Nightfall settled like a soft blanket over the city.
Rover stood in front of the brown door behind the temple—just as the professor described. The cracked bell above it looked like it hadn't rung in years. A single bulb flickered overhead.
He hesitated.
Then he knocked, gently.
The door creaked open.
A soft voice greeted him from within, curious but not hostile.
Ayaka:
"You're not a delivery guy."
She stood barefoot in the hallway, wearing a worn hoodie and sweatpants. Her black hair was tied into a messy bun, and her sharp eyes studied him like she was trying to read every memory on his face.
Rover (clearing his throat):
"Uh… Professor Kuroda said I could... stay."
Her expression softened slightly, but she still crossed her arms.
Ayaka:
"Come in. Quietly. Vex is sleeping and Mina's studying. She'll eat your soul if you interrupt her again."
Rover stepped inside. The hallway was narrow, the wallpaper peeling slightly. The place smelled like warm tea and old wood. But it felt... safe.
He followed Ayaka into the living room. A low table, a pile of books, a tiny heater in the corner. On the couch sprawled Vex, snoring lightly, a hoodie pulled over his face.
Ayaka:
"That's Vex. Used to be a med student before his scholarship got pulled. Now he works part-time and studies at night."
From the hallway, another voice drifted in.
Mina (sharply):
"If you're talking about me, do it quieter or I'll fry your eyebrows."
Ayaka rolled her eyes.
Ayaka (to Rover):
"And that's Mina. She's a researcher, former top of her class she always study alot . She won't say much at first, but if she likes you, she might teach you how to cook without burning instant noodles."
A tall woman appeared in the hallway, wearing reading glasses and holding a stack of books. She looked at Rover with mild interest.
Mina:
"Huh. New stray?"
Rover (awkward):
"I guess."
Mina (after a pause):
"Welcome to the alley of misfits. Don't touch my notebooks."
She walked back into her room, the door closing with a gentle click.
Ayaka turned back to Rover, a small smile on her lips.
Ayaka:
"You'll get used to it. We all did."
Rover glanced around. Despite the patched walls and flickering lights, there was warmth here. Humanity. Connection.
He sat down at the low table, his back finally relaxing.
A moment later, the front door creaked again.
Professor Kuroda stepped in, carrying another bag of groceries and a tired look.
Professor Kuroda:
"I see you found your way here."
Rover (quietly):
"...Yeah."
Kuroda smiled faintly.
Professor Kuroda:
"Then rest. Tomorrow can wait."
He disappeared into the small kitchen.
---
Later that night, as silence settled in, Rover lay on the futon provided, staring at the ceiling.
He could still hear Mina typing, the sound of Ayaka humming quietly through the paper-thin walls, and Vex snoring like a chainsaw.
He smiled.
For once, he wasn't alone.
To be continue....