Business Meeting
I sat up straight in the cushioned black leather chair, this 35th-floor meeting room seemingly made for showmanship. The glass wall behind me shows off the view of Tokyo-the tall buildings shining in the afternoon sun. In front of me, Mr. Tanaka, an influential senior businessman, looked at me with an enthusiastic smile.
"As I have already explained, Mr. Tanaka," I began in a calm yet firm voice, "this project is not just about profit, but about creating change. The Takahashi Group's latest energy system will ensure the city is more environmentally friendly and efficient."
I saw him nod, his face showing admiration. Of course. This wasn't just an idea, it was a big step. And I was the right person to realize it.
"Well done, Kenji-san," he said finally, shaking my hand tightly. "You really have an amazing vision. I think we've almost agreed to start this cooperation."
I smiled, looking into his eyes with confidence. "I'm sure this cooperation will bring great benefits to all of us."
We signed the preliminary documents, a sign that the deal was almost done. Once done, I straightened my suit and glanced at my watch. It was already five o'clock in the afternoon. A good time to move on to the next plan.
I walked out of the office building with steady steps, slipping my cell phone into my jacket pocket. I opened the message that had just come in from Yuki, my girlfriend.
"Are you still at the office? Don't stay long, I'm hungry!"
I smiled a little. Yuki Hasegawa. A famous actress, a rising star. My lover. And tonight, I was going to start a new chapter in my life with him.
"This is all going perfectly," I muttered softly as I entered my black sedan. My driver, a loyal man named Yamamoto, immediately opened the door for me.
"To L'Ambrosia restaurant," I ordered. I straightened my tie and gazed out the window. Tokyo was glittering as ever, full of light and life. Just like my life-glittering, perfect, and full of opportunities.
I looked at the small ring in my jacket pocket, thinking, "Tonight, Yuki will be a part of my life forever."
My car drove smoothly, down the streets of Tokyo full of city lights. I stared out of the window, watching the people pass by, faces I didn't recognize, busy with their lives. In my mind, there was only one person-Yuki.
I reached into my coat pocket and took out the small ring that I had been preparing for weeks. The gem reflected the light from the city lights, like a promise of a beautiful future.
"Yuki Hasegawa," I murmured with a small smile. "Will become Mrs. Takahashi tonight."
Another message from her appeared on my phone screen:
"Where are you? I'm already at the restaurant. Don't make me wait too long, or I'll order food without waiting for you."
I chuckled, imagining her annoyed but still adorable face. It was one of the things that made me fall in love with her-Yuki was someone who always brought energy into my life.
"Kenji-sama, we'll be there in fifteen minutes," Yamamoto, my driver, said, breaking my train of thought.
"Fine," I replied as I slipped the ring back into my pocket. "You know, Yamamoto, I have big plans tonight."
He nodded without saying much, but I could catch a glimpse of a faint smile on his face through the rearview mirror. Yamamoto had worked for my family for a long time, and I was sure he knew exactly what I meant.
I looked out the window again, letting my mind drift to all the things I'd been through. My life seemed perfect-a supportive family, a successful business, and a wonderful woman by my side.
"Everything is going according to plan," I said quietly, almost as if confirming it to myself.
The car stops at a red light. I glanced at my watch to confirm the time. There was nothing to worry about; I would arrive on time. But in the midst of that calmness, a strange feeling suddenly crept into my mind-as if something was wrong.
I shook my head, trying to ignore it. It's just normal nerves, right? I'm going to propose to Yuki tonight. That's only natural.
However, just as I was trying to calm myself down, my eyes caught sight of a large truck driving through the intersection. Its speed wasn't normal, and its direction-it was heading towards my car.
I opened my mouth to scream, but the sound was stifled. The green light flashed, and in an instant, the world around me turned into chaos.
The accident
The green light had just turned on, and Yamamoto started moving the car. But my eyes remained fixed on the big truck approaching from the left.
"Watch out!" I shouted suddenly.
Yamamoto slammed the steering wheel, trying to dodge, but everything was too fast. I only had time to see a flash of the truck's headlights before a loud noise shattered the silence of the night.
BRUK!
My body was thrust forward, the seatbelt holding hard, but my head and back felt like they had been hit with a hammer. The world around me spun, the sound of metal clashing filling my ears.
"Agh!" I heard my own voice, but it felt far away, like it was coming from somewhere else.
My car was upside down. I could feel gravity pulling my body to the right side, shattered glass scattered about, piercing my skin. The pungent smell of smoke pierced my nose, mixed with the scent of gasoline.
Yamamoto! I tried to call out to him, but my mouth made no sound. My head throbbed violently, my vision blurred, and my breathing felt heavy.
Everything started to go dark. Among the fragments of my consciousness, only one thing was on my mind.
"Yuki..." I whispered softly.
I felt my body getting lighter, like sinking into deep water. Darkness enveloped me, but within it was a small, faint, distant light.
The light slowly drew closer, and I began to feel... different. Light, but uncomfortable. As if my body no longer belonged to me.
A faint voice sounded in my head. An unfamiliar voice, but with a desperate tone:
"Shinichiro... please... help me..."