Clutching the steaming mug of Asad's usual black coffee, Lily threaded through the café's lingering patrons, her heart thrumming a nervous rhythm against her ribs as she approached his solitary figure, determined to finally ask about the collision.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee—usually a comfort—now felt like a suffocating presence, mingling with the scent of Lily's own anxiety. Each step forward was a battle against the rising tide of fear. Her steps, normally light and quick, were hesitant now, each footfall a small act of defiance against the trepidation threatening to consume her. She unconsciously wrung her hands, twisting her fingers together as if trying to physically wring out her nervousness.
Her face, usually bright with a playful spark, was now a mask of tension. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her blue eyes wide and uncertain.
Aria, who had handed her the coffee, watched Lily's progress with a curious tilt of her head. She leaned against the counter with her arms crossed, her calm dark eyes reflecting a subtle question.
What's going on with Lily? Why the sudden change of heart?
The unspoken questions hung in the air, blending with the low hum of the espresso machine and the clatter of cups. Lily's gaze flickered toward Asad, then quickly away, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of apprehension and determination.The unspoken questions hung in the air, blending with the low hum of the espresso machine and the clatter of cups. Lily's gaze flickered toward Asad, then quickly away, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of apprehension and determination.
Asad remained oblivious—like a statue carved from shadows. He was still gazing out the large window, his profile a stark silhouette against the bustling city beyond. It was as if he existed in a different dimension, lost in thoughts inaccessible to everyone else. The world around him seemed to fade into a muted background, leaving him isolated in his own private reality.
Lily cleared her throat, a small, almost apologetic sound—an attempt to break through his silent barrier.
"Humm…"
The sound was barely audible above the ambient noise of the café. She swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry, the words catching painfully in her chest.
He didn't react.
Not a flicker of recognition. Not a twitch of a muscle. It was as if she hadn't spoken at all.
The weight of his indifference settled upon her—heavy and suffocating—pressing down on her chest and making it difficult to breathe.
How hard is it to approach Senior?
The question echoed silently in her mind, a testament to the years of unspoken distance between them. The thought alone made her want to turn around and disappear into the crowd.
Finally, she reached his table. Her hand trembled slightly as she set the mug down on the coaster. Her fingers brushed the cool ceramic, the small contact offering a fleeting sense of comfort.
"Senior, your coffee," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Asad slowly turned his head, his gaze finally shifting from the cityscape to meet hers.
His eyes—usually so expressive—were now blank. Empty. Unreadable.
The black irises revealed nothing. No emotion. No reaction. Just silence.
She couldn't understand what he was thinking, what he was feeling. His jaw remained tight, his lips pressed into an unyielding line—a perfect mask of control.
Lily's thoughts raced wildly.
What kind of face is this? I don't understand anything. What is Senior thinking?
That impenetrable expression was both frustrating and strangely fascinating. A puzzle she could never solve—and the mystery of it always drew her in. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms as she fought the urge to say something more.
Then suddenly—
Lily froze.
Her gaze snapped back to Asad's eyes.
For a fleeting moment—just a heartbeat—something changed.
The pure black of his pupils seemed to deepen unnaturally, like a void within a void. And within that darkness, she thought she saw a faint crimson glow—like embers burning at the core.
Her breath hitched sharply.
Her hands flew up to cover her mouth, as if to stop the gasp that threatened to escape.
Ahh… what was that?
The image burned itself into her memory.
I just saw… Senior's eyes… they looked like my brother's… pure dark black with a red iris.
A jolt of icy fear shot through her veins, her pulse hammering wildly against her ribs. Her vision swam for a moment, the familiar café blurring at the edges. The faces around her became indistinct shapes. The sounds faded into a dull roar.
For that single terrifying second, Lily felt as if the safe, ordinary world around her had cracked—just a little.
Asad, oblivious to her internal turmoil, turned his head back toward the window, his expression once again an inscrutable mask. His movements were precise and controlled, as if nothing had happened at all. He raised the mug and slowly, deliberately, took a sip of his coffee—his actions a calm, deliberate act of normalcy.
