The realization sat awkwardly on his chest.
"I've never been to a local restaurant," he finally admitted.
"Well," Olaedo nodded calmly, "there's a first time for everything."
Silence followed.
Chibuzor waited for it, the teasing, the laughter, the comment about how sheltered his life had been. Just like that day with the couch. Just like every time he struggled with something simple.
But it didn't come.
She didn't mock him.
She didn't laugh.
She didn't even look impressed.
Instead, she treated it like it was… normal.
Just another fact.
And somehow, that felt really nice.
Really, really nice.
"Come on," she said, cutting into his thoughts. "I'll show you around. This is one of my favourite places you know."
Before he could step out to open the door for her, she had already opened it herself and stepped out of the car.
Chibuzor blinked, then followed, his pride slightly bruised, but his chest strangely warm.
For the first time, he wasn't pretending to belong somewhere.
