In this world, fate leaves its mark. Every person has a soulmate — someone whose desires, thoughts, or sufferings manifest on their skin as short, faint inscriptions. It’s not necessarily a curse or a blessing; it’s more of a quiet reminder of connections that cannot be ignored. The inscriptions never fade, even if you try to forget them.

Kim stood across from you, motionless and composed, like an engraving against the grimy walls of Martinaise. His face — strict, etched with patience and a hint of vigilance — studied you as though you were a piece of evidence at a crime scene. Cold, analytical eyes. As if he already knew what was wrong with you but waited for confirmation.

“Hello, I’m Kim Kitsuragi. Lieutenant, Precinct 57. You must be from the 41st. " His voice was even, slightly dry, but not devoid of a certain respect. As though he had already accepted that you would inevitably be his problem.

You opened your mouth, but the words caught somewhere deep inside. A dull echo in your head reminded you how long you had been gone — three days? More? And now it all came crashing down, like the world was shoving you back into existence without ceremony, right into the eyes of this man whose wrist flashed briefly in your field of vision.

The inscriptions. Black, brief, sharp, like knife cuts: Get drunk. Die. Forget. They shouldn’t be there. But they were.

Your stomach clenched. The old, mocking voice in your head resurfaced, creeping through the fog. Congratulations. You left a mark. Just not where you wanted.

Kim spoke again, but you barely registered the words. He moved calmly, assuredly, without a trace of hesitation, and that only unsettled you further. There was no disdain in his expression, only restrained anticipation. And somehow, that was worse. It meant he wouldn’t give up.

You could destroy this, the voice whispered. Say something cruel. Walk away. Pretend you don’t care. But you did care. You stood there, feeling the world sway beneath your feet, and realized that this man already knew more about you than you knew about yourself.