Haruki sprinted down the hallway, clutching his bag.
"Four o'clock, she said… why am I always almost late?"
He burst into the lab, panting. Ayla was already there, calmly preparing beakers and neatly lining up bottles of chemicals on the counter.
"Took you long enough," she said without looking up.
"Sorry—traffic… in my legs," Haruki muttered, still catching his breath.
The afternoon light streamed through the wide glass panels of the university laboratory, casting a warm golden hue over white tiles and stainless steel counters. It should have felt sterile, almost clinical, but with Ayla sitting there—her notebook open, lips silently forming chemical equations—the space felt alive.
Haruki tried to focus on his notes, but his eyes kept drifting to her. Ayla. The girl with quiet strength, thoughtful eyes, and a laugh that could make the world feel normal—even when it wasn't.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and sighed.
"Too many variables. Feels like we're chasing shadows."
"We are," Haruki said with a faint smile. "But shadows come from light. We'll find something."
She gave him a small, grateful look before standing and stretching.
"I need to use the bathroom. Be right back."
"Don't get lost," he teased.
She laughed softly on her way out, leaving Haruki alone with the quiet hum of the lab. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, and in the corner, a muted TV played a 24-hour news channel. One of the lab assistants grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.
**"Breaking news: Scientists in Antarctica have uncovered a virus previously trapped beneath ancient ice layers. Initial studies suggest it predates known strains by thousands of years…"**
Haruki's gaze shot to the screen. A red banner flashed:
**POTENTIAL GLOBAL THREAT UNDER REVIEW.**
A shaky video followed—scientists in hazmat suits, vast white plains of snow, and something glistening under the ice like an ancient wound.
His grip on his pen tightened.
"Sheesh," the assistant muttered. "As if things weren't bad enough already."
Haruki barely heard him. His mind was racing. Another virus? Could it spread? Could it be worse?
The door creaked open. Ayla stepped back inside, wiping her damp hands on her jeans.
"What's with the grim face?"
Haruki nodded toward the TV. "Another virus. This time from Antarctica."
They sat in silence, the weight of the news settling between them like a shadow neither wanted to name.
"You think it'll reach here?" Ayla asked softly, eyes still on the floor.
"Probably not. Japan's got strict quarantine rules for anyone entering or leaving the country," Haruki said, though his voice lacked conviction.
He sighed, then tried to shift the mood. "Geez… I wish I had a superpower. Something that lets me mix chemicals without worrying I'm gonna blow the place up."
Ayla chuckled. "That bad, huh?"
"You have no idea," he said with a grin.
Then she asked, almost casually, "If you really did have powers—real powers—what would you do with them?"
Haruki leaned back in his chair, pretending to think. "Easy. I'd save the world. Wouldn't let a single person die—not on my watch."
"Pfft. Sounds exhausting," she teased. "Like a superhero?"
"Yeah. Like Spider-Man. Your chill, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man."
She blinked. "Whose Spider-Man?"
Haruki gasped dramatically. "Hmm… Andrew Garfield? Or Tobey? No, wait—Tom? Ugh, I dunno. HAHAH."
Ayla giggled. "Nerd."
"I think I'll go with Andrew—he's got the most realistic spider moves," Haruki said with a grin.
But it faded quickly. "Well… Andrew's Spider-Man couldn't save his girl."
"Oh," Ayla murmured, her tone softer now.
Haruki waved it off. "But I'm not him. I won't mess it up. Not me."
She smiled faintly. "That's what they all say."
Their eyes met—his still playful, hers distant.
---
Time passed quickly. Ayla began packing her notes and sealing reagent bottles. Haruki did the same, slipping his pen into his bag.
"Uh… do you live nearby? I can walk you home," Haruki asked, scratching the back of his neck.
"No thanks, I've got a service," Ayla replied. "Besides, people might think I'm dating you."
"That doesn't sound so bad," he said with a sly grin.
Ayla just stared at him.
"Hehe… I'm kidding," Haruki added quickly.
She tilted her head, considering. "Well… since it's still early, we could walk to the nearby bakery. I want to buy something there."
Haruki's face lit up. "Sure!"
As they walked, the late afternoon air felt lighter. Haruki spotted a stray cat lounging by a lamppost and crouched down to pet it. "Hey there, buddy," he said, giving it a gentle scratch behind the ears. When they moved on, he waved. "Bye, little guy."
Ayla watched him with a curious expression. "Must be easy to live a carefree life, huh?"
Haruki shrugged. "Hmm… I guess?"
"Mine's different," she said after a pause. "My parents keep pressuring me to be this and that."
"Well… that doesn't sound too bad," Haruki said logically. "We need to study hard to pay them back for their sacrifices."
"I knew you wouldn't understand," Ayla muttered. "That sounds like something a parentless guy would say."
Haruki stopped mid-step, a faint, forced smile on his face. "I'm sorry… I didn't know. My parents died when I was young. My grandpa raised me. Hehe."
A pang of guilt hit Ayla. "Sorry… I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," Haruki interrupted gently. "It's nothing." He suddenly pointed ahead. "Oh! That's the bakery. Let's go!"
She studied him as he smiled, realizing he was just too innocent—that was why he didn't understand her at first.
"Sure," she said softly.
Inside, the warm smell of bread surrounded them. Ayla glanced at him. "What will you get?"
"Maybe a croissant?"
"You mean *kwah-sahn*?" she said in an exaggerated French accent.
Haruki laughed, mimicking her. "*Kwah-sahn*."
After buying their breads, they stepped outside just as a van pulled up for Ayla.
"See you," Haruki said with a cheerful wave.
"Bye," she replied before stepping in.
The van drove off, leaving Haruki standing there with a small paper bag—and a smile he didn't quite realize he was wearing.