"Are you alright?"
Soft... yet firm.
Her question snapped me out of my stupor. My head jerked up slightly.
I stared into the beautiful, azure eyes hidden beneath her cloak, feeling the warmth of her concern directed toward me.
"Y-yeah... I think so," I stammered, my voice hoarse as I tried to respond.
She didn't respond right away, her face still obscured beneath the shadow of her hood. Yet, even without seeing her full expression, those beautiful eyes—sharp and watchful—studied me closely.
I felt a bit self-conscious under her gaze, but ultimately... I sensed no malice.
At least, that's what I thought. I wouldn't say I'm the best judge of character... but...
She saved my life. That was more than enough proof she was at least a good person.
I forced my aching body to stand. The sore, pulsing sensation spread throughout me, but somehow, I managed.
Looking back at my savior, I saw her still watching me, as if trying to assess something.
"H-hey—"
"Stop right there, criminal!"
A yell interrupted us.
We both simultaneously turned toward the source of the shout...
A group of uniformed, futuristic-like police officers rushing in our direction!
"Damn it...!" my savior muttered under her breath, a small frown tugging at her lips. She didn't even try to hide her displeasure at their arrival.
Between the way they were closing in and her immediate reaction... it didn't take much to realize she was their target.
"Surrender yourself!" one of the officers shouted as they advanced closer, brandishing futuristic-looking batons, ready to strike down the cloaked woman...!
The woman glanced back toward me—our eyes met once more, her gaze carrying an unspoken message... but then—
She bolted.
"Whoa!?"
Without hesitation, she dashed in the opposite direction of the officers. I barely had time to register her speed—like an Olympic sprinter—before she vanished into the depths of the city!
She was gone in seconds.
I stood there, stunned, watching the space where she had disappeared.
Her speed was incredible...! Was it cybernetic enhancement? Or pure physical prowess?
Either way, it was an amazing sight.
The sound of heavy footsteps grew louder as the officers finally closed in.
However, most of them barely spared me a glance as they rushed past, their focus entirely on the cloaked woman who had already disappeared into the labyrinth of the city.
But... not all of them followed.
Three officers slowed to a stop near me, their sharp eyes darting around, assessing the situation.
One of them, a man with a stern face and a badge that gleamed in the bright sunlight, approached cautiously.
"You alright, kid?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unkind.
"H-huh?"
I was taken aback by the same question asked to me, especially coming from a police officer.
"Uh... yeah, I'm alright, officer..."
"I see..." the officer replied, relief evident in his voice. "That woman seemed to have assaulted you, and we want to make sure she didn't cause any harm."
"O-oh, yeah, that. Well, I didn't think she did any harm to me, officer," I stammered, trying to steady my voice. "In fact, she might've just saved me from certain doom..."
"Hmm?" All three of them tilted their heads, confused by my statement.
"Ah, forget about that!" I panicked a bit under their probing stares. "She didn't do any harm to me! That's all that matters!"
"Is that so..." the stern police officer said, nodding in understanding, but somehow...
I couldn't help but feel they were growing suspicious of me.
"Alright, move along now, kid."
"Y-yes, sir! Thank you!"
I quickly turned around and walked away from them, trying to act natural...
"Hold it, kid."
'Shit...'
This was bad. Real bad.
My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to keep my face calm, but I could feel the sweat starting to bead on my forehead.
"You don't look like a local, kid," the stern officer said, his voice sharp. Both he and his officer buddies were getting even more suspicious of me...
I swallowed hard...
He was right, I didn't. I really, REALLY didn't belong here. I didn't even look like the 'local' here.
I was wearing clothing from the early 21st century. A semi-formal shirt over a t-shirt, clean, untattered blue jeans, and a red scarf wrapped around my neck—warm clothing fit for a slightly chilly autumn season...
Yet here I was, standing under a blazing sun. The sky was clear, almost cloudless, as if it were the middle of summer, and the heat was oppressive. Only now did I realize I was sweating buckets under these warm layers.
Even then, my clothes were too nice... too suburban compared to everyone else around me.
In contrast, the people around wore simpler, weather-appropriate clothing—light fabrics, loose fits...
Less nice clothes.
My brain was racing, trying to come up with a reason. No way in hell I would tell them that I was from the past. They would think I was crazy or something!
"Uh... I... just got here. I was sightseeing, y'know?" I tried to explain, my voice shaky but firm. "I'm not from around here, just a simple tourist. Haha..."
However, the officer didn't seem convinced. The way his eyes kept scanning me... it was clear they weren't buying it.
"Show me your ID, kid," the officer demanded, his tone turning a little sharper. "Now."
"...!"
I panicked a bit from his demand, but I quickly forced myself to calm down. I couldn't be more suspicious than I already was...
"H-haha, of course, officer," I tried laughing it off, easing my ever-growing tension. "Hold on for a moment..."
I reached for my pocket, where I usually kept my wallet. But...
It wasn't there.
I froze, and for a moment, my heart might actually stop beating.
I checked the other pockets of my trousers, my fingers moving frantically...
Nothing.
I felt around my shirt, my jacket...
Still nothing.
But then, I checked for my phone... my apartment keys...
Gone too.
I stood there, frozen, my mind racing. Everything—everything I had—was gone.