People were talking, some were laughing, a few were still copying homework before class started.

Nothing special.

Alex Kim sat at his desk, writing.

"Hey, Alex, can you show me number 3?"

"Alex, did you finish the assignment?"

"Alex, wanna go to karaoke later?"

He looked up and gave a small smile.

"Yeah, here."

"I finished it."

"Maybe. I'll see."

Simple answers.

Easy.

That was enough.

Everyone knew Alex, a perfect and gentle guy who is so good towards everyone.

He had good grades, didn't cause trouble, and got along with pretty much everyone. He is good at sport and smart.

Teachers liked him. Classmates depended on him.

If someone asked about him, the answer was always the same:"He's perfect and every girl's dream"

Alex looked back at his notebook and opened it.

Everything was neat. Clean handwriting. No mistakes.

He stared at it for a second, then turned the page.

"Oi, Kim."

A voice came from the side out of nowhere.

A boy dropped into the seat next to him without asking.

And sighed.

Glasses. Messy hair. Shirt half untucked. The infamous otaku Toby.

"Doing your perfect student routine again?"

Alex didn't stop writing.

"I'm just doing my work."

"Yeah, yeah," Toby said, leaning back.

"You always say that."

He looked at Alex for a moment.

"You ever liked someone?"

Alex paused.

While looking at the book.

"…What do you mean?"

"Like, anyone for example our class beauty Lily and Daisy"

"Hmm. Erica is cute but her temper is scary unlike my Mimi-Chan who outbeauty everyone"

Alex shook his head lightly.

"Not really."

"That's crazy," Toby laughed.

"Mr. Perfect is suck at romance, what a disappointment"

He leaned forward a bit.

"Honestly, you don't feel real sometimes."

Alex glanced at him.

"…I'm right here. "

"Physically, yeah," Toby grinned.

"But mentally?"

I'm not convinced! You feel like cold CEO"

Alex didn't reply.

"Hmm Anyway, what I'm about to ask you is"

Toby continued,

suddenly serious for no reason,

"important question."

Alex sighed quietly.

"What is it?"

"2D or 3D?"

"…What?"

"Which is better?"

"No."

"Wrong answer bro"

The bell hadn't rung yet, but the classroom was starting to settle down.

Alex closed his notebook.

Everything felt normal.

"Hey."

Toby nudged him.

"You spaced out again."

"I didn't."Alex said.

"You did," he said.

"You always do that sometimes. Or perhaps you thinking finding girl behind my back? "

Alex didn't argue.

A few rows ahead, a girl with pink hair was talking to her friend.

For a moment, she turned slightly and looked at Alex.

Alex noticed—

then looked away.

"Alright, sit down everyone."

The teacher walked in, and the noise slowly stopped.

Books opened. Chairs stopped moving.

Class started.

Alex sat up straight.

Same as always.

On the outside, nothing was wrong.

Everything was in place.

Everything was fine.

But for some reason—

When he thought of the past,

he felt tired.

The world continued without him realising it.

"Did you finish your homework? Let me Copy it?"

"Wanna chill out together?"

"It's your cleaning duty today"

Someone laughed near the window. A group of boys was talking about math.

"Basketball later?"

"Don't be late this time or else my mom will scold me"

Alex sat quietly at his desk, flipping through every note. Still as usual, he smiles every time people talk to him.

"Oi, Kim"

A causal yet familiar voice.

Toby pulled some nearby chair to move next to Alex's seat like he didn't care anything.

"What's up today?"

"Ya been down, perhaps heartbroken?" Toby teased.

"I am just reviewing" Alex said.

"Nah, you are as cold as ever not even greeting me, How sad."

Alex didn't respond.

For a moment the teacher came in.

"Alright everyone went back to your seats. Today we will be doing group project"

All the students frowned.

"Group project again?"

"Can't we choose other thing else, teacher?

"Yeah, yeah" agreed the students.

"No, I will arrange the students which go to their selected group."

Toby leaned towards Alex and whispered.

"Yo bro!, if I get stucked with boring people, I am blaming you"

"That doesn't make sense" Alex said.

"It doesn't have to"

As minutes passed, the teacher calls out names.

Some whispered "That is the end of the game!"

