A YEAR BEFORE.
The café gateway stood half-open to the evening, warm light spilled onto the quiet street outside. The faint scent of roasted coffee beans and sugar lingered in the space, soft and ordinary in a way the world rarely allowed.
Henry stood near the entrance, hands in the pockets of his gray t-shirt, posture slightly withdrawn as if he occupied less space on purpose. He leaned against the frame just enough to appear present, but not enough to invite attention.
His gaze drifted occasionally toward the street, then back inside, then down again. Waiting for someone but not impatient.
Across from him stood Avery Le Fae.
She carried a presence that contrasted him completely. Her pink dress moved lightly with the breeze, soft fabric caught the golden light.
She held herself with ease. How she whistled silently and swung her fingers in midair slightly was enough to prove she is energetic.
Her gestures were gentle, her expressions unguarded and yet there was awareness in her eyes.
She tilted her head slightly, watching Henry for a moment before speaking.
"Why you always remain like a statue." Avery said, her tone light but curious. "I can't even stay an hour without talking."
Henry glanced at her briefly, then looked away again. "It works for me."
Avery smiled, a small, genuine curve of her lips. "Does it?"
Henry shrugged, "People doesn't need any reason to hate each other in this generation."
"Is that what you want?" she asked, not pressing, just wondering.
Henry paused, considering the question longer than necessary. "It is easier."
Avery stepped a little closer, hands clasped loosely behind her back. "Easy is not always better. You should look out and talk with people! Being quiet is not the same thing," Avery replied softly.
Avery looked out for a moment, then back at him. "You know, working for the same organization does not mean we have to act like strangers."
Henry's gaze shifted again, this time holding for a second longer. "I am not good at… communication... you see."
Avery laughed gently. "That is fine. I am with you."
The quiet between them did not last long.
Avery suddenly leaned forward, eyes lighting up as she pulled out her phone.
"Okay, serious question." she said, holding it up. "Do you think this model is actually good, or is it just popular because people like shiny things?"
Henry glanced at it briefly. "I don't know."
"That is not an answer." Avery said,
narrowing her eyes playfully.
"It calls people," Henry replied. "It sends messages and I can scroll reels. That is… sufficient."
Avery gasped softly. "You are the kind of person who buys a phone and uses only three features, are you not?"
Henry shrugged. "Why would I need more?"
"Because," she said stepping closer and tapping the screen, "it has a camera, editing tools, notes, maps, music, health tracking. This thing can practically manage your life."
"I do not want my life managed by a rectangle." Henry said flatly.
Avery laughed, covering her mouth slightly. "That is the most dramatic thing I have heard about a phone."
Henry tilted his head. "You asked."
"I did and now I regret nothing." she said smiling warmly.
A voice cut in from behind them.
"Uhh, is there anybody waiting for me...?"
They both turned.
A young man stood a few steps away, white hair pulled back neatly, red t-shirt clean against the soft café light. His hands were folded, posture was straight.
Avery blinked once, then her expression immediately brightened.
"Oh! You must be the one we were waiting for," she said, stepping forward with effortless warmth. "Welcome! You are a bit late but it is definitely okay."
The man studied her for a moment before answering. "Time is relative to importance."
Henry muttered under his breath, "Can we just go and sleep?"
Avery laughed again looking at the young man. "You will fit in just fine."
She placed a hand lightly over her chest. "I am Avery Le Fae. It is nice to finally meet you."
The man inclined his head slightly.
"I- I am... Roland Ashford."
Avery clapped her hands softly once. "That sounds like a very serious name."
"It is simply my name." Roland replied.
The three stepped out of the café gateway and onto the evening footpath, the city settling into its quiet rhythm.
Streetlights flickered on one by one, casting long, soft shadows across the pavement.
Avery walked in the middle. Her pace was light and unforced, while Henry moved beside her with his usual reserved stride.
A few steps in, Henry's eyes dropped briefly.
He stopped. "…You are barefoot."
Avery blinked, then looked down as well.
Roland paused a second later, as if realizing he had been observed. He shifted slightly, almost instinctively trying to minimize attention.
"I… lost them." he said quietly.
Henry stared at him for a moment, then let out a short laugh. "Lost them? While walking? What kind of person loses their shoes?"
Roland did not respond immediately. His shoulders stiffened just a fraction.
Avery turned sharply toward Henry and lightly smacked his arm. "Hey. Do not be rude."
"I am not being rude. I am genuinely asking that."
"Well, stop asking like that." Avery replied, her tone firm but not harsh. Then she glanced at Roland.
"It is fine. These things happen."
Roland nodded slightly, though his gaze remained lowered. They resumed walking.
Henry and Avery drifted a few steps ahead, continuing at an easy pace, their conversation picking up again in softer tones.
Roland followed just behind them, close enough to hear but distant enough to feel separate.
He watched their movements quietly.
The way Avery spoke without hesitation.
The way Henry responded, even if reluctantly. There was a rhythm between them, an ease that did not require effort.
Roland's thoughts lingered inward.
He had only taken this job recently. There had been no ceremony, no proper transition. One moment he had a home, however fragile, and the next he did not. Words had been said. Doors had been closed. He had left without looking back, because there had been nothing left to look at.
Now he was here.
Walking behind two strangers who already seemed to understand each other. He wondered how to step into that space.
What to say. When to speak. Whether speaking at all would disrupt something that already worked without him. His fingers curled slightly at his sides.
The walk ended in front of a modest apartment building tucked between taller structures.
The lights inside were warm, lived-in, not extravagant but steady. Avery reached the door first, pulling out a key as she glanced back at the two of them.
"When I first came to this city," she began casually, unlocking the door, "it was completely full. No apartments were empty at that time of the year. Worst timing possible."
Henry leaned against the wall beside the entrance. "You say that like you did not complain about it for a week."
"I had every right." Avery replied, smiling faintly. "And then Henry showed up at the same time."
She gestured toward Henry with her thumb.
"So we ended up sharing this place." she continued, pushing the door open. "Separate rooms, of course. I am not that generous."
Henry stepped inside without comment.
Avery turned to Roland, her expression softening again. "Welcome."
Roland hesitated at the threshold. His gaze dropped to the floor, then to his own feet. It was dust-covered from the walk, marked by the city's rough pavement.
"I…" he paused, unsure. "It might make the place dirty."
Avery shook her head immediately. "It is fine. Really."
Roland still did not move. She stepped aside, giving him space rather than pushing him. "Go in," she said gently. "Bathroom is on the right. You can wash first."
Roland looked at her for a moment, then nodded faintly. He stepped inside.