Chapter 1: A Brilliant Idea
The sky over the city was dark, heavy with a relentless downpour.
Tall buildings stood like silent sentinels along the street, their facades streaked with rain.
The storm had driven everyone indoors. The streets were deserted; no vehicles passed, and no pedestrians dared to step outside.
Except one.
In the middle of a crosswalk glowing green, a young man, barely twenty, stood perfectly still.
In his hands, he clutched a trophy—a prize he had won earlier that evening at a local chess tournament.
His head tilted slightly, his gaze locked with unwavering focus on something ahead. It seemed like whatever he was staring at was extremely important.
'The girl on the billboard looks so good,' Hiro thought seriously.
Her long black hair, neatly tied back, framed her warm brown skin. Her upturned head and provocative eyes seemed to meet his own, while her elegant, poised stance radiated a quiet confidence.
Hiro was completely absorbed, admiring the beauty on the large screen, yet he hadn't lost track of time.
'Ten more seconds before the crosswalk turns red,' he calculated. 'Not like there's any traffic anyway.'