The shrill sound of the sirens echoed through the street, mingling with muffled screams. My heart raced in an erratic rhythm, fear coursing through every fiber of my being. The police were closing in swiftly, and there I was, at the epicenter of a jewellery store heist, incapable of action. What could an ex-IT employee do in such a situation? Accepting my fate and bracing for the worst seemed like the only option, but there was so much more to this story…

It all started in a time when life felt like a monotonous and uninteresting trail. My name is Hina, Hina Takagi. I live in a deprived district of Okinawa alongside my sister Haruka and our mother, Miki Takagi. To make ends meet, I work in a tech store, fixing devices most of the time - diagnosing and resolving common issues in smartphones like cracked screens, quickly draining batteries, software problems, virus clean-ups, and more. I love technology more than anything; I respect codes and have always enjoyed studying the subject. What I earn isn't much, but it helps my mother and sister at home.

Okinawa - 08:30

Hina: Good morning, I'm here for another day of work.

Tanaka: You're late again, Hina. You missed work yesterday, damn it. You know I hate absences, and now you're absent and late. I'll deduct it all from your salary.

Hina: I'm so sorry, Mr. Tanaka. My sister was unwell yesterday, and I had to help her with medication…

Tanaka interrupts: That's your and your family's problem. Your duty is to be in this damn store by 08:00, got it? Next time you do this, consider yourself fired!

Hina: Of course, Mr. Tanaka. I apologize for my lack of commitment to work. Thank you for allowing me to continue working here.

Tanaka: Fine, now get to work. You have 30 computers and 20 phones to fix; I want it all done by the end of today.

Hine: Yes, I'll start right away.

Hina goes to the bathroom, kicks the toilet with frustration. Hina: fuck..

The scene shifts to Miki Takagi caring for Haruka

Haruka: Mum, do you think Hina will get fired?

Miki: No, dear, I think she had a good reason for missing work. Your sister loves you and wants to see you well. If something bad happens to her, I'll personally go and talk to her boss.

Haruka: Hina and you is amazing. I love you both.

Miki: Aw, you're my sweetie <3

Haruka: But what about you, Mum? Is it okay to miss work today?

Miki: Don't worry, darling. I took the day off to take care of you. This day is solely dedicated to…

Haruka begins coughing.

Miki: Sweetheart, tell me what you're feeling. If you continue like this, I won't be able to help you.

Haruka: Mum, I've already told you I'm fi... (Haruka starts coughing again).

Haruka: I want to go to school, Mum.

Miki: You can't, darling. You're sick, and until we solve this problem, you won't go to school. The sooner you tell me what you're feeling, the better. Or do you want me to take you for an injection?

Haruka: No, it's okay, anything but that (Haruka starts coughing again).

Haruka: I'm feeling a strong pain in my chest, that's all I know. Will it go away soon, Mum?

Miki looks at Haruka seriously, and the scene shifts back to Hina.

Hina is attending to a very furious customer.

Customer: Look, I left my phone here yesterday; it should have been fixed by now.

Hina: I'm sorry, ma'am. We had some unexpected issues yesterday, but we're working on fixing your phone now.

Customer: What? This isn't my problem; I want my money back.

Hina: I'm sorry, but we can't refund you as we've already started the repair process.

Customer: Go to hell, give me my money back. I don't care if you started or not; you're at fault here. Where's your manager?

Hina: I apologize, but he left to deal with some issues, so I'm in charge of customer service.

Hina, in her thoughts: "Ah, my God, all I wanted was to be working on a complex encryption system."

After this, more customers arrive at the store demanding their phones and computers. The situation escalates, leaving customers angry, demanding service.

Hina: I'm sorry, we've had technical issues; we'll be...

Hina: "Excuse me, I need to take a call."

Hina receives a call from her mother and goes to the back to answer it.

Hina: "Hi, Mum, I'm really busy here. What's happened?"

Miki: "Hina, dear, I... I don't know how to tell you this."

Hina: "Mum, what happened?"

Miki: "It's your sister."

Hina: "What happened to Haruka, Mum?"

Miki: "She's dying."

Hina's expression becomes blank, and she rushes out of the store, leaving it unattended and vulnerable to being robbed. As she reaches the hospital, she desperately searches for her sister.

Hina: "Where's my sister?"

She asks a hospital staff member if they've seen Haruka.

Staff: "Calm down, you're too frantic."

Hina: "Look, my job is a mess; my boss hates me, I face emotional harassment every day, my life's a mess. I was working just now, and I got a call from my mother saying my sister was dying. Don't ask me to calm down."

Staff: "I'm sorry. Did you say Haruka? Is it Haruka Takagi? She's on the floor above, room B2. Ask the nurse to open the door for you."

Hina runs and finds the room Haruka is in. Her mother opens the door and hugs Hina.

Miki: "I'm so sorry, darling. I'm so sorry…" To be continued...