Lily's thoughts raced, a whirlwind of disbelief and denial. Her mind struggled desperately to make sense of what she had seen.
Oh, what am I thinking? How is this possible? Senior's eyes changed? I'm just thinking about my brother too much right now… that's why I started daydreaming.
The rational part of her mind—the part that clung to logic—tried to dismiss the vision as a trick of the light, a product of her own anxiety, a simple figment of imagination. But the seed of doubt had already been planted, twisting in her gut like a venomous serpent. The fear settled there, cold and heavy.
Aria, watching Lily's face closely, noticed the sudden shift. Concern etched itself across her expression. Her brow furrowed, and her dark eyes narrowed with worry. She took a step closer, her hand instinctively reaching out, a silent offer of support.
"What are you thinking, Lily?" she asked softly, her voice laced with genuine concern.
Lily, still shaken by the fleeting vision and the overwhelming unease it left behind, made a quick decision—a silent retreat. The image of Asad's eyes, that faint crimson glow, remained burned into her memory. She couldn't bring herself to ask him. Not now. Not yet.
The words she wanted to say caught painfully in her throat.
She took a step back, her shoulders slumping slightly, as if an invisible weight had suddenly pressed down on her. Turning away from Asad's table, her steps became hurried, jerky—like someone trying to escape a presence they couldn't name.
Her face was a storm of conflicting emotions: fear, confusion, and a desperate attempt to regain control.
How can Senior know about my brother?
Her mind raced in frantic circles, each thought another turn in the labyrinth of her anxiety.
It's not like they're talking about me… they only talk about EMP.
The words echoed weakly in her head, a fragile comfort against her growing fear.
She returned to her place behind the counter, her face pale and her eyes wide, as if she were lost in a dark ocean. The familiar lights of the café suddenly felt distant and unreal. Leaning heavily against the counter, she gripped its edge tightly, her knuckles turning white as she struggled to steady herself.
The world around her seemed to shrink—the sounds of the café fading into a dull roar, the faces of customers blurring into indistinct shapes.
Aria, her curiosity and concern now fully awakened, followed her. She placed a gentle hand on Lily's arm, her touch warm and grounding.
"Hey, Lily… what's happening with you?" she asked softly. "Why does your face look so pale?"
Lily's gaze darted around the café, avoiding Aria's worried eyes. Her lips pressed into a thin, trembling line.
"Ah… nah, it's nothing," she stammered, her voice hesitant—the lie tasting bitter in her mouth.
She forced a weak smile, a desperate attempt to appear normal. But it didn't reach her eyes. Those remained filled with deep, unsettling fear.
Aria's thoughts swirled with confusion.
How can I find out what kind of problem she's facing if she doesn't want to share?
Silence stretched between them—thick with unspoken anxieties.
Lily's shoulders slumped again, the last traces of her composure slipping away.
Finally, she glanced at Aria.
Her friend's face wasn't good at all. The usual brightness was gone, replaced by genuine worry and concern. Aria looked almost as distressed as Lily felt.
Okay… I can talk with her about this. She's my good friend. She can understand.
That fragile thought gave her just enough strength.
Lily took a deep breath.
"Aria… it's my brother," she finally confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
The words felt like a release—a dam breaking after too long.
Aria blinked in surprise.
"Brother? Your little brother? You never told me his name… what's with him?" she asked gently.
Lily shook her head.
"No… it's not about my little brother," she said quietly. "I'm talking about my brother who has half EMP ownership."
She hesitated, then added in a fragile whisper:
"The one… the one who disappeared."
The words hung in the air—heavy with loss and uncertainty.
Aria frowned, trying to connect the pieces.
"That's why you changed your mind and decided to give Senior the coffee yourself? To ask about him?" she asked carefully.
Lily nodded, her eyes downcast.
"Yyy…" she muttered weakly, frustration and uncertainty tangled in her voice.
Aria tilted her head, more confused now.
