Chapter 125: Chapter 125 – Am I Having Problems Again?
(What the fuck?! Why?! Why does everything always go to hell right when I need it least?!)
Sohen stood in the middle of his room, screaming until his voice cracked.
He had just returned from his morning workout — drenched in sweat, full of energy, with a clear plan for the day.
He sat down at the desk, opened his laptop, pressed the power button... and nothing.
A black screen.
Dead silence.
No fan, no indicator light, no reaction.
As if someone had just turned it off for good.
(I didn’t cross paths with a black cat, so... what the fuck, seriously?!...)
Sohen sat for a few seconds in complete shock, then started cursing even louder, pounding his fist on the table.
It wasn’t just a laptop.
It was his main work tool, his archive, his memory of the last few years, and right now, when he needed to work, the laptop had given out.
(Damn it?!...)
He quickly changed his clothes, grabbed the device, and practically ran to the nearest service center.
There, the technician, a middle-aged man, looked at the laptop, turned it over in his hands, hooked it up to diagnostic equipment, and ten minutes later delivered his verdict:
- (Technician). "The processor is fried. Completely. It needs to be replaced."
- (Me). "..."
(Shit, the processor’s dead! This is a disaster!)
Sohen felt like everything inside him had snapped.
The processor itself, and even more so... the entire laptop, every component and part, belonged to HentaTech.
(If only I’d known...)
HentaTech — a North Korean company that was once a true legend.
High-performance, durable laptops, with every component... developed in-house.
The elite.
The top tier.
A promising project that could have changed the market, and then... a massive loan from the National Bank, poor management, corruption, and in its sixth year of existence — a high-profile bankruptcy.
The company vanished, and its equipment became a rarity, almost a myth.
Sohen bought this laptop because at the time it was one of the best models for the money.
His first major purchase with his own hard-earned money.
He had grown accustomed to it and become attached to it, and most importantly — this laptop contained a vast amount of critically important information: work projects, crypto wallets, databases, personal notes, and analytics he had been collecting for years.
Transferring all of this to another device was nearly impossible within a reasonable timeframe.
Sohen left the service center with a heavy heart.
It was a real disaster.
(.....)
He started looking for options.
He posted requests on every possible platform, called every service center in the city, and wrote in relevant groups.
Four days... almost nothing.
On the fifth day, a message from an unknown seller appeared on one of the marketplaces:
- (???). "Unused original HentaTech processor. Pickup only."
Sohen didn’t hesitate.
He messaged the seller.
The seller replied quickly, but...
- (???). "I’m sorry, but for personal reasons I can’t send it by mail. I hope you understand..."
(This guy lives far away, too, but... I have no choice.)
The next day, Sohen packed a small bag and told his relatives:
- (Me). "I need to go away for two days. I have to pick up the processor. I won’t be able to work properly without it."
- (Phoebe, Runo, and Karin). "..."
All three relatives puffed out their cheeks at the same time, but didn’t argue.
They could see how important this was to him.
- (Runo). "Be careful and come back soon."
Sohen nodded, kissed each of them... normally, without any sexual undertones, and left.
(I’m could have taken a car, but... Runo had taken hers in for repairs, and Karin had lent hers to a friend... Just my luck! The only option left was the high-speed train.)
He got into the train, looked out the window at the receding city, and sighed heavily.
(I hope no unexpected adventures are waiting for me... Right?...)
...
Twenty hours later, Sohen finally stepped off the train onto the platform of a station in a huge, bustling city that was new to him.
The trip had been calm and even quiet.
He had spent almost the entire time looking out the window and listening to music alone, and now a city had opened up before him that was impressive from the very first seconds.
(Wow... This city is very different from mine.)
It was a true metropolis.
Huge skyscrapers of glass and steel rose into the sky like modern pagodas, intersecting with traditional architectural elements.
Some buildings featured distinctive curved tiled roofs illuminated by neon lights, while others had clean, vertical lines with glass facades that reflected the city’s clouds and lights.
At street level, an incredible mix of cultures reigned: bright neon signs in Korean stood side by side with red Japanese lanterns, traditional wooden torii gates stood at the entrances to modern shopping centers, and on the sidewalks, you could see people in formal business suits alongside girls in light yukatas or hanboks.
The air was thick with smells: the aroma of fried street food — tteokbokki, ramen, takoyaki mingled with the scent of cherry blossoms, which for some reason grew everywhere here, even between the skyscrapers.
