Café 'Tomorrow' turned out to be smaller and cozier than it appeared from the outside. The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and sweet pastries filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. A few customers sat at small wooden tables, engrossed in books or quiet conversations. Soft jazz music played from hidden speakers. It was a perfectly normal scene, a diorama of peaceful daily life. And Thomas Vance was about to shatter it.
The young waitress, whose name tag read 'Aya', approached his table with a menu. Her smile was professional and welcoming, the kind she had trained to give to hundreds of customers. Her dark brown eyes met Thomas's blue ones.
"Welcome. How may I help you?" she asked in polite Japanese. The translation system in Thomas's mind conveyed the meaning instantly.
This was the moment. The stage was set. Thomas returned her smile, letting his eyes hold Aya's gaze a fraction longer than they should have. "I'd like black coffee, no sugar," he replied in English, knowing the system would translate his intent if not his exact words. He needed to keep his focus for the mental command to come.
As Aya tilted her head slightly, trying to understand, Thomas issued the command from the depths of his mind. It wasn't just words; it was a pure wave of will, shot directly from his consciousness, through the system's targeting reticle, and into the mind of the woman before him.
You will love me and listen to me, I am everything to you, obey all my desires.
There was no flash of light. No dramatic sound effects. To an outside observer, nothing happened at all. But Thomas, with his focused perception, saw it. He saw the shift. There was a momentary flicker in Aya's eyes, her pupils dilating just a fraction of a second. Her professional smile faltered, then melted into something entirely different.
The expression on her face transformed from polite cordiality to deep, unwavering adoration. It was as if the sun had risen for the first time in her world, and that sun was Thomas. Awe, devotion, and absolute, unconditional love now shone from her eyes. It happened so swiftly and so completely it stole Thomas's breath.
A satisfying notification appeared in the corner of his vision, confirming what he had already witnessed.
{Target successfully controlled. Adding to list. Controlled Individuals: 1 (Aya Tanaka).}
"Of course," Aya whispered, her voice now filled with a warmth and emotion that hadn't been there mere seconds ago. "The best black coffee in the world, for you."
She turned and walked to the counter, her movements imbued with a new purpose. Thomas leaned back in his chair, his heart pounding with overwhelming sensation. This was better than speed. Better than the adrenaline of any race. This was pure power. The power to reshape someone's reality with just a thought. A cold, triumphant smile spread across his face.
A few minutes later, Aya returned with a steaming cup of coffee and a slice of what looked like delicious chocolate cake on a separate plate. "Please enjoy, Master," she said, placing them on the table with utmost care, as if they were sacred offerings. Her eyes never left him.
"I didn't order cake," Thomas said softly, testing his control.
"I know," Aya replied, her smile full of blissful happiness. "But I thought you might like it. It's our finest cake. I wanted you to have it."
"Alright," Thomas said. "The coffee's on the house. And the cake too."
"Of course," she answered without the slightest hesitation, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "You don't have to pay for anything here. Ever. Everything here is yours, if you wish it."
Thomas took a sip of his coffee. It was rich and strong. He savored the moment, relishing the sweet taste of absolute power flowing through him. He observed the few remaining customers, waiting patiently for them to finish their business and leave. Fifteen minutes later, the café was empty. It was just him and his devoted waitress.
Time for the next step.
"Aya," he called. She was instantly by his side, gazing at him with eager anticipation. "I have a problem. I'm new in this city. I have no money or a place to stay."
Genuine distress instantly clouded her face. "Oh, no! That's terrible! How can I help, Master? Just tell me. Anything."
"I need some money to get started," Thomas said calmly and clearly. "Take all the cash from the register. Put it in a paper bag for me. Afterward, forget the amount. Just think it was never there."
If there were any lingering remnants of free will within her, this would have been the moment of defiance. The command was to steal from her employer. But there was no resistance. No hesitation. Only a burning eagerness to serve.
"Of course, Master. Right away," she said with a bright smile.
She hurried to the counter, opened the cash drawer, and swiftly extracted all the banknotes within. She didn't do it surreptitiously or with any sense of guilt. She did it with joyful efficiency, as if she were wrapping a birthday present. She tucked the stack of yen into a brown paper bag and brought it back to Thomas, presenting it with both hands.
Thomas took the bag. It felt heavy. His first problem had been solved so easily. He looked at Aya's beaming face, the face of a woman who had just committed a crime for him and was utterly delighted about it. For a brief, uncomfortable moment, a strange sensation stirred within him. The feeling of seeing someone, a human being with their own life and mind, reduced to a compliant puppet. But the feeling was quickly swallowed by a wave of immense satisfaction. This was a new world with new rules, and he had just proven that he was the one making those rules now.
"Close the café early tonight," he commanded.
"Yes, Master."
"Where do you live?"
"I have a small apartment not far from here, in the residential district," she replied, her eyes sparkling with hope.
"Good," Thomas said, standing up. "You will take me to your apartment. I will be staying with you from tonight."
