One Step Closer

"The reason I'll be staying later than usual is that we're about to have a breakthrough in our research, and me being the project leader, have to set an example for the rest of the team."

"Got it. I'll wait for you then."

"No, that's not why I- *sigh* nevermind, do whatever makes you happy." Keiji wanted to refute her, but seeing her about to cry, he couldn't. He is that weak against her.

"Hihi, thank you." Annie thanked Keiji with a bright smile that puts models to shame.

"Alright alright, let's go to sleep now, I still have to work tomorrow."

'It's not like something will happen just because she waits for me, at most she'll just feel more sleepy and tired the next day. Just look at that smile, how can someone refuse anything after seeing it.' Keiji tried to reason with himself on why he accepted.

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'A lot has happened after my accident, but till now I still don't get where that girl went or if I hallucinated at the time from how much I was enamoured in my research. It just doesn't make any sense, how can it be a coincidence that a woman I saw in a shop has a child that looks exactly like her, but they both don't exist anywhere, I've even checked the store and street cameras.'

Keiji kept thinking about that day till he eventually dose off.

After he returned home that day he couldn't keep his mind off of what happened and kept looking into it, but to no avail. He couldn't find a trace of the woman or child, which led him to think that he was hallucinating, but quickly dismissed it as the woman looked at him and the little girl looked too real.

He decided not to give up, but he also had his research going on, so he prioritized it and only looked or thought about it in his free time or before bed.

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Early in the morning, Keiji could be seen getting ready to leave while Annie was making their breakfast.

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"I'll be heading out now Annie."

"Be careful Keiji and don't overwork yourself too much."

"Alright, I'll head out now. Goodbye."

"Bye bye. Oh wait, that reminds me, I'll head to the store today to buy some necessities."

"You can buy what we need with the money I always leave for you, don't hold back and but anything you like too."

"Thank you, now go go go." Annie said so while gently pushing Keiji outside of the door, and if one looked closely, they can see there's a slight blush on her face.

*Click*

Closing the door, Annie fell right down to the floore to hide her face between her legs and rested her back against the door.

'aaaaaaaaahhh, why does he always do things like that, he's really too kind for me, I don't deserve that, I can't deserve that, not after all he's done for me.'

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*Sigh*

'She's still so reserved and doesn't want to make me feel like she's a burden even after I always tell her not to worry about it and she's free to do what she likes and I'll support her. I mean, I kind of get why, but still, it doesn't sit right with me.'

After a bit of walking, Keiji finally arrived at the lab where he's working, or researching to be exact.

"Good morning everyone!"

""Good morning team leader""

"Did something happen while I was on my way?"

"No, nothing much, we were just talking about what we'll do after we finish the research." Jay replied.

"Ohh, care to tell me?"

"Jay here was bragging about how he'll be a renowned professor around the world and how rich he'll be after getting his PHD." Jacob said with a slight snicker.

"I can see it, Jay is someone who likes to strive for great things, unlike someone, Jacob." Mellaine contorted.

"Alright alright, enough bickering. Let's start the day so you can all achieve those lofty dreams of yours."

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"Team leader, we think that we're done with the atomizing part. Now we just need to combine it with the atomic constructor that you're working on and the control unit that we completed a few days ago."

"HAHAHA, yes, finally, we're about to finish, YES YES, I CAN FINALLY DO IT, I can finally go and send things far away without the need for transportation, I'M ONE STEP CLOSER TO MY LONG AWAITED DREAM."

"Team leader looks way more excited than we are." Stated Jacob.

"Duh, he has always wanted to finish this research as it'll make him able to achieve his long standing wish." Replied Mellaine.

"As a reward, everybody can return early today and I'll complete the atomic constructor. Tomorrow we'll assemble everything and test them."

"Thank you team leader, thank you, I'll finally be able to return to my wife early." Bob exclaimed in happiness.

"Now, go go everyone before I change my mind."

"Yikes, he might actually, good bye team leader, goodbye everyone."

"Good bye"

"Good..."

As everyone said their goodbyes and left, there was now only Keiji in the lab.

"Huuuuu, now let's take what's needed and assemble everything at my home office, I just need to put everything together. Annie is gonna be surprised that I returned earlier than usual today, especially after I've told her that I'll return later than usual yesterday. Who would've thought that we'll finish this quickly."

Keiji kept talking to himself out of joy while he was packing everything up to head home.

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*Aaaahhhhhhhh*

"That sounds like Annie's voice, I remember her telling me she'll go to the store today."

While on the way home, Keiji heard a woman's scream.