[99] A little tired

A Few Days Later…

Kaoru stood at the edge of his balcony in Tokyo, gazing at the bustling city below. The cold night air brushed against his face, offering a refreshing sensation after several days of intense recovery in Gosha village. He had decided not to linger there any longer. Once he felt better, he returned to Tokyo immediately, avoiding further visits from clan leaders who wanted to express their gratitude excessively. As usual, Kaoru preferred to work and focus on his entertainment company, which he had established a few years ago.

"Escaping gratitude," Kaoru thought with a faint smile. "I suppose I really don't fit in with all that formality."

He glanced at the stack of documents on his desk, striving to concentrate on his work in the entertainment industry. He found solace in the busyness, a refuge from the heavy responsibilities of being a former hero in an increasingly chaotic world. The supernatural realm was rife with conflict, while business provided him with real control—something he could manage without involving magic or life-and-death battles.

However, deep down, Kaoru knew this escape wouldn't last long.

Just as he finished filling out several forms, Kaoru caught sight of his old smartphone lying on the desk. It was a model from 2022, a relic he had brought from his past, now seeming antiquated in the advanced world of 2082 filled with cutting-edge technology. After a conversation with someone recommended by Asuka a while ago, Kaoru realized just how outdated his phone was.

The person, an information and communication technology (ICT) expert, had come in with a professional demeanor but couldn't hide his surprise upon seeing Kaoru's old phone. The man examined the device closely before shaking his head with a regretful expression.

"What a shame," the man said, his tone flat yet sympathetic. "The brand you have hasn't been produced in years. The company that made it went bankrupt in 2031. So, finding components or repairs for this thing won't be easy. But I have a solution—component transplantation, if you can find a similar phone."

Kaoru looked at his phone, which, despite its age and wear, still held many memories and important information from his past. "Transplantation?" he asked hopefully. "Can you do that?"

The man nodded. "Yes, but we'll need a similar device to harvest its components. And I know someone who might be able to help. He's a collector—collecting old phones and electronics from the last century. He might have the model you need."

Kaoru sighed deeply. This world, with all its advancements, had seemingly forgotten the past. Everything changed so quickly; technology raced ahead, leaving many things behind, including himself. Regardless, it was now 2082, and much of what belonged to his old world was no longer relevant.

He nodded slowly to the man. "Then contact that collector. I want to see if there's hope for fixing this."

"Sure, I'll take care of it," the man replied before excusing himself from the room.

Once the man left, Kaoru fell back into contemplation, feeling alienated in a world that had changed so drastically. Technology, society, even the culture in this world was so different from what he once knew.

---

Upon arriving at his apartment, the door slid open automatically as the sensor recognized his identity. Kaoru stepped inside, and the first sight that greeted him was Asuka in the kitchen. She was wearing an apron over casual clothes, preparing a meal. The delightful aroma of the cooking wafted into the room, creating a warm, homely atmosphere.

"Welcome home, Kaoru!" Asuka exclaimed cheerfully, glancing at him from the kitchen.

Kaoru paused at the threshold, feeling his weariness lift slightly. Asuka's ever-attentive presence made his usually empty apartment feel more alive. He smiled faintly, moving toward the kitchen with light steps. "What are you cooking this time?" he asked, even though the smell had already given him a clue.

Asuka raised a wooden spoon, showing him the pieces of meat that were cooking. "Your favorite—Japanese curry. I thought it would help since you must be tired after a long day."

Kaoru smiled, feeling a bit lighter inside. Seeing Asuka in her apron and casual wear reminded him of those typical domestic scenes, as if she were playing the role of a wife. Even if it was just a roleplay, it somehow managed to make Kaoru feel comfortable—something he needed amidst his busyness.

"It looks delicious," Kaoru said casually, trying to enjoy this peaceful moment. "You always know how to make me feel better."

Asuka smiled while stirring the dish. "Of course! You've always saved me, so consider this my small way of repaying you."

Kaoru nodded, then walked over to the dining table, sitting casually in a chair as he watched Asuka still busy in the kitchen. Although his apartment wasn't large, it felt warmer and livelier with Asuka around. A sense of peace, rarely found in the outside world, began to fill the space.

After a while, Asuka came over with a pot of curry and placed it on the table. She quickly removed her apron and sat across from Kaoru. "Alright, time to eat!" she said excitedly, serving rice and curry onto their plates.

Kaoru started his meal cautiously, and as he savored the rich and warm flavors of the curry, he couldn't help but smile wider. "This is amazing," he said sincerely. "You've really mastered the art of making curry."

Asuka beamed with pride, clearly pleased to hear Kaoru's praise. "Of course! I've been practicing for a while so I can cook well for you."

Dinner proceeded quietly, with light banter occasionally surfacing between them. Despite the challenges and threats outside this apartment, here, in this warm room, Kaoru felt he could momentarily forget everything. Asuka's reason for staying over was also because she craved physical intimacy, and Kaoru didn't mind—he was actually pleased with his girlfriend's openness about it.

They played together for seven hours, and Asuka's vitality seemed to increase. They decided to extend their playtime by two more hours, totaling nine hours, before Kaoru finally took a break.