Reunite

We sped away from the chaos, the burning building shrinking in the distance as we approached the prison gates.
“We’re here,” Layla announced, parking the car with her usual calm. “Rui, you go with the president to get Gaku.”
“Why me?” I protested, exhaustion seeping into my voice.
“Because,” Layla replied, leaning back in her seat as though the answer was obvious, “I’m the only one here who can actually fend off AI if they show up. If either you or the president stays alone in the car, you’d be sitting ducks for the robots to kidnap.”
“Damn common sense,” I muttered under my breath. Reluctantly, I stepped out of the car. The president followed suit, adjusting his suit jacket.
“All right, lead the way,” I said, already feeling the fatigue setting in.
We approached the imposing prison, its walls towering over us like a fortress. As we entered, the sound of our footsteps echoed against the cold, sterile floors. The guards inside immediately stiffened at the sight of the president. Two stood at attention by the entrance, two more flanked the walls, and three others stood behind a counter.
The moment the guards recognized the president, they snapped into a formal salute.
“This is unexpected, Mr. President. How can we assist you?” one of the men behind the counter asked, his tone a mixture of surprise and professionalism.
“Bring me Gaku Hoshino,” the president said, his voice steady and commanding.
The request sent a ripple of activity through the room. Without hesitation, the guards sprang into action, picking up phones and radioing other personnel. Orders were relayed, and I could see the urgency in their movements.
“Isn’t there supposed to be, like, 100+ questions before you let someone out of jail?” I asked, side-eyeing the president as we waited.
“Gaku is in an isolated jail,” the president explained calmly. “I made that decision because I knew I’d need him again. He’s too valuable—his brain is a national asset. Keeping him in isolation ensures his safety and makes transport more efficient.”
“Ah… makes sense,” I muttered, nodding slowly.
Five minutes later, three guards approached with a man in tow. He looked like he was in his twenties, with dark brown hair that seemed perpetually messy and light blue eyes that gave him a sleepy, laid-back appearance.
“Is that Gaku?” I asked the president, tilting my head.
“That’s him,” the president confirmed.
“Is he… still sane?”
“He should be.”
The guards unlocked Gaku’s handcuffs, and he stretched his arms lazily, as if he’d just woken up from a nap. The three of us then began walking back toward the car.
“Heeeey, Gaku…” I said, turning to him with a grin. “Do you recognize me?”
“You sound familiar…” Gaku said, narrowing his eyes slightly as he studied me. Then, his expression lit up. “Wait, are you Ohashi Rui?!”
“Bingo!”
“OMG! It’s amazing to meet you in person!” Gaku exclaimed, suddenly wide awake. “How on earth did you pull off time travel?!”
“I’ve got a full file of theory about this at my house,” I replied with a smirk. “I can let you take a look if you’re interested.”
“Please! I need to see it! I have so many questions!”
“Sure thing,” I said with a chuckle.
When we reached the car, we found Layla sitting inside with her headphones on, scrolling through her phone like nothing in the world mattered.
Knock, knock. The president rapped on the window to get her attention.
“She’s not responding…” the president grumbled.
“I could send her a message,” Gaku offered. “Wait, where’s my phone?”
“They didn’t give it back to you?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Nope,” Gaku replied casually. “Layla probably has it. She took it when I was first arrested and, I’m guessing, never gave it back.”
“And no one cared?”
“In the official records, it’s probably listed as ‘in custody.’”
“Wait—how do you even know that?” I asked, confused.
“It’s a prediction,” Gaku said with a shrug. “And the fact that I don’t have my phone right now proves my prediction was correct.”
“You realize I’m standing right here?” the president interjected, clearly annoyed.
“You’re not important right now,” I replied dismissively.
“Should I have you arrested too?”
“Go ahead, but then you’ll lose your shot at time travel,” I said, smirking.
“Annoying brat…” the president muttered under his breath.
Just then, the car window rolled down, and Layla poked her head out. “You guys are back? That took forever. Why didn’t you knock?”
“We did!” the president and I shouted in unison.
“Oh, hey, Gaku,” Layla said nonchalantly, as if she’d only just noticed him. “How are you?”
“Sleepy,” Gaku replied with a small grin, “but also really excited.”

To be continued…

[Author's note:]
Today's a short chapter... I have been very buisy recently. Next week, the chapter could be longer, but I can't fully confirm. I might still be buisy. That's all for now, see you next chapter!