Alex spent the entire day in his cramped cubicle, his focus unwavering as he poured over the intricate plans to launch a new VR company, one that would be backed by Taylor, Wright, and Co. Fueled by his knowledge from the future, he worked out feasibility studies, projected costs, and forecasts, meticulously crafting a blueprint for what he believed would be the next revolutionary tech venture. Kofi, sensing Alex's intense concentration, switched into "App Mode," knowing Alex was in the zone and not in need of any snarky interruptions.
By late afternoon, as the office began to quiet down, Alex stretched, feeling the strain from hours of sitting hunched over his screen. He was about to head out, slipping his AeroPhone into his ear, when his digital screen suddenly dimmed. A low battery warning pulsed in front of his eyes, casting a shadow over his vision. Before he could react, he heard Kofi's voice yelling, sharp and urgent:
"Run, kid! Goddammit, run! Your sedentary life as an office worker will literally kill you!"
Startled, Alex bolted out of his chair and sprinted toward the exit, dodging colleagues and muttering apologies as he barreled through the hallway. His mind raced, half with confusion, half with the adrenaline from Kofi's unexpected outburst.
As he dashed through the lobby, Jin caught sight of him just as he returned from his mission. Jin immediately matched Alex's pace, jogging beside him with a bemused expression.
"What's the rush?" Jin asked, glancing sideways as they sped through the busy street.
Alex forced a casual shrug, hoping his racing pulse wasn't too obvious. "Just hungry. Wanted to get home fast."
Jin raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "You're in luck. I got Chinese takeout." He tilted his head, motioning forward. "Why don't we just go back to the apartment? We're right around the corner."
Checking his battery status, Alex noticed it had dipped to 20%—barely enough to keep the system running. Relieved, he decided to play it cool, slowing down to match Jin's pace. "Alright," he said, catching his breath. "Let's eat."
Before they realized it, the two of them were standing in front of their apartment building, both a little winded from the sudden sprint, and Alex couldn't help but laugh at how absurd it all felt. Kofi's warning still echoed in his mind, though, a reminder that he wasn't invincible—even with all his future knowledge.
As they entered the building, Alex's phone flashed one final low-battery warning before dimming completely. He'd have to recharge soon.
—--
As they dug into their takeout, Alex glanced at the corner of his digital screen—his battery was now down to 15%. He'd need to charge it fully soon if he wanted to keep his connection stable, but he could already sense Kofi's irritation bubbling up.
"Ever since we got to New York, you haven't done a single piece of training Master Kenjiro told you to do," Kofi chided, his voice simmering with exasperation. "You're so busy reliving your future life—the one you supposedly didn't want—that you're not even focused on the here and now."
Alex felt the sting in Kofi's words, an irritation flaring inside him that he'd been trying to ignore. He'd escaped a fate he never wanted, only to find himself caught in the same grind—just with more secrets, more at stake, and a growing pressure to prove himself. The room felt smaller, the air denser, each bite of food tasting more like regret.
Without thinking, Alex's fingers clenched into fists, the memory of his Flash Technique training flashing through his mind. He snapped, the frustration pushing him to his feet. He turned and threw a quick punch toward Jin, channeling his frustration and focusing his energy into the precise form of the technique Master Kenjiro had drilled into him.
But Jin was ready. With a smirk, he effortlessly dodged, his instincts kicking in. "So, you finally decided to spar, huh?" Jin's voice was calm but edged with excitement as he shifted into a defensive stance.
Alex caught his breath, feeling the adrenaline surge through him. It was like his body had remembered the training even when his mind had pushed it aside. Jin was watching him closely, a glint of challenge in his eyes.
"Come on, then," Jin said, motioning for Alex to try again.
Alex tightened his fists, feeling the electric thrill of facing off against Jin. The challenge in Jin's eyes sharpened, and Alex knew he'd need to bring his best—or else face the humbling experience of being outmatched. He took a steadying breath, recalling Master Kenjiro's teachings and letting his frustration flow into focus.
Jin made the first move, a fast jab that Alex barely dodged. He stepped back, heart pounding, watching Jin's every subtle shift. Then, with a burst of determination, Alex lunged forward, aiming a calculated strike at Jin's side.
But Jin was quick—he twisted out of range, his movements precise, and in an instant, retaliated with a sweeping kick aimed at Alex's midsection. Alex's reflexes kicked in, and he blocked it with his forearm, though the force sent a jolt up his arm. Jin's strength was on another level, his movements seamlessly blending defense and attack, and Alex realized he couldn't afford to hold back.
"Good," Jin said with a small grin. "But you'll have to be faster than that."
Gritting his teeth, Alex called upon the Flash Technique, feeling the energy surge through his body. He dashed to Jin's side in a blur, attempting a rapid series of punches aimed at Jin's torso. Jin blocked the first few but was forced to take a step back, acknowledging Alex's speed with an approving nod.
Jin countered with a sharp elbow strike aimed at Alex's chest, but Alex ducked, sweeping Jin's leg in an attempt to knock him off balance. Jin stumbled but recovered almost instantly, spinning back around and delivering a roundhouse kick that Alex just barely dodged by dropping low.
They circled each other, both breathing heavily now, the sparring escalating into a genuine test of skill. Alex's digital screen blinked in his peripheral vision, flashing a warning about his battery level, but he forced himself to ignore it.
Seeing an opening, Jin launched forward, and Alex instinctively raised his arms to block. But Jin faked, slipping past Alex's guard and landing a quick, light punch to his shoulder. The hit wasn't strong enough to hurt, but it was a clear reminder of who held the upper hand.
"That all you got?" Jin teased, giving Alex a playful smirk. "Come on, don't hold back now."
Alex smirked back, feeling the fire reignite within him. He focused harder, channeling his remaining energy into the Flash Technique, enhancing his speed even further. This time, he blurred forward with unpredictable angles, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks that forced Jin to fully concentrate.
For a moment, Alex's world narrowed to the rhythm of their sparring—the thud of feet hitting the ground, the rush of air with every punch, the exhilaration of keeping up with someone at Jin's level. He lost himself in the dance of attack and counter, pushing himself harder with each strike.
Finally, Jin raised his hand, signaling a pause. "Not bad," he said, catching his breath. "You're getting faster. But you're not there yet."
Alex straightened, wiping sweat from his brow, his chest heaving with exertion. Despite Jin's critique, he felt a surge of satisfaction. It wasn't a complete victory, but it was proof he was improving—proof that he could rise to the challenge if he kept pushing himself.
As they both caught their breath, Jin clapped him on the back, grinning. "Keep this up, and maybe one day, you'll actually make me break a sweat."