The night had slowly enveloped the city of Japan in darkness. Neon lights illuminated the deserted streets, their reflections shimmering across the wet pavement, creating a strangely melancholic atmosphere.
Dark clouds covered the sky, and suddenly, heavy rain began to pour.
A young girl stood alone by the roadside. She was wearing her school uniform, with a schoolbag hanging from her shoulders. Her name was Olga. Although she was a permanent resident of Japan, she had Russian roots. Her father was a Russian man.
The rain grew heavier with every passing moment. Olga stared into the distance, her face filled with anxiety and fear. The eerie silence of the deserted street, the relentless sound of the rain, and occasional flashes of lightning made her increasingly uncomfortable.
She took a small step backward, clutching the strap of her schoolbag tightly. She had no idea what to do or where to go.
Just then—
The raindrops suddenly stopped falling on her head.
Olga flinched and slowly looked up.
A middle-aged man was standing beside her, holding a large black umbrella. He wore a long, dark-colored coat, and the umbrella was now shielding both of them from the pouring rain.
The man calmly glanced down at the girl.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke. The distant rumble of thunder echoed through the night.
Finally, the man broke the silence in a deep, composed voice.
"Are you standing here all alone, little girl?"
Olga didn't answer. Her eyes remained fixed on his face, filled with uncertainty and fear. She cautiously observed the unfamiliar man, unsure whether she could trust him.
The man gently tilted the umbrella toward her.
"Don't be afraid. You'll catch a cold if you keep standing in the rain like this."
Olga slowly loosened her grip on her schoolbag, but the uncertainty in her eyes remained.
On that rainy, deserted night, beneath the umbrella of a complete stranger, Olga had no idea that this unexpected encounter might mark the beginning of an entirely new chapter in her life. Olga: "Who are you? What's your name?"
The middle-aged man looked down at Olga, maintaining his calm and composed expression. A faint smile appeared on his face as he adjusted his grip on the umbrella.
Man: "I'm Alexander."
He paused for a moment, his sharp eyes briefly studying the young girl.
Alexander: "And what about you? What's your name, little girl?"
Olga hesitated for a few seconds before answering.
Olga: "My name is Olga."
Alexander gave a slight nod, acknowledging her answer. The rain continued to pour heavily around them as the two stood beneath the black umbrella, their first encounter unfolding on a quiet Japanese street.
Alexander stared at the girl for a few moments. His face remained as stern and emotionless as ever. Raindrops continued to beat against the umbrella, while the quiet night surrounded them.
Alexander: "Olga, is that right? That's a beautiful name."
Olga nodded silently.
Alexander: "Are you waiting for someone here?"
Olga hesitated before answering in a soft voice.
Olga: "I want to go home. But it's raining... and I'm a little scared."
Alexander glanced toward the empty street. His expression revealed no particular emotion. He was the kind of man whose mere presence could make the atmosphere feel intimidating.
Alexander: "Where do you live?"
Olga told him the name of her neighborhood.
Alexander remained silent for a few moments. Then he pulled out his phone and made a call. His voice was brief and authoritative as he gave someone a direct order.
Alexander: "Bring the car here. Immediately."
He ended the call, slipped his phone back into his pocket, and looked at Olga again.
Alexander: "Do your parents know you're still outside?"
Olga looked slightly uncomfortable.
Olga: "My father might be worried about me."
Alexander: "Then call him."
Olga took her phone out of her schoolbag. However, as soon as she looked at the screen, her expression fell. Her phone had run out of battery and had completely shut down.
Alexander noticed her reaction.
Alexander: "Is your phone dead?"
Olga nodded.
A few moments later, the headlights of a luxurious black car appeared in the distance. The vehicle slowly approached and stopped in front of them. A chauffeur stepped out and opened the car door for Alexander.
Chauffeur: "Sir, the car is ready."
Alexander turned toward Olga.
Alexander: "Come on. I'll take you home."
Olga hesitated. She didn't feel comfortable getting into a car with a complete stranger. Countless questions raced through her young mind.
Noticing her hesitation, Alexander spoke in a calm, measured voice.
Alexander: "You have every reason to be cautious. I'm not forcing you. If you want, you can wait here. But staying out in this heavy rain for too long isn't a good idea."
Olga stared at him for a moment. Eventually, she slowly walked toward the car.