"I wanna be with Alex cuz he is handsome"

"Yeah I hope I get a reliable partner like Alex in the group."

"Toby Kang....Alex Kim.....Daisy Hanna....Erica Han." teacher called out.

The whole room went silent.

Toby slowly turned his head to Alex.

"....We're popular."

"Must be the charm of Mimi-Chan"

"Same thing" said Alex.

"Bro, you just agree with my statement?" uttered Toby.

A chair slid across the floor.

Daisy walked over calmly, placing her books on the desk.

"Looks like we are working together" she said.

"Yeah"

Another chair dragged loudly.

"Move."

A small blonde girl dropped her bag onto the table and sat down.

Erica Han.

She crossed her arms immediately.

"Let's get this done quickly" (I don't mind if it takes a bit longer..)

Toby stared at her while positioning his glasses.

"....You're intense."

"I don't like wasting time" she said

"Scary."

"I heard that."

"Good"

The worksheet was placed in the center of the table.

Daisy picked it up first.

"It's not to complicated"

"We can divide the questions."

"I will write," Alex said.

"Of course you will." Toby muttered.

They started

Daisy read through the questions carefully.

Alex wrote neatly and cleanly without hesitation as if he is a pro.

Erica answered everything quickly without stopping.

Toby leaned back.

"I will observe."

"You're not doing anything," Erica said.

"That's not true and I am supervising."

"You are useless" said Erica.

Daisy paused for a sec.

"....That doesn't mean anything."

"It means I am important without working."

Alex continued writing as if he forgot everything around him.

"This question is a bit tricky"

"Can you help me with it"? Daisy said.

"Hmm... let me check." Alex slightly leaned closer.

"...We can solve it right this and this."

He explained it briefly and easily.

Erica glanced at it with slightly annoyed.

("Why he is so close to that girl?")

Toby blinked.

"You solved that too fast."

"Are you even a human?" Toby shocked.

"It's simple."

Someone ran over and picked it up.

"After school, don't forget the match!" another student shouted.

"Yeah, bring water as well this time."

"Shut up!" another student shouted.

The classroom was chaotic.

Half students were working and halfs were pretending to waste the time.

"You playing later?" Toby asked.

"No" said Alex.

"Of course, Mr. Perfect will only steal the spot with many girls in today's match."

They finished earlier than most groups.

Daisy checked the answers again.

"This should be fine now I guess?"

Erica nodded.

"Obviously."

Toby stretched.

"Great teamwork. Especially me."

"You did nothing." Erica said.

"I contribute morally."

"You made it worse."

The teacher while doing paperwork with waiting the groups.

"Which group wants to present first?" the teacher asked.

Silence.

No one moved.

Toby leaned toward Alex.

"Bro, go on! This is your time."

Alex stood up without hesitation.

"I will do it."

Many students were amazed by his courageous personality.

"Of course you will." Toby whispered.

At the front of the class, Alex began explaining his presentation.

Confident voice. Never stopped. No mistake.

Some students listened.

Some don't.

Some even slept.

But the result was the same.

Whisper went across the room.

"He is so reliable...if only I had a boyfriend like that."

"Yeah, he never messes up."

Alex heard it. Though he always did.

Back at the desk, Toby crossed his arms while leaning back.

"There he goes again."

"Mr. Perfect."

Erica rested her chin on her hand, watching.

Daisy didn't look away.

When Alex finished. The teacher nodded.

"You all should be like Alex. Be bold."

"Thank you for compliment." said Alex.

He walked back.

Same expression.

Same calmness.

"Not bad." Erica said and clapping

"Thanks"

"That's high praise." Toby added while positioning his glasses with fingers in the middle.

The bell rang.

Class ended.

Chairs are moved again.

People started talking and back as usual.

"Maybe later?"

"Yeah don't be late,"

"Let's grab some drinks first."

Toby stood up and streched.

"So, what's the plan after school?"

"No plan" Erica said.

"Boring."

Daisy picked her book neatly.

"I have practice."

"Basketball?" Toby asked.

She nodded.

"Hehhh" Toby sighed.

"I have part time. I need to save money. And then buy the latest Bag chain of my dear Mimi-Chan."

"Weirdo otaku" said Erica.

