Theo sat on the motorcycle, staring at Alvano who was still holding his ice cream with a vacant gaze. The evening gradually turned into night, the sky fading into purple, and the streetlights slowly turned on one by one. In the lingering silence, Theo spoke with a soft yet firm tone.
"Alvano," he said quietly, making his friend turn his head slowly. "You don't need to think too much about them, or feel pressured by everything that happened earlier. I know they're not ordinary people, and I also know… there are things that aren't easy to explain. But don't let it weigh on your mind."
He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing, "If one day you want to join the student council, I won't stop you. I'll support you, like I always have. But you also have to know, this can't be decided just like that. We have to consider it carefully. You—especially you—haven't been doing well lately, have you?"
His voice softened, almost like a whisper. "I don't want you to force yourself just because of pressure or curiosity. You know, I understand you better than anyone."
Those words pierced Alvano's heart. He lowered his gaze slowly, staring at the ice cream in his hand, beginning to melt at the tip. There was a tightness in his chest, not from sadness, but from warmth. He realized that Theo was not just a friend—Theo was the anchor preventing him from sinking deeper amid all the chaos imprisoning his thoughts.
Alvano inhaled slowly. "I know, Theo… you always understand. But, for some reason, I feel… my life has been getting heavier lately."
Theo simply watched in silence, then gently patted his shoulder. "You're not alone, Van. I'm here."
Suddenly, gratitude filled Alvano's chest. He looked at Theo with a small, sincere, albeit weak, smile. Theo's presence truly meant more to him than anything. Yet, amid that feeling of thankfulness, his mind drifted to another figure—Arwen.
The name appeared suddenly in his mind, making him pause for a moment. The girl with gentle yet mysterious eyes. Would the student council also invite her to join? Alvano couldn't deny the intuition—that Arwen was also not an ordinary person. Just like the people in that room.
Theo broke his daydream with a low voice. "You're daydreaming again," he said as he put on his helmet. "Come on, we should head home before it gets too late. I don't want that incident to happen again."
The serious tone made Alvano aware, and he nodded slowly. Without much further conversation, they got back on the motorcycle. As the engine roared and the exhaust sounded into the air, night fully descended, enveloping them in a quiet journey home—but for some reason, it felt a little more peaceful than before.
Night began to swallow the remnants of sunset as Theo's motorcycle rode slowly along the highway. Traffic was still quite busy, vehicles taking turns turning on their headlights, creating flickering lights dancing across the wet road from the earlier rain. The night breeze brushed against Alvano's face as he stayed silent behind Theo, eyes fixed on the row of car lights ahead.
Those lights—white, yellow, red—pulled him into a whirlpool of nostalgia. He remembered a past that was almost fading from his memory. Back then, he was still in rehabilitation, his body covered in scars, and every afternoon, his grandfather would come to pick him up in an old gray car. Alvano could still recall the old hands holding him gently, the soothing voice, and the aroma of balm always clinging to his grandfather's jacket. Those memories returned, making his chest feel tight—not from pain, but from sudden longing.
Theo slowed the motorcycle as the traffic light ahead turned red. They stopped at the white line, among other vehicles waiting for their turn to pass. The sounds of engines, horns, and street chaos seemed to fade, replaced by a silence hanging between them.
Theo looked at his reflection in the rearview mirror. From that angle, he could see Alvano's face, staring blankly forward as if his soul were drifting far away. Theo gripped the handlebars tighter. A sense of worry crept back in.
He knew, after Alvano's memories reopened, the burden he had to carry also increased. Theo now fully understood everything that had happened in the past—about Alvano's grandfather, about why some of his friend's memories were tightly locked away. Alvano's grandfather did it to protect him, to prevent trauma and the dormant power within him from awakening too quickly. But Theo also knew… it could be a double-edged sword. Because the longer the memory remained sealed, the greater the pressure would hit once the seal started to crack.
The red light seemed to reflect their feelings—stopped in the middle of the current of life that kept moving. Until suddenly, from the right, a black car slowly passed by. Alvano's gaze inadvertently fell on it. The license plate was faintly readable: B 8646 RN.
He frowned. Something felt familiar. The window was dark, almost hiding whoever was inside. Yet an odd feeling crept into his mind, the sense that he had seen that car before.
As the light turned green again and Theo started moving, a brief flash of memory appeared in his mind. He remembered the car clearly, with the same license plate, which had made Bus brake sharply that morning.
The motorcycle slowed in front of Alvano's house, the engine fading, and the night breeze caressed their faces. Theo lowered the kickstand, glancing at Alvano for a moment. The house lights were already glowing warmly, radiating a soothing light. In the yard, Alvano's grandfather was bending over, watering the plants he had long cared for. The scent of wet soil and fresh leaves blended with the night air, creating a calm atmosphere in contrast to their tense day.
The grandfather lifted his head, sweeping his gaze across the yard. His eyes immediately focused on the two young men who had just arrived. A thin smile appeared on his face.
"Come in, Theo," he said warmly but firmly. "I've prepared your favorite dish—a warm soup, as usual."
Alvano also smiled, though hesitantly. "Yes, Theo, just come in. It's fine. We can eat together for a while before you head home."
Theo nodded slowly, slightly surprised. He did want to go home immediately, but the warmth emanating from Alvano's house and the grandfather's invitation made him reluctant to refuse. With light steps, he followed Alvano inside, passing through the front door that opened with a soft creak.
Once inside, Alvano's grandfather immediately hugged Theo for a moment. "I'm glad, boy. You can eat with us again," he said while releasing the hug. The warm atmosphere made Theo feel slightly awkward, but also comfortable. A small smile appeared on his face.
"Thank you, sir," Theo replied. Alvano's voice came from behind, whispering slightly, "Umm, I already told him everything—about that incident…"
Theo swallowed. He felt touched, yet awkward because Alvano had shared his situation unconsciously. "Ah… yes… I… thank you for telling me," he replied with a faint, slightly awkward smile.
Alvano nodded, then disappeared upstairs to change clothes. Meanwhile, Theo and the grandfather prepared the dining table. The grandfather deftly arranged plates, bowls, and spoons, while pouring warm soup into the bowls. The aroma of freshly cooked chicken soup filled the room, adding comfort amid the quiet night.
Theo stood beside him, feeling hesitant. Only the grandfather was busy preparing everything, while he could do little to help. He wiped his face gently, trying to calm his awkwardness.
"Let me help, sir," Theo said lightly, attempting a smile.
The grandfather looked at him, then smiled softly. "It's fine, boy. Just sit down, you can enjoy the warm soup later. The important thing is, we eat together."
The atmosphere of the house became warm, as if all the fatigue and tension outside slowly melted away, replaced by the aroma of the warm soup and the soothing glow of the lights. Theo sat down, looking at his bowl of soup, feeling a little relieved—though only for a moment, the outside world seemed distant, leaving only the simple warmth inside that house.