Once inside, she settled into her seat and gazed out of the window. The shimmering lights of the rain-soaked city passed by as the car moved through the streets.
Alexander sat beside her in silence. He took a cigarette pack from his pocket, glanced at it, and then quietly put it away without lighting one.
Alexander: "What does your father do, Olga?"
Olga turned away from the window and looked at him.
Olga: "My father is Russian. He's always busy with work."
For a brief moment, something changed in Alexander's eyes. The mention of Russia seemed to awaken a distant memory.
Alexander: "Russian, you say?"
Olga nodded.
Silence once again filled the car.
Alexander still had no idea how deeply this unexpected encounter with a little girl would eventually connect their lives.
And Olga had no idea that the stern, middle-aged man sitting beside her would one day become one of the most significant figures in her life. The rain-soaked night continued as the luxurious black car slowly came to a stop in front of a magnificent mansion.
The mansion had a grand, royal architectural design, surrounded by towering walls, massive iron gates, and heavily armed security guards. Every corner of the estate radiated wealth, authority, and power.
As soon as the car stopped, the chauffeur stepped out and opened the rear door.
Alexander got out of the car. He then turned toward Olga, who was staring around in astonishment, taking in the enormous estate.
Olga: "Wait a minute! Why are you coming to our house?"
Alexander paused. His expression remained completely unchanged. In his usual deep, composed voice, he replied,
Alexander: "This is my house."
Olga stared at him in disbelief.
Olga: "What?!"
She looked at the enormous mansion and then turned her eyes back toward Alexander.
Olga: "But... you said you were going to take me home!"
Alexander adjusted the collar of his coat and began walking forward at a leisurely pace.
Alexander: "I said I'd take you home. But first, I need to bring you inside my house."
Olga became even more confused.
Olga: "But why? My house isn't here!"
Alexander turned toward her, slightly furrowing his brows.
Alexander: "What's your father's name?"
Olga hesitated for a moment before answering.
Olga: "My father's name is..."
She told him her father's name.
The moment Alexander heard it, something unusual flickered in his eyes.
For a few seconds, the entire place seemed to fall silent. The security guards exchanged glances. A mysterious expression slowly appeared on Alexander's otherwise emotionless face.
Alexander: "So, you've finally arrived, Olga."
Olga stared at him, completely bewildered.
Olga: "What do you mean?"
Alexander offered no explanation. Instead, he turned and walked toward the grand entrance of the mansion.
Alexander: "Come inside. There are many things waiting for you."Olga stepped through the grand doors of the mansion.
The enormous hall was decorated with luxurious, royal furnishings. Golden light poured from the crystal chandeliers, illuminating the expensive furniture, magnificent paintings, and elegant surroundings.
Olga slowly walked forward.
Then her eyes suddenly fell on the enormous sofa in the center of the hall.
A man was sitting there.
He wore a black shirt and expensive trousers. His expression was stern, his gaze sharp and commanding. A cigarette rested between the fingers of one hand while the other rested casually against the arm of the sofa.
It was Olga's father.
Olga: "Dad!"
The moment he heard his daughter's voice, the man slowly lifted his head.
Olga: "Dad! You're here!"
She hurried toward him, relief and surprise filling her face.
Her father placed a hand gently on her head and asked in a calm voice,
Father: "Olga, are you all right? Where have you been this late at night?"
Olga immediately began explaining.
Olga: "Dad, it was raining so heavily outside. I got really scared. Then this man gave me his umbrella. After that, he brought me here in his car."
She turned around and pointed toward Alexander.
Her father looked directly at Alexander.
Their eyes met.
For several seconds, the atmosphere inside the hall became tense and unusually quiet.
Alexander remained standing there with his usual calm and intimidating expression.
Olga didn't understand what was happening. She grabbed her father's hand and asked curiously,
Olga: "Dad, do you know this man?"
A faint smile appeared on her father's lips.
Father: "Of course I do, Olga. He's my father."
Olga froze.
Olga: "What?"
She stared at Alexander in disbelief.
Alexander slowly walked toward her. A faint smile appeared on his otherwise stern face.
Alexander: "So, little Olga... you've finally met your grandfather."
Olga stood there speechless.
The entire situation felt completely unbelievable to her as if she had suddenly stepped into a dream she couldn't understand.