New Beginning ( R )

Three days had passed since Ryo had entered the research facility, and at last, it was over. 

"Finally… I'm out."

The cool air brushed against Ryo's face as he stepped outside the research facility, inhaling deeply. It felt like he'd been locked in there forever. Three days wasn't that long, but the endless tests, the sterile white walls, and the constant prodding had made it feel like a lifetime.

His body felt light—maybe from relief, or maybe from exhaustion. He wasn't sure.

At the exit, a familiar figure stood waiting. A researcher. The same stiff-looking guy who had led him into the deeper parts of the facility. The man said nothing, simply extending a plain envelope toward him.

Ryo stared at it for a second before reaching out. The envelope felt… heavy.

His fingers slid under the flap, tearing it open.

What he saw inside made his breath hitch.

A thick stack of bills. A lot of them.

His eyes widened. Holy crap. He knew he was getting paid, but this… this was way more than he expected.

Tucked beside the money was a neatly folded sheet of paper. Some kind of document? Instructions? A contract?

For a moment, he just stared at the cash in his hands.

This is a lot.

His heart pounded, a mix of excitement and unease swirling inside him. This money could cover his expenses for months. Maybe even let him enjoy life for once.

But… something felt off.

Ryo exhaled, shaking his head. No point overthinking it. Money is money.

Stuffing the envelope back into his pocket, Ryo stepped onto the bustling street with a newfound sense of purpose. The weight of the cash was reassuring—almost unreal.

He wasn't just getting by anymore.

He was living.

His first stop? The market.

Normally, his routine was rigid: bare essentials, the cheapest options, no unnecessary spending. But today, he walked through the aisles with a different mindset. His basket quickly filled—fresh vegetables, thick cuts of premium meat, snacks he'd usually ignore. Even a carton of strawberries. Strawberries! Something he hadn't touched in years.

His fingers traced the edges of a fancy tea tin before tossing it in. Why not?

With each item he picked up, a strange thrill bubbled inside him. I can afford this. I don't have to hesitate.

He moved through the store at an easy pace, savoring the experience. For once, he wasn't counting every yen. No more washing dishes until his hands bled. No more skipping meals just to stretch his budget.

With this money… he had options.

A different life didn't seem so impossible anymore.

As he placed the last item in his basket, he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. So this is what freedom feels like.

The cashier rang up his purchase, the numbers climbing higher than anything he'd dared to spend before.

But this time, it didn't matter.

Ryo handed over the bills without hesitation, a smile tugging at his lips. No more counting coins, no more second-guessing. He accepted his change, picked up his bags—heavy with indulgence, heavy with freedom—and stepped out into the cool evening air.

Everything felt different.

The streets were the same, the city just as noisy, yet each step home carried a lightness he hadn't felt in years. This wasn't just about money. It was about choice. About control. About living instead of merely surviving.

The thought warmed him more than the tea tucked away in his bags.

As he reached his apartment, the weight of his purchases grounded him in reality. This is mine. This life. This future.

A slow breath. A quiet smile.

For the first time in his life, Ryo felt truly free.

Standing on the rooftop, with the city sprawled beneath him, he wasn't weighed down by overdue bills, looming deadlines, or the endless struggle just to survive. The air felt lighter. The sky stretched endlessly. And for once—just once—he could simply exist.

No worries. No pressures. No limitations.

The realization hit him like a rush of fresh air. This is what freedom feels like. Sweet, intoxicating, almost unreal. He took a deep breath, letting the moment sink in, as if he could capture it forever.

But even in this newfound peace, something lingered in the back of his mind.

The memory of that sterile room. The cold gaze of the researcher. The silent, unspoken command in that man's eyes—an expectation Ryo hadn't dared defy. It wasn't forceful, but it had left him feeling less like a volunteer and more like an experiment.

Even now, standing under the open sky, he couldn't shake that sensation. Like he'd walked into something much bigger than he realized.

…But whatever. Who cared?

"I got the money, didn't I? Hell yeah!"

A triumphant laugh burst from him, ringing out across the rooftop. Whatever unease he felt melted under the euphoria of his newfound wealth. Side effects? Complications? Future problems? Not his concern right now.

"If something happens, I'll just head to a clinic." He shrugged, flashing a carefree grin as he gazed out at the glowing city skyline. He'd deal with things the same way he always had—one step at a time.

And for tonight, at least—he'd enjoy every damn second of it.

Ryo gazed at the cityscape before him.

Beautiful.

It was the first time he had ever truly felt this way.

Was it because of the money? The freedom?

The feeling of not having to worry about rent, food, or scraping by just to survive?

He exhaled, a slow grin creeping onto his face.

"Damn… this feels good," he muttered, savoring the moment.

Ryo turned toward his rooftop apartment, adjusting his grip on the heavy grocery bags. The weight in his arms only made his smirk widen.

"Can't wait to eat meat tonight!" he chuckled to himself, already imagining the sizzling sound of a proper meal cooking.

With a satisfied sigh, he unlocked the door and stepped inside. The quiet stillness welcomed him, carrying the familiar scent of home. It wasn't much, but it was his.

( End of Chapter )