The air in the café buzzed with murmurs and occasional laughter. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the sweetness of pastries, but the real entertainment wasn't on the menu—it was happening right at the center table.
Izzy leaned forward, a slight frown creasing her forehead. "Hm… what happened, Ethan?
Ethan you said she'd tutor me, but… she's just a kid?"
Mia, sitting across from them, huffed, folding her arms. "Ahe7m. This 'kid' has better scores than you, studies harder, and from what I've seen of your scores—they're total low-class, below average." She shot Ethan a pointed glare. "So, you don't get to insult me. And if it wasn't for your sister, Izzy, I wouldn't have agreed to tutor someone like you in the first place."
Izzy's eyes widened as she nervously waved her hands. "Ahh, Mia—"
[Leon—Totally pissed. Nerves showing on forehead. Forcing a smile. This little bi— girl wants to get smacked in the face.]
Ethan leaned back, his arms resting lazily on the chair, his eyes narrowing. "If that's the case, then get lost already, little brat. My mood's getting worse just seeing you in front of me."
Izzy groaned, rubbing her temples. "Aghh—hey! That's enough! Now calm down, both of you!" She took a deep breath, exhaling sharply. "Haaf… We'll talk later. Let's just go home first."
The café had grown quieter. Nearby customers, who had been enjoying their drinks, were now more invested in the spat unfolding before them. Some whispered, others chuckled. One table in particular seemed to be enjoying the drama a little too much.
Izzy turned to the group of amused onlookers, sighing. "Sorry for this mess, guys."
Jordan grinned, waving her off. "Why sorry? We enjoyed the show, hah!"
Sophie leaned in, smirking. "Don't worry, Izzy. We'll close up the café. You go with them."
Izzy blinked. "Really? Thank you, Sophie."
Sophie waved a hand. "No problem."
Lena chimed in, giving a thumbs-up. "Yeah, we'll take care of things here."
As Ethan, Izzy, and Mia got ready to leave, Ethan flashed a grin at the group. "Bye, beautiful ladies and handsome bro. I wish to meet you all again."
Lena whistled. "Whoa, what a charmer you are. See you again as well."
Sophie giggled. "Bye, Ethan."
Jordan leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Kid, can you teach me some charming tricks too?"
Ethan smirked. "I'll think abou—"
[Leon—Never.]
Jordan snickered. "Figures."
"Bye, Jordan."
"Bye, Izzy, Mia, Ethan."
The trio stepped out of the café, the door swinging shut behind them with a soft chime. The streetlights flickered on as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows on the pavement.
Mia glanced at Ethan, her expression still slightly annoyed but less hostile. "You seriously don't have any manners, do you?"
Ethan scoffed. "Says the one who insulted me first."
Izzy groaned. "Oh god, not again."
And just like that, the evening continued, filled with bickering, sighs, and the undeniable energy of people who, despite their clashes, were somehow stuck with each other.
The dining room was tense. It wasn't just the silence, or the clinking of utensils, or even the dim light casting long shadows over the wooden table—it was the glares.
Ethan sat with his elbow on the table, supporting his face with one hand, scowling. Across from him, Mia returned the look, her dead-cold stare like a sharpened dagger.
[Leon- "Tch. This ain't dinner. This is a goddamn battlefield."]
The way they glared at each other, it was as if invisible swords were clashing mid-air, sparks flying, neither backing down. Just then, Izzy walked in, carrying plates of food, oblivious to the warzone she was stepping into.
"Ahem—hey, food's gonna get cold if you two keep staring at each other like that," she said, placing the plates down with a soft clink.
Ethan let out a low grunt, picking up his spoon. "Yeah, yeah, as you say, Sis. Can't let good food go to waste just because some weirdo keeps glaring at me."
Mia's eye twitched. "Who the hell are you calling a weirdo?! You're the weirdo, weirdo!"
[Leon- "And here we go again."]
Izzy sighed, pressing her fingers to her temples. "Oh, hey, I almost forgot! We have ice cream in the freezer."
Mia's ears practically twitched. Her entire demeanor shifted, eyes flickering with interest. "Strawberry or chocolate?" she asked, voice almost eager.
