Rose stayed by the lake for a moment longer after Lia left. The paper with the unfinished clouds was still between her fingers. The water barely moved, just a flat blue surface with no clouds.
She folded the sheet carefully and slipped it into her pocket, next to the letter.
The gravel path slowly faded behind her, along with the quiet sound of the water and the ducks gliding across the lake. The iron gate of the park stood open, as always, and beyond it the city imposed itself again with its constant noise.
In the distance, the sun hung high between the buildings, too bright to look at directly. Its light fell over shop windows and reflected off glass surfaces. The midday heat was beginning to settle in.
—It's hot… —she murmured to herself.
She stopped for a moment near the park's gate. The air felt heavier than she remembered. With a tired gesture, she took off the white sweater she was wearing.
Underneath, she had on a simple black shirt. She shook the sweater slightly, as if trying to get rid of the heat trapped in the fabric, then tied it clumsily around her waist.
—Better… —she said softly. —sigh— Mica… where could you be?..
She paused on the sidewalk, looking at the streets stretching in different directions. Children ran toward the park entrance; she could hear their playful footsteps getting closer.
—Mom! Look! Can you buy me one?
A soft metallic sound came from the corner.
A chime. An ice cream cart stood by the sidewalk. The small bell hanging from its canopy swayed gently with the breeze.
It was one of those metal carts with large wheels, painted white, though time had yellowed parts of it. A small blue and red parasol rested on top, moving softly with the wind.
Rose blinked.
—…Huh?
The man behind the cart looked up at that exact moment.
It was that gray-haired boy.
Rolled-up sleeves, the same calm expression he had earlier while serving coffee—only now he held a metal handle.
Rose took a second to react.
—…You?
The boy tilted his head slightly as he recognized her voice while handing an ice cream to a child.
—Hi.
Rose looked at the cart.
Then at him.
Then at the cart again.
—Selling ice cream now? —she asked, a mix of surprise and suspicion in her tone.
The boy leaned his elbows on the small counter.
—Yeah.
Rose waited for more, but an awkward silence settled between them. He simply stayed there, with that same serene expression.
—Ice cream? —he said.
Rose rubbed her face with both hands. She observed the cart more carefully. There were several illustrations stuck to its sides: cones, brightly colored popsicles, a smiling cloud—the kind of decorations made for children.
—Are you going to get one or not? The heat doesn't help thinking, and someone needs to think a lot to find her "friend."
Rose frowned for a moment, then looked him straight in the eyes.
—And how do you know I didn't find Mica here?
—Because if you had, you wouldn't be here talking to me with that face.
Rose fell silent. She couldn't argue with that and it irritated her even more.
—God… could you…? —she sighed— Forget it. What flavors do you have?
The boy smiled.
—I'm glad you asked. Let's see… I've got coconut, strawberry, mint, lemon, raspberry, mango, and vanilla.
Rose felt a chill. She didn't quite know why, but something caused a faint dizziness that spread through her body.
—Uh… I don't know… What do you recommend? —she said, feeling the dizziness slowly intensify.
—Vanilla is pretty popular.
—I'll take that one, then.
The boy lifted the metal lid of the cart. A small breath of cold air escaped from inside.
—Vanilla, then —he said, taking a paper cone.
The soft clink of metal against the containers filled the brief silence on the sidewalk. Rose sighed and stepped closer, resting her elbows on the counter. The metal felt cold against her skin.
—So… you're not going to philosophize about how the structure of ice cream reflects our consciousness or something? —She said, trying to release some tension.
He smiled faintly as he placed a scoop with a clean motion.
—It wouldn't be necessary. The ice cream speaks for itself.
—Oh yeah? And what does it say?
The boy looked at the colorful containers lined up in front of him.
—That everything melts if you don't enjoy it in time. —He handed it to her.— Here.
Rose scoffed, though this time with a slight smile.
—Even an ice cream cart becomes a life lesson for you.
She stared at the ice cream for a few seconds before trying it. There was something unsettling about it, though she couldn't tell what. For a moment, something in her chest shifted.
—It's going to melt if you keep staring at it —the boy said calmly.
Rose blinked.
—Ah… right.
She wiped a small line of melted ice cream running along the edge of the cone and took a bite.
—You know… —she said after a moment— this is weird too.
—The ice cream?
—No. —she shook her head— You. Showing up all the time.