"Then why didn't you ask?" she pressed gently.
Lily began to make an excuse, the words tumbling out of her in a rush—a desperate attempt to explain her actions, even though she didn't truly know the answer herself. She wrung her hands again, her knuckles white, her fingers twisting nervously, a physical manifestation of her inner turmoil. "I thought… how can I ask about my brother when I don't even know whether he knows anything about him or not?" The words, tangled with confusion and fear, revealed the depth of her uncertainty.
Aria pressed further, her curiosity insatiable, her desire to understand unwavering. "Otherwise, what do you want to know about your brother?" The question, direct and simple, forced Lily to confront the truth.
Lily's shoulders slumped, her voice a fragile thread in the bustling café. "I haven't seen him for a month… I don't know why he didn't come to see me. I just… I just want to see him." The hesitant whisper carried the weight of unspoken pain. She hugged herself tightly, as if trying to physically contain the fear and confusion threatening to spill out. Her gaze darted around the café, avoiding Aria's concerned stare, afraid to meet her friend's eyes.
I think… I think he doesn't know where I am. The thought flickered weakly.
No… that's not possible. Doubt returned instantly.
He's bored with me as a sister. That's right… yeah, right. He doesn't want me.
The words tumbled out in her mind—a cascade of self-doubt and unspoken fears. The rational part of her tried to dismiss everything as anxiety or imagination. But the seed of doubt had already been planted, twisting in her gut like a venomous serpent.
Aria watched her friend closely, her concern deepening with each word. She reached out and gently squeezed Lily's arm, her touch a silent reassurance. Her dark eyes narrowed slightly, her brow furrowed in worry.
I don't know what kind of person he is, what kind of thoughts he has.
Lily took a shaky breath, trying to compose herself. Her hands flew up to cover her mouth, as if to contain the gasp threatening to escape. She bit her lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Lily, calm down," Aria said softly, her voice a soothing balm. She squeezed Lily's arm again. "If I remember correctly from university, you have only one brother. And why are you feeling this bad? It's only been a month. Not even a year has passed, and you said he's half EMP owner. He must be busy."
Lily shook her head, her dark blonde hair swaying around her face. Her reaction was more intense than Aria expected.
"No, no," Lily said, her voice rising slightly, trembling with emotion. "It's not just one month. I lived with… him… for over three years, and there was never even a single month gap." The words hung in the air, revealing a deeper connection. Her gaze drifted, lost in memory. "When I first saw him… he came to my house to see my father, and I was scared of him… because of his eyes."
She paused, her voice softening. "They were so intense… so unreadable. But then…"
She closed her eyes for a moment, reliving the past. "After time passed, everything became normal. I wanted to talk with him. And when I did, I found he wasn't scary at all. I felt like… he was my brother. He helped me with problems. We started becoming closer and closer."
Her expression softened, a faint, wistful smile appearing. "He was always there for me—always ready to listen, always understanding. He was different from my other family members. He was my best friend."
She paused again, her smile fading, replaced by confusion. "But my parents said I needed to be more careful around him… and if possible, not meet him anymore. I didn't like their warning. I felt good around him. We had a lot of fun together. Sometimes he even took me to his house."
Her brow furrowed. "It had a dark theme, but I didn't say anything. Only… we never went out. And I didn't like a person who lived with him… I don't know why."
Her expression darkened further. "When I started going to university, I couldn't meet him as much. So I began asking him to go out with me, but he always declined. I didn't understand why he didn't like going out. Then one day, I joked about cutting his pure– white hair. He said, 'Don't talk about cutting my hair,' and suddenly started talking about his heirs."
Her voice cracked. "Then he looked at me and told my little brother, 'Open the gate when she leaves.' And after that day… I never saw him again."
Tears welled in her eyes, finally spilling over and tracing paths down her cheeks.
Aria listened in silence, growing more uneasy with every detail.
What kind of brother is she talking about? From everything she described… he doesn't sound like a good person at all. I think he might be too dangerous…
But for now, her only concern was Lily. She gently took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Hey, Lily… you know where he lives, right? Then why didn't you go and ask him directly if he was angry with you?"
