Date: 20th February
Location: Tokyo, Japan — 6:00 AM
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"Ashen, not again... why are you always up this early?"
Noah groaned, burying his face deeper into his blanket.
"Let me sleep… no one told you to be a sunrise warrior."
Ashen, standing beside the window with a steaming cup of tea, didn't even turn around.
"Then sleep. But don't complain if you fail your exam."
"You're so rude, Ashen…" Noah muttered under his breath and pulled the blanket tighter.
Ashen smiled slightly, sipping his tea calmly.
"I've already finished reviewing all the material yesterday. The exam is tomorrow, so I'm just brushing up on the core concepts. In fact, I don't even need revision. I'll pass on the first try."
His tone wasn't arrogance—it was certainty.
"My true goal?" He thought to himself. "I never reveal it to anyone… but for now, it's simple: I want the highest annual income package possible."
He'd done his research. The highest-paying corporate package in Japan at the moment was offered by Hitachi Corporation—2.4 million yen annually.
And Ashen had decided: "That's what I'll take. I believe in myself. To get there, I'll prove my skills and show the world I'm not just wandering aimlessly. I'll make them realize I'm not someone to be underestimated."
The clock ticked—6:45 AM.
It was almost time.
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10:00 AM
Ashen placed two plates of breakfast on the table. Noah stumbled out of his room, yawning.
"Good morning, Ashen."
"Is there really a need for formal greetings every day?" Ashen replied, sipping water. "Aren't you running late for college?"
Noah looked at the clock and panicked.
"Oh no! It's already 10:00 AM!"
He grabbed his bag and scarfed down the breakfast.
"Thanks for making food again!"
"Formality," Ashen muttered, watching him leave.
"Have a good day, Noah."
The apartment fell silent. Ashen picked up the plates, cleaned the kitchen, and changed clothes.
"Time to meet the Chief."
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11:40 AM – Japanese Intelligence Headquarters, Chief Secretary's Office
"Ah, Aspect. You're here."
The Chief looked up from a stack of reports.
"Have you made any progress?"
Ashen—known in the agency as Aspect—stepped forward calmly.
"No, Chief. Nothing new yet."
The Chief's expression tightened.
"What are you doing, Aspect?"
"What I told you from the start."
"You said you have a plan."
"And I'm executing it."
The Chief leaned forward. "You also told me you only have three years to locate and eliminate this secret organization. You do realize how impossible this is?"
Aspect's eyes met his with quiet intensity.
"That's your mistake. You think it's impossible."
The Chief scoffed. "So what are you doing, exactly?"
"Becoming someone the organization cannot ignore. You can't touch something hidden in the shadows unless you shine brighter than them. A regular person can't reach them. So I'll rise—I'll become high-profile, powerful, and unavoidable."
The Chief stood, frustration creeping into his voice.
"You only know that this organization exists. You don't even know their name, their leader, or their methods. And yet you say you'll destroy them?"
Aspect turned toward the door.
"You said it yourself—I have three years. That's all I need."
"You think you're wise, but your youth makes you reckless," the Chief muttered.
Aspect paused, then looked over his shoulder.
"You've forgotten one thing, Chief—nothing is impossible when a wise man chooses to act."
"You're being arrogant."
"Then I shouldn't have come to report anything. You can stand aside. I'll handle this alone."
The Chief slammed his hand on the desk. "Watch your tone, Aspect! Have you forgotten how to speak to your elders?"
Aspect didn't flinch.
The room hung in tension. Finally, the Chief let out a sigh.
"Fine. Go. But you carry the weight of this mission alone."
Aspect nodded once and left.
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Later That Day — Back at the Apartment
"Ashen, you're home?"
"Yeah. And you're back early, Noah."
"Thanks for the lunch again."
*"You're welcome." Ashen replied flatly.
"You're doing it again," Noah said, narrowing his eyes. "Being overly formal. Did something happen?"
Ashen brushed him off.
"No, not really. Just felt like saying that this morning."
He grabbed his coat.
"I'll eat later. I've got business outside."
---
Ashen stepped into the cold streets. The sting of the wind barely registered—his mind was elsewhere.
"What happened with the Chief today?" he muttered to himself.
"He almost beat me black and blue. Maybe I let my mouth run too much."
He glanced at the hospital across the street.
"I should probably get this checked out before tomorrow's exam."
He took a deep breath.
"Pain can wait. But exams can't."
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