During the Late Night

  Kogana no Douragon Restaurant

  Main Hall of the Restaurant

  In front of the doors of the luxurious elevator that connected to the restaurant through its main entrance, accessible only by the primary elevator, the young Nabi Yu could be seen carefully adjusting her dress, trying not to show any sign of carelessness.

  At her side, the young Sork did the same with his refined attire for that business occasion between Oculi and humans, fully aware of the entire history of the building in the center of the Japanese district of Ginza.

  The fa?ade concealed a luxurious restaurant on the ground floor, but on the upper floors stood one of the two command centers of the Yakuza in Japan, which controlled all of Asia.

  As they looked ahead, they witnessed a surreal scene: an environment so refined and luxurious, where everyone talked at their tables and drank from glasses filled with extremely expensive beverages.

  With a single full glass, one could buy a simple apartment in the wealthy neighborhoods surrounding the restaurant in the city of Tokyo.

  [(Nabi Yu – Thought, Stunned)] ...My God, I thought I was ready for this mission tonight.]

  As Nabi Yu observed that environment, she felt slightly shaky due to the intense presence the place emanated.

  [(Nabi Yu – Thought, Stunned)] ...But this place makes me feel almost "anesthetized," as if I were a small sheep surrounded by great wolves.]

  [(Sork – Thought, Cautious & Fearful)] Damn, I'm sure Nabi Yu is scared and thinking all kinds of things.]

  Sork, realizing the pressure of the refined atmosphere, with more than 150 people enjoying the restaurant and conversing at their tables, thought:

  [(Sork – Thought, Cautious & Fearful)] This is the kind of place that would make any trainee agent fear stepping inside, afraid of failing on their first important field mission.]

  At the same time, other people danced gracefully near the small classical orchestra that played for everyone.

  [(Nabi Yu – Thought, Frightened & Fearful)] I... I... my legs are losing strength, I... (slightly trembling breath)]

  Unconsciously, Nabi Yu felt her body wanting to take a step backward. But before she could, she felt one of Sork's hands gently and affectionately holding hers.

  [Sork – Whispering, Attentive & Confident] Hey, Nabi Yu... [gentle sigh] —

  [Nabi Yu – whispering, stunned] ...Sork? [slightly fast & trembling breath] —

  [Sork – Whispering, Attentive & Confident] I'm by your side. Did you forget that? [a gentle, comforting laugh] —

  As he whispered these words, Sork affectionately intertwined his fingers with Nabi Yu's, staying by her side with a confident look that conveyed security.

  Nabi Yu, who had been staring forward, now turned her gaze to Sork beside her.

  Her eyes, once distant due to fear and doubt, returned to the present, reflecting Sork's happy smile, a feeling he tried to hide but that Nabi Yu clearly perceived.

  In that moment, Nabi Yu felt her heart, once restless and turbulent, warm in a unique way, understanding that Sork was genuinely holding her hand without even needing to look at her face.

  He understood her fear of making a mistake or failing the mission beside him, in such a luxurious and oppressive environment, and her unconscious fear of the intense and overwhelming sensation the place transmitted.

  Sork, with a presence stronger than the environment around them, guided Nabi Yu out of the elevator with calm and increasingly confident steps along the few meters to the table reserved for the night.

  The orchestra, which had been focused on a soft melody, began to play a more contemplative tune, with pianos echoing throughout the entire environment and within the hearts of those present.

  The main lights of the restaurant gradually lost their full brightness, causing the few remaining conversations to subtly fade away.

  With the beginning of the new melody, everyone present saw a beautiful young woman with long, naturally white hair approach the microphone on the small stage at the center of the restaurant.

  Dressed in a long black dress, slightly transparent on one leg, she exuded sensuality and high class.

  Even before the orchestra, she held the microphone with grace and happiness, her lips with white lipstick just a few centimeters from it.

  Everyone who had been dancing with their partners returned to their tables to appreciate the beginning of the main musical performance, coming from New York, which would start that night in the restaurant.

