The office door clicked shut behind them.
Sion's space was as elegant and minimalistic as he was—glass walls on one side, lined bookshelves, a wide mahogany desk. A large abstract painting hung behind it, casting warm, earthy tones across the otherwise sleek interior.
Aiden stood stiffly near the doorway, juice glass still in hand. He didn't dare sip anymore.
Sion—no, Shinomi, or whoever he was here—removed his juice-stained blazer with a graceful shrug and tossed it onto the back of a leather chair. His white shirt beneath was damp and clung faintly to his chest. He didn't seem to care.
His dark eyes turned to Aiden, observing him closely.
Aiden felt a thousand things at once. Confusion. Longing. Hope. Fear. Relief. But he didn't know what to say or do. Everything inside him screamed "He's here!"—and yet… the man in front of him felt just out of reach.
Sion waved a hand in front of his face. "You still with me?"
Aiden blinked rapidly, snapping out of his daze. "Ah—! Y-Yes, sorry!"
He bowed deeply, guilt rushing in. "I-I really didn't mean to spill that juice. Please don't fire me, I was just nervous and—blanked out—!"
Sion raised an eyebrow, amused. "Relax. I'm not going to fire you."
"…Really?"
"But." He stepped closer, voice smooth. "You'll have to do something for me instead."
Aiden's heart jumped. He looked up, half-hopeful, half-worried. "What… kind of something?"
His mind raced ahead—Would he say it? Would he touch me? Would he remember?
But Sion only crossed his arms casually.
"I want you to design a game character. From scratch. A lead character, based entirely on my instruction. How he looks, how he moves, how he breathes."
Aiden blinked. "That's it…?"
"That's it."
Disappointment flickered behind his smile—but he quickly masked it. "Of course. Sure. I'll do my best."
Sion gave him a short nod. "Good. Come to my office tomorrow. I'll explain the vision then."
Aiden lingered for a moment, hesitating. Wanting to say something else. Ask something deeper.
But Sion was already turning away, heading to his desk.
"…You can go now," he said gently. "We're done for today."
Aiden opened his mouth—then closed it. He bowed slightly again, turned, and quietly left the room.
---
Outside the feast continued, but Aiden didn't feel like returning.
He walked home slowly under the night sky, the city's distant hum echoing around him. His thoughts were a mess.
> "He looked at me like he knew. But… maybe I imagined it?"
> "He didn't say my name. Not like Shinomi would."
> "But how could that be anyone else?"
When he reached his condo, he paused.
A tiny meow broke the silence.
At his door sat a drenched little kitten, trembling, eyes round and scared. Its fur was matted with rain and dust.
Aiden's heart softened instantly.
"…You're alone too, huh?"
He knelt down, gently scooped the kitten into his arms, and brought it inside.
After a warm bath, a towel rub, and some leftover tuna, the kitten curled into his lap and purred contently.
Aiden stroked its fur with absent-minded tenderness, his gaze distant.
He should've been focused on the surreal moment with Sion.
He should've been analyzing every word, every gesture.
But instead, he sat there with a soft, sleeping kitten in his arms… wondering if fate was playing a trick on him again.
---