After leverage fades, something more dangerous is left behind.
Choice.
The city felt lighter the next morning—not because the pressure was gone, but because it had redistributed itself honestly. Sanctioned teams moved with purpose again. Unsanctioned work no longer carried the invisible expectation of rescue.
The pause had ended.
Now came direction.
✦
Arjun noticed it as we crossed the square where everything had stalled days ago.
"No one's looking at us," he said.
"Yes," I replied."That's the point."
✦
Leverage had done its work by disappearing.
What remained wasn't influence.
It was intent.
✦
People weren't waiting anymore.
They were choosing where to spend effort—deliberately, visibly, without apology. Some returned fully to sanctioned channels. Some stayed outside them. Others moved between with clarity instead of fear.
No one pretended it was neutral.
✦
The other Ishaan aligned, voice calm and observant.
