The rain pounded relentlessly against the roof of the black Rolls-Royce.
Water streamed down the tinted windows, blurring the city lights into streaks of gold and white.
Benny stood frozen on the sidewalk, completely soaked from head to toe.
His golden hair clung to his forehead while rainwater dripped from the sleeves of his jacket.
He stared at the man sitting inside the luxurious car.
"...Mr. Nathan?"
Nathan's expression remained unreadable.
"Get in."
Benny looked at the expensive car, then down at his muddy shoes.
"I-I'll dirty your car."
Nathan glanced at him calmly.
"It's already raining."
The driver immediately stepped out with a large black umbrella and hurried toward Benny.
"Please, sir."
Embarrassed, Benny scratched the back of his neck.
"...Thank you."
He quickly climbed into the back seat.
The door closed with a soft click, shutting out the noise of the storm.
Warm air immediately surrounded him.
Benny shivered slightly as he rubbed his wet hands together.
"I'm... really sorry."
Nathan looked up from the document he had been reading.
"For what?"
"For bothering you."
"You aren't."
Silence filled the car once again.
Benny sat stiffly, afraid to lean against the expensive leather seat.
He quietly looked out of the rain-covered window.
Nathan noticed.
"You're cold."
Benny forced a smile.
"I'll be okay."
Nathan pressed a button beside him.
His assistant, Marcus, sitting in the front passenger seat, immediately understood.
He opened a compartment and handed a neatly folded towel to Benny.
"You should dry yourself."
Benny accepted it with both hands.
"T-Thank you."
He carefully dried his hair.
"I'm sorry if I make your towel dirty."
Marcus almost smiled.
"It can be washed."
Benny nodded awkwardly.
"...Right."
Nathan closed the file in his hands.
"Where do you live?"
Benny told him his apartment address.
Marcus turned around slightly.
"Sir, that's nearly forty minutes from here."
Nathan simply replied,
"Drive."
"Yes, sir."
The car pulled smoothly into the traffic.
Outside, thunder echoed across the city.
Inside...
Only the soft hum of the engine could be heard.
Trying to ease the awkward silence, Benny spoke first.
"I didn't expect to meet you again."
Nathan looked at him.
"You get lost often."
Benny blinked.
"...Is it that obvious?"
Nathan didn't answer.
Marcus coughed softly to hide a smile.
Benny laughed awkwardly.
"My sense of direction has always been terrible."
Nathan remembered seeing the young man wandering into the restricted hallway at the hotel.
Now he had somehow managed to get lost again.
"What year are you in?"
Nathan asked.
"First year."
"What major?"
"Computer Science."
Nathan gave a small nod.
"You enjoy it?"
Benny's green eyes lit up.
"Very much."
"I've always liked computers."
"I used to repair old laptops and phones in my neighborhood."
"It helped me save money for university."
Nathan listened quietly.
There wasn't a trace of pride in Benny's voice.
He spoke as though fixing broken electronics was simply an ordinary part of his life.
The car stopped at a red light.
Nathan's gaze shifted toward Benny's backpack resting on his lap.
Several computer science textbooks peeked out from the unzipped bag.
One notebook had pages filled with handwritten programming notes.
"You study seriously."
Benny smiled shyly.
"I don't want to waste the opportunity I was given."
Nathan didn't respond.
The light turned green.
The Rolls-Royce continued through the rain.
Nearly thirty minutes later, the bright city center disappeared, replaced by quieter residential streets.
Benny looked out the window.
"We're almost there."
A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of a modest apartment building.
Nathan glanced outside.
The building was old but well maintained.
Benny smiled gratefully.
"This is my place."
He carefully picked up his backpack before opening the door.
Then he paused.
Turning back, he bowed politely.
"Thank you for bringing me home, Mr. Nathan."
"It would've taken me hours to find my way."
Nathan simply nodded.
"Be more careful next time."
Benny laughed, his little bunny teeth showing.
"I'll try."
Nathan noticed the smile for a brief moment before Benny stepped out into the light rain.
The young man hurried toward the apartment entrance, then suddenly stopped.
As if remembering something, he turned around and waved enthusiastically.
"Good night!"
Nathan watched him disappear inside the building.
Only after the apartment door closed did Marcus quietly speak.
"Sir... should we leave?"
Nathan looked toward the now-empty entrance.
"...Drive."
The Rolls-Royce slowly pulled away, disappearing into the rainy night as neither man realized that fate had brought them one step closer once again.