In a café whose name was of no importance whatsoever, a boy with skin as white as snow stood out the moment he walked through the door.
He was wearing a simple outfit, perfectly suited for the season.
"H-hello, good afternoon, everyone…" Ren greeted with a timid voice.
It was the first time in months that he had left his house.
That journey had not pleased him, not because of anger, but because of fear. Ren was shy and very reserved, something that had always worried his mother. She feared that if he continued like this, his future would not turn out well.
Noticing that concern, Ren promised her that he would go out and meet people. However, that promise faded with the passage of time.
When he turned eighteen, his mother insisted once again. She asked him to go out at least that day, not to worry about being alone outside, since she had spoken with a boy who would help him socialize. Ren accepted, without many options.
Until then, his world had been reduced to the walls of his room, the books piled on his desk, and the studies that fed his imagination without the need for human contact.
"At last, the prince has arrived! Come on, sit down already," Soldi said confidently. He was a boy around nineteen years old.
Soldi was his neighbor. More than that, he had imposed upon himself the mission of pulling him out of his isolation and teaching him how to socialize, even if it had to be by force. At least for now, everything seemed to be going well—or so he thought.
"Ren, let me introduce you to Lesly. She's a friend I met a few weeks ago."
Soldi continued introducing the others. There were three more friends, all with open smiles and curious looks. That simple expression was enough to make Ren feel intimidated. He didn't know how to respond, where to put his hands, or even how to sit properly.
With great effort, he managed to introduce himself to each of them one by one. It was an enormous challenge that made him wonder how he had ended up there.
"So, what are you studying, Ren?" Miya asked.
She was a girl impossible to ignore. She wore striking colors throughout her appearance; purple, pink, and green blended naturally in her outfit and even in her hair. Her black mane had wine-red streaks that shimmered under the café lights, and a heart-shaped tattoo adorned her chest, barely visible above her clothing. Everything about her drew attention.
Ren carefully thought through his words. He didn't want to make a mistake. He didn't want to sound strange.
"…"
"That's incredible!" Miya replied enthusiastically, as if she had already heard his answer.
"Who would have thought that Soldi's guest would be a genius," Jersey commented.
He was a slender boy with a calm face that conveyed a surprising sense of confidence. Ren had noticed him from the moment he sat down at the table.
"Oh, right, I forgot to mention it," Soldi added with a laugh. "This friend of mine is a genius."
Laughter soon filled the table. Ren didn't fully understand why they were laughing, but he didn't feel uncomfortable either. Little by little, the conversation moved forward, and almost without realizing it, the topic always circled back to him. The more they talked, the more curiosity Ren sparked among them.
After a while, Jersey stood up from his seat.
"Well, don't you think it's time we had a bit more fun, Soldi?"
Soldi, who had one arm wrapped around Lesly quite naturally, smiled.
"I suppose so. First round's on me. Come on, it's still early."
Those words made Ren's stomach tighten. Jersey's intention was to go somewhere Ren had no information about at all. According to what he had promised his mother, he was only supposed to go out for an hour and a half for coffee and cake. Nothing more.
But now they were talking about a place where the only drink was alcohol.
Fear took hold of him immediately. In his mind, such places were dark, dangerous, filled with unpredictable people. His naïve and exaggerated thoughts were reflected so clearly on his face that everyone noticed.
"Aren't you coming?" Miya asked, moving closer to Ren.
The distance between them closed far too quickly. Ren instantly turned red. Miya was beautiful, and those sharp, fox-like eyes completely disarmed him.
After a while, Ren explained again and again that he didn't have time, that he needed to leave soon. However, his words were lost among laughter and refusals. No one accepted a no as an answer.
Pressured, confused, and with his heart racing, Ren ended up accepting.
***
A rainbow of colors was projected across the darkness of the room. The screen playing the music was the only source of light, illuminating what was, at that moment, the worst torture Ren was going through.
With a glass of water in his hand, he stared at the screen while his thoughts drifted to Miya, who was resting her head on his shoulder.
In that situation, he could only think of two things:
"How did I end up like this…? What am I supposed to do now?"