The school event had wound down hours ago, leaving behind the soft glow of string lights still twinkling on the auditorium walls.
Most of the people had already trickled out, but Taoko and Jaya lingered in the quiet hallway, the last echoes of laughter and applause fading into comfortable silence.
Outside, the evening air carried the clean, cool scent of impending rain.
Taoko glanced at his watch. "So, what do you think, Jaya? It's getting pretty late. Should we head out?"
Jaya stretched her arms above her head, smiling lazily. "Yeah, you're right. I've still got some work to finish tonight. Let's go."
They walked together through the empty corridors. Their footsteps echoed softly—tap-tap-tap—against the polished tiles, the only sound besides the distant hum of a janitor's floor polisher.
A few staff members nodded politely as they passed, wiping down windows or sweeping the main lobby. The school felt peaceful, almost intimate in its emptiness.
They reached the parking lot. Taoko pressed the key fob; his car chirped twice, headlights flashing in welcome. He opened the passenger door for her.
"After you," he said with a small smile.
Jaya slid in, settling into the leather seat with a contented sigh. Taoko climbed in, started the engine, and eased the car out of the lot, turning onto the quiet suburban road.
Streetlamps painted golden pools across the asphalt; the sky above was a deep velvet blue, stars just beginning to peek through.
"You know," Jaya said, turning to look at him, "today was honestly one of the best days I've had in a long time."
Taoko kept his eyes on the road, but his lips curved upward. "You look way too happy."
She laughed softly, holding up the signed photo in her hands. "Because of you! You got me that handmade flower necklace, dragged me to this whole event even though I barely got a chance to talk to Detective Harlan… but I still met him. In real life. I got his autograph. My little brother is going to lose his mind when I tell him."
"That's awesome," Taoko replied, voice warm. "I'm glad you had fun."
They drove in easy silence for a minute, the hum of the engine and the soft rush of tires on pavement filling the space. Then Taoko slowed, pulling over near the curb.
"Wait—where's your place again? Just so I don't miss the turn."
Jaya pointed ahead. "Keep going straight. You'll see the big supermarket on the right. Turn left after that, then you'll spot two apartment buildings. That's me."
"Got it. Thanks."
He eased back onto the road. After a few blocks, he glanced at her again. "You mentioned your younger brother earlier. What's his name?"
"Ashs," she said, smiling a little. "Yeah, I know—it's weird. My dad picked it. I tried to talk him out of it, but… you know how parents are."
Taoko chuckled. "No, no, I didn't mean it like that. It's just… unique. I've never heard it before. Sounds kinda cool, actually."
Jaya relaxed, looking out the window at the passing lights. "Thanks. He's a sweet kid. Total gamer. Spends half his life glued to a screen."
Taoko nodded. "Speaking of which—look, there's the supermarket. Want to stop? I could grab something for him. A little gift."
Her face lit up. "Really? That's so nice. Yeah, let's do it."
He turned into the lot and parked near the entrance. The supermarket was brightly lit, almost cheerful despite the late hour. They stepped out into the cooling night air; the first faint drops of rain kissed their skin.
"After you," Taoko said again, holding the automatic door open.
Inside, the store smelled of fresh bread and citrus cleaner. Soft pop music played overhead. A handful of late-night shoppers drifted through the aisles.
"So, what's the plan?" Taoko asked.
"First, boys' section. He loves games—anything new and shiny. Then maybe some meat for dinner tomorrow. That's it."
"Perfect. You go hunt for games. I'll grab the meat and maybe a shirt or two. Meet you at checkout?"
"Sounds good."
They split up. Jaya headed to the gaming aisle, scanning shelves lined with colorful boxes. Taoko wandered toward the butcher counter, eyeing packages of steak and ground beef.
"Hmm… this looks good," he murmured, lifting a tray of sirloin.
"Sir? Taoko?"
He turned. A tall, broad-shouldered young man approached, grinning wide.
"Jerry Millstones," Taoko said, surprised but smiling. "It's been years."
"Yeah, man—literally years!" Jerry laughed. "I was just grabbing some late-night snacks and saw you. You look good, sir. Taller, maybe?"