The faint scent of incense from small street altars was punctuated by the aroma of coffee from numerous modern cafes.
The city hummed.
Cars, elevated subway trains, the voices of thousands of people, the distant sounds of street performers — all of this created a constant but not irritating backdrop to the great metropolis.
Sohen looked around and smiled involuntarily.
The city was beautiful in its own way — aggressively modern and yet deeply traditional.
It seemed like a living organism, breathing in neon lights, the steam from food, and the energy of millions of people.
(It’s truly incredible here, though... back home is still better, hehe.)
He found the agreed-upon meeting spot... a small park with a fountain and benches near the station exit.
The vendor wasn’t there yet.
(Where the hell is he?!)
Ten minutes of waiting passed.
- (Me). "..."
Sohen’s stomach growled loudly.
(Damn it...)
He’d had only a light snack on the train, and now he was really starting to feel hungry.
- (Me). "Here’s my salvation..."
Ten steps from the park, the sign for a small 24/7 grocery store was lit up.
Sohen decided that if the clerk was running late, he could quickly grab something to eat.
(I’ll starve to death by the time he gets here. Let him wait for me now, if it comes to that by the time I leave the store. That’s disrespectful, my friend... Though, I suppose it’s better to be more polite. After all, he has something very important to me...)
He went inside, grabbed two hot dogs and a soda, then quickly stepped out onto the street, unwrapping his food as he walked.
Just then, he witnessed an unpleasant scene.
- (Me). "???"
Right where he had been standing a few minutes ago, a confrontation was taking place.
A young woman was standing with her back pressed against the wall of the park.
Her face showed clear anxiety and uncertainty.
In front of her stood a man in a green hoodie with a deep hood and black sweatpants that were too big for him.
His face was completely hidden by a black mask.
The man was acting strangely and was most likely drunk.
- (Unknown Man). "Why are you turning me down, huh?... Come with me... don’t resist... everything will be fine..."
He reached out and tried to grab her by the wrist.
The woman jerked her hand away.
- (Unknown Woman). "Please, back off... I don’t want to go with you. Leave me alone."
The man wouldn’t back down.
He took a step closer, his voice growing louder and rougher:
- (Unknown Man). "Why are you being so stubborn? I’m a normal guy... come on, let’s grab a drink, talk... don’t be like that!"
- (Me). "..."
(Dude... what’s up with your voice? Did you get your balls crushed or something, that your voice sounds like a young girl’s?)
Sohen stood a few meters away and felt a heavy, unpleasant feeling boiling up inside him.
He looked around.
No one was rushing to help.
(This scene... Does that mean if I join them, it’ll look like "the noble hero saving the beauty from trouble," huh?... I don’t want to meddle in other people’s business, but... something deep inside is telling me to help this poor woman somehow... Phew... Alright.)
Sohen calmly tossed his half-eaten hot dog into the trash and walked slowly but confidently toward them.
When he was three steps away, the man and woman noticed him at the same time.
- (Unknown Man). "Hey, you..."
(~sound of a blow)
Sohen decided to act quickly and without unnecessary drama... he simply knocked the unknown man out cold with a right hook to the face.
- (Me). "I can’t stand you alcoholics."
- (Unknown Woman). "..."
There was a moment of silence.
Sohen stood over him, looking down, then calmly raised his gaze to the woman.
- (Me). "Are you okay?"
The woman stood with her hands pressed to her chest, staring at him with wide eyes.
She was clearly shocked by how quickly and brutally it had all ended.
- (Unknown Woman). "I... well... thank you... He... he just wouldn’t leave me alone. I didn’t know what to do..."
While the woman tried to collect her thoughts and calm down, Sohen focused his attention... on her appearance.
(Damn it, she’s just... a goddess.)
Standing before him was a true beauty.
Tall, slender, with perfect body proportions that seemed to have been crafted according to the highest standards.
(She’s about... 5’7". She’s even taller than Runo...)
Her figure was simply incredible: a slim waist that flowed smoothly into wide hips, huge, firm F-cup breasts perfectly accentuated by the deep neckline of her black dress, and a large, round, luscious butt that drew the eye with every movement.
Her legs were long and slender, yet with soft, feminine curves.
Her entire silhouette was the embodiment of both sexuality and elegance.
Her hair was a rich gray — a stylish, cool shade that fell to her shoulders and beautifully framed her face.
She was wearing large black sunglasses that made it almost impossible to see her eyes — only a mysterious gleam and their outlines.