"Chocolate."
Before Ethan could blink, Mia was devouring her food at inhuman speed.
He stared, spoon halfway to his mouth. "Did she just—" He turned to Izzy. "Did she just end the war in under five seconds?"
Izzy stifled a laugh.
[Leon- "Is there a black hole in her stomach, or what?!"]
Mia, trying to act normal despite her cheeks being full, swallowed quickly and turned to Izzy. "Sister Izzy, ice cream please."
Izzy smirked. "That was fast. Like always."
Mia cleared her throat, looking slightly embarrassed. "Ahem… Sister... please?"
Ethan scoffed, shaking his head as he lazily scooped food into his mouth. "Tch. Ridiculous."
Izzy and Ethan finished their meals soon after. As Izzy stood up, she stretched and grinned. "Okay, okay, I'll get you the ice cream. What about you, Ethan?"
"Nah, I'll pass." He waved her off, leaning back in his chair.
Izzy pouted. "Really? But chocolate ice cream was your favorite."
Ethan froze mid-stretch. "Was it?"
Izzy tilted her head. "You don't remember?"
[Leon- "How the hell am I supposed to know what this kid likes or not? Ugh. These people…"]
Ethan sighed, rubbing his temple. "...Okay, fine. Get me some too."
Izzy beamed, skipping off to the freezer. "Hehehe, thought so!"
Mia smirked slightly. "See? You do like it."
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Shut up."
A moment later, Izzy returned with two bowls, placing them on the table with a flourish. "Here you go—chocolate ice cream for the two weirdos."
"Hey!" Ethan and Mia protested at the same time.
Izzy just laughed. "Eat up, before it melts."
Ethan stared at the bowl of ice cream in front of him, watching as it slowly melted. When was the last time I even ate ice cream?
[Leon- "I really don't remember... must've been years."]
His gaze flicked toward Mia, who had already finished hers, the bowl empty and clean like it had just come out of the dishwasher.
[Leon- "Wow... that was fast. the power of blackhole."]
Mia caught him staring and narrowed her eyes. "Ice cream."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Hey, you know I'm not gonna give it to you."
Mia scoffed, standing up abruptly. "Whatever," she muttered and headed toward the washroom.
Ethan chuckled under his breath. "Heh... hm." He glanced back at his bowl. The ice cream was melting. "Guess I should taste it before it turns into soup."
He took a spoonful and placed it in his mouth. A sudden wave of nostalgia hit him, though he couldn't quite place why.
[Leon- "It's... good."]
That was the only word that came to mind. Nothing poetic, nothing fancy. Just good. Eating food with my people, without worrying about anything in the world, just enjoying the taste—
DING DONG
[Leon- "And there goes my touching moment."]
Izzy started to move toward the door, but Ethan waved her off. "I got it."
He walked over and pulled the door open. "Who—!!!" His body stiffened as his eyes met the uniformed figure standing outside.
A police officer.
[Leon- "What—who—?!"]
Mia's voice came from behind. "Hey, Dad."
Ethan turned his head slowly towards Mia, his mind short-circuiting.
[Leon- "Daaaddd!?!?"]
Izzy, hearing the commotion, stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. She blinked in surprise before a smile spread across her face. "Ah! Mr. Carter! It's been a while."
The officer, Mr. Carter, gave a warm smile, adjusting his hat. "Hello, Izzy. Hello, Ethan. It's been some time, huh?"
Ethan shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah... hah, yeah. Hello—"
Izzy, ever the gracious host, stepped aside. "Come in, Mr. Carter. You must be tired after work. Have a seat."
Mr. Carter nodded appreciatively and stepped inside, his heavy boots making a dull thud against the wooden floor. The atmosphere felt... off. Ethan couldn't quite place why. The tension that had started at the doorway hadn't faded. It sat thick in the air, lingering like an unsaid truth.
As everyone settled around the dining table, Mr. Carter's gaze fell on Ethan, his eyes filled with something unreadable. Concern? Pity? Guilt? Ethan didn't know, and frankly, he didn't want to.
