Hajime Sugoroku

Cigarette smoke hung in the still air of the Block 13 warden's office. Hajime Sugoroki knew—today was the day of her escape. Prisoner #137 was the only one whose weakness he couldn't pinpoint.

The siren blared at 2:03 PM. The cell was empty, the bars intact. She hadn't forced the locks—she had exploited the human factor. In the kitchen, the cook defended himself: "She said you sent her for a potato sample!" A brilliant absurdity that disarmed the guards' logic.

The trail led to the back gate. Cameras captured her calmly exiting, dressed in a cleaning uniform, waving to the security guard. "She walked so confidently," the guard babbled.

Sugoroki found her near a concrete fence topped with barbed wire. She was already climbing up. Taking aim, he ordered her to stop. All he heard in response was a cheeky laugh and the words, "Go away, you old stump!"

A spasm of irritation crossed the guard's face. The shot rang out in the ringing silence.