Mei sat in silence, staring blankly ahead while Levi still held the cup in his hands, his eyes fixed on her.
After a moment, he spoke again.
"Wanna hear a story?"
Without waiting for an answer, he continued.
"A long time ago, there as a boy who loved going on journeys and adventures. One day, he wandered too far and found himself somewhere unknown. He was lost. He couldn't find his way back... but then he was found by a stranger."
His voice remained calm.
"The stranger helped him adapt to the new environment, helped him live peacefully, helped him make friends. But eventually... things went south. In the middle of all the chaos, the stranger left."
He lowered his gaze slightly.
"The boy couldn't bear it. So he gave up every chance he had of going home... and brought the stranger back."
A brief silence followed before he continued.
"He did it again... and again... until he could no longer tell which road led him home... and which one led him back to the stranger."
His expression never changed.
"He was lost once more."
Another pause.
"So he made a decision."
"He would let the stranger be."
"He would respect the stranger's choice."
"And that's what he did."
"Now..."
"He waits."
"Waiting for the stranger to come back on their own."
Silence filled the room.
The only sound was the porcelain cup gently meeting the table.
Mei finally snapped out of her daze.
She blinked.
"...Do you understand?"
Levi asked.
"Understand?"
Mei repeated absentmindedly.
Levi leaned back in his chair before checking the time.
Looking back at her, he said calmly,
"It seems our session is over."
He stood.
"I'll leave the story for you to interpret."
Outside the building...
Mei stepped through the entrance before noticing a man standing a short distance away.
He wore a long brown coat that swayed gently with the breeze.
As soon as he noticed her, he walked over.
"Good day, miss."
He gave a polite smile.
"Would you mind having a little talk with me?"
Mei looked at him.
This time, however...
It wasn't fear.
Nor anger.
Only a strange sense of calm.
The man bowed slightly.
"My name is Lucien Thorne."
"I was asked to come speak with you."
---
At the Misfit Faction headquarters
---
The atmosphere was noticeably more tense than usual.
Members hurried through the halls, each carrying out their own task.
Lian Ye leaned quietly against the wall, watching them pass.
Footsteps echoed.
Tel Suyin approached him, walking past before suddenly stopping.
Without turning around, he spoke.
"An emergency mission has been issued to every available member of the Misfit Faction."
A brief pause.
"Get ready."
Before Tel Suyin could continue walking, Lian Ye answered calmly.
"Vice Captain..."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm not available at the moment."
He straightened himself before continuing.
"Captain Hei Zhen has ordered me and a few other Misfit members to investigate something at Aurora Heights."
Tel Suyin slowly turned to look at him.
His expression became complicated.
There was frustration...
Perhaps even anger.
Lian Ye noticed it and bowed his head slightly.
"I'm truly sorry."
"But..."
"Even you wouldn't disobey the Captain's orders."
"Please excuse me."
He adjusted his clothes, pushed himself away from the wall, and calmly walked toward his room...
Leaving Tel Suyin standing alone in the corridor.
Still wearing that same complicated expression.