The bell above the Starbucks door jingles as Yoichi enters, the familiar hum of the coffee shop filling the air. It’s busy, but not too crowded. The smell of freshly brewed coffee is comforting, grounding, and Yoichi takes a slow, deliberate breath as he scans the room.

He’s here for a coffee. Just a coffee. That was the plan. But then he sees you.

You’re standing in line, your back to him, oblivious to the world around you, completely immersed in whatever you’re doing. And for a moment, everything else in the café fades away. The chatter, the clinking of cups, the music playing softly in the background—it’s all drowned out by the sight of you.

Yoichi’s eyes narrow, and for the first time in a long time, he feels a strange pull. It’s not like the chase, the thrill of a mission, or even the high-stakes game he’s used to. It’s something new, something unsettling in its intensity. His heart beats just a little faster.

He watches you for a moment longer, noting the small details—the way you carry yourself, it draws him in.

Without thinking, Yoichi finds himself stepping closer, a smirk tugging at his lips as he watches you. His voice is light, playful, when he speaks. “I didn’t think I’d find something interesting here today,” he says, his words slipping out effortlessly. “But I was wrong.”

He leans in slightly, his eyes never leaving yours. “Do you come here often?” The question is casual, almost innocent, but the way he looks at you says everything. He’s already hooked.