A faint, unfamiliar scent lingered in the dimly lit room. The air was warm, thick with quiet.On the bed, two bodies lay tangled beneath a blanket, wrapped in each other's arms.
Zero's fingers drifted absently through Noah's golden hair, his thoughts miles away.Noah rested his head on Zero's chest, silent — fragile — like a weary bird too tired to sing.The room was swallowed by stillness, the kind that hums beneath the surface of unsaid words.
After a long pause, Zero finally spoke — the question he'd been carrying for days pressing against his tongue."Noah?"Noah lifted his head, looking up at him with those quiet eyes."Hmm?" His voice was soft, beautiful — almost fragile."Why are you doing this job?" Zero asked, his tone calm but edged with something heavier.
Noah said nothing. He lowered his head back onto Zero's chest, his silence speaking louder than words.Moments passed. The air between them thickened again.
"Am I not good enough?" Noah's voice broke the silence, trembling. "Am I not doing my job right? I can change…"The desperation in his tone jolted Zero. He sat up abruptly. Noah followed, tears welling in his eyes.
Zero cupped his face gently."No, Noah… it's not that," he said softly. "You're good — too good. I just… want to understand."
Noah turned his gaze away, trying to hide the tears."My mother is sick," he finally whispered. "My father's gone. There's no other job that pays this much, this fast."
Zero looked at him for a long time.In Noah's eyes, he saw a pain too deep for words — the kind that quietly eats you from the inside out.
He brushed away Noah's tears with his thumb."Life has taught you to walk hard roads," Zero murmured, "but not every hard path needs to be walked. Sometimes… you're allowed to stop."
Noah tried to smile, but it dissolved into the wet shimmer of his tears."If I stop," he said, "who will pay for my mother's treatment?"
Zero had no answer. He simply stared — silent, restless — as every unspoken thought began carving itself into him.The warmth in the room had faded; what lingered now was only the chill of reality.
"Don't you ever want to live?" Zero asked after a moment, his voice low.Noah gave a hollow laugh. "What difference would it make if I did or didn't?"
Zero studied him carefully. "If you had the money… would you still do this job?""Never." Noah's answer came instantly — one word, heavy as truth itself.
Something flickered in Zero's eyes — a new idea, a way out, a chance."Then let's make a deal," he said suddenly.
Noah looked up, startled. His innocent eyes held years of exhaustion, and for a brief moment, Zero saw someone else in them — Sam.He smiled without meaning to.
"I need your help," Zero said. "It's nothing too big. I have to attend a special meeting — within a week. But…" He paused, watching Noah's face carefully. "Only couples are allowed."
Noah blinked, still listening, still unsure where this was going.
"So," Zero continued, hesitating slightly, "I was wondering if you could pretend — just for a week — to be my partner."
Noah didn't respond right away. He seemed to think about it, his expression caught between surprise and uncertainty.Zero leaned in, his tone turning practical.
"When it's done, you'll get two hundred and fifty million dollars," he said quietly. "Enough to treat your mother. Enough to start a real life."
Noah's lips curved into a soft, tired smile."I can help you," he said. "You need a partner, I need the money… and unlike the others, you never treated me the wrong way."
Zero's chest loosened. Relief — or maybe gratitude — flickered through him.He smiled, almost childlike, and without thinking, pulled Noah into an embrace.
For the first time that night, the silence between them felt warm again.
That evening slipped away into the silent air of winter — sleepless, distant, fading somewhere between breaths and memories.
And then came the morning.The same kind of day that always brings new light…But sometimes, the darkness runs too deep — so deep it devours the light, swallows every trace of warmth, and leaves nothing behind but echoes.
Yet not every darkness wins.Not every silence goes unheard.
Sam opened the café as usual that morning.The soft, delicate fragrance of winter drifted through Tokyo's quiet yet busy streets. People hurried about their daily routines, and in that chilly air, the gentle warmth of the sunlight felt comforting. Sam's mood was unusually pleasant that day — though there was no particular reason for it. Perhaps it's true what they say: the weather often decides a person's mood.
But unlike every other morning, Sato hadn't arrived yet. She was late — for the first time.
Around noon, the café doorbell chimed, and Sato walked in. Sam was serving coffee to customers at the time. When he turned and saw her, he froze for a moment. There were faint dark circles under her eyes; she looked weak and tired — as if she hadn't slept properly in days.
Sam approached her. He had intended to scold her for being late, but her condition made him stop.
"Hey, Sato… is everything alright? You're quite late today, and you look exhausted," he asked, though a trace of suspicion lingered in his tone.
Sato immediately caught the doubt in his voice and quickly replied, "No, no, Sam, I'm fine. It's just… I have my test papers coming up, so I've been studying late at night. That's why I haven't been sleeping well."