Alex packed up his book inside the bag.

Everything was done.

Perfect.

"You really don't mess up, do you?"

Alex paused.

He turned slightly.

Daisy was looking at him.

Not teasing.

Not joking.

Just watching.

"...Not really" he said.

She frowned slightly.

("..That's weird, am I imagining thing?")

For some reason--

that simple comment stayed longer than it should.

For the first time--

Alex didn't know how to respond.

In the next morning, the birds nearby the classroom windows were chirping.

Toby leaned back from the seat to the wall while looking at his phone.

"Wow, Mimi-Chan's latest figurine."

"Yo Alex! This is limited edition!"

Alex didn't respond.

"...I don't get it." Erica said.

"What do you mean?" Toby replied.

"Because it's childish and weird."

"That's not true."

They argued like usual.

A few students laughed quietly.

Alex was lost in thought.

("Alex! Alex! Alex!")

"Alex?" Daisy called him.

"What's it?"

"Hmm... I have been calling you many times but what were you thinking?"

"Nothing."

"You're lying."

They both look at each other in silent.

Alex kept writing.

Teacher came in.

"Alright everyone, get back to your seats."

"Take out your book."

Daisy was thinking in her mind.

"hmm.. that's weird."

Just like that.

Class started.

After awhile...

"Finally," Toby stretched himself back forth. "That was a long day, if only Mimi-Chan was here."

"You didn't do anything" Erica said.

"Ya joking?," "Sitting 4 hours is a crazy routine."

Daisy close her notebook.

"We still have time before lunch."

Toby quickly turned his back to Alex.

"Bro, let's get some drinks."

"I'm fine."

"What do you mean?" "Oh come on."

"I will go," Daisy interrupted.

Some students finished their work and started heading to cafeteria.

"...I guess I am going." Erica muttered.

"I am going too!" Toby said immediately.

All three of them looked at Alex.

"What?" he said.

"Ya coming." Toby replied.

"I didn't say that."

"But I decided." Toby smirked.

A few minutes later.....

They were in the hallway.

Students were moving around, talking, laughing, heading to different places, some peeked at Alex.

Toby walked ahead.

"So, important question."

"No" Erica said instantly.

"Why?," "You didn't even know what I was going to ask."

"I do."

"Fine. Another important question."

"That's worse."

It was so crowded. Students were moving, hurrying, some even bumped into each other.

Toby frowned. "When will we ever get this done?" "Don't tell me after lunch free time?"

"That's why I never come to this place." Alex said.

"It's true." Erica said.

("Should I hire my bodyguard to cook for Alex???") She was thinking internally.

15 minutes later...

"Nooooo!" Toby shouted. His voice went acrosss the entire cafeteria.

"My chicken....." Cried Toby.

"Why are you crying over a mare chicken?" Erica said with slightly annoyed face.

Daisy picked up the food and went to find table so did Alex.

"Wow.. these guys only picked rabdom food." Toby said.

They all sat together in one table.

"It's festive, isn't it?"

Silence.

From nearby, someone called out:

"Hey, let's practice volleyball, don't forget!"

"Yeah, we're going!"

Between them, the atmosphere changed.

"Guys, don't scare me." "Say something, Alex." Toby said.

"....Forget it," Erica said finally,

"I don't care." she dinned food.

But it was obvious--

she did.

The bell rang again.

Lunchtime.

"Another serve," Toby said immediately.

"You only think about eating," Erica said.

They finished.

They moved together.

Alex walked behind slightly.

Daisy's words stucked in his head.

(""You are lying."")

For some reason---

He couldn't ignore this time.

And for the first time---

he wasn't sure if she was wrong.

Class started as usual.

The class this time was a free period.

Some were playing.

Some were talking about getting boyfriends.

"Hehhh," Toby yawned. "Boring."

"Can't we talk something?" he immediately turned his back and asked Alex.

Alex didn't respond.

And later, to avoid suspicion.

"Tell me jokes." Alex said suddenly.

"Are you for real?" "Do you prefer 2D or 3D?"

"Isn't there any question that is better than that?"

"Humph!," "Those who don't know will never understand my concept.

While Toby laughed so hardly and bumped away Alex's eraser.

