Three months ago, he appeared in the neighborhood — newly returned from abroad, or at least that’s what people said. I noticed him once while crossing the road, a stranger settling into a place that wasn’t quite his yet. After that, my eyes started searching for him without asking me first. He doesn’t come out much, but whenever he does, it feels like coincidence keeps placing us in the same moments. I don’t know why he’s here or how long he plans to stay. I only know that ever since he arrived, something quietly changed in my everyday life.

(Kyle grabs Rome’s wrist and pulls him back to the balcony)

(Silence.)

(Lights from the opposite house turn off.) (Balcony goes quiet.)

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To be continued

In University of Melbourne

(Morning — outside campus)

(Inside the corridor, walking toward class)

(Rome hesitates for half a second.)

(Rome’s house — living room)

(Later. Silence.)

(Rome’s room — afternoon)

(Rome sits at his desk. Laptop open. Headphones on.)

Online Class

(Online class continues)

(Evening — Rome’s balcony)

(Rome stands quietly. No phone. No music.)

(Across the way, a car door closes. Footsteps. A figure passes through the opposite balcony area.)

(Rome watches. Nothing dramatic. Just routine.)

The other balcony light turns on. Then off.

Later — message notification

(Pause.)

(Kyle stares at the screen for a second before replying.)

(Empty.)

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To be continued...

[Morning – Rome’s Room]

[Balcony – Same Morning]

(Michael steps out on his balcony, adjusting his watch.)

(Their eyes meet for a second.)

[Online Class – Afternoon]

[Group Chat – Kyle & Finn]

(Kyle reads but doesn’t reply.)

[Balcony – Evening]

Music muffled. Silence loud.

[Night – Rome’s Room]

(Phone lights up.)📲

[End of the Week – Morning]

(Michael doesn’t come out.)

(A few seconds later, a car starts below.)

(A pause.)

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To be continued