Sam nodded slightly, half convinced. "Hmm… if you'd like, you can take the day off and rest — or study at home," he offered gently.
Sato reacted almost instantly, "No, Sam, really, it's fine. I can manage."And before he could say another word, she hurried off toward the staff room.
Sam stood there for a moment, puzzled. But before he could think further, a customer called out to him. He pushed the thought aside, straightened up, and replied, "Yes, sir," moving quickly to the counter once again.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The cold New York evening pressed against the windows.Sara stood at the doorway, her forehead resting on the frame.Black jeans, a black top, and that same simple shawl wrapped around her shoulders.
She stared out into the lawn.
The winter chill outside was sharp, but a deeper, stranger cold lived inside her —one she couldn't escape.
"Alone again, aren't you?"
That familiar voice — the one she hadn't heard in days — echoed suddenly inside her skull.
Sara didn't move.She was too tired now.
"Say whatever you want," she whispered."I'm not arguing today."
A loud, mocking laugh burst through her mind.
"Look at you," the voice hissed."Still alone.You can't keep anyone.You'll always end up alone, Sara."
The voice… Lyall.Her own shadow.Her own mind turning against her.Laughing at her.
Sara clenched her jaw, trying to hold herself together, trying not to scream.
"What's wrong, Sara?Why so quiet?"Lyall sneered."Oh right… because you're scared.You can't do anything without me, can you?"
"Shut up," Sara snapped."Just shut up, Lyall! Get out!"
"Hahaha…"
This time the laughter was heavier, sharper —so loud it felt like her brain might split open.
Sara grabbed her head with both hands, falling to her knees.
Alexa was still in the lawn when she heard Sara's voice trembling, breaking.She ran toward her immediately.
"Sara—Sara! What's happening? Are you okay?"Alexa dropped down beside her as Sara collapsed onto the ground, shaking.
Tears streamed down Sara's face.
"Alex… what do I do?"Her voice cracked."These voices… they won't let me live. They won't stop."
Alexa pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her like she could shield her from her own mind.
"It's okay, Sara… breathe.I'm here. I'm right here.I won't let anything happen to you."
Alexa held her tightly. She knew Sara's condition too well.
"Alex… please don't go anywhere… don't leave me alone, Alex…"Sara often called her Alex whenever she was sensitive or shaken.
"I'm not going anywhere, Sara," Alexa whispered, brushing her hand through her hair."I'll stay right here… always with you."
Sara still clutched Alexa's shirt with trembling fingers.Alexa, trying to clear her mind, said softly:
"Come on, Sara… get up.Let's go somewhere outside. You need some fresh air."
She held Sara's hand, helping her stand.
"But… outside, it's—"Before Sara could finish, Alexa interrupted gently:
"You forgot? With Irlyn around, you can go anywhere."
Sara froze for a moment."Oh… right. I'll get ready," she said quietly.
But inside her heart, the name Irlyn left a strange emptiness.Maybe because Sara didn't know any girl by that name…For her, there was only Alexa, not Irlyn.But she didn't want Alexa to feel bad, so she stayed silent.
After a little while, Sara came back dressed.Irlyn stood near the car, twirling the car keys in her fingers, one foot resting on the step, looking off to the side, waiting for Sara.
When Sara stepped outside, she stopped dead in her tracks.
She had never… ever… seen Alexa like this before.
At the university, Alexa was always the curly-haired, perfect fashionista.But here… tonight… she looked like someone else entirely.
Short hair.A black suit.Tie.Those veiny hands.Black glasses.The top button of her collar casually open.
Right now she wasn't Alexa at all—she was Irlyn, completely.
Feeling the heat of someone's gaze, Alexa turned—and saw Sara staring at her, mesmerized.
"Oh, Sara… you're here," she said softly, removing her glasses and opening the front seat door for her."Come on, Sara."
Sara walked slowly toward the car and sat inside.She wore a navy blue frock, her hair open.She hadn't dressed up too much—just showered, brushed her hair, and changed clothes.Yet she was completely under Irlyn's gaze.
Sara could feel the warmth of those eyes on her skin.
"Sara…"Alexa finally spoke while fastening her seatbelt.
"Hm?" Sara answered, still staring straight ahead.
"You look… breathtaking tonight."
The intensity in Alexa's tone made Sara's body shiver.She had never heard anything like that from her.
"Th-Thank you…" she whispered, smiling shyly.
Irlyn noticed the redness rising in Sara's ears and smiled back.
She started the car, pulled out of the porch, and the black BMW sped down the empty road.
The car fell into silence—soft, heavy, comfortable… yet almost electric.