  The singer began what would become one of her most famous songs worldwide, offering everyone present an unforgettable auditory experience.

  The sensation and perception of hearing her almost angelic voice, with its feminine tone, merged with the orchestra of classical instruments.

  She stood at the center of the restaurant, and with each lyric and syllable of her song, the melody revealed itself as beautiful and emotionally touching.

  She used her soft yet provocative voice, singing while standing and looking at everyone. Those present fixed their gazes and attentive, admiring expressions on her.

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  The looks, smiles, and expressions of the various people there demonstrated refined musical appreciation.

  The singer revealed a genuine talent, rare and difficult to find in modern times, something that training alone could not achieve at such a young age.

  It was necessary to come from a family of musicians, and that was the case for the singer who now enchanted everyone with her performance.

  While the woman continued to sing her song, Sork and Nabi Yu approached their table and sat in their chairs.

  They admired the beautiful presentation from a few meters away, while their table, still empty, soon received a unique, non-alcoholic drink as a gesture of gratitude for visiting the restaurant for the first time.

  Nabi Yu was 16 years old and therefore could not drink anything alcoholic, while Sork, at 17, could consume alcoholic beverages according to local legislation.

  The restaurant was luxurious, and many of Japan's laws were adapted within that building in the sophisticated center of the Ginza district.

  The two, now seated at the table, facing each other, looked around, admiring the restaurant, whose ceiling was adorned with chandeliers made of pure diamond.

  The walls displayed materials and pilasters that showed a refined touch, with paintings by the best contemporary artists depicting ancient Japan at its military and cultural peak during the era of its famous Shogun leader.

  The waiter, dressed in black with scarlet-red borders, approached the table with an almost magistral formality.

  Nabi Yu was impressed by such formality, and Sork ordered a portion of salmon with tomato sauce for himself and then stir-fried rice balls for Nabi Yu.

  [(Nabi Yu – Thought, Impressed & Happy)] ...Sork remembered that I love to eat this when I want to feel calmer. (comforted sigh)]

  After placing the order, Sork handed the waiter a small black card with golden edges.

  [(Nabi Yu – Thought, Curious & Confused)] What is that "mysterious card" Sork is placing on the table?]

  The card displayed the emblem of the high council of the Yakuza. Upon noticing the emblem, the waiter subtly took the card with one hand, apologizing for not knowing that they were guests of the chief of that establishment.

  Miss Nabi Yu is impressed by the subtlety and speed of Sork's movements, as well as by his posture during the mission.

  He does not show a single drop of doubt or hesitation in his words or stance, displaying a confidence the young woman had never noticed before.

  Sork demonstrates an impressive presence in such a formal and high-class mission, something Nabi Yu is witnessing for the first time since she was authorized to go into the field by the Reginae of the Oculi faction.

  The waiter lowers his head after taking the card and slipping it into his pocket, asking Sork and Nabi Yu to wait while he goes to inform the restaurant of their arrival.

  After a few minutes, he returns to their table with permission for them to go up to the office at the top of the building, where a meeting between the five leaders of the families that make up the upper echelon of the Yakuza is taking place.

  The waiter wishes them an enjoyable time at the restaurant and hopes they savor their drinks and dishes, prepared by the finest chefs in Asia, personally hired by the current leader of the Yatsu family, who commands the entire Yakuza.

  A Few Minutes Later

  Main Hall of the Restaurant

  Still at the Same Table

  After the waiter moved away from Sork and Nabi Yu's table, and as he followed his path between the surrounding tables toward the kitchen, he received requests from other tables for more drinks and food.

  [Provocative Singing & Synchronized Orchestra]

  The young Nabi Yu subtly observed her surroundings, realizing that most of the people present were neither random nor merely wealthy.

  [(Nabi Yu — Thought, Frightened & Fearful)] I know we are on a mission for our Reginae faction, but...]

  Most of the people there were from the upper class, not only from Japan, but also from South Korea and China, being mostly businessmen from major financial and real estate institutions.

