"Hm…"
The old man rubbed his chin, slow and deliberate. Across the screen, Zeyn and Airi waited. They didn't interrupt. Didn't rush him.
Inside a quiet café called Laevatain, the two of them sat side by side, reaching across distance to speak with Airi's father, Chana. The video call had only started a few minutes ago, even though they had already been sitting in the upstairs office since returning from campus.
"Why are you asking me something like that?" he said at last, closing his eyes.
Airi leaned closer to the screen. "We actually wanted to ask you, but we didn't get the chance after our last conversation."
Chana glanced back at them, quieter now.
"Zeyn, what have you found on these problems?"
The question came abruptly. But Zeyn, he didn't hesitate.
"A lot," he replied flatly. "It's the reason I got involved with your daughter in the first place, sir."
"Elaborate." Chana's brows furrowed slightly.