And at the same time as to he was about to pick up and someone picked it up.

"Thank you!" Toby said.

It was a Blondie Erica.

"Humph." She looked at him with disgusted angry face.

"Woh man, that scared me." Toby was back shocked.

Alex just stayed quiet.

Deep down he was thinking something.

Some girls came and started a conversation with him. And some even gave him homemade snack.

"Yo! Mr. Perfect is at his peak again." Toby, positioning his glasses.

"If only these girls are 2D, this entire school will be a heaven."

Girls asked.

"Alex, what do you like?"

"Alex, what type of girl do you like?"

"Alex, wanna go to karaoke together?"

As usual.

Simple answer.

"I like avocados."

"That's a secret."

"Sorry, I had a part time jobs and nightshifts.

From afar, a pink hair girl, her bangs slightly covered her face barely visible tilted her heads looking at him.

The class president stepped up in front of the class and delivered something.

"Should we prepare something for the future like pre-plan for festivals and events?"

"Woh....Yeah. Of course! Shouted the whole class.

While everyone was talking, Alex was writing, deeply thinking again and lost in thought.

A memory....

("Alex, you will never be able to grow up and only clinging to your mother." [Unknown] said.)

"Must I do this?" he was thinking.

"No! I must." he insisted.

"Hello, bro?" Toby waved his hands in front of him.

"Are you thinking something again?"

"Nothing."

"Are you sure?"

"Really."

"Man, you scared me sometimes."

Alex went silent.

He opened his book and look stared at it for a couple of minutes.

For a moment---

His internal thoughts were crashing each other, "I should get these useless thoughts of mine out.

The bell rang.

It was 3 pm.

Chairs moved almost instantly.

"Finally…" Toby stretched like he had just finished a triathlon. "I survived."

"You wasted time half of PE," Erica said.

"That was tactical."

"No, that was lazy."

Daisy stood up, get her bag.

"I have practice."

"Basketball?" Toby asked.

She nodded.

"Oh nah, your stamina is endless."

"…We won last time."

"Be sure to win this time around as well." positioning his glasses.

Erica picked up her bag.

"I'm going home."

"Already?" Toby said. "No dramatic exit?"

"…Why would I need one?"

"You seem like the type."

She gave him a look.

"You talk too much."

Alex packed his things quiet slowly.

Same as always.

Neat and very organized.

Toby looked at him.

"Ya heading out?"

"Yeah.?"

"Come get food in my house?"

"No."

"You always say no."

"I don't need to."

Toby sighed.

"You're no fun," "Only boring stuff"

They left the classroom together.

The hallway was filled with noise again. Students were talking about plans, clubs, random things.

"I'm going to eat out," Toby said. "Anyone coming?"

"No," Erica replied immediately.

"Rejected again?"

Daisy shook her head lightly.

"I have practice."

Toby looked at Alex.

"…Last chance?"

"I'm going home."

"…humph I will just go back and watch Mimi-Chan live in the room," Toby muttered.

They split at the stairs.

Alex walked toward the school gate alone.

The air outside felt different. A breeze passed through him.

Cooler and quieter.

"Alex."

A voice called out from afar.

He stopped.

And Turned.

A girl stood near the gate.

Pink hair, slightly messy from the wind.

Lily Eura.

"…You're done?" she asked.

"Yeah."

She walked closer.

"I thought so."

A small pause.

"You didn't come by earlier," she said.

"I was busy."

"Oh...You're always busy."

Alex didn't reply.

Lily smiled slightly.

"…That hasn't changed."

"…What hasn't?" he asked.

"Nothing."replied Lily.

He looked at her.

"Ok", "Are you criticising me?"

"No," she shook her head quickly. "I didn't mean it like that."

Another small pause.

"Are you heading home?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Any plan?"

"No."

"…Can I walk with you?"

Alex hesitated for a moment.

Then—

"…Sure."

They started walking.

The streets were calm.

A few students passed by, talking about practice or weekend plans.

"You've been spending time with new people," Lily said.

"Group work."

"That girl… Daisy?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"She seems nice."

"She is."

"And the other one…"

"…Erica?"

Lily nodded.

"She looks kind of cute but scary."

Alex thought about it.