The boy shrugged.
—The city isn't that big.
Rose stared at him in silence for a few seconds.
—Yeah, sure.
She took another bite.
—Though I'm starting to think you have more jobs than anyone I know.
—Maybe.
—Coffee in the morning, ice cream at noon… —Rose counted— What's next? Astronomer in the afternoon?
The boy narrowed his eyes, looking at the sky.
—Depends on who needs help.
Rose followed his gaze instinctively, but as soon as she lifted her head, the sun hit her eyes again.
—Ah—! —she complained, lowering her gaze.
The boy watched her for a few seconds.
—Are you really trying to look at it directly?
—Yeah, well, someone told me to look at the sky —she replied with irony.
The boy rested his arms on the cart.
—Looking at the sky and looking at the sun are two very different things.
Rose sighed and took another bite. A child ran past them laughing. only the distant sound of traffic remained, Rose looked at the ice cream again.
—I met someone here —she said suddenly— A girl… She can't see the sky. Or something like that. She said it lost its shape…
—That sounds pretty normal.
—Normal? How could you stop seeing the shape of the sky if it doesn't even have one?
The boy didn't respond immediately. Instead, he watched as the ice cream began to melt at the edge of the cone and then he pointed at it.
—It's like the ice cream…
—Like the ice cream?
—If it melts, it loses its shape slowly. And then even if it's still there, you can't really call ice cream anymore.
A drop of vanilla fell onto the paper wrapping, and Rose stared at it in silence.
—Sometimes your analogies are really weird..
—I know. It's part of my charm.
Rose looked down at the ice cream. It no longer had its perfect shape. She took a bigger bite this time, as if trying to outrun time. The sweetness spread across her mouth again.
—Did you find any clues in the park? —the boy asked while cleaning.
Rose chewed in silence before answering. She looked at the ice cream, now slightly tilted.
—No… —she finally said— Just fragments of memories… it's like… —she frowned— like my mind refuses…
The boy tilted his head slightly.
—But you're still looking for her.
Rose let out a humorless laugh.
—Yeah… well… I've got a letter basically yelling at me to do it.
She pulled the paper from her pocket and raised it slightly.
—"Fulfill a promise before nightfall" huh… —she muttered— As if it were that easy…
The boy looked at the letter for a few seconds.
—What was the promise? If you don't mind me asking.
Rose froze. The ice cream dripped again, but she didn't notice.
—I don't remember… I just know that… it was important… for me… for both of us…
She squeezed the cone unconsciously, slightly deforming the paper.
Rose closed her eyes for a moment.
The sweetness of vanilla still lingered on her tongue.
And then—
—I told you it looked better from here…
—What if we get caught?
—Relax… no one ever comes up here.
—Are you sure the janitor won't mind us being here?
—Don't worry, he always leaves the door open.
The image was blurry, as if covered by a thin layer of water.
—Do you like that flavor that much?
—It reminds me of you…
Rose's eyes snapped open. The world rushed back with the noise of the street. The ice cream in her hand had lost its shape, and a drop fell onto her fingers.
—…Mica… —she murmured, barely audible.
The boy was watching her in silence.
—Did you remember something? —he asked.
Rose took a second to respond. Her gaze wasn't fully in the present.
—It wasn't… a place like the park… —she said slowly— It was higher…
She lowered her eyes to the ice cream, as if she could find the rest there.
—There was wind… and… —she frowned— no one else ever went there… The roof… the rooftop… —she whispered— the one we used to go to at the university…
Her fingers tightened slightly around the cone.
—We used to go there in secret… —she added, now more certain.
Then her expression shifted. She looked toward the street, as if she could see it from there.
—The rooftop…
The boy gently pointed at the cone in her hand.
—You should finish that.
Rose looked down.
The ice cream was now more liquid than solid.
—Great… —she muttered.
She took a hurried final bite.
—I guess you were right…
—About what?.—He replied.
—That it melts if you don't enjoy it in time.
The boy smiled and Rose wiped her fingers with the paper.
—I have to go… —she said at last.
Rose took a step back.
Then another.
She adjusted the sweater tied around her waist.
—You seem very determined to go, but not very determined to pay me for the ice cream you just ate. —he said, in a slightly teasing tone.
—…Oh.
she looked genuinely surprised, as if that detail belonged to a completely different world.
—Right… that.
