Chương 19: Unofficial Date

Mikasa moved with precision, diving into the vast web of the virtual internet. Adam had entrusted her with a critical task: finding Ani's father.

Using everything Pratham had taught her, she navigated through layers of encrypted information and restricted databases, her fingers dancing over invisible keys, her mind sharp and focused. The search, however complex, felt like second nature to her.

Through her advanced digital tracking, Mikasa uncovered that Ani's father was, in fact, a prominent government diplomat named Jo. A figure respected and deeply embedded within political circles,

Jo had established numerous influential connections with officials and diplomats. Yet, despite this revelation, Mikasa found herself stymied; she could not determine the specific reason the organization was pursuing Ani. Was it to leverage Jo's influence, or was Ani herself the target for some hidden purpose?

This ambiguity unsettled Mikasa. Her mind raced with possibilities, but answers remained elusive.

She couldn't allow any loose ends—not with Adam counting on her. As she completed her investigation into Ani's background, Mikasa shifted focus to another equally critical task: tracking the seven individuals who had been shadowing Ani.

The task wasn't easy. The world was vast, and even with her digital prowess, pinpointing all seven took time.

Finally, with the assistance of satellite surveillance, she located them. They were clustered together, stationed inside an abandoned factory on the outskirts of a deserted district.

Determined, Mikasa hacked into the phone of one of the men, activating its recording function to monitor their conversation. A grainy, distorted voice filled her ears as she listened intently.

Inside the dilapidated factory, the seven men stood huddled in tense silence. The broken machinery around them cast strange shadows in the dim light, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Suddenly, a phone buzzed on a nearby crate, shattering the silence. The men exchanged nervous glances, the tension evident as one of them reluctantly reached for the phone.

"Will you accomplish the job I assigned you?" a voice, deep and commanding, echoed from the phone's speaker. The tone left no room for hesitation.

One of the men, shifting uneasily, responded, "Boss, every time we try to get close to the girl, something or someone interferes. We keep running into... complications."

A growl of impatience reverberated through the speaker. "I don't care for your pitiful excuses. I need that girl, and I need her soon. Find her—no matter the cost!"

Mikasa's focus intensified as she listened, her eyes narrowing. She tried to trace the call's origin, only to realize that the connection was bouncing between multiple locations, likely to obscure the caller's real position.

Frustrated but undeterred, Mikasa tagged every tower that relayed the signal, determined to analyze the data later. If she wanted to support Adam in this, she couldn't afford to miss any leads.

Back at the factory, the boss's voice cut off with a final, cold warning: "Time is running out. Bring me the girl."

The line went dead. The men exchanged anxious glances before one of them smashed the phone against the concrete floor, as if destroying it would somehow erase their fear.

One of the men, attempting to mask his dread, turned to the others and said, "You heard him. We can't fail this time. No excuses. We need to grab her, no matter what."

The others nodded, some adjusting their gear, while others clenched their fists in silent resolve. They left the factory, their footsteps echoing in the vast, hollow space, heading out with renewed determination.

Meanwhile, Adam found himself in a setting that felt surprisingly surreal—a peaceful outing in Ani's hometown.

It felt almost unimaginable to be spending time with her on what might pass as an actual date, away from the chaos and danger that seemed to follow him everywhere.

They walked together through the bustling streets until Ani led him to a quiet, cozy bookstore cafe at the end of a quaint alley.

"This is my favorite place," she announced with a shy smile, stopping in front of the store.

Adam glanced around, taking in the small shop nestled among flowering plants and warm, rustic lights. "Can't say I'm surprised," he replied with a grin, somehow already feeling at ease in her presence. The cozy, book-filled atmosphere suited her quiet charm.

Ignoring his remark with a laugh, Ani led him inside. The bookstore cafe was even more charming than he'd expected, with rows upon rows of books lining every available wall.

The soft aroma of fresh paper and the subtle scent of brewed coffee filled the air.

Shelves held a mixture of genres, from classic literature to manga, while small tables scattered throughout the store offered cozy spots for reading or enjoying a drink.

A serene quietness settled over the space, providing an escape from the noise of the outside world.

She guided him to a corner seat, secluded enough to feel like they had the place to themselves.

As they sat down, she tilted her head slightly, her voice almost a whisper. "So, what kind of book would you like to read?"

