The girl tilted her head slightly, her voice hesitant.
"Uh… is there something on my face? Or… are you okay, sir?"
The word sir snapped him out of his trance. His gaze hardened again.
"I'm fine. You're just making a mess, soaking that bench. Don't you have any dry clothes? You'll catch a cold—"
He cut himself off, inwardly frowning. Why the hell do I care?
She gave him a small smile while twisting her hair to wring out the water.
"Don't worry. I love the water. And… it's not the first time I've fallen in. Thanks for helping me."
His expression softened, just a fraction.
"You're welcome. And quit the 'sir' thing — you're making me feel old."
She giggled at that, the sound soft and warm enough to catch his attention again.
"Okay, sorry. Didn't mean to make you feel old — I was just being polite, you know?"
She paused, then extended her hand with a gentle smile.
"I'm Lorenza."
Vincent looked at her for a moment, unmoving, as if he might refuse. But finally, he took her hand in his, his grip firm but brief.
"Vincent."
The touch sent a flicker of something down his spine, but his face didn't give him away.
"N-nice to meet you, Vincent," she said with a shy blush. "It's… a pretty name."
His brow twitched slightly at the compliment, though his tone stayed flat.
"Thanks."
She hid her faint disappointment at his coldness and leaned back against the bench, turning her gaze to the sunset. The silence between them wasn't awkward, though — it felt strangely comfortable.
Lorenza stole a glance at him. The sharp jawline. The broad shoulders. The dark hair and those piercing blue-gray eyes. She noticed the scar on his right shoulder—
"You like what you see?"
She blinked, caught, heat rushing to her cheeks. "Y-yeah… the sunset is amazing."
Vincent smirked faintly.
"Yeah. Really amazing."
Her blush deepened. Wanting to change the subject, she asked,
"So… Vincent. Why were you here?"
He considered ignoring her, but for some reason, he didn't.
"I come here to clear my head. To get away from all the shit I deal with every day. This place… it helps. I was doing fine until you decided to fall in like a toddler."
The smile on her face faded into mock offense.
"Excuse me? I'm not a dumb toddler. I just fell — it happens to everyone!"
Vincent leaned back, arms crossed, watching her with amusement.
"Sooo… dumb toddler, care to share why you're here?"
She ignored him, pouting slightly.
A deep chuckle escaped him. "Hey, come on, don't give me that. It was harmless teasing."
Her expression softened at the sound of his laugh. She smiled again, shaking her head.
"Yeah, sure. Anyway… it's my birthday. My mom used to bring me here every year to celebrate. Before she… passed away three years ago. Now I come alone."
His smirk faded, replaced by something quieter.
"I'm sorry. I know what it's like to lose someone. I lost both my parents too. So… I guess we're on the same page."
Lorenza looked down at her hands for a moment, her voice softer now.
"Yeah… I guess so."