As the evening settled over Café Elysium, the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee mixed with a faint floral note—perhaps from the orchids lining the counter—filled the air.
Lois, her perfectly coiffed bob gleaming beneath the café's warm lighting, leaned back in her plush velvet booth. She ran a manicured hand across the smooth, cool surface of the table, a familiar ritual.
The polished marble floors and gleaming chrome accents reflected the soft glow overhead, creating an inviting, almost theatrical atmosphere.
From her vantage point, she could see the entire café—a well-oiled machine of social interactions, quiet conversations, and unspoken intentions.
The back wall was made entirely of glass, offering a panoramic view of Elysium. Lois always favored this seat. It was the perfect place to observe.
Outside, the city shimmered in twilight. Towering skyscrapers rose like jagged teeth against the darkening sky. A wide river wound through the urban landscape, its surface mirroring neon reflections. A glowing bridge arched gracefully over the water, its lights dancing across the current—a monument to Aurelia's engineering pride.
Beautiful.
Yet Lois's attention drifted, as it always did, to the usual suspects inside the café.
She took a delicate sip of her cappuccino, the rich bitterness grounding her thoughts.
"Look at this, Selina," she murmured, her voice barely audible above the café's hum. With a subtle tilt of her chin, she gestured toward a man seated several tables away. "Poor Marco. He's here again. Every evening, like clockwork—trying to dig up dirt on Asad."
Selina, a younger woman with a bright smile, followed her gaze.
"I know, right?" she said softly. "I wonder what he's hoping to find." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I heard Aurelia University graduates are working here now."
Collie, broad-shouldered and loud even when whispering, let out a chuckle. His eyes sparkled with amusement as he spread his hands wide, as if presenting the café itself.
"Yeah—but why?" he said. "It's not like they need the money. Unless…"
Lois finished his thought, leaning forward slightly. Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial murmur.
"Unless they're after something else."
Her crimson-painted nail tapped lightly against the table.
"He always chooses that booth," she added, nodding toward the window. "Perfect view of the river. Perfect sightline to the bridge. Best seat in the shop."
Her gaze sharpened as Marco slipped into the familiar corner booth—quiet, tense, eyes constantly scanning. A man chasing something he never quite reached.
Then—
A soft chime echoed through the café.
The entrance door slid open.
Conversation faltered.
Cups paused mid-air.
Even the espresso machine seemed to hiss more quietly.
"Speak of the devil," Collie muttered with a grin. He clapped his hands once. "He's here. On time, as always."
Selina scoffed lightly. "Machine?
Please. Did you see that watch? He's not a robot—he's just precise."
Lois flushed faintly and covered her mouth as she laughed.
"All right, all right. I was joking."
She glanced back toward Marco, then toward the familiar figure who had just entered.
"But still," she added softly, "I wonder what Marco's plan is today. He fails every single time."
Collie tilted his head toward the secluded booth near the glass wall—the one no one ever dared to take unless invited.
Asad already sat there.
Silent. Still. Perfectly composed.
Collie raised an eyebrow, a question left unspoken.
Part 2.
Marco approached Asad's booth, his steps hesitant. He cleared his throat, his voice wavering slightly.
"Asad… Asad…"
Asad remained unfazed. He continued to gaze out at the river and the glowing bridge, seemingly oblivious to Marco's presence.
"See," Collie whispered, shaking his head. His voice was low as he gestured casually. "It's always the same. He's going to sit there and enjoy the scenery. Don't worry,
Marco. Today, I'll do everything I can to get at least a little information."
Lois leaned back in her seat, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. She took another sip of her cappuccino, her gaze still fixed on Marco.
It was going to be another long night.
The soft chime of the door—a tiny ding that barely registered over the low hum of the café—pulled Collie's attention away from Marco's latest doomed attempt at… whatever it was he was trying to do.
He turned, a grin already spreading across his face.
"Hey, Collie! What are you doing here?" a familiar voice called out, laced with surprise.
"Oh, it's you, Sean," Collie replied, his face lighting up. He clapped on the Sean shoulder, genuine warmth in his voice. "Why are you here? I thought you were going on a drive."
Sean, a young man with a charming smile, shrugged, a hint of sheepishness in his eyes.
"Someone said he wanted my car for a date."
A wave of laughter rippled through the café, momentarily breaking the tension.
"Ha! Really? Who's that? I know him!"
"How can someone borrow your car for a date?"
"It's your little brother."
Collie threw his head back and laughed, a deep, rumbling sound. Sean, despite his initial surprise, couldn't help but grin.
Then, suddenly, silence fell.
Only the gentle hum of the espresso machine remained. The abrupt quiet felt heavy, the tension from Marco's failed attempt lingering in the air.
Sensing the shift, Collie tried to change the mood. He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair.
"Look, I don't know when Marco's going to accept his fate," he said with a chuckle—but the sound felt forced, hollow.
Asad, however, remained completely unaffected.
He was still focused on the mesmerizing view beyond the glass. The city lights glittered like scattered diamonds across the horizon.
It looks so good… this view.
Like there's no one around me.
He looks perfect from the outside. I don't know how…
His thoughts were interrupted.
"Senior, may I bring your usual order?" a beautiful, calm voice asked.
Asad nodded.
His posture shifted subtly. His expression softened just slightly.
