The apartment felt different when Lin stepped inside. The air was filled with the sound of rustling plastic and the zipping of suitcases. He walked into the living room and found his mother folding the last of her clothes.
"You're really leaving?" Lin asked, leaning against the doorframe.
His mom looked up and smiled softly. "It's time, Lin. You're a grown man. You don't need your mother hovering over you forever."
Lin walked over and gave her a tight hug. "I really loved your company these past few weeks, Mom. It made the place feel alive."
Nearby, he saw Yada zipping up a small duffel bag. She looked up at him, her eyes bright. "you're also leaving today?" Lin asked her.
"Yes," Yada replied, smoothing down her orange dress. "Our ride to the airport will be here in a few hours."
Lin felt a surge of boldness. Usually, he would have stumbled over his words, but ever since his night with Mimi, he felt like a different person. I feel a lot more confident, he thought to himself.
"Before you go," Lin said, looking directly at Yada, "do you want to hang out? Just this time?"
Yada seemed surprised, then a pretty blush crept on her cheeks. "I'd like that, Lin."
As they walked down the stairs, Lin's hand brushed against his phone in his pocket. He thought of Mimi. He wondered how she was doing. He pulled the phone out, intending to call her, but then he stopped.
A wave of guilt came over him. He remembered the way she had looked boiling with fever, her eyes rolling back because of the energy she was exposed to. I almost let her down, he realized. I nearly didn't save her. He sighed and shoved the phone back deep into his pocket, deciding it was better to stay away for now till she fully recovers.
He turned his attention back to Yada. They spent the next few hours losing themselves in the city. They went to a loud, neon-lit arcade where Lin won a stuffed animal for her on the first try. They ate street food and laughed until their sides ached. For a moment, the world seemed normal and peaceful.
They were walking down a quiet side street, taking a shortcut back to the car, when they heard, a soft moaning sound echoing from a dark corner.
Lin and Yada stopped. Behind a large metal dumpster, they saw two people having sex together, completely lost in the heat of the moment. They didn't even seem to care that they were in public.
"Ah, man! Get a room!" Lin shouted, feeling embarrassed for them.
The two didn't even look up; they just continued what they were doing. Yada's face went bright red. She suddenly grabbed Lin's hand, her fingers interlocking with his, and started running.
They ran until they reached a brightly lit park, both of them breathless and laughing. "That was so crazy!" Yada panted, leaning against a tree. "Who does that beside a dumpster?"
Lin stared at her. The orange light from the sun hit her face, and he felt sad. I wish she could stay longer, he thought. I don't want her to leave.
Yada must have seen the look in his eyes. She stepped closer, her breath warm in the cool air. She reached up, placing her hands over his neck, and leaned in. She kissed him softly at first, then whispered against his lips, "I started to like you... bit by bit."
The kiss grew harder and longer. Lin wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. The System didn't flash any warnings; for once, everything felt perfectly still.
Back at the apartment, Xai sat on the edge of the sofa, staring at her watch. The ticking sound seemed loud in the empty room.
"Four hours," she murmured to herself.
She looked toward the door, wondering where Lin and Yada were. She had a long journey ahead of her, and she hoped Yada would make it back in time. The sun had fully set, and the city was glowing, Lin and Yada continued each moment getting more and more intense