Lily shook her head, her gaze fixed on the floor. "No… I don't want to see someone else in his place." The thought filled her with dread. She shuddered slightly.
At that moment, Asad, finished with his coffee, rose from his table. He tapped his phone against the payment machine, completing the transaction in silence. Without a word, he turned and walked out of the café, disappearing into the city night.
Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by his departure.
(Scene Shift – Subway and Coffee Shop)
Subway Train
The rhythmic clatter of the subway train filled the carriage — a familiar symphony of steel and speed. Sean sat stiffly in his seat, his eyes darting nervously from side to side. Beside him, Collie chuckled, a low rumble of amusement in his chest.
"You're still rattled about that anime, aren't you?" Collie teased, a grin tugging at his lips.
Sean swallowed hard, his face tight with unease. "It's… it's just… subways, you know? They can be… unpredictable."
He glanced toward the far end of the carriage. Marco stood there like a statue, motionless among the swaying passengers, staring blankly out the window.
Sean muttered, "Marco's standing there like a pole. I don't think he's going home today."
His voice trembled slightly as he gripped the handrail. The anime he had watched — a story about a collapsing subway tunnel — still lingered fresh in his mind, feeding his anxiety.
"Calm down, Sean," Collie said with a sigh.
The train screeched as it approached the next station, the brakes hissing sharply.
The doors slid open, and passengers began to pour out. Sean followed Collie onto the platform, his heart pounding as he scanned the area nervously.
The station air felt heavy — thick with the scent of metal and something stale.
"Collie… don't you feel something odd in the air?" Sean asked quietly.
Collie paused, sniffing slightly. "Yeah… it feels hotter than usual. And there's some strange smell too. I can't figure out what it is."
Sean suddenly froze.
"Collie… Collie, look! The space… it's cracking!"
Collie turned, his eyes widening in disbelief.
The air itself seemed to distort. Thin jagged lines appeared, like invisible glass slowly shattering. The cracks spread silently, spiderwebbing through reality.
The station erupted into chaos.
People screamed and pushed past one another, panic exploding in every direction.
"What's happening?" Sean gasped. "Why isn't there any sound from it? What is that?"
His body felt strangely heavy.
"Ahh… what's happening? Why can't I move? My body feels stuck… I don't want to look, but my mind just went blank!"
Then he noticed Marco.
"Why is Marco taking out his camera in a situation like this?"
Collie followed his gaze and sighed nervously.
"Yeah, we should be running… but you know Marco. This is exactly the kind of thing he lives for. It's his job."
Coffee Shop
Back at the café, Aria had finally managed to calm Lily. Her gentle voice had soothed the storm inside her friend's heart, and the tension in the shop slowly eased.
"Lily, let's close the shop and head back to our apartment. Ember is waiting for us," Aria said softly, resting a comforting hand on Lily's arm.
Lily nodded, still pale but more composed now.
"Yes… let's go."
They began locking up, the familiar routine bringing a sense of normalcy.
But as they stepped outside, Lily felt it again — that strange, creeping unease.
Aria noticed immediately.
She had felt it too — a subtle shift in the air — but she didn't want to alarm Lily after everything she had just gone through.
"Yeah… the air doesn't feel normal," Lily murmured.
Unbeknownst to them, both of their phones buzzed silently in their bags — missed calls from Ember, left unanswered.
"Let's buy something for Ember so we can enjoy the night," Aria suggested, trying to keep things light.
As they walked down the street, they passed a man crouched near a wall, muttering to himself as if he were unaware of the world around him.
Aria suddenly paused.
"Lily… didn't you find it strange that Ember hasn't called us?"
"I think she's just busy," Lily replied.
Then Aria's expression changed.
"Lily… come closer to me. Look — there are a lot of people running from that direction."
Lily stared ahead, confused.
What's happening? she wondered.
Why are they running like something terrible just happened?
End of Chapter 3