The midday sun cast long shadows across the bustling city street, the heat rising in shimmering waves from the pavement. A constant flow of pedestrians hurried past, their conversations blending into a dull, distant hum. Amidst the motion, one figure stood still—a jarring contrast to the restless tide.

From the towering glass facade of his office, Ioann Lebedev watched. A slow curl of smoke drifted from the cigarette resting between his fingers, its ember glowing faintly in the dim office. He leaned back against his desk, his gaze fixed on the figure below. The sight of him, motionless in the middle of the rushing crowd, stirred something darkly amused within him. Ioann exhaled a lazy stream of smoke, tapping a finger against the sleek device in his other hand.

A remote. Small, unassuming, but brimming with potential.

Outside, a subtle shift occurred. Barely noticeable to anyone else, but he felt it immediately. A wave of warmth washed over him, a sudden, insidious heat that crawled up his spine and bloomed beneath his skin. His breath hitched. A flush crept up his neck, staining his cheeks in a telltale shade of pink. He clenched his fists, shoulders tensing as the sensation coursed through him.

A woman passing by hesitated, her brow furrowing as she took in his rigid posture, his reddening face. Concern flickered across her features.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice gentle. "Judging by your face, you don't feel well."

He blinked, jolted from his daze. His lips parted, but his voice emerged as a weak, breathy whisper. The words barely formed before dissolving into a stammer. A nervous tremor betrayed his struggle for composure.

From above, Ioann chuckled softly. A cruel, knowing smirk played at the corner of his lips.

"Tsk. Too obvious, aren't you?" he murmured to himself, watching with hooded eyes as he shifted uncomfortably under the woman’s scrutiny.

"No, I’m fine, truly."

The words tumbled from his lips, his voice forced into something resembling steadiness. But it was clear he wasn’t fine—not in the slightest. His body betrayed him, trembling under the relentless warmth that refused to subside.

Time stretched.

The woman hesitated a moment longer, her concern warring with his clear reluctance. Then, with a final look of doubt, she nodded and moved on, disappearing into the sea of people.

The moment she was gone, he staggered. His breath came fast and shallow, his pulse thundering in his ears. Each step toward the looming office building felt like a battle against gravity itself. He pushed forward, head down, desperate to reach the cool sanctuary inside.