She fumbled through her pocket, her breathing still slightly uneven. She pulled out her wallet and opened it in a hurry, nearly dropping a few coins in the process.
—Sorry… —she murmured— I'm a little… you know…
—Distracted —he finished.
—Yeah, that..
She handed him some coins without looking at him.
—Thanks —he said, without checking the amount.
Rose wasn't fully there anymore. Her fingers still held the cold, sticky feeling of the melted ice cream. She rubbed them against her pants, but the sensation didn't completely fade.
—I need to go now. Thanks for the ice cream.
The boy nodded and rang the bell again. Children and a few people were already approaching the cart in the distance.
Rose started walking toward the street. The world welcomed her back with the restless noise of the city. The sound of the bell faded into voices and traffic.
With each step, the city seemed to regain its weight.
She passed several establishments—some familiar, others changed with time—until something caught her attention.
One of them, unlike the others, hadn't been replaced—only abandoned. The sign hung crooked, barely held by a rusted support that creaked with the slightest movement of air.
"Café Taiga."
The glass was covered in dust. From outside, the interior was barely visible, yet she could make out the place where she and Mica always sat.
—You're late again.
—It's not my fault… The professor wouldn't stop talking.
Rose closed her eyes as the memories started to get through, the sound of the world started to slowly fade away.
—Today I'll pay.
—Again?
—Yup!
—But you never let me pay.
—Then invite me next time.
A breeze passed through the street, making the crooked sign creak softly. Rose let the memory fully envelop her. She could feel the sunlight entering through the window, the smell of fresh coffee mixed with the faint scent of porcelain cups.
—Rose! Rose!
—Mhm? What is it?
—Are you even listening?
—Uh… yeah…
—Oh really? Then tell me what I was just saying —Mica insisted, looking at her with those eyes that always read her so easily.
—Uh… well… —Rose hesitated.
—See?! Dummy! —Mica lightly tapped her head with the magazine she was holding.
—Ow! Hey! Was that really necessary?!
—Of course it was —Mica said, crossing her arms— Could you stop getting lost in your thoughts?
—Sorry… it's just… the view of the city from here is really nice…
—You should only be looking at me. Got it? —Mica said in a teasing tone, her hands moving toward her, her fingers gently brushing against Rose's.
—H-Hey… we're in public… —Rose blushed slightly.
—Does it matter? —Mica replied with a playful smile, leaning a little closer.
Rose looked up and met her smile. Heat rushed to her face. She bit her lip, trying to look away toward the window, where sunlight filtered in golden beams.
—Uh… well… yeah… a bit… —she murmured.
—Just a bit, huh? —Mica teased, laughing softly and nudging her shoulder.
Rose took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside her.
—So… what were you saying?
Mica rolled her eyes dramatically.
—That when we finish studying… we're going to live together.
—What? —Rose said, surprised— Live together?
—Yeah. —Mica shrugged casually— And i Dont accept a "No" for an answer.
Rose laughed nervously, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
—But… what about your parents? Do you think they…?
—I don't care what they think. I already took my decision —Mica interrupted instantly.
Rose lowered her gaze, playing with the cup in front of her. She could feel the warmth of the coffee in her hands, mixing with the anxiety of the proposal.
—And… what if we don't get along? —she asked— What if we end up arguing all the time?
—Then we'll argue —she said— And then we'll hug, thats what we'll do.
Rose looked up at her, Mica's smile seemed to light up the entire café.
—And… where do you want to live? Here in the city…?
—No —Mica replied— It's too noisy here, and I'm too grumpy for that. Let's live somewhere near the sea, far from everything, where it's just you and me. Doesn't that sound nice?
—Near the sea… —Rose smiled, letting the idea settle— And what would we do all day?
—Well… —Mica leaned forward— First, we'd have breakfast together every morning. Then… walks on the beach, maybe start a small food business… pastry shop maybe? Build sandcastles, get a pet… what if we also have a small garden?
—A garden… —Rose repeated, imagining the scent of flowers and herbs in the salty air— I'd like that. We could have roses, daisies… maybe some herbs for cooking…
She laughed softly, covering her mouth.
—Sounds like a good life plan…
—See? —Mica said— It sounds perfect.
Rose breathed deeply, as if she could already feel the sea breeze through the café window but Mica flicked her forehead lightly.
—Ow! Again?!
