Countdown

The room was cloaked in darkness, with only a single beam of light illuminating a lone figure seated in a chair. A wide-brimmed hat cast a shadow over their face, concealing their expression. Two guards stood like statues on either side, rifles gripped firmly in their hands, their presence silent yet oppressive.

The heavy doors burst open. A bald man stumbled inside, falling to his knees before the seated figure. His breath was ragged, his face pale with terror—like he had just seen a ghost.

"B-Boss… T-That man… he's not human!" he stammered, his words barely coherent through his fear.

The figure tilted their head slightly, their eyes narrowing.

"What happened to the target?" Their voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable weight of authority.

The bald man flinched, suddenly realizing the gravity of his words.

"H-He… He escaped, Boss. B-But it's not my fault! That man—"

A single gunshot rang out.

The right guard didn't hesitate. His rifle fired point-blank, and the bald man's words died on his lips. Blood splattered onto the cold floor as his lifeless body slumped forward, forming a dark pool beneath him.

The seated figure exhaled in quiet disgust.

"Useless."

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It had been two months since Kai escaped from his kidnappers, marking the halfway point of his training. He had now entered the third phase of his lessons.

After mastering melee combat, he transitioned into firearms training. This time, there were no sparring matches with Coach Armstrong. Instead, his focus was on precision shooting, rapid reloading, and carrying multiple firearms over long distances—sometimes for hundreds of kilometers. He learned how to properly clean and maintain his weapons, troubleshoot mechanical issues, and customize them with various modifications suited for different combat scenarios.

In Professor Madya's class, he tackled the rigorous subjects of Mathematics and Engineering. These were, without a doubt, the most challenging topics so far, pushing his intellect to its limits.

Meanwhile, in swimming training, Kai had successfully completed the second lesson—escaping from tight, dark, and narrow spaces underwater. He also finished the third phase, which required him to transport heavy objects underwater within a strict time limit.

Now, he faced the fourth lesson: underwater combat. This time, he wasn't just swimming—he was fighting. Holographic projections of sea predators and hostile divers surrounded him, testing his endurance, agility, and combat skills in the most unforgiving environment yet.

Today marked the end of the year, and with it came a break from training. There were no classes, allowing everyone to celebrate and count down to the new year. Kai had made a promise to Natasha—they would watch the countdown together in the heart of the city. It was a tradition similar to the one on Earth, which he didn't mind.

Since it was the final month of the year, the air had turned cold. Fortunately, Kai was prepared. The winter coat Natasha had bought for him during his makeover would keep him warm. After getting ready, he stepped out of his apartment and made his way toward the city, where she was waiting for him.

At 11 PM, Kai leaned against a wall, waiting. To pass the time, he watched a video through his visual interface. Then, a familiar voice called out to him.

He switched off the display and looked up to see Natasha approaching, a bright smile on her face.

"Have you been waiting long?" she asked playfully, stopping in front of him. "I wanted to look beautiful for you." She took a step back and gestured at her outfit.

Kai's gaze swept over her, and a rare, genuine compliment left his lips. "You look great, Nat."

He had started calling her 'Nat' now—a shorter, more familiar version of her name.

And she truly did look stunning. She wore a long, red winter coat with a faux fur hood, paired with black pants and elegant black-heeled sandals over sheer stockings. A touch of light makeup enhanced her features, and the red lipstick she wore made her lips subtly stand out.

"Thank you, Handsome. You look great yourself," Natasha replied with a warm smile. "We still have almost an hour before the countdown. How about we have some fun first? I have a few things I want to do with you. Come on."

She took his hand without hesitation, leading him toward one of the many festive stalls. They stopped in front of a crepe stall—surprisingly run by a person instead of the usual robot attendants Kai had grown accustomed to.

"Good evening, Sir. I'd like a strawberry and cream crepe, please," Natasha said before turning to Kai. "How about you, Handsome?"

Kai scanned the menu, taking in the variety of flavors and fillings. "I'll take an Ice Cream Sundae Crepe," he decided. The stall owner nodded and got to work.

Natasha smirked, nudging Kai playfully. "Ice cream, huh? Are you trying to freeze yourself in the middle of winter?"

They both chuckled at her joke, the moment feeling lighthearted and easy.

