Watching from the Space Realm
Far above the breakfast hall, drifting silently in the vastness of the Space Realm, A observed the scene below through a shimmering holographic window. The glow of the Sky House Colony bathed him in pale light, his silhouette sharp against the endless stars.
His lips curved into a slow, knowing smile as he heard Lyric's laughter echo faintly from below.
"Well, well..." A murmured, voice low and rich, eyes narrowing with a spark of something dark and hungry.
"I got myself a hero... now to find a villain. Or a good man broken enough to make one. No — I'll break one myself. That's far more fun."
He chuckled softly, almost amused by his own thought.
Behind A, another figure stepped forward from the shadows, voice calm but firm.
"Don't overdo it, A. We still have a long way to go."
Without another word, the newcomer turned and left the chamber, leaving A alone with his dark smile.
His gaze shifted smoothly from the glowing Sky House Colony down toward the shadowed Earth Realm, the place where secrets waited to be uncovered.
Earth Realm — Restaurant Scene
The holographic view shifted smoothly from the glittering Sky House Colony above to the humbler world of Earth Realm — where neon signs flickered weakly and the air smelled faintly of oil and roasted coffee beans.
Inside a small but lively café, Emar worked quietly in the kitchen. His movements were precise, almost mechanical — loading dirty dishes into a humming dishwasher, carefully stacking plates smeared with the remains of hurried meals. He set the timer with a soft beep and slipped out, eyes flicking toward the counter.
There, Gloria Val ruled the room like a queen with a sharp tongue and a disarming grin. Customers leaned in, laughing at whatever story she spun next, hanging on every quick comeback and playful jab.
A few men lingered nearby, clearly trying their luck. One swaggered up, voice dripping with false confidence.
"Gloria, darling, how about you ditch this place and come with us tonight? I'm sure we could show you a good time."
Gloria didn't miss a beat. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she shot back,
"Sweetheart, the only good time you'll show me is when you leave me alone."
The man blinked, caught off guard, while the nearby customers chuckled. Another stepped forward, grinning like he'd cracked the code.
"C'mon, you gotta be lonely here, right? Why waste your charm on these losers?"
Gloria arched an eyebrow and smiled, razor-sharp.
"Sorry to disappoint, but my charm's booked solid — you'd have better luck charming a broken core."
Laughter rippled through the café like a wave. Gloria caught Emar's steady gaze from across the room.
He moved toward her, voice low but firm.
"Gloria. Focus. We're running behind. The customers want food, not your comedy special."
Gloria shrugged, the smile never leaving her face.
"Ah, Emar, a little fun keeps the gears from grinding too hard."
Emar shook his head, a ghost of a smile twitching on his lips.
"Maybe. But if we don't get this right, the customers won't be coming back."
She gave him a knowing look and nodded, stepping back into action.
Behind them, the clatter of dishes and murmurs of the café mingled, but for a moment, it was just two people keeping the place alive — one with quiet precision, the other with infectious spark.
Earth Realm — Later in the Café
The café hummed with activity. Emar was deftly washing dishes, stacking plates, and coordinating with the chefs. Customers waited patiently as orders were passed along.
The door jingled open, and Gloria's parents stepped inside, scanning the room before approaching Emar.
"We're looking for Gloria," her mother said, concern lacing her voice.
Emar didn't miss a beat. "She's in the kitchen, attempting to fix the coffee machine. Again."
He pulled a fresh load of dishes from the washer and carried them toward the counter.
In the kitchen, Gloria was crouched beside the stubborn coffee machine, inspecting it with exaggerated seriousness. She looked up with a playful smirk.
"What now? I swear this thing's just messing with me. It's like it knows I'm not an engineer."
Her eyes flicked toward the door, where her parents appeared, faces heavy but trying to keep calm.
Her mother sighed. "Gloria, we need to talk."
Gloria threw her hands up in mock surrender. "Fine, but I'm innocent until proven caffeinated."
Emar caught her eye and gave a slight nod. They followed her parents to a nearby storage room — quiet and away from the bustle.
Back in the main café, Emar glanced once toward the closed door, then resumed his steady work.
Closing Time — Café
The café was quiet now. Chairs stacked, surfaces wiped down, and the soft hum of cleaning drones filled the air.
Gloria's mother lingered near the counter, her eyes distant and heavy with worry. Emar noticed her immediately and approached gently.
"Are you okay?" Emar asked softly.
She glanced up, surprised by his concern. "I'm… managing."
Emar nodded, his voice calm and steady. "If you ever want to talk, I'm here to listen. I can tell something's bothering you."
She hesitated, then gave a small, grateful smile. "Thank you. It's just... a lot."
Emar placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to carry it alone."
She looked down, voice cracking slightly. "We're struggling… debts, the hardware store, everything piling up. It's… overwhelming."
Emar's eyes hardened with quiet determination. "You helped me when I was a kid. Now it's my turn. Whatever it takes."
She nodded, swallowing hard. "Thank you, Emar. That means more than you know."
Gloria stepped out of the café, her usual spark slightly dimmer as she slipped her arm through her mother's. They moved quietly down the street, her mother clutching a small holo-pad tightly.
Gloria glanced back once, a flicker of worry in her eyes — but said nothing.
---
Later — Debt Collector's Virtual Office
Emar sat before a sleek holo-interface in a dim room, the glow casting shadows across his determined face.
He negotiated with the debt collector through encrypted comms, exchanging hard terms and promises of repayment.
Finally, the digital transfer confirmed — credits flowing instantly into his account.
---
Outside the Café — Afternoon
Emar met Gloria's mother quietly near the café entrance, sending a discreet message to her holo-pad.
Her eyes filled with tears, but a faint hopeful smile broke through.
"Thank you," she whispered, voice shaking.
"Just don't tell Gloria," Emar said firmly but kindly.
She nodded, clutching the holo-pad as if it was a lifeline, then turned and walked away, leaving Emar alone.
---
Café — Later That Evening
The café was quieter than usual. Emar sat behind the counter, staring at his holo-screen as numbers and debts blinked relentlessly.
Gloria watched silently from across the room, brow furrowed.
Finally, she asked softly, "Emar… what's going on? You've been quiet."
He didn't look up.
No words — just a slow, tired breath.
Night — Closing the Café and Emar's Room
Emar moved efficiently, finishing the last tasks of the day. He wiped down the counters, switched off the soft lights, and locked the café's door behind him.
The alley beside the café was quiet under the dim glow of street lamps as he made his way to the small room above the shop — simple, sparse, but his own.
Inside, he unpacked a small meal — synthetic protein, a few fresh greens — and ate slowly, the silence wrapping around him like a heavy blanket.
Later, lying on his narrow bed, eyes closed, a whisper escaped him in the dark:
"Is the help really worth the happiness? I paid my longing debt to them... I think it over... and now... I'm on my own."
The room fell silent.
---
---