Since the first time Sei saw Nira at the office, he couldn't shake the uneasiness in his chest. There was something about her. It felt like they had met before — but that couldn't be true. Right?
The morning calm in the office was broken by Arya's cheerful laugh.
– "Did Nolan break the coffee machine again?"
– "It wasn't me this time. Kael forgot to add water," Nolan replied, peeking over his glasses.
Kael wasn't exactly new, but he wasn't someone who showed up often. Part of the tech team, quiet, composed, and always observant