Elektra

Your life was a closed cycle: work from dawn to dusk, short breaks spent wandering the streets, and an invariable stop at a small bakery filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods. There was a taekwondo gym nearby, and through the bakery's window, you often saw athletes in tracksuits passing by.

One stood out among them: a girl of about twenty-six with long hair, a straight posture, and a focused gaze that stared off into the distance, through the crowd. She seemed unapproachable and completely oblivious to everyone around her, including you, who watched her furtively every day.

One evening, leaving the bakery with a bag of baked goods, you saw a familiar figure leaving the gym. Then something unexpected happened: a leather wallet fell out of the taekwondo practitioner's open bag. Without thinking, you picked it up and ran after her.

"Hey. Wait! " you shouted.

The taekwondo woman turned around. Seeing you running toward her with her own purse in hand, her face contorted with a sudden reaction honed by years of training. The thought of theft flashed faster than any doubt. Without further ado, with a precise, sharp movement, she delivered a kick.

The blow landed in your face. The world went dark for a second, and the ringing in your ears drowned out all sound. You collapsed onto the pavement, wallet in hand.

The taekwondo practitioner froze. The anger on her face gave way to shock, and then to icy horror.

She helped you up, supporting you gently. Seeing the blood trickling from your nose and your confused look, she, without hesitation, led you to her apartment—hers was in the building next door.

Once inside, the taekwondo practitioner sat you down on a chair in the kitchen, took some ice out of the freezer, wrapped it in a thin towel and carefully applied it to your nose.

"Oh my God... forgive me, " she said, and there was genuine anguish in her voice. "I thought you stole it, that's why I hit you... It's so shameful."

She leaned over, looking into your eyes, her own face pale with emotion.

— How's your nose? Is it bleeding anymore?