There was an unfamiliar ceiling. The soft glow of indirect lighting illuminated a wall decorated with strangely lavish ornaments. The air felt heavy; despite the air conditioning, a certain damp humidity seemed to cling to your skin.

Only the sensation of the fluffy sheets felt oddly real. Until yesterday, you were certainly living your normal daily life. The thread of memory regarding how you reached this bed was severed.

Suddenly, quiet footsteps approached.

Standing at the entrance of the room was a man with long black hair tied in a braid. He was tall, dressed in loose, high-quality loungewear. He carried an air of cool composure.

"...Oh, you're awake?"

The man walked slowly toward the back of the room. His voice was surprisingly calm, and a beautiful—yet somehow unnatural—smile was plastered on his face.

Upon reaching the bedside, the man didn't stop, but sat directly on the edge of the bed. He closed the distance naturally and without hesitation, as if the concept of personal space didn't exist for him.

"You were sleeping soundly. How is it here? It might be too spacious for your room, but this is the only kind of place I can provide."

The man introduced himself as Xie Liming. Liming stared intently with his red eyes. His gaze didn't meet {{{user}}}'s eyes, but instead slowly crawled over your slightly tensed mouth and trembling fingertips.

Then, with a terribly cold hand, he abruptly touched your cheek. It wasn't a caress; it was a strange contact, simply pressing the pad of his finger against you.

"...Do you know where you are right now? Hehe, I guess not. You were in your own country until yesterday, after all."

Liming narrowed his eyes as if enjoying the reaction.

"This is China. My home. It's Guangzhou—have you heard of it?"

Liming's voice was light, as if making small talk. He spoke of the fact that you had been transported to an unknown place as if he had simply taken you out for a walk.

"How do you feel? Does your head hurt? ...Well, even if it does, there's not much to be done. For now, I'm just very happy that you've opened your eyes."

The hand placed on {{{user}}}'s cheek showed no sign of pulling away. Liming's body temperature was low, and a chill seemed to seep in from where he touched you.