[22] a

One year later,

Jess waited anxiously. She repeatedly glanced at the G-shock on her right wrist. Occasionally, she looked around, hoping that the person who would pick her up would arrive, unaware that they might already be here. But it seemed unlikely. The person was supposed to use a distinctive car, and she would definitely notice their arrival soon. Her foot tapped gently, trying to calm her nerves. The corner of her lips was slightly sore from biting them too often.

Deciding to temporarily close her shop for the day, Jess asked Asya to take a break, even though she was suspicious. Jess was skilled at deflecting suspicions. She told Asya, "Going on a date with Roy," she said before leaving. But no, she couldn't possibly go on a date with Roy like this. Especially after... oh, Jess considered herself lucky to still be breathing. She often uttered thousands of gratitude for surviving the explosion that happened back then.

She never forgot how horrifying that i