Marco, finally abandoning his hopeless attempt to approach Asad, turned his attention toward the barista.
She's beautiful, he thought. Good skin… shining silver hair… black cat-like eyes.
I know she's been working here for a long time, but I don't know about her relationship with Asad.
A flicker of curiosity—perhaps even jealousy—passed through his face.
What confused him most was the word Senior.
He had never heard her address Asad that way before.
She turned toward the counter, her movements graceful and efficient.
"May I ask something?" Marco said suddenly. "Why are you calling him 'Senior'?"
The question slipped out before he could stop himself.
Part 3.
A warning, yet sweet, voice replied,
"Sir, if you act like this, other people will feel uncomfortable. Please calm down and sit in your place. Otherwise, you're going to be kicked out."
"Lily, I knew you'd say something like this," Aria said, her voice filled with amusement. She leaned against the counter, a playful glint in her eyes. Her silver hair, usually tied back, had a few loose strands framing her face and softening her features.
"Oh, Aria, you didn't say anything on purpose because you wanted me to say something. Ooof!" Lily replied, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. She busied herself with the espresso machine, her movements quick and efficient, though her voice carried a hint of frustration.
"Lily, I just wanted to hear your voice," Aria said teasingly. "You look so cute when you start talking."
She winked, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
Embarrassed, Lily protested,
"Aria, that's enough! I don't want you making jokes about me in front of people."
She glanced briefly at Marco, who was still staring at them, then quickly turned away.
"Oh? A little blonde girl with blue eyes like the president…" Aria continued dramatically. "Who knows? Maybe Lily is secretly the president's daughter."
She spread her hands as if presenting Lily to the entire café.
"Ahhhh, Aria! That's impossible!" Lily exclaimed. "How could I be the president's daughter? You're making fantasies again. Please stop now!"
She pointed toward the counter.
"You just need to make Senior's coffee."
Turning back to the machine, her hands moved with practiced ease.
Collie leaned back in his seat and glanced toward Sean.
"What do you think about Marco?" he asked quietly. "What's he going to do after that warning?"
Sean shrugged.
"I don't really know him. I only see him
sometimes."
After a moment, Sean asked,
"Are you going home now? Can you give me a ride?"
"Why didn't you bring your car?" Collie replied with a teasing grin.
"Nah, someone took my car," Sean said with a sigh. "So I need a ride."
Collie laughed lightly.
"Looks like you're stuck with me then. Let's go by subway."
Sean grimaced.
"Okay… but I don't like subways. I've read so many comics where thirty percent of all disasters start underground."
"Hah, enough! Let's go now," Collie replied, shaking his head as they headed out.
Part 4.
As they stepped outside, the cool evening air washed over them.
Not far from the café entrance, a little girl—no older than six—skipped along the sidewalk, her pigtails bouncing with each step. The city lights reflected brightly in her wide eyes as she stared around in wonder.
Suddenly, she stopped.
Her gaze fixed on the café window.
Inside, the warm lights glowed softly. The glass reflected the city behind her, blurring the figures within. She couldn't see faces clearly—only shapes, movement… and the unmistakable EMP-branded clothing.
Her eyes widened.
"Oh! He's wearing the same brand clothes as me!" she exclaimed excitedly. "He looks handsome!"
She quickly dug into her small, sequined bag and pulled out her colorful phone.
The screen lit up.
Her wallpaper showed a familiar man—standing tall, dressed in EMP attire.
Lia tilted her head slightly, holding the phone up, comparing the image with the blurry figure behind the glass.
"…Is it the same person?" she murmured.
Before she could think further, a caring voice called out behind her.
"Lia, stop! Why are you running?"
The little girl turned immediately.
"I was just exploring the city by myself," she replied innocently. "What happened, Sister Lusia?"
Lusia hurried toward her, her breathing shallow. She gently placed one hand against her stomach—not from pain, but habit—while the other reached for Lia's shoulder.
"It's time for us to go," she said softly. "We need to head to Lonia City Airport. Everyone is waiting."
Lia nodded slowly.
"Okay…"
She glanced back at the café window one last time.
The figure inside had already turned away.
With a quiet smile, she looked down at her phone again, her wallpaper still glowing on the screen, then slipped the device back into her bag as she followed her sister.
Back inside the café, Marco—still visibly shaken—stood from his seat and walked toward the counter. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"I'm sorry for causing trouble earlier," he said quietly. "I'll try not to create any more problems."
Lily sighed, her expression unreadable as she leaned against the counter, arms crossed.
"Oh? So you mean you want to cause trouble again?"
Marco froze.
"If you don't need anything else, please leave," Lily continued calmly. "It's almost time to close."
He nodded quickly.
I think I got something today, Marco thought. But if I don't go now, I'll miss the subway.
He turned to leave.
Behind the counter, Lily glanced at the prepared cup.
"The coffee's ready," she said. "Go and give it to Senior."
She paused.
"…No. You should go yourself."
Aria, who had been watching quietly, reached for the cup.
"Aria, stop. Let me do it."
Aria tilted her head, her silver hair shimmering beneath the café lights.
"What happened just now?" she asked lightly. "Why did you change your mind?"
Lily took the cup into her hands, her gaze lingering on the surface of the coffee.
If I give it to him myself… she thought, maybe I can finally ask to Senior.