Several days had passed in relative silence after graduation. In his familiar yet now spacious room, devoid of the school routine, Leo lay staring at the ceiling. The graduation photo on his desk—a stiff, captured moment—was a silent reminder of a chapter that had ended.
"Just like that, it's over," he murmured. This transition felt strange. His previous life hadn't offered him such a pause. There was always the next mission, the next threat. Now... there was only waiting. Waiting for the market to move, waiting for time to pass.
Confusion began to creep in. His financial plans were on the right track (albeit high-risk). 38 Bitcoin waited in his digital wallet, promising a different future. But after that? After the debts were paid and wealth achieved?
The memory of his silent, luxurious penthouse haunted him again. Wealth that felt like ash in his mouth. Piercing loneliness. The biggest regret of his life filled with blood and darkness: dying alone, without love, without a wife.
"WITHOUT A WIFE..." he whispered to the dull ceiling. Priorities that once seemed trivial now felt urgent. "Money's in progress. Just the WIFE left!"
His hand moved automatically to grab his phone. The gallery opened, displaying moments from their awkward dates. A selfie at the gelato shop—him with an expression bordering on panic and Liana laughing freely. A photobooth strip—him freezing in surprise at a kiss on the cheek, Liana smiling radiantly.
A rare, genuine smile tugged at Leo's lips. Not the victorious smile of a completed mission, but an amused smile at his own foolishness, his strangeness captured on camera. "Heh heh heh." A small laugh, raspy from disuse, escaped his throat.
The realization hit him like an unexpected Yeop Chagi kick. Damn. That confession in the cafeteria... it was just a strategy at first. A tool to gain trust, to smooth the rescue mission, aka... a necessary lie.
But now... He looked again at the photo of Liana laughing. The warmth of her fried rice. The comfort of walking in the park with her, even filled with strange analyses. The illogical heartbeat when their skin briefly touched in the photobooth. This isn't acting. This isn't manipulation. Damn it. I... I'm really falling for her... I really love her.
The feeling was foreign, a little frightening in its vulnerability, but undeniable. Logical analysis couldn't refute it this time.
An impulsive urge—a mixture of waiting boredom, the warmth of recent memories, and the realization of his newfound feelings—took over. He pressed Liana's number.
In her quiet home, Liana sat at her study table, surrounded by stacks of books and drawing tools. She was trying to concentrate on color theory for her art university entrance exam, but her thoughts occasionally drifted to the events of the past few days. To Leo. The strange boy who had suddenly appeared in her life like a small storm, leaving behind chaos, unexpected protection, and a pleasantly confusing feeling.
Her phone vibrated on the table, displaying the name 'Leo'. A small smile immediately bloomed on her lips, a hint of amusement mixed with anticipation. This kid again... What does he need now? She answered it.
"Hello, Leo?" she greeted, trying to keep her tone neutral, though there was a slight cheerful note in it. "What's up? Don't tell me you found an anomaly in the Bitcoin price chart and need aerodynamic analysis?"
At the other end of the line, Leo's slightly nervous voice was heard, followed by a brief silence. "Uh... no. No chart anomalies. The market is moving according to short-term predictions." Another silence. Then, in a voice that clearly tried to sound casual but failed miserably, he continued, "I was just... thinking... it's standard and normal procedure for someone to contact another individual who... uh... is the focus of their positive attention?" He clearly struggled to string together the word 'normal'.
Liana couldn't help but giggle. She leaned back in her chair, a pencil in her hand tapping against her sketchbook. She decided to play with him a little. "Oh reallyyy? Just a 'focus of positive attention'? Hmmm... I thought the last operational terminology I heard was 'potential wife'?" she teased, enjoying how she could hear Leo slightly choke on the other end.
"That... that was the conclusion of a probability analysis based on long-term data that is still ongoing!" Leo retorted quickly, his tone defensive but not angry. "The status isn't final yet but... the probability is high!!"
"High probability, huh?" Liana laughed again. "Alright then, Mr. Probability. So what's the purpose of this 'standard procedure to contact the focus of positive attention' this time? Besides testing my patience, of course."
"I..." Leo hesitated for a moment. "I just... wanted to hear your voice?" The admission came out so easily, sounding very unlike the usual Leo, almost... shy.
It was Liana's turn to be silent for a moment, slightly surprised by the unexpected honesty. Her cheeks felt a little warm. "Oh," was all she could say at first. Then she smiled. "Well then. You've heard it. Mission accomplished?"
"Not yet," Leo replied quickly. "The call duration parameters have not been met."
"Duration parameters?" Liana laughed again. "Is there a minimum duration for a 'normal' phone call, Leo?"
"I don't know," Leo admitted honestly. "I'm still collecting data... and I wanted to hear your voice longer."
And somehow, the strange conversation began to flow. Liana asked about Leo's plans after graduation, besides 'waiting for the market to move'.
"I'm considering several options," Leo replied. "Perhaps deepening my studies in quantum physics? Or studying advanced materials engineering techniques? Maybe even starting personal research on renewable energy efficiency." The plans sounded very ambitious and unusual for a high school graduate.
"Wow," said Liana. "That all sounds... very Leo. No plans for... taking dance classes or anything like that?"
"Dance classes?" Leo sounded confused. "What is their practical application in a survival scenario or market analysis?"
"None!" Liana laughed. "It's just for fun, Leo! Something normal people do!"