"…She just talks a lot, doesn't she?"

Lily laughed lightly.

"That doesn't make it less scary."

They kept walking.

"You don't join anything after school?" Lily asked.

"Not really."

"Why?"

"I don't need to."

"…You say that a lot," she said.

Alex didn't respond.

They passed by a small playground.

Old wings slightly worn down.

Lily slowed a bit.

"…Do you remember this place?"

Alex looked at it.

"…We used to come here," she said casually.

He tried to recall.

But nothing clear came up.

"…Not really," he said.

Lily paused for a second—

then smiled.

"Yeah… it was a long time ago."

She walked a bit ahead, then turned back slightly.

"You always forget things like that."

"…Sorry."

"You don't have to apologize," she said.

"It's normal."

But her tone was light.

Not blaming.

They stopped near the swings.

The wind moved slightly.

The chains creaked softly.

"…You haven't changed much," Lily said.

Alex looked at her.

"You said that earlier."

"I know."

She sat down on one of the swings.

Not swinging and just sitting while smiling.

"You're still… easy to talk to," she said.

Alex leaned slightly against the side pole.

"…Is that a good thing?"

"Yeah."

A small pause.

"…It feels the same."

Alex didn't reply.

He didn't fully understand what she meant.

From the road, voices echoed faintly.

Students passing by with friends.

Cars were moving and winds were blowing.

Normal.

"…You should go home," Lily said after a while.

"It's getting late."

"Yeah."

Alex stepped back.

"…See you tomorrow," she added.

He nodded.

"hmmm. Yeah"

He turned and walked away.

Lily stayed on the swing.

The expression was fading slowly.

She watched him leave.

Not calling out.

Not stopping him.

The distance between them grew slowly and unnoticeably.

After a moment—

she pushed the ground lightly.

The swing moved just a little.

Back and forth repeated.

"…Still the same," she whispered.

And somehow—

that felt both familiar…

and a little strange.

Morning classes felt slower than usual.

Or maybe.

However, it just felt that way.

Toby dropped his bag onto the desk.

"I have decided something important."

No one responded.

"I'm not going to survive this week."

"You say that every week," Erica said.

"And I'm right every time."

Daisy opened her notebook quietly."We just started the day."

"That's exactly why I'm worried."

Alex sat down, pulling out his materials with

same routine.

Just the same movements.

"Oi, Kim!," Toby leaned over.

"Do you ever feel tired of being responsible?"

"… Not really."

"That's not human."

Erica clicked her pen.

"He probably schedules his emotions."

"I don't."

"That's suspicious."

The teacher walked in.

"Take your seats. Listen everyone, today you will be having art class. make sure do something meaningful."

A few students perked up.

"Finally, something easy and fun."

"I can relax for once after studying the whole Autumn."

Toby looked relieved.

"… This is my subject,""Because I used to draw Mimi-Chan for a long time."

"Trust me, I am expertised at this." while positioning his glasses.

"You can't even draw a straight line," Erica said.

"That's abstract art."

"That's a bluffing."

The class moved to the art room. Sunlight came through large windows. Paints, brushes, paper and everything laid out neatly. With everything need for the today class.

"Today's task, draw something is beautiful to you."

"Beautiful?" Toby grinned.

"What a luck!"

Students started working. Daisy began sketching immediately. Clean, confident strokes. Erica looked at the paper for a moment—

"Hamm... What should I draw?"

And she looked at Alex and smiled.

Then started drawing quickly.

Toby stared at his blank sheet.

"… I'm still thinking something like posture and beauty."

"You're wasting time," Erica said.

"I'm thinking."

"You're not."

Erica annoyingly stood up and went to the place that shows the very pretty view of Alex.

Alex picked up his pencil.

Paused.

What was beautiful? He didn't think too much. Just started drawing. Lines formed slowly.

Simple.

From the side—

"Hey."

Alex looked up.

Lily stood there, holding her paper.

"… Can I sit here?"she asked.

He nodded.

"Yeah."

She sat beside him.

"… What are you drawing?" she asked.

Alex glanced at his paper.

"… Dunno maybe something."

Lily leaned slightly closer.

"… That's a puppy, isn't it?" she said.

He paused.

