Sanemi lay back on his bed, his mind a grinding wheel of fear and guilt. He finally sat up, remembering Mia's casual claim that she was a CEO. He pushed his heavy thoughts aside, sat at his desk, and brought his computer screen to life. He typed her name quickly: Mia Ivanova CEO.
The search results hit him like a physical punch.
There she was: Mia Ivanova, the face of a successful international logistics and investment firm. He scrolled further, the bright, professional articles confirming everything. Article after article praised her. People online spoke highly of her charity work, her donations to children's hospitals, the genuine good her company had reportedly done. Everyone had something overwhelmingly positive to say.
Sanemi leaned back in his chair, feeling utterly defeated.
So it's her... it's really her. He slumped forward, his elbows resting on his knees. But what should I do?
He spun slowly in his chair, his eyes landing on the shelf where the knife sat—the very knife he'd used before, the one he once took from that frightened boy. His jaw tightened until it ached.
It's not like I'm a murderer, he tried to tell himself, clinging to the pathetic justification. I had to do it to survive.Still… this one? This is different. This one will destroy me. The police are already too close to the truth. And the agonizing truth was simpler: I just can't do it.
Tension pounded through his head like a migraine. The mission clock flashed on his computer screen: 9 hours left. But in his heart, he had already given up the fight. From the living room, he could hear the gentle, easy laughter of his mother and Mia, chatting like close, trusted friends. The sound dug into his skull, driving him mad.
He needed someone to talk to. Anyone to pull him back to reality. He grabbed his phone, his thumb shaky as he texted Rina. She replied instantly, as she always did, with simple, uncomplicated warmth.
Sanemi: I want to tell you something.
She didn't text back; she called right away.
"Is something bothering you?" Rina's voice was instantly soft with worry.
Sanemi's voice cracked, sounding like a stranger's. "I'm not fine."
"I knew it," she said gently, her tone deepening with concern. "From the time we met, I could see it in your face. Please… what is it?"
"I don't know," he admitted, the simple phrase costing him everything. "I just feel like something isn't right… everything feels wrong. But I can't explain what it is."
She stayed quiet for a second, letting the vulnerability hang there. Then, gently, she offered the one thing he needed most. "Don't worry. If you want to see me, I can come to you anytime, right now."
"No," he said quickly, the danger flashing through his mind. "Stay where you are. I'll be fine."
Rina's voice trembled slightly, but he could hear the faint, loving smile in her tone. "You never share your feelings with anyone. You make me feel important now. Thank you for trusting me."
Her words hit him deeper than any threat. He hung up and stared at the dark screen. Why did I call her? Is this… what they call love? He shook his head against the pillow. No. I don't want to believe it.But… after hearing her voice, I feel lighter. Safer.
For the first time in days, sleep, heavy and urgent, pulled him under.
Six hours later, his mother's hand gently shaking his shoulder woke him for dinner. "I can't believe I slept that long," he muttered, sitting up feeling marginally more stable.
He sat at the dining table, the memory of Mia's presence burning his resolve. "Mom… what were you and Mia talking about earlier?"
His mother smiled, completely relaxed. "Just women's things, Sanemi. But I'm grateful now. At least I have someone to talk with. I won't be lonely anymore. She's kind. And guess what? She even told me there's a place in her office where I can work, just a little part-time."
Sanemi's fork, halfway to his mouth, froze. The blood drained from his face. "Mom!" His voice was sharp, laced with sudden, uncontrolled panic. "You just met her! You don't even know her yet!"
"So what are you trying to say?" his mother shot back, her smile vanishing. "You didn't know her either, but you went into her house alone. I told you to wait until I came back, remember?"
Sanemi instantly fell quiet. She was right—her casual defense of Mia was fueled by his own reckless mistake. The memory of Mia's hand on his thigh made his chest heavy with guilt.
"Just… be careful," he said at last, the plea raw. "I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
"There's nothing to worry about," she replied, brushing off his concern with a dismissive wave of her hand.
Sanemi excused himself immediately, heading back to his room. Only 2 hours left. His heart pounded violently, his whole body shaking with the ticking clock. He pulled on his dark hoodie, grabbed the cool, familiar weight of the knife from the shelf, and stared out the window one last time before silently climbing out into the cold night.
He walked the empty, rain-washed streets, the cold air biting his exposed skin. His phone buzzed. A text. He froze before checking.
Vito: Why did you call earlier and not say anything?
Sanemi typed quickly, sending back a short, cryptic reply. He wanted to call Rina again, to hear her voice one last time, but stopped himself. No… she'll get suspicious. She's already too close.
That was the real, unspoken reason he was out here. If the system's punishment came, if the Watcher moved, he wanted to be the only one at risk. If something happens… my mom won't be at risk.
Eventually, he found himself on a lonely, cold bench under the harsh glow of a streetlamp. Only a few people walked by, shadows against the wet pavement. His hands shook uncontrollably. His stomach growled painfully. He felt sick, afraid, and completely defeated.
"Only 15 minutes left… and nothing yet," he muttered, staring at the phone screen.
He waited. His eyes never left the clock counting down the seconds. The screen flickered. One minute left.
"This is the end," he whispered, tilting his head back to the dark sky.
"The end of what?"
Sanemi's head snapped up. Vito was standing there, his face clouded with genuine concern. He sat down heavily beside him. "Why do you look like that, man? Are you sick?"
The final minute passed. Sanemi braced himself, squeezing his eyes shut, expecting something—intense pain, sudden collapse, or the cold arrival of the Watcher. Anything.
But nothing happened.
"Nothing happened," he muttered, staring down at his shaking, empty hands. The world was quiet, still, and completely unchanged.
Vito stared at him, confused and worried. "What are you talking about? Have you gone insane?"
***
Meanwhile, at Rina's house, she lay on the couch watching a movie with her brother, a sense of quiet contentment settling over her. Her phone buzzed.
A new message. From an unknown number.
Text: Rina.
She frowned, pausing the movie. Who is this?
The reply came immediately, before she could even formulate a text back: Text: It's Sanemi.
She shot upright, adrenaline rushing through her veins. Why would you text me from a new number?
Text: It's a long story. But I'm outside your house. If you come out, we can talk.
Her heart jumped with excitement and nervous curiosity. Really? Text: Okay… wait just a minute!
She rushed to the front door, her face glowing.
"Where are you going at this time?" her brother, Kenzo, asked lazily from the couch.
"None of your business," she said quickly, pulling on her light jacket.
She stepped outside, scanning the dark, quiet street. No one. The air was cold and still, too quiet.
Text: Where are you? I don't see you, she texted, already feeling a shiver of unease.
She took another step forward, leaving the porch light behind her—and then froze.
A sound. The softest disturbance of air, like fabric brushing against stone, was behind her.
Before she could scream, a heavy hand clamped over her mouth and nose, cutting off her breath. Her eyes widened, reflecting the dim streetlight. Her body went instantly limp as darkness swallowed her.