "Yeah, true. I'll walk."
"Take care, kid."
Horikawa waved as he walked off into the night. "No, no, bro—don't call me 'kid.' We're buds. Best buddies for life!"
And just like that, he vanished into the distance on foot.
He walked over twelve kilometers that night.
I don't know about Red Bull, but alcohol sure gives you wings.
Meanwhile, Jace and his family arrived at the temple—a towering white monument inlaid with shimmering gemstones that glowed under the moonlight.
As they approached, Jace's mother turned to him. "Today is a very special day, Jace. Whatever you pray for tonight will come true."
Inside, they completed the rituals, lighting incense and bowing in prayer.
When it was Jace's turn, he closed his eyes, pressed his hands together, and thought:
"Make me rich. Wealthier than all my relatives. Thank you in advance, love you, bye."
Satisfied, he opened his eyes and waited for the others to finish.
By the time they left the temple, it was past 11 PM. The air was calm, cool, and peaceful.
"Mother, what did you pray for?" Jace asked as they walked to the car.
She smiled warmly. "For your good health and happiness. What else would I pray for?"
"Oh… is that so?" Jace replied, his voice softening.
"And what did you pray for?" she asked playfully.
"It's a secret." He grinned.
"Come on, I told you mine."
"Nope."
They all got into the car. Jace settled into his usual spot in the back, while his younger brother sat in their mother's lap up front. Their father started the engine, and they drove home under the starry sky.
They arrived just past 11:20 PM.
"I should brush my teeth and sleep fast," Jace thought, already feeling the weight of exhaustion.
On his way to his room after brushing, he overheard a soft, emotional voice.
His little brother was crying.
"Mom… we all have to die one day, right? Me, you, Dad, Grandpa, Brother… everyone. That makes me so sad. I don't ever want to be away from you."
Those words struck Jace hard.
He didn't know why, but something about that fragile truth echoed in his chest.
That night, Jace fell asleep—but it wasn't peaceful.
He woke up suddenly, his legs aching.
"Damn, my legs hurt. Maybe I pushed too hard in the race today… I should take a painkiller."
He stumbled toward the kitchen, deciding to boil some water.
When he reached for the pot, something strange happened.
It bent under his touch—like soft clay.
He froze.
"What… just happened? I barely touched it."
He stared at the warped metal, baffled.
Then, almost casually, he muttered, "Must be one of those hyper-realistic dreams where I'm insanely strong… Yeah. I'll just go back to sleep. Maybe I'll wake up."
The next morning, Jace was awakened by his mother yelling from the kitchen.
"How did this pot get ruined? How am I supposed to cook now?"
His heart skipped.
His mind flashed back to the night before.
"Wait… was that… real?"
A chill ran down his spine as the pieces started to click into place.