"…I guess it is," he said.

Lily smiled softly.

"You really know how to draw something like that."

"… Maybe."

She looked at her own paper.

"… I don't know what to draw," she admitted.

"I have been thinking for awhile.

Alex glanced at it.

Blank.

"Draw something simple,"he said.

"Like what?"

He thought for a second.

"Hmm....something your favorite."

Lily blinked slightly.

"… That's not simple," she said quietly.

Alex didn't respond.

She looked at him—

Then at he continued drawing again.

"… You are still kind as ever" she muttered.

"What's it?" He asked.

She shook her head and smile.

From across the room—

Erica looked over briefly.

Lily, sitting near Alex is the thing she never got to. Her face turned red.

Daisy noticed too.

But said nothing.

Toby finally drew something.

"… I am a genius."

"What is that?" Erica asked.

"… A character, My Mimi-Chan, the very best girl in my life,""No! The best girl in the entire world." Toby shouted.

"That's a stick figure."

"It represents simplicity."

"It represents failure."

A few students laughed.

The class felt light.

Normal.

But small things were changing. Lily stayed beside Alex. Erica glanced over more than once as if something disturbed her.

Daisy remained calm—

but observant.

And Alex...

Didn't move away.

"… You should finish it," Lily said.

"Yeah."

He continued drawing.

For some reason, this time it felt a little different.

Not uncomfortable.

Not forced.

Just…

Quiet.....

The bell rang.

"Time's up," the teacher said.

"Hand in your work."

Students stood up.

Talking again.

Toby held up his paper proudly.

"I call this… a masterpiece work."

"That's not even one," Erica said.

"That's the point."

Daisy handed hers in. Clean and beautiful. Lily hesitated slightly....then submitted hers. Alex placed his on the desk. The teacher glanced at it briefly.

"… Simple," he said.

Alex nodded.

As they left the room, Lily walked beside him again.

"… See you later?" she asked.

"Yeah."

She smiled.

And walked ahead happily.

From behind—

Erica watched.

"…This is annoying," she muttered.

Toby heard it.

"…Ah! what's happening."

"I said nothing and forget it."

"You said something, perhaps a boyfriend?"

Erica blushed and hit him with a book.

"Baka"

"What did I do?" Toby was confused in the middle of nowhere.

Daisy looked forward quietly.

And Alex—

didn't notice any of it.

Yet.

After being in a class for hours....

The sun was already setting like it was about time the moon show up.

"Decision successfully made!"

Alex didn't look up.

"What decision?

"We're going out."

"No!" instant reply from Alex.

"Come on, you didn't even listen to my plan."

"cuz I don't need to."

Toby leaned closer.

"What I'm about to tell you is we are going to eat,"

he paused.

"B a r B e Q u e."

"... Still no."

"You are unbelievable."

From the side—

"BBQ?" Daisy looked up and continued "Sounds good."

"See! Even our school beauty agreed this plan."

Erica, sitting nearby, looked at them for a moment and quickly looked straight back in front of her seat.

"BBQ? With Alex?" muttered while blushing secretly.

Her classmate next to her ask "What's the matter, Erica?"

"Nothing." she replied.

Out of nowhere.

"Eric, Will you come with us?" Toby called her out.

She startled(while blushing).

"W-what?" she replied while adjusting her tone.

"I asked will you come with us to dine BBQ?" Toby asked again and confused about her behavior.

"Must I come?" while showing a denying face and crossing her arms looking away.

"Forget it then."

"W-W-What do you mean? I didn't say I am not going."

"Well, it's decided then."

Toby announced.

"Meet up 7:15 pm at KingOfBBQ shop."

Daisy stood up slowly.

"Sounds nice, I will be going now then."

"Where?" Alex asked.

"Extra lectures."

"Oh okay."

For a while, the classroom was quiet, everyone took a nap.

Some were snoring louder than others.

While some were annoyed by them.

The breeze of winds passed through the window while carrying leaves.

After hours...

The place was already busy by the time they arrived. The smell of grilled meats and beef filled with tasteful air.

People were talking, laughing and chattering.

Toby walked in like he owned the place.

"Table for five."

"..Five?" Alex said.

"Yea."

Suddenly—

someone rushed over.

