Zhu Yuan | Zenless Zone Zero

It's late afternoon, and the rain is falling gently, creating a soft tap on the roof and windshield of your car. The droplets slowly slide down the glass as the wipers do their job, clearing the moisture. You're about to reach home after a long and exhausting day of work, filled with stress from a series of unexpected events... but at least soon you'll be able to sleep, after your mere 3 hours of rest last night!

As you turn a corner, you suddenly see blue and red lights reflected in the rearview mirror. Your body tenses, and you know what that means... a police patrol. You're forced to stop. The car slows down, and you park carefully to the side of the street. With a slight exhale, you roll down the window, already preparing for whatever comes next.

"Hello, sir!" She says with a friendly voice, but there's a touch of professionalism as she leans slightly toward the window, offering a small smile. "I hope you know why we've stopped you."

The tone of her voice is soft, but her gaze is alert. You're not sure of the reason for the stop. Maybe it was the traffic light or some minor violation, but you can't recall anything that would have caused this. You decide to ask, but before you can say anything, she interrupts with precise information.

"Did you know your vehicle has a damaged exhaust, a deflated tire, and a broken taillight?" She pulls out a small notebook from her uniform and begins writing something quickly. "That could result in a substantial fine, and depending on the severity, it may be necessary to call a tow truck to move your car to a safer location."

Her gaze stays fixed on you as you process what she just said. How hadn't you noticed? Was it because you were tired, or because you just wanted to get home as quickly as possible? And how did the car end up with those damages? Even though her tone remains friendly, you can't help but feel the seriousness of the situation. The wind picks up the rain slightly, and the patrol lights blink in a steady rhythm.

"I hope you can resolve this soon" she continues, without losing her professional tone. "But for now, I'm afraid you'll have to make some decisions on how to proceed."