Mr. Carter leaned forward slightly. "I heard about your memory loss. That must be rough on you, but don't worry. Everything will work out fine. I promise to get you your justice."
Ethan blinked. "Justice?" His stomach twisted. Something about that word didn't sit right.
Izzy stiffened. "Ah! Hey, Ethan! He means—uh—the... the driver! The one who hit you with a car and ran away! Remember?"
Ethan hesitated. "Oh... right. That."
Izzy nodded quickly. "Yeah! Am I right, Mr. Carter?"
The officer looked slightly confused for a moment, then Mia leaned in and whispered something in his ear. He nodded. "Oh yeah! That driver! A bad guy. Real bad. We'll catch him, don't you worry."
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Oookeyyy..."
[Leon- "What is going on here...? Why does it feel like they're hiding something?"]
The air grew thick with silence. __________________
Ethan looked from Izzy to Mia to Mr. Carter. Everyone was acting weird. Too tense. Too careful.
His stomach twisted.
[Leon- "Something's off."]
Mia sighed, sensing the awkwardness, suddenly clapped her hands together. "Ahh… hey, Ethan, have you decided when you'll be joining New Star Academy?"
Ethan leaned back, arms resting on the chair. "Hm… yeah, I'm thinking about starting next week."
[Leon- Why is she suddenly acting all friendly? Is she trying to shift this awkward conversation? Smart move, Miss Blackhole.]
Izzy looked at him with concern. "Are you sure? I mean… you'll be okay with joining next week? You're way behind compared to the other students."
Ethan shrugged, picking at the table. "Yeah, that's true… but don't worry. As Mr. Carter said, everything'll work out fine. And besides… a top student will be tutoring me, you know."
Mia raised a brow, smirking. "Oh really? And who's that unlucky person?"
Ethan gave a deadpan stare. "A certain kid with a black hole in her stomach."
Mr. Carter chuckled, shaking his head. "And who's this kid? My little Mia is also a foodie."
Mia's face burned red. "Agh! Dad!"
Ethan snickered, taking pleasure in her frustration.
Mia exhaled dramatically, composing herself. "Anyway, I'll be coming to tutor you every day at the same time. Got it?"
Ethan stretched his arms, letting out a yawn. "Got it."
Mia smiled, turning towards the door. "Let's go, Dad. Bye, Sister Izzy."
Mr. Carter nodded. "See you both later."
Ethan waved lazily. "Bye, Mr. Carter. Bye, BLACKHOLE."
Mia clenched her fist, gritting her teeth. "You… agh! SIGH!" She stormed off with her father, slamming the door behind her.
Izzy shook her head and sighed. "Haa… Ethan, you never stop poking her, do you?"
Ethan grinned. "She makes it too easy."
Izzy rolled her eyes and walked back to the kitchen. "Anyway, your ice cream's melting."
Ethan's eyes widened. "Agh! Wait, I'm coming for you, ice cream!" He dashed inside like his life depended on it.
A Little While Later – Ethan's Room
Ethan flopped onto his bed, sighing in satisfaction. "That was great. I don't know why I ever stopped eating ice cream. Haha."
He stretched out, staring at the ceiling. "Now, let's call it a day. I'm done with all the adventures for today."
His eyes grew heavy, and within seconds, he drifted into sleep.
Inside Ethan's Dream
A cold, dark alley. Heavy rain. A metallic weight in his hand.
A gun.
His breathing was slow, controlled. The distant hum of a siren echoed in the silence.
[Leon- Tsk. What is this bullshit dream?]
The grip tightened. A shadowy figure stood before him, their face hidden in the darkness. A voice, muffled yet clear enough to send chills down his spine.
"You think you can escape it?"
The trigger felt too real. His heartbeat quickened.
[Leon- Oh hell no, I was supposed to be sleeping peacefully. What the hell is this dream sequence?
"Hey! Narrator! Quit it already! I'm trying to sleep!"
Narrator: "Ye-yes, sir! As you say! B-Bye!"
The dream shattered into nothingness, fading into deep, uninterrupted sleep.
—
End of the Day.
TO BE CONTINUED....