Adam hesitated, realizing he hadn't really thought about reading at all. He glanced at the shelf, feeling a bit out of his element. "How about… anything you like. Pick one you think I'd enjoy," he said, hoping he could bluff his way through.

Ani laugh was soft, and she gave him a teasing smile before heading off to choose a book. As she walked away, Pratham's voice echoed in Adam's ear, a quiet reminder from his AI companion. "Sir, you don't have to actually read the book. I can provide a summary for you if Ani asks."

Adam suppressed a smile and murmured, "Thanks, Pratham. You're a lifesaver—I'd rather not be tested on book knowledge right now."

When Ani returned, she set a single book down on the table and slid into the seat across from him, her cheeks slightly flushed.

Adam noticed the faint color in her face and raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Just one?" he asked, curiosity piqued. "Aren't you going to pick one for yourself, too?"

Ani's eyes dropped as she bit her lip, her cheeks deepening to a soft pink. "No… I thought maybe… we could read it together?" She fidgeted, avoiding his gaze.

Adam felt his heartbeat quicken, a rush of warmth spreading across his face. He hadn't expected her to suggest something so… intimate. Before he could process his emotions, Pratham's voice chimed in his ear again, this time with a playful tone. "My lord, perhaps reading together isn't such a bad idea."

Adam felt his face flush, barely able to meet Ani's gaze as she shyly pushed her chair closer. "Does this… bother you?" she asked, still not meeting his eyes.

"No, no, it's fine," Adam stammered, his voice unsteady. "Not a problem at all."

Just then, a server quietly approached their table, setting down two drinks and a small slice of cake without interrupting.

Ani thanked her with a warm smile, and Adam found himself watching her every small movement, unable to help it.

She was beautiful, with an easy grace that made her seem both powerful and delicate at once.

They opened the book and began reading together. But, despite the captivating story on the page, Adam's attention kept drifting to Ani's face, watching the way her eyes moved over the words, the faint curve of her lips as she smiled at certain parts.

At one point, her shoulder brushed against his, a fleeting touch that sent a spark up his arm. She glanced at him apologetically, murmuring, "Sorry."

But Adam just smiled, his voice barely above a whisper. "No problem at all."

Their quiet, shared reading continued, each of them occasionally stealing glances, unaware of how deeply they were falling into each other's presence.

Elsewhere, in a remote corner of the world, a lone figure moved through the darkening alleys. The sky had begun to fade into twilight, casting an eerie glow over the city's abandoned streets.

This young man was unfamiliar with Adam, yet fate had already intertwined their lives. The day the asteroid had struck Earth, gifting Adam with powers, this mysterious boy had received a gift of his own. The nature of his powers remained unknown, but his destiny was undeniably linked to Adam's.

He was striking, with silver-white hair that gleamed faintly even in the dim light. His skin was pale, almost ghostly, and his eyes—a piercing shade of crimson, like fresh blood—stood out in the shadowed street. His expression was unreadable as he moved through the alleys, seemingly drawn by an invisible force. The sun was setting, casting the narrow lane into shadow, yet the boy moved as if he belonged to the darkness.

Ahead, two men stood arguing, their voices rough and hostile. As they noticed the boy approaching, they paused, exchanging wary glances. One of them sneered, calling out, "Hey, kid, what're you doing out here all alone? Don't you know better than to wander in dark alleys?"

The boy kept his head low, hiding his crimson eyes beneath the shadow of his hair. But as he raised his gaze, they caught sight of his eyes—fiery red and unblinking.

A cold shiver ran down their spines. Before they could react, the boy lunged, moving with unnatural speed.

The first man barely had time to register the movement before the boy's hand was at his throat, slicing across it with a deadly precision.

The man let out a strangled scream as blood poured from his neck. He stumbled, clutching at his throat, his eyes wide with horror. The second man, momentarily frozen, quickly pulled out a knife and slashed it toward the boy's shoulder.

The blade sank into his flesh, but the boy didn't flinch. Instead, he turned, his expression eerily calm.

With an almost effortless motion, the boy pulled the knife from his own shoulder, watching with detached interest as his skin knit back together, the wound healing instantly.

The attacker's face turned white with fear as he witnessed this impossible regeneration. He stumbled back, eyes wide, realizing too late that he'd crossed paths with something beyond human.