Soul Drive: Ignition

Chapter 4: Power

Hiro stared at the old cellphone, its plastic casing cracked and worn from years of use. He traced his fingers along the edges, feeling the weight of history in his hands. His heart raced with anticipation as he connected the device to an old charger he had found in his uncle's storage shed. He held his breath, watching for any signs of life on the small screen, but was met only with darkness. Disappointment washed over him as he gently placed the phone on the side table, wondering if its secrets would remain locked away.

"Maybe it's just not meant to be," Hiro sighed to himself before heading downstairs to join his uncle for breakfast.

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Meanwhile, Masato strode confidently down the sterile halls of the mental institution just outside of Osaka, a manila folder clutched tightly in his hand. The fluorescent lights overhead flickered, casting eerie shadows on the tiled floor. Masato couldn't help but smile as he thought about the contents of the file – the key to unlocking the true potential of the Mach armor.

"Imagine the power this will bring," he mused, his thoughts filled with visions of a brighter future. "I'm going to change the world." His eyes gleamed with determination, and he allowed himself a small chuckle.

As he approached the room of sixteen-year-old Nori Aoki, a nurse swiped her key card and opened the door for Masato. Her face was tight with concern. "Mr. Tanaka, I must warn you that Nori is quite dangerous. We'll have security on standby, but please be prepared to evacuate the room at any moment."

"Thank you, but I assure you we won't be here long," Masato replied, his tone dismissive yet confident. The nurse furrowed her brow, clearly puzzled by his response, but she stepped back and allowed him to enter Nori's room.

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Hiro sat at the kitchen table, his thoughts still lingering on the unresponsive cell phone upstairs. He mechanically shoveled spoonfuls of rice and egg into his mouth, barely tasting the food as his mind raced with possibilities.

"Something on your mind, Hiro?" his uncle asked, noting his nephew's distracted demeanor.

"Ah, no, it's nothing," Hiro replied, forcing a smile. "Just thinking about school and stuff."

"Alright, but don't forget to enjoy your breakfast," his uncle chided gently, shaking his head at Hiro's propensity for getting lost in thought.

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Back at the institution, Masato stood tall before Nori, who regarded him with an air of indifference. Despite Nori's muscular build and shaved head, there was a vulnerability in his eyes that betrayed his longing for acceptance and understanding. Masato knew he had found the perfect candidate for the Mach armor – someone willing to push boundaries and take risks. All he had to do now was convince Nori to join him.

"Are you ready to make history?" Masato asked, his voice a mix of challenge and promise. The game had begun.

Masato extended his hand towards Nori, offering a firm handshake. "The name is Masato Tanaka," he said, his voice steady and assertive. Nori's eyes narrowed as he stared coldly at the outstretched hand, refusing to return the gesture.

"Get out before I kill you," Nori warned, a dangerous glint in his eyes. Masato remained unfazed, retracting his hand without any sign of disappointment.

"Interesting proposition," Masato mused, placing both hands in his pockets as he paced around the room. "But I have a better one for you. A deal that would grant you your freedom and more."

Nori's eyebrows raised ever so slightly, curiosity piqued. "And what kind of deal would that be?" he asked skeptically.

"An opportunity to kill without consequence. To be paid handsomely for it, no less," Masato explained, pulling out the Mach 2 device from within his jacket. The old VR headset appeared relatively unremarkable, but its true power was far beyond what its exterior suggested.