"You've changed too. Grown up. What are you up to these days?"
Jerry rubbed the back of his neck, a little sheepish. "I dropped out of university. Trying to open my own martial arts gym now. Been training hard."
"That's great," Taoko said sincerely. "You were always good at sports. Remember how you used to bully that kid… what was his name? Mercvis?"
Jerry winced, then laughed. "God, you still remember that? Yeah… I was kind of an asshole back then. But we're cool now.
Turned eighteen together, became best friends. No more bullying. I learned my lesson."
Taoko nodded. "Good to hear. Violence isn't the answer."
From behind, Jaya's voice cut in. "Hey, who's this?"
She approached holding three game boxes and a couple of boys' T-shirts, smiling curiously.
"Oh—this is Jerry. Old student of mine. Jerry, this is Jaya."
"Nice to meet you," Jerry said, offering a polite wave. "Anyway, I should get going. Good seeing you, sir."
He disappeared down another aisle.
Taoko picked up the meat tray. "Ready?"
"Yeah, I'm good."
They headed to the register. Beep. Beep. Beep.
"Total's $157," the cashier said.
Taoko paid without hesitation. They stepped outside—and froze. The sky had opened.
Rain poured in thick, relentless sheets, drumming against the metal awning above the entrance.
Jerry stood just outside the doors, shoulders hunched, no umbrella.
Taoko called over the roar. "Hey, Jerry! Need a ride? It's pouring."
Jerry hesitated. "Nah, it's okay. I'll wait it out."
"Come on, don't be stubborn. I'll drop you. It's no trouble."
After a moment, Jerry gave in. "Alright… thanks, sir."
The three of them dashed to the car and piled in. Taoko turned on the heat, the windshield wipers slapping rhythmically.
"First Jaya's place, then yours, Jerry. Cool?"
"Yeah, that works," Jerry said from the back seat.
Taoko drove carefully through the downpour. Streetlights blurred into streaks of gold. Rain hissed against the glass. Jaya's apartment building appeared ahead. He pulled up to the gate.
"Here we are." He handed her the bags. "Thanks for tonight. See you soon?"
"Definitely. Bye, Taoko. Bye, Jerry."
She hurried through the rain, disappearing into the lobby.
Taoko shifted into drive. "Okay, Jerry—your turn. Where to?"
"Back the way we came a bit. Then straight ahead—there's a colony. That's me."
Taoko nodded, pulling back onto the road. After a minute, he reached into the center console and pulled out a sealed bottle of cold coffee.
"Here. You must be thirsty. It's good—shake it first, though."
"Thanks, sir." Jerry accepted it, shook it four times—shake-shake-shake-shake—then twisted the cap and took a long sip.
"Wow… this is really good. Sweet. Kind of… pleasant."
Taoko smiled faintly. The car kept driving straight. No turn toward the colony.
Jerry frowned. "Sir… this isn't the route to my place."
Taoko's hands tightened on the wheel. The playful warmth drained from his face. His voice dropped—low, flat, emotionless.
"You know, Jerry… you never really learned your lesson. Even now, all grown up, you still take things too easily. Too trusting."
Jerry blinked, confused. "What… what kind of lesson? Punishment?"
Taoko didn't answer. His eyes stayed fixed on the dark road ahead. The streetlights thinned.
The buildings gave way to empty fields, then dense trees—black silhouettes clawing at the storm-heavy sky.
Jerry's head began to swim. The pleasant sweetness on his tongue turned cloying.
His limbs felt heavy, distant. The bottle slipped from his fingers, rolling to the floor mat.
"Sir… you can't…" His voice slurred. "What did you—"
The world tilted. Jerry's vision tunneled. The last thing he saw was Taoko's profile—side-lit by the dashboard glow, mouth curved in a slow, cold smile that never reached his eyes.
The car continued straight into the dark, rain hammering the roof like distant applause.
Trees closed in on both sides. No streetlights now. Only the twin beams cutting through the downpour, illuminating wet black asphalt and nothing else.
Inside the car, the heater purred softly. The wipers kept their steady rhythm.
Everything else was silent.
Taoko hummed a quiet tune under his breath, driving deeper into the woods.