On her head was a huge, elegant black hat, which made her look even more sophisticated and unattainable.
In her hands was a gray vintage leather bag that looked very expensive at first glance, adorned with something resembling diamonds.
Sohen involuntarily swallowed.
He was literally speechless for a few seconds.
(Damn, she’s... even prettier than Runo, Karin, and Nanako... Who is she?)
- (Unknown Woman). "Thank you... thank you so much. You showed up just in time. I didn’t know how to get rid of him anymore."
She said in a soft, pleasant voice.
Sohen came to his senses a little and scratched the back of his head shyly.
- (Me). "You’re welcome... Anyone who considers himself a man would have done the same."
The woman laughed quietly and elegantly. Her laughter was melodious, but with a slight hint of sensuality.
- (Unknown Woman). "Well, not everyone would have done something like that. It was... quick and effective, ha-ha."
She pointed at the man, who was still lying unconscious.
Sohen scratched his head again, feeling a little embarrassed.
- (Me). "Maybe I went a little overboard..."
The woman took another step closer.
She gave off a subtle scent of expensive perfume with notes of vanilla and musk.
- (Unknown Woman). "My name is Akina... Excuse me, but isn’t your name Sohen, by any chance?"
- (Me). "???"
Sohen stared at her in surprise.
- (Me). "Yeah... that’s me. How did you know?"
Akina smiled mysteriously and opened her elegant handbag.
From it, she took out a small box and handed it to him.
- (Me). "That’s..."
Sohen took it and opened it — inside lay the very same original HentaTech processor he had been searching for so long.
- (Akina). "I had a meeting scheduled right here, and judging by the physical description you left in our correspondence... you fit the description perfectly, haha."
- (Me). "So... you’re the seller I’ve been talking to these past few days?"
Akina nodded, her smile growing even wider and more beautiful.
Sohen didn’t know what to say.
He just stood there looking at her, trying to gather his thoughts.
(I thought it would be some overweight middle-aged guy with a bit of a geeky look, not a young woman with a godlike appearance who’s even hotter than any woman I know or have seen online... Lately, God has been spoiling me with encounters with sexy women... Thank you.)
Akina continued softly:
- (Akina). "Thank you again for saving me, and I’m sorry I’m late... I had my reasons."
- (Me). "It’s okay!... You don’t need to apologize..."
Her smile at that moment became so beautiful and warm that Sohen involuntarily blushed and looked away.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated.
- (Me). "???"
A message from the railway company.
(Damn, the train will be back soon... There was almost no time left.)
- (Me). "I have to run now. How much do I owe you for the processor?"
Akina gently but firmly stopped his hand with hers.
- (Akina). "No need. I’ll give it to you for free. As a gift... for protecting me."
- (Me). "???"
Sohen started to protest, but she insisted.
There was something in her eyes that made him finally give in and accept the gift.
- (Me). "Thank you... thank you so much."
- (Akina). "Be careful..."
Akina replied softly and waved to him as he practically ran toward the station.
(It seems like some kind of karma to keep getting caught up in incredible adventures, but... Getting a free processor and meeting Akina was worth it. I hope she makes it home safely without any further incidents... Thank you, Akina. I won’t forget this. Thank you so much.)
Sohen was already a decent distance away when Akina, still waving her hand, slowly changed her expression.
Her smile became completely different — wide, crazy, slightly creepy.
A typical yandere smile.
- (Unknown Man). "Ouch... Ugh..."
A groan sounded behind her.
The hooded figure was finally coming to and, clutching his face, stood up.
- (Unknown Man). "Damn... Phew... I’m gonna have a bruise... That hurt."
Akina turned to him.
The smile vanished, her face becoming completely neutral and cold.
- (Akina). "Good job. You played it professionally... I’m satisfied."
The hooded figure rubbed their face and winced.
- (Akina). "You can take a few days off. I’ll cover your sick leave, but for now... let’s go."
They had already started walking away when Akina suddenly stopped, looked in the direction Sohen had run, and whispered quietly, almost tenderly, into the air:
- (Akina). "We’ll meet again, Sohen. We’ll meet again quite soon... How long I’ve waited for this day... Your mom, Akina, is so happy and... Hah... Haah... Ha-ha... When we meet again, I WON’T LET YOU GO ANYMORE...)
As Sohen stepped onto the train, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
(Damn!... What was that?... Am I in trouble again?)