"Sorry—am I late?"

They turned. Lily stood there with slightly out of breath.

Toby grinned.

"No, you aren't late, just perfect timing."

"Did you invite her? Daisy asked.

"Of course!" Toby replied.

Alex looked at her.

"You're joining?

"Yeah. If that's okay."

Daisy nodded.

Erica didn't say anything.

She just slightly moved her chair next to Alex pretending as if nothing happened.

Lily smiled quietly like a burden.

Erica looked away.

"....I didn't do anything."

They all sat down.

Toby grabbed the menu.

"Alright, important question. Who's paying?"

"You." Erica replied.

"That's discrimination."

"What about you Alex?"

"I will pay it if no one els—"

Erica interrupted.

"Fine. I will pay it!"

"We will be counting on you then." All said.

They ordered. Fresh and well-cut meats were arrived.

Toby was so hungry and immediately took control.

"I will handle the meats."

"That's a bad idea, what if you overcooked it?" Erica said.

"Nah, trust me because I learned it from Mimi-Chan."

Despite that, Daisy helped him out just in case.

"You're good at this." Toby said.

"I used to cook it frequently back then."

"You are amazing."

After for a while.

"Everyone, help yourself." Lily gave out cooked meats.

"Wow, so juicy and tendered." Toby replied with smiling face.

"How was it?" Lily asked Daisy and Alex.

"Good!" They both replied.

("This is..... Not bad") Alex lost in thought.

Everything felt normal, full of laughter.

"Here have some more." Daisy said, placing some cooked meat onto Alex's plate.

"Thanks"

"What were you thinking?

"Nothing, maybe just the vibe."

"Rare to hear these from you."

"Is it?"

Before he could take it—

Another piece dropped to his plate.

Erica.

"It will burn if you wait," she said, not looking at him.

"Thanks." he replied.

"Oh..."

"You can have mine too," she said, placing hers gently.

Now his plate has three meats.

"I can't eat that much..." Alex said.

"Then, eat slowly." Erica replied.

"Or share." Lily replied.

Daisy just watched quietly.

Toby leaned back and grinned.

"This is getting interesting."

"What?!" Erica replied.

"Nothing just interesting."

"You are so annoying."

They ate and talked. The vibe was youthful.

Some were taking out their children to BBQ for their birthday.

"You don't usually go out like this, right?" Lily asked Alex.

"...Not really."

"Why not?"

"I don't think about it."

"You should, I think it's good to release some stress."

Before he could responded—

"It's inefficient," Erica muttered.

Toby blinked.

"What?"

"Going out like this. Time, money...unnecessary."

"You are literally here."

"I didn't choose this."

"But you stayed." Daisy replied calmly.

Erica didn't reply. She just flipped the meat again and about to overcooked without knowing.

She was about to flip another one but almost slipped—

Alex reached out instinctively, steadying the tongs slightly.

Their hands paused for a second.

"Careful." He said.

Erica pulled back quickly.

"I-I know."

But her ears were red.

Toby while about to eat the meat that covered his mouth— (cough!)

"What was th—"

"Shut up."

Lily looked down briefly. Then smile again.

"This is nice," she said.

Daisy nodded.

"... Yeah..."

The noise of the shop continued around them.

For a moment—

No one spoke but just the sound of the bell.

"... You should go out more often," Lily said again with slightly smiling.

Alex thought for a second.

"Yeah, maybe."

It was a short answer but different.

Daisy noticed.

Toby slammed the table lightly.

"Mission successfully progressed."

"What?" Alex asked.

"You said 'Maybe'. That's character development."

"That's not a big deal."

"It is."

Erica looked away.

".... It's normal."

But her grip on the tongs loosened slightly.

Lily smiled.

And Daisy—

Just watched quietly.

Later, they stepped outside. The night air felt cooler.

"Finally, some freedom," Toby said.

"You ate the most," Erica said.

"I need more strength."

"For what?"

"For a living."

They started walking. Lily walked beside Alex, Daisy slightly ahead and Toby talking nonstop.

Erica just a little behind. Not too far but not beside him either.

Then looked away.

"Next time for sure" she muttered quietly.

No one heard it.

Except—

Maybe herself.