Just then, a cheerful voice called out from behind them.

"Hm? Oh, Kai? And Natasha too! Hey, guys!"

They turned around to see Jack and Hana approaching. Jack, as stoic as ever, stood beside Hana, who was as energetic and bubbly as usual. Both were bundled up in winter coats.

"Hey, you two. Didn't expect to see you here," Natasha said, directing her comment more toward Hana.

The two newcomers walked up to them, splitting off—Hana went to Natasha, while Jack stopped in front of Kai.

"Long time no see, Jack. How've you been?" Kai greeted him, extending a hand.

Jack shook it firmly. "I'm doing good. Hana's been pestering me to visit you again."

Over the past two months, Jack and Hana had occasionally dropped by Kai's apartment—mostly because Hana insisted on it. Not that he minded. The place felt a little empty sometimes. Natasha also visited him once a week, either to cook for him or to stay the night. Little by little, his life was feeling less solitary.

The crepes were finally ready. The stall owner handed them over, and both Kai and Natasha took theirs.

Kai took a bite. The contrast between the cold vanilla ice cream and the rich chocolate sauce melted perfectly in his mouth, while the crispy crepe added a satisfying crunch. It was delicious.

"Ooh, is that a crepe? I want a bite, please!" Hana's excited voice interrupted. She turned to Natasha, her wide, pleading eyes sparkling with hope.

Natasha chuckled at her dramatic expression, clearly entertained. "Alright, alright," she said, holding out her crepe.

Hana eagerly took a bite, her eyes widening in delight. "Oh my God! It's so delicious!" She jumped in excitement, savoring the taste.

Kai watched her reaction with amusement before turning to Jack, an idea popping into his head. He smirked. "Wanna bite too?"

Jack shot him a deadpan look. "Don't joke about that."

Kai burst into laughter at his reaction. It was clear by now—despite Jack's stoic nature—that they had developed a solid friendship.

Jack sighed. "Anyway, we have places to go. Hana, let's move."

"Aww, already?" Hana pouted but then turned back to Natasha with a bright smile. "Thanks for the crepe, Natasha! Nice seeing you again, Kai. See you soon! Oh, and have fun on your date!" She winked playfully before hurrying after Jack. Kai and Natasha watched them leave, the city lights reflecting in their eyes as the New Year countdown edged closer. 

As they finished their crepes, Natasha glanced at the time before rising to her feet. "Come on, Handsome. Fifteen minutes left. We need to get there before the crowd gets too crazy." She extended her hand toward him, a playful smile on her lips.

Kai took her hand, standing up beside her. "Then, we better hurry," he said, his eyes meeting hers with warmth.

Hand in hand, they walked toward the main square, where the countdown would take place. The streets buzzed with life—couples strolled closely together, families laughed, and groups of friends chatted excitedly. The cold air carried the scent of winter treats and the distant sound of festive music.

As they walked, Natasha noticed how some couples held onto their partners, leaning into them for warmth. Smiling to herself, she wrapped both arms around Kai's arm, pulling him closer. He glanced at her, amused, but said nothing—he didn't mind.

By the time they reached the countdown area, there were less than ten minutes left. A sea of people had already gathered, eyes fixed on the towering building ahead, where the digital timer glowed brightly. The anticipation in the air was electric.

As the seconds ticked down, Natasha rested her head on Kai's shoulder, her gaze soft and filled with something deeper than words. He felt the warmth of her touch despite the cold air around them.

Then, the countdown began.

The numbers flashed on the massive screen. The crowd roared in unison, their voices echoing through the city.

"Five!"

"Four!"

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

Midnight.

The city erupted into cheers. Fireworks exploded in the sky, painting it with brilliant streaks of color. People clapped, hugged, and celebrated the arrival of the new year. Some couples leaned in, sharing the first kiss of the year beneath the dazzling lights.

Natasha turned to Kai, her eyes shimmering with emotion. He knew what that look meant.

Without hesitation, he leaned in, closing the distance between them. Her lips parted slightly, anticipation lingering between them like the final seconds of the countdown.

Then, their lips met.

Time seemed to pause as they embraced, the warmth of their kiss melting away the winter chill. Around them, the world celebrated—but in that moment, it was just the two of them, welcoming the new year in the most intimate way possible.