  [(Nabi Yu — Thought, Wary & Apprehensive) ...These humans beside us, whose future we are protecting, are not "flowers" to be smelled under any circumstances.]

  While Nabi Yu analyzed the environment and the people present with a more clinical and intense gaze, she felt safe and confident for having Sork by her side, who conveyed to her the security she needed to continue her mission.

  [(Nabi Yu — Thought, Confident & Motivated)] I cannot allow myself to fall into this "trap" that this environment represents for me. I have a mission, and I will not fail nor bring shame upon my superiors who trusted me.

  Sork observed with a deep and intense gaze, also analyzing the refined and luxurious environment around him, realizing that everyone there was an ordinary human, and that many of them were armed beneath their valuable and luxurious garments.

  [(Sork — Thought, Fearful & Curious)] That "woman" is in this restaurant on business; I must discover the objective of her mission...

  With a subtle snap of his fingers, hidden beneath the table, it seemed as if the world turned negative before Sork's eyes as he closed them.

  [(Sork — Thought, Wary & Fearful)] ...While at the same time not putting Nabi Yu in danger.

  When he reopened his eyes, now completely black and without pupils, he looked around and realized that everyone, including Nabi Yu, was frozen in time, unaware of what was happening at that exact moment.

  [(Sork — Thought, Wary & Fearful)] Even though Nabi Yu is strong right now, she could be easily killed by the hands of that damned human agent of Sagittarius!

  However, unlike what Sork had deduced, he was not the only one capable of moving normally at that instant inside the building, despite having used his Oculi abilities.

  [Sork — Whispering, Unbelieving & Frightened] Ah, shit... —

  A few meters away from him, Miss Karla was seated just a few tables apart, enjoying her drink and noticing that Sork had activated his "deceleration zone" in order to move faster than a single millisecond of the temporal flow.

  [Sork — Whispering, Unbelieving & Frightened] My Oculi ability should be unbeatable in human reality, damn it! —

  [Karla — Subtle, Nostalgic Deep Breath]

  A Few Minutes Later

  Main Hall of the Restaurant

  Still at the Same Table

  Sork and the young Nabi Yu were seated. Sork sensed Karla's presence around him. Instinctively, he thought of standing up from his chair to confront her, using his Oculi abilities.

  Miss Karla was a genetically modified human, with Oculi blood mixed into her DNA, the result of the cruel experiments carried out by the humans who commanded the Sagittarius organization.

  [Sork — Whispering, Deeply Frightened] No... [Slightly trembling breath] —

  Sork knew that even if he entered combat at that exact moment, everyone would remain frozen in time, including Nabi Yu herself, even though she was an Oculi.

  However, being still an Oculi in training, Nabi Yu was unable to break free or even perceive that she was being completely influenced in her movements by a "Deceleration Zone."

  [Karla — Calm and Attentive Voice] ...It now feels as real as the night breeze over the entire city where we are. —

  [Sork — Whispering, Deeply Frightened] Shit... [Slightly trembling breath] —

  [Karla — Calm and Attentive Voice] When I recall that brief passage from that ancient tale, now forgotten in the present. —

  Nabi Yu had not realized that she was under the influence of Sork's abilities at that exact moment, being, like everyone else there, "frozen" in time.

  In reality, they were experiencing the normal temporal flow. But before she could make a single movement within the silence of that decelerated world, with its negative colors,

  [Subtle, Echoing, Ironic and Serene Deep Breath from Karla]

  Karla breathed deeply, satisfied with that display of the enhanced Oculi abilities before her. Even so, Sork's abilities were weak when compared to hers in the present.

  [Sork — Whispering, Deeply Frightened] Please, no... [Slightly trembling breath] —

  After so many months since the last battle that nearly ended in death between Karla and Sork, a second snap of fingers echoed in that place taken by silence, coming from one of Karla's hands upon the table.

  It immediately resulted in a visible ultrasonic sound pulse that expanded in all directions, causing the negative world to return to its normal colors.