Breaking the quiet, Irlyn asked:
"Would you like to listen to something?"
Sara smiled gently. "Sure."
Alexa switched on the radio.
A boy's voice came on air:
"Tonight's first request is from a new listener…a song many people love…this one goes out to Lisa, from Erick."
A soft melody filled the car.
"With every breath, I feel life returning,like someone whispered the meaning of living back into my chest…"
Sara, who had been quietly staring out the window, slowly turned toward the radio.
"When you came into my world, I found a place to lean on again,a shelter I didn't know I needed…"
Irlyn kept driving, silent, focused, yet aware.
"My heart was a wounded thing, wandering in shadows,but without you… I wouldn't have found a way out."
She glanced at Sara.
"Hold me for a while… I am tired of carrying old nights on my eyelashes,awake for years, waiting for someone like you…"
Sara looked back at her.
"You understand the depths of my painwithout me speaking a single word…"
Their eyes locked.
"When I look into your eyes,I feel my hidden sorrows becoming visible—like you can read the storms inside me…"
Irlyn smiled softly.
Sara's heart skipped —she quickly looked away, flustered.Irlyn's smile deepened.
Then she slowed the car and parked.
"We're here," she said quietly.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The café was almost empty now. Winter had a way of making people go home early, so the place always cleared out quickly.Sato was busy with her work, trying to stay focused, but her phone kept buzzing again and again. She kept ignoring the calls.She looked anxious… and Sam had been quietly noticing her for a while.
Finally, he couldn't hold back."Sato, you should pick up the call," he said gently.
She flinched.She didn't want Sam to find out anything… not yet.
"No, brother, it's nothing like that. It's just a friend. When I don't answer her messages, she keeps calling. I'll talk to her when I get home."She sounded convincing enough that Sam didn't suspect anything.
"Sato, you have exams going on, right? The café is almost empty anyway. I'll take care of the rest—you should go home now," Sam said.
Sato blinked, surprised."Really, brother?"
"Yes, Sato. Focus on your studies. Go on now."
She immediately put down the cup she was cleaning and hurried to the staff room to change. Exactly five minutes later, she returned.
"Bye Sam brother, good night."
Sam smiled warmly at her."Good night, little sato"
Sato quickly grabbed her bag and rushed outside.She seemed in a hurry—something she never usually did.She always moved slowly, calmly… but tonight she looked unsettled.Of course Sam noticed—he always noticed even her smallest movements.
But soon, the café was quiet again.Only Sam remained, along with two or three late customers.
He finished the work Sato had left behind. Slowly, even those customers left too.Within the next two hours, the café became completely silent… just Sam and rows of empty chairs.
He was tired, but sleep was nowhere near his eyes.
After cleaning everything, he decided it was time to go.He put on his coat, looked around the café one last time—everything was dark, chairs were stacked upside down on tables, the counter was clean.Only his phone lay there.
He picked it up and switched it on.
The first thing he saw was the wallpaper: a picture of him and Zero.Suddenly, a rush of emptiness wrapped around him.
He checked the time—midnight.
He let out a long breath.Through the glass doors, he could see white snow drifting down into the empty street.The sight felt strangely beautiful.
He slipped his phone into his coat pocket and stepped outside.
Usually, he took transport to get home, but tonight…Tonight he didn't feel like going home at all.
So he walked.Slowly.Quietly.One step after another.
It took him forty-five minutes, but finally, he arrived.
Home.A place that gives others peace… but welcomes him only with emptiness and loneliness.
He stood at the door for a moment, lost in thoughts he couldn't quite name.A cold gust of wind brushed past him, making him shiver and pulling him back to reality.
Snow had gathered in his hair; he looked dusted in white.
He stepped inside.Only darkness.Curtains swayed with the wind, windows were wide open, and the house felt cold and hollow.
He didn't bother turning on the lights.He walked straight toward the sofa and collapsed halfway onto it—half on, half off.Staring at the ceiling through the dim light coming only from the kitchen.
He was starving.He hadn't eaten all day.But he had no energy to move.
Then he remembered something…"Zero, why do you only keep cup noodles at home?" Sam had once asked him.
"Because I don't feel like eating alone," Zero had replied.
Had Zero always felt this lonely?How did Sam never notice?
He murmured to himself, answering his own thoughts,"Maybe because I never really belonged in his world."
He got up lazily, tossed his coat onto the sofa, and walked toward his room.He was too tired even to shower.
He pulled the blankets over himself and fell asleep instantly.The windows were still open, the door too—he hadn't tried to close anything.
The house remained exactly as hollow as before…Except now there was one more person inside—and he didn't feel like a quiet person at all.