JIRO IKIGAI
When I finally got back to my apartment, I didn't waste a second. I stripped off my clothes and stepped straight into the shower. The water poured down, washing away the sweat and dust of the day—but not the thoughts racing through my mind.
Work had gone well. The people were kind, the environment was good… I liked it, even though it wasn't a job I had chosen. And then came the run. That desperate sprint just to meet Sai again.
Three years gone, but when we talked, it almost felt like we'd only been apart for a single day. Strange how time worked like that.
By the time I finished bathing, exhaustion was crushing me. I glanced at the clock—11:00 p.m. I slipped into my pajamas and fell onto the bed. Sleep pulled me under almost instantly.
NARRATOR
Meanwhile, at 7:30 p.m., Sai had just reached home.
SAI SHINU
"Damn… I didn't expect my meeting with Jiro to take this long."
I checked the time—7:30 p.m. If I wanted to be at the hospital by 9:00, I'd need to leave around 8:45. That gave me barely over an hour.
I rushed to the bathroom, took a quick shower, then stood in my room staring at my closet. It wasn't a date, but I still felt strangely nervous. In the end, I just pulled on a hoodie and regular pants. Simple. Safe.
When I sat down, it was 8:25 p.m. Twenty minutes to kill. I leaned back in the chair, my thoughts circling around Jiro.
The M Room…
I opened the system and pulled up the profile I had saved:
Character Profile
Name: Jiro Ikigai
Age: 20 years old
Class: Unknown
Title: Master of the M Room
Weapon: Sword
Skills: None
"A sword as a weapon? Does he even know about it?" I muttered.
Master of the M Room. The more I thought about it, the more certain I became—M stood for Memories. Jiro had told me he saw flashes of memories inside that place. That must be it.
But why did he get a title, and I didn't? And should I even tell him about the system yet? No… not until I fully understand it.
The clock ticked to 8:40 p.m. I stood up. "I'll go now. Better to wait for her than make her wait."
At the door, I noticed the old key hanger. My parents' faces filled my mind. Their voices. Their strength. My throat tightened, and tears welled up before I could stop them.
"I'm sorry, Dad," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I wasn't there to save you… but I promise. I won't fail again."
I wiped my tears, pulled my hood up, and stepped out.
The night air was sharp against my face as I walked quickly through the streets. Ten minutes later, the hospital loomed in front of me. My pulse quickened. I checked my phone—8:55 p.m. Early.
I paced outside, nervous energy tightening my chest. Maybe this wasn't the safest meeting spot—her father could be nearby. But then again, when I first met him, he hadn't looked at me with fear. Maybe it would be okay.
Then I saw her.
A figure approaching from the distance. Black clothes blending with the night, but the glow of her purple hair gave her away instantly.
My breath caught.
As Yuri drew closer, her beauty struck me like it always did—but this time, something was different. I could see it in her walk, in her face. She wasn't well.
And the closer she came, the more my chest tightened with worry.