Waking up, Rick felt a little better. Not perfect yet, of course, but at least he didn't have that constant feeling of overload and fatigue that had plagued him before. He rubbed his eyes confusedly and got out of bed, trying to realize how long he'd been asleep. The clock on the nightstand showed 11:42 am. Strange, he hadn't expected to sleep that long, but it was probably just what he needed.
He stretched, feeling his body respond gratefully to the simple movement. There were still shadows from his nightmares in his head, but not as distinct as before. Midway through lunch, as Rick was halfway through picking at his fries and opening another video on his phone, the screen flashed. A new notification. A slight vibration sound caught his attention and Rick picked up his phone, frowning slightly. It was just a notification from an internet company, but what caught Rick's attention was another message sent about ten hours ago, and it was from Sato.
The text, terse and direct, made Rick stop.
"Scarlet, why did you sleep so late? It's not good for your health. Don't ask, but I noticed you logged onto messenger at 2:34am. I don't think you were playing at that hour. What were you doing? I'm curious."
Rick stared at the message, feeling the tension begin to flare in his chest. The message had been sent at 2;36 a.m. Sato was accurate, even overly so, and such detailed awareness of his actions made it feel like someone was closely watching his every move.
"Holy crap, is he even asleep?" - Rick muttered to himself as he internally tried to figure out how to react.
"But why did he even notice the time?" - The thoughts swirled as Rick pondered how to answer. Sato was clearly used to being in control, and his caring tone, even if it seemed sincere at first glance, had an underlying subtext.
Rick set his fork aside and ran his finger across the screen to open messenger. The reply had to be precise, subtle, perfect. Using the voice synthesizer, he spoke to hear the sound:
- "Oh, my Sato, I didn't think you'd notice. I just couldn't sleep... Too many thoughts."
The voice sounded soft, with a slight note of weariness. Just the way the sophisticated and mysterious girl behind whose mask Rick hides behind should speak.
The voice message was sent, and Rick leaned back in his chair, waiting for a response. However, the phone responded with a vibration almost instantly.
"Thoughts? You think too much, princess. You deserve rest, not sleepless nights. Would you like me to tell you a story every night to help you sleep? Or maybe you'll admit what's troubling your heart after all?"
Rick froze for a moment, feeling the game getting more complicated. Sato was beginning to move from general concern to more personal questions, and it was both exciting and dangerous.
Scarlet's answer had to be tricky, leading away from specifics. But at the same time, it had to leave Sato feeling like he'd almost touched her secrets so as not to give the impression of avoiding him, especially after all his gifts.
- "You care so much, it warms the soul. But my thoughts are too messy to lay them out right now. Maybe next time I'll tell you.... if you're as persistent."
Rick sent the message and immediately closed his eyes, listening to the voice from the synthesizer. At that moment, his plan seemed to begin to take shape. Sato is a cunning and careful opponent, but even his curiosity can be turned into a weapon.
The phone vibrated again. Sato answered faster than Rick expected, as if he had been sitting with the phone in his hands the whole time, waiting for a response.
"Persistent? Hmm, do I look like someone who gives up? Scarlet, I'm not leaving you alone until you tell me. I may already know what's bothering you, but I'd rather hear it from you in person."
Rick took a deep breath, feeling the tension of the wordplay squeezing his chest harder and harder. Sato was clearly not the type to be easily confused or left unsatisfied with vague answers. Every phrase he spoke was like a blade piercing his defenses, forcing Rik to find more subtle ways to win this verbal duel.
"Oh, you really think you understand me, Sato?" - Rick mentally grinned, starting up the synthesizer.
- "You know, sometimes you're too perceptive, it's scary. But I'm not as simple as you might think. Sometimes my thoughts are too chaotic to read. But I appreciate your attention, it's, uh. more than I can put into words."
The voice that came out of the synthesizer sounded gentle, like barely a touch of silk. Rick himself was still amazed at times at how natural it seemed.
Sato responded almost instantly.
"Not so simple? Oh, that's something I realized a long time ago. You're the most puzzling puzzle I've ever encountered. But isn't that the whole point? I'd spend all night long trying to figure you out. Scarlet, you're worth it."
Rick felt the corners of his lips quiver. Sato had a knack for not just capturing attention, but turning the situation around in a way that any other player would have found themselves completely captivated by his words.
"Too good to be true. Or are you really what you want to appear to be?" - Rick thought, feeling the excitement building up inside.
Another line appeared on the screen, but now it was accompanied by the offer of a voice call.
"No, no, no, no, not again!" - In a panic, Rick quickly grabbed the synthesizer and checked the settings. The "answer" button was already pressed and the phone screen came to life, displaying Sato's crystal-clear voice.
- "Good evening, Scarlet. I hope I didn't disturb your privacy?"
Rick took a deep breath, trying to quell his inner panic.
- "Sato, you know how much I appreciate peace of mind. But with you... it's different. You always bring something... interesting."
A second of silence on the line. It seemed Sato was pausing on purpose to make his interlocutor even more nervous.
- "I'm glad you think so. Hopefully next time you'll let me do more than just disturb your peace of mind."
Rick bit his lip, trying not to give away his true state of mind. This game was getting deeper and deeper, and there was no getting out of it.
- "What do you mean Sato by 'do more?" - Rick asked through the synthesizer. Sato was silent for a moment, as if weighing his words. There was a hidden subtext in his pause that Rick couldn't immediately decipher. Then his voice came out, deep and calm, but with a slight note of provocation.
- "Scarlet, you do realize that I'm not just talking about words. Sometimes actions say more than we dare to say."
Rick tensed, trying not to betray confusion. "Damn, he's playing, and playing masterfully," he thought, forcing himself to smile so it would be reflected in his voice.
- "You're a master of innuendo, Sato. But why don't you be a little more direct? After all, it's not every day I hear such cryptic suggestions."
Sato laughed softly, but there was something both warm and wary in that laugh.
- "Straightforwardness... it's boring, don't you think? If I just say I want to see you, hear you laugh, and maybe find out what's behind your armor, you'll think I'm ordinary. And I think you deserve more than banal confessions."
Rick felt his heart beat faster. This game of intrigue was getting dangerous.
- "Sato, you obviously love words. But I wonder if you're hiding behind them. Maybe you're afraid of being rejected?"
This time Sato didn't answer immediately. His words seemed to be carefully chosen.
- "Rejection? Maybe. But with you... I'm willing to take the risk. Every risk in your case is worth it. Although... maybe I should give you a chance to make a move first. Or would you rather I take the initiative?"
Rick, trying to maintain control, took a deep breath. The synthesizer gave off a voice full of softness and confidence:
- "Let's just say I'm not used to this kind of challenge. But maybe that's what's so interesting about it. So, Sato, it's your move. Let's see how brave you are."
Sato smiled, and though Rick couldn't see it, he felt it.
- "Scarlet, you're amazing. But I'm used to proving it with actions. Wait, and maybe you'll realize that my courage knows no bounds."
The call cut off, leaving Rick in silence. He leaned back in his chair, feeling the tension from the conversation begin to let go.
"What the hell was that?" - he thought, looking at the phone. Sato's every word was as if carefully calculated, like the moves of a skilled chess player. And now Rick realized that this game was just beginning, and it was going to be harder to get out of it than he'd anticipated.