—I told you to stop getting lost in your thoughts! —Mica laughed.
—I'll try… —Rose murmured.
A loud honk snapped her out of the daydreaming making her flinch, the screech of tires cut through the street
Voices rose all around her.
—Damn it, I'm going to be late for work!
A car door slammed open.
—Do you even know how to drive?!
—You were in the wrong lane!
The noise piled on, louder and louder AND people gathered around It.
—Someone should call the police…
—It was the blue car, no doubt about that..
Rose blinked and shook her head.
—I need to focus… —she sighed— At least… now I remember your smile…
The noise of the commotion faded into the distance. Far away, Rose could see two police cars heading toward the scene. Her gaze lifted toward the endless blue of the sky. She raised it a little higher—this time, the sun seemed to allow her to look at it just a bit longer before forcing her to look away.
When she reached the university gate, it was open, as always. Students moved in and out in small groups, talking, laughing, unaware of everything else.
Rose slowed her pace slightly. She slipped her hand into her pocket, took out her wallet, and pulled out her student ID. She looked at it for a few seconds.
—Did I really look like that…? —she murmured, tilting her head slightly.
She let out a small sigh.
—I think I used to be a bit more… —she paused, clearing her throat with a hint of embarrassment— …chubbier.
She looked away and put the wallet back, keeping only the ID in her hand. As she approached the entrance, she raised it without saying anything. The guard—the same as always—barely gave it a glance before nodding.
—Go ahead.
A banner hung past the threshold, stretched between the trees lining the main path. The fabric moved gently with the breeze, stretching and relaxing as if it were breathing.
"Welcome, students"
"Lumen Caeli University"
"Where your dreams will come true"
Ahead of her, the campus opened in multiple directions. A lake sat at the center, surrounded by paths that branched off between buildings and green areas. It was easy to get lost there if you didn't know exactly where you were going.
—Where was it…? —she murmured to herself.
She approached one of the campus maps. A group of students stood in front of it, pointing at different locations while laughing about something. Rose waited until they moved aside and leaned in slightly to read.
—Which building was it… —she scanned carefully— Building H.
As she passed near the cafeteria, the noise grew louder. A line stretched outside, trays clattering, people calling out to each other. The smell of food lingered in the air. Rose glanced at it briefly but didn't stop.
She turned right, passing by Building F. Through the open windows came the voices of professors, the sound of chairs moving, pages turning. She caught sight of one of her professors inside a classroom. He raised his hand when he recognized her, and Rose returned the gesture with a small smile.
When she reached Building H, she climbed the stairs quickly. Her heart was pounding. Her breathing began to quicken, though she wasn't sure if it was from the effort or something else.
When she reached the top floor, the hallway was almost empty. The door to the rooftop stood at the end.
She walked towards AND extended her hand to the door, but the handle felt cold to the touch, she swallowed and turned it.
It didn't move.
—Huh…?
She tried again, this time with more force.
Still nothing.
She frowned and tried once more, pushing the door slightly as if that would help.
—Come on… —she muttered.
But it wouldn't budge.
She let go of the handle with a frustrated sigh.
—Tch… of course… it couldn't be that easy.
Rose went back down the stairs and leaned against the railing, looking around tiredly.
To her right, a long hallway stretched out, lined with classrooms. Voices of professors and the constant murmur of students spilled out from inside. To her left, the space opened to the outside: from there she could see other buildings across campus, and beyond them, the soccer field, where students moved between shouts and laughter.
—Now what do I do…? —she muttered— If it's locked… then maybe she's not there…
She hesitated.
—No… she could be… I don't know…
Rose looked down from the upper level. Students and some professors gathered in small groups, In the distance, she spotted a familiar uniform.
A man in a light blue suit sat with a trash bag and a broom, drinking a soda.
—Is that…? The janitor…
Without thinking further, Rose straightened up and hurried down the stairs.
The man recognized her from a distance. He took off his cap and smiled.
—Haven't seen you in a while, Rose!
—Mr. Hoffman! —she replied, relieved— It's so nice to see you… I thought you had quit.
The man let out a short laugh.
—No, no… you know how it is… I just needed a break. And you? It's been a while since I last saw you around. Did you come to say hi or do you have some paperwork to deal with?
—No… no… I was just passing by… I've been… busy too… you know… things… —Rose replied.
