Slowly, Mia turned towards her house, her steps measured as she walked in a straight line—neither too fast nor too slow, just the usual.
But her heart pounded harder than normal. She tried to distract herself, but the feeling persisted.
The darkness enveloped her, yet her face betrayed no nervousness or fear. She was used to this void.
Back when her parents were still around, she'd asked them to install a light outside, but they only answered with a 'yes,' never following through.
Though in the morning, everything was clear. The yards outside were as expansive as they seemed at night, filled with small patches of green and yellow-brown grass, parched from the sun.Only the path was bare, the rough soil worn down by countless footsteps.
To the right and left, stood average-sized trees hugged the wall, marking the territory of her place. Up ahead was her small house—small only because of the vastness of the outside area. It was actually big enough for a small family.
Reaching her door, she didn't look back, yet she felt it—the sensation of being watched.
She knew it was Paul.
She wanted to turn around, but she resisted, thinking, "I'm always like this."
She pulled her keys from her pocket, gently pushed the wooden door open with a soft creak, and stepped inside, greeted by a flood of bright light.
The darkness from before vanished completely.
Quickly, she turned to shut the door. As she gently pushed it closed, she caught a final glimpse of Paul's turning back.
She exhaled internally and turned to face the same living room she'd seen countless times before.
Leaving her white shoes and socks behind, she stepped onto the light brown wooden floor. Placing the plastic bag on the dining table, just a few steps to her right, surrounded by four wooden chairs, she walked into the kitchen, turning right.
The kitchen was medium-sized, enough for two people to work comfortably. The refrigerator stood beside the entrance. She walked past it and grabbed a pan, filling it with water.
She placed it on the burner, lighting the gas stove with a lighter, standing there staring at the half-filled pan for a minute.
"Ha…"she exhaled slightly and walked out of the kitchen, turning right, then right again.
Up ahead was a meter-wide hallway with a dead end.
To her left was a sliding door, and to her right, a brown wooden door.
She slowly took three steps and opened the sliding door with ease, stepping into an all-white bathroom. The bathtub was empty. To her right was the shower, for when one was in a hurry.
She lightly turned left, releasing her hair from the bun she'd tied it in before leaving her house, and then she met herself.
A medium-sized mirror hung on the wall. A girl's face appeared—one she hadn't seen in a while. But the moment her eyes landed on it, she realized without thinking, "That's me, isn't it?"
The same pathetic look... How long has it been...? I don't even remember clearly... No. I don't even want to remember. I— I thought we had... No. I had changed, but... That's not the case, is it? You're always there without me even noticing, hiding from me… you were waiting for this, weren't you? All this time, trying to remind me with that same pathetic look, isn't it?"
She slightly turned her head left, glancing at the wall outside the bathroom for a second. Her mind flooded with endless thoughts as she took a step forward and slammed the door shut.
A few minutes after washing her face, hands, and feet, she emerged from the bathroom.
Feeling slightly refreshed, she wandered into the kitchen, grabbed a spoon, and checked the water in the pot. It was nearly boiling, so she turned off the stove and carried the pot and spoon to the dining table. Choosing the seat nearest the wall, she settled in, eager to watch some TV while she ate.
Her eyes darted around the table, searching for the remote. Spotting it on the floor beside her chair, she picked it up and pressed the power button.
As the TV flickered to life, she tore open a package of cup noodles.
Carefully, she poured the hot water into the cup and stirred gently, her gaze fixed on the television screen.
A news channel displayed images of people marching in a rally, but she paid it no mind.
As she began to eat, her thoughts began to wander.
She suddenly recalled that the last time she watched a news report was about a new transfer student involved in a murder. "Did they ever find the culprit?" she wondered.
"Transfer student? School...? Paul...? Her..., middle school, no? Kindergarten, from the start, was it my fault? Yeah... Probably, but they could have at least told me nicely, but they never did… Did they?"
"Shut up!!!"
"There's nothing to think about now, it's all in the past. But now...it's different. I am different, but...is he?"
Looking at Paul always reminded her of her past self, how much more pathetic she was back then, she tried talking to him, because she doesn't want anyone to feel what she felt back then, and doesn't feel regret like her now, but now she thought again.
She reconsidered. Maybe Paul was different from her somehow. It appeared as though he didn't want anyone intruding on his second life, based on what she saw in the alley earlier.
But...
"But still... I can't just leave him all alone like this... Sigh... I'm still pathetic, aren't I? But I want to be there. For him. When he is alone, when he is needed. Perhaps I'm not a perfect fit, but...until he can find someone like that, I'll be there for him."
"I...I can change that."
9 PM
"Yeah...I'm here. Where are you?"
Simon spoke into the phone looking for Julian as he entered a fancy five-star restaurant. His eyes scanned the room, hoping to spot Julian.
The place was enormous, the floors lined with plush crimson carpets. Round tables draped in white linen and matching chairs completed the scene. Diners, elegantly dressed, enjoyed their meals.
Despite the near-full occupancy, the restaurant didn't feel crowded, perhaps due to its sheer size or the thoughtful arrangement of the tables.
Customers and waiters navigated with ease. Simon, having frequented this establishment before, didn't feel nervous.
He still hadn't located Julian after a quick glance around, but Julian's voice came through the phone:
"Here, to the left side. Beside the wall."
Simon peered to the left, his gaze gradually shifting until he spotted a figure seated against the far end of the wall.
Julian turned his head and raised his hand slightly.
Recognizing Julian, Simon ended the call, slipped his phone into his pocket, and strolled towards him at a leisurely pace.
As he weaved through the tables, bathed in the restaurant's warm, ambient light, Simon couldn't help but notice the tantalizing dishes being served.
Hunger gnawed at him as he realized he hadn't eaten anything for hours. After leaving the previous restaurant and instructing Julian to keep an eye on that medical store, he had gone straight home, took a quick shower, changed clothes, and then promptly fallen asleep.
When he woke up, darkness had already fallen. He checked his phone to see how long he'd slept and found Julian's message.
He promptly called Julian to find out what he had discovered, but Julian replied calmly, "We should talk in person."
Simon agreed that sounded wise and asked where they should meet. Julian suggested this place for dinner, saying, "It's dinner time anyway."
Simon thought for a moment and then agreed to meet here by nine.
With about half an hour to spare, he quickly freshened up and headed over to the restaurant.