"Ah. 'Having fun'. A concept still in the evaluation phase," Leo muttered.
It was Leo's turn to ask Liana about her university entrance exam preparations. He didn't ask casual questions like "How's your studying going?". His questions were much more specific:
"Which color theory memorization techniques are you using? Is the mnemonic method or spatial repetition more effective for your memory capacity?"
"For the anatomy drawing practical exam, are you focusing on the accuracy of muscle proportions or the fluidity of movement lines?"
"How do you manage your study schedule? Are you implementing the Pomodoro Technique for focus efficiency?"
Liana answered the technical questions patiently, sometimes feeling like she was being interrogated by a lecturer, but she also realized that behind the strange questions, there was genuine interest from Leo in what she was doing. Leo really listened to her answers, even offering strange but sometimes useful logical suggestions ("Consider using digital 3D models to understand lighting on complex muscle structures, it's more efficient than relying solely on 2D references").
They even had a small debate about the ending of a sci-fi anime series.
"It doesn't make sense for the mecha pilot to sacrifice himself," Leo said flatly. "Based on tactical analysis, there were at least three evasion maneuvers he could have performed with a probability of success above 60%."
"But Leo!" exclaimed Liana. "That's for the drama! Heroic sacrifice! It makes the story more emotional!"
"Emotions are inefficient variables in combat," Leo countered. "Logic and survival should be the priority."
"You really have no romantic bone in your body, do you?" Liana sighed, but she sounded more amused than annoyed.
Their conversation jumped from one topic to another—from an analysis of the efficiency of park bench design (again) to a debate about whether artificial intelligence would reach singularity in the next 20 years (Leo had very specific predictions). There were many awkward moments, silences filled only with the sound of breathing, but there were also bursts of laughter (mostly from Liana) and unexpected moments of understanding.
Leo found himself actively trying to find 'normal' topics to talk about, even though his efforts often ended in strange technical analyses. He also realized how much he enjoyed hearing Liana's voice—her intonation, her laughter, even when she sighed in frustration at his logic.
Liana, on the other hand, began to see beyond Leo's strangeness. She saw a sharp intelligence, a brutal honesty (which was oddly refreshing), and a genuine care behind his rigid demeanor. She began to feel comfortable talking to him, even enjoying their awkwardness.
Several hours passed without them noticing. The sun was beginning to set when Liana glanced at the clock on her wall.
"Oh my gosh, Leo! Have we been talking this whole time?" she said in surprise.
"Data indicates the call duration is 2 hours and 47 minutes," Leo reported. "Does this exceed the normal limit?"
Liana laughed. "For you? This might be a new record." She smiled. "But... I didn't mind."
"Me neither," Leo replied, his flat voice sounding a little softer. "Thank you for... collecting data with me."
"You're welcome, Mr. Analyst," Liana replied warmly. "Call again sometime. But maybe not too early?"
"Noted. Call time parameters will be adjusted."
After hanging up, Liana leaned back in her chair, a smile still on her face. A feeling of confusion mixed with amusement and warmth filled her. Leo was truly... unique.
Meanwhile, in his room, Leo stared at his phone with a nachdenklich expression. A light and... pleasant? ... feeling settled in his chest. Extended social interaction wasn't as bad as he had imagined, at least not with Liana.
The next day, that light feeling mixed with familiar boredom. The crypto market was stable. There were no immediate threats (as far as he knew). What should he do? He needed... new data? Or maybe he just wanted to see Liana again after their pleasant conversation last night.
The impulsive idea arose again: visit Liana. This time he didn't try to rationalize it as a 'reconnaissance mission'. He just wanted to see her.
He walked towards Liana's housing complex, his steps a little lighter than usual. He didn't even analyze his surroundings too much, his mind filled with awkward anticipation of seeing Liana.
As he turned the last corner towards Liana's house, his steps slowed, then stopped completely. His heart seemed to drop.
In front of Liana's house, the girl was standing on the porch, laughing freely—a different laugh from the one he heard when talking to her on the phone. A laugh that sounded freer, more intimate. And she wasn't alone.
A young man, maybe a few years older, neatly dressed like a popular college student, stood in front of her, smiling broadly. The man handed a folder or thick book to Liana, who received it enthusiastically. They chatted for a few more moments, looking very comfortable with each other, before the man waved and walked away in the opposite direction.
Liana stood there for a moment longer, looking at the folder/book with a bright smile on her face, before finally going inside the house.
Leo remained rooted to the spot, partially hidden by the shadow of a tree. The light feeling from before vanished instantly, replaced by a cold, piercing, and unpleasant sensation in his chest. It wasn't logical jealousy—he had no right to that yet—but more like... doubt. A disturbing uncertainty.
'Identity: Unknown. Relationship Status with Subject: Appears Familiar (High Level). Interaction Content: Exchange of object (book/folder?), accompanied by positive emotional responses (laughter, smile). Potential Implications: Rival? Alternative source of information for the subject? Unexpected variable in the 'Potential Wife' scenario?'
His analysis stalled again on the implications. The uncomfortable feeling intensified, gnawing at the semblance of certainty he had just felt.
"Damn it," he whispered softly, his flat voice now sounding a little hoarse with a new, undefined emotion. "Who is he?"
The walls that had just begun to crumble around his heart seemed to thicken again. This mission was turning out to be much more complicated than just beating the market and thugs. There was another human variable he hadn't accounted for.