—Of course, i know that feeling… —he nodded, though his expression softened— I'm glad to see you. You've changed a lot… you seem more energetic.
—You think so? Thanks… yeah… I've been feeling better, much better.
—I'm glad to hear that. Really.
Rose stepped a bit closer.
—Hey… um… could you help me with something real quick?
—Sure.
—I need to get to the rooftop of Building H, but the door is locked now.
The janitor didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted briefly toward the building in the distance.
—It'll just be a moment —Rose added.
He shook his head gently.
—No.
—Why not? I swear I won't take long.
—University rules —he said at last— Safety issues. You know how they've got about that.
Rose stared at him, clearly frustrated.
—Come on… —she insisted— Just a second.
He lowered his gaze, as if the words were getting stuck in his throat.
—The rules are clear. I can't give you the keys. They don't let anyone go up there.
Rose looked down at the ground, begging like a puppy.
—Come on… you know me… I'm not going to do anything weird…
The janitor let out a short, humorless laugh.
—It's not that, Rose… —he said softly— It's just… those doors aren't open for the students anymore..
—Come on, Mr. Hoffman… —she insisted, leaning in slightly— You used to let us go up without any problem…
He exhaled quietly.
—Those were different times…
There was a brief silence. In the distance, a ball hit the ground, followed by laughter.
He stayed quiet a few seconds longer, as if debating something internally. Then he sighed.
—I can't give you the keys —he said— I'd get in trouble.
Rose opened her mouth to insist again, but he raised a hand, stopping her.
—But… —he added after a pause— there's an emergency one. They left it there a long time ago… protocol, just in case. Not many people know about it.
—Where?
He hesitated, then sighed.
—Before the rooftop door, there's a fire extinguisher on the wall. Right behind it… between the mount and the wall… it should still be there.
He looked at her directly.
—But I didn't tell you anything, alright?
Rose smiled, clearly relieved.
—Thank you. Seriously.
—And if it's not there… —he added— just leave it.
—Yeah… I understand.
—And Rose…—He said.
—Yeah?
—Don't stay up there too long, alright?
—Don't worry… I promise.
She turned and headed back to Building H, this time with firmer steps. Her shoes echoed softly against floor.
Then she stopped abruptly.
Someone was coming down the stairs, she could hear their footsteps clóset and closer.
It was a man but..
Gray hair. Indifferent expression.
—You…? —she tilted her head, confused and tired— Again?
The boy looked up when he heard her. He didn't seem surprised.
—Hey.
He walked down a couple more steps until he stood in front of her. Rose crossed her arms, watching him with suspicion.
—Don't tell me… —she narrowed her eyes— you work here too? A professor now?
He let out a faint laugh.
—No. —he shook his head— I just came to return some books to the library.
Rose blinked.
—Oh… —she glanced at the hallway— So you study here too?
—Yeah. —he replied calmly—Since five years ago… this is my last semester.
Rose slowly lowered her arms.
—That's… interesting… —she murmured— How come I've never seen you around?
He shrugged slightly.
—Depends on where you were. Which area were your classes in?
—Uh… —she scratched the back of her neck— Science area..
—I see..that makes sense. I was on the other side of campus.
Rose exhaled softly.
—Yeah… well… small world, I guess.
—It is. —he said, slipping his hands into his pockets— You know, I'd like to keep talking but I have to go. A friend needs help at his shop.
—Oh… yeah… I get it… I have something to do too…
The boy nodded and began walking toward the exit.
Rose did the same and went back up the stairs again, this time with a different determination. Even so, her body trembled slightly, whether from excitement or fear, she didn't know.
Each floor felt longer than the last, as if time itself resisted letting her move forward.
Until she finally reached it, her eyes immediately went to the fire extinguisher.
But something stopped her, she glanced at the roofttop door.. it was was slightly open,
The blue sky was visible through the gap.
—W-What…? How…?
Her heart pounded in her chest, as if something inside her was pushing her forward, repeating over and over:
It's here… it's here…
Her trembling hand reached for the handle and pushed gently.
The door gave way.
The sky and the sun flooded everything with intense light, forcing her to squint for a moment. Slowly, her vision adjusted through the glare…
And then she saw It.
A figure stood in the distance.
It took her a few seconds to make it out clearly—it was standing with her back turned, leaning against the railing, completely still.
The air seemed to stop in her lungs.
—M… Mi… Mica…? Is that… you…?