The expression of pure, explosive happiness on her face was almost blinding. It was as if she had just won the lottery and achieved enlightenment at the same time. "That... that would be an immeasurable honor, Master! My apartment is yours!"
The walk to her apartment felt surreal. Aya quickly locked up the café, then walked beside Thomas, maintaining a respectful distance yet close enough to convey her possession. She kept glancing at him, a blissful smile never leaving her lips. They walked through the darkening streets, heading towards a quieter, more residential area.
Aya's apartment was on the third floor of a modest but well-kept building. It was small, consisting of just one main room that served as both living room and bedroom, with a small kitchen in one corner and a door leading to a bathroom. Everything was impeccably tidy, clean, and carefully arranged. It was a space clearly well-cared for by its inhabitant.
"It's not much," she said apologetically, "but I hope you'll be comfortable. Please, make yourself at home."
Thomas placed the paper bag of money on a small table and looked around. This was a world away from his marble and silk penthouses, but for now, this was his palace. And the woman before him was his first, most loyal subject. He turned to face Aya, who stood with her hands clasped in front of her, waiting for him, anticipating his next command with bated breath.
The night was long. And Thomas Vance claimed the spoils of his first victory.
He didn't need to woo her. He didn't need to use his charm. His command was already so deeply ingrained in Aya's soul that every touch was a blessing, every whisper a sacred decree. Under the dim moonlight filtering through the window, in the quiet solitude of the small apartment, Aya surrendered herself completely. It wasn't just a physical act; it was a ritual of offering.
Aya guided Thomas to the simple futon. With graceful movements, she knelt before him. This was no tactic; it was worship. Her tongue traced every muscle of Thomas's chest and abdomen, a deliberate act of adoration.
Thomas allowed it, enjoying the display. Then, with a faint smile, he easily reversed their positions. Now it was Aya lying beneath him, gazing up with eyes filled with awe and desire.
Thomas's hands explored her body possessively, mapping every curve as if it were a trophy he had won. He was in no hurry; each touch was an affirmation of power, every kiss on her neck and breasts a claim to new territory. Without further ceremony, with one powerful thrust, he entered her.
Aya's small gasp echoed in the quiet room, a sound of utter defeat and overwhelming pleasure. "Ah... ah... yes!" Aya gasped, her eyes closed, her head thrown back, yielding to the sensation.
Their rhythm was fast, desperate, and brutal. Every thrust was Thomas's assertion of strength, and every moan that escaped Aya's lips was an acknowledgment of it. Their sweat-slicked skins rubbed together, creating a burning friction in the cool night.
"Faster... harder... oh, Master... it feels so... perfect!" Her cries were music to Thomas's ears; they were the sound of total surrender. He granted her wish, his movements becoming wilder, deeper. He lifted her hips, adjusting the angle for a deeper, more satisfying penetration. Splashes of their pleasure dampened the futon beneath them.
The climax came like a reactor explosion, a shockwave that sent tremors through both their bodies. Thomas roared as he released himself within her, a savage cry of triumph. Aya's body arched and convulsed violently, yielding to a wave of orgasm so immense it made her forget where she was.
The next morning, Thomas awoke to the aroma of coffee and cooking rice. Morning sunlight streamed into the room, and for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt truly settled. He felt like a king in his new kingdom.
It was then that a new notification gently appeared in his vision.
{Conditions for ability acquisition have been met.}
{Analyzing target: Aya Tanaka.}
{Copyable abilities detected:
-Language Skill: Japanese (Fluent).
-Cooking Skill: Home-level (Proficient).
-Physical Strength: Normal Civilian Level.}
{Please select one ability to copy. Warning: Abilities of the same type will be overwritten by stronger versions.}
Thomas smiled. Here it was. The second part of his prize. Cooking skills were useless; he had Aya for that. Civilian physical strength was meaningless. But language skills... that was gold. To truly operate in this world, he needed true fluency.
His choice was clear. He focused on the first option.
{Selection: Language Skill: Japanese (Fluent).}
Instantly, a strange sensation flowed into his brain. Waves of information, grammar, vocabulary, thousands of kanji characters, and countless cultural nuances settled into his mind. Within seconds, the process was complete.
He opened his eyes. The world felt clearer. The chatter from the TV in the neighboring apartment was no longer just translated sound, but a language he understood natively.
{Acquisition successful. New ability [Language Skill: Japanese (Fluent)] has been acquired.}
"Good morning, Master," Aya's voice came from the small kitchen. She was wearing an apron, her face beaming. "Breakfast is almost ready."
Thomas smiled at her, and this time, he replied in perfect, accentless Japanese. "Good morning, Aya. It smells wonderful."
Aya's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "Master, your Japanese...!"
"I'm a fast learner," Thomas said, getting out of bed.
He walked to the window and looked out. Kuoh Town spread before him. He now had money. He had a place to stay. He had a devoted servant. And he had his first copied ability. He had established his foundation.
Now, the real hunt could begin. A predatory grin appeared on his face. This city was his game board, and he had just made his opening move.