Chapter 1
The Nocturnal Escape

I was staring at my screen, eyes reddened. Through the window, the silver gleam of the moon danced fleetingly, slightly disturbing my vision and silently reminding me of the world outside. 9:30 p.m., and the open-plan office was almost deserted.

The sharp clatter of a keyboard broke the silence. It was Hiro, that thirty-something with inexhaustible energy. I watched him out of the corner of my eye.

Hey, Yoshi! he called out suddenly. You planning to crash on your keyboard or what?

Pulled from my torpor, I mumbled: I still have files to wrap up.

Hiro stood, stretching noisily. That crap will still be here tomorrow, for fuck's sake. It's a damn vicious circle if you don't know how to ease off.

He was not wrong. How long had it been since I had taken a real evening for myself?

Listen, man, he went on, loosening his tie, I've got a date tonight with a girl. Why don't you join us? It'd take your mind off things, dammit.

I don't want to impose, I hesitated, true to my usual reserve.

He snickered. You're not imposing on anything, I'm inviting you. And she might bring a friend. Who knows? Could be your night, old man.

Torn, I weighed the pros and cons. My routine was calling me, but wasn't it the very thing eating me from the inside?

Come on, one fucking evening, Hiro insisted. What have you got to lose?

Something in me—fatigue, or a wish for change—gave way. All right, I'm coming.

His face lit up with a broad smile. Perfect! It'll do you good to get out of your lair, old man.

As I put my things away, I noticed a few petals fallen from the plant on my desk. I picked them up mechanically, wondering vaguely when it had started losing its flowers.

We headed for the elevator, our footsteps echoing in the deserted corridor. Once we were inside, the doors closed with a hiss. The air there was cooler.

Hiro kept talking to me about Akiko and the bar. A faint perfume hung in the air, mingling floral and woody notes. I breathed it in discreetly, savouring this feminine trail that stirred my curiosity. I smiled inwardly, thinking that the evening was starting rather well. Hiro went on with his monologue, enthusiastically explaining the details of how he had met Akiko.

The elevator stopped with a chime, the doors opening onto the lobby. The feeling of cold vanished at once. As we stepped out, the night lighting seemed to waver for a moment. I blinked, and everything went back to normal.

By the way, said Hiro, the Regency Bar is a slightly unusual place. Loads of guys playing chess.

Intrigued in spite of myself, I repeated: Chess?

Yeah, crazy, huh? Hiro replied, scratching his chest with a casual gesture. There's a unique atmosphere. Players of every level going at each other. Sometimes you can even spot pros who come incognito for a few games. And the waitresses aren't bad either.

Now that caught my attention. This night might well hold a few surprises.

Sounds interesting, I said. And Akiko, does she play too?

Hiro smiled. You'll see, old man. Come on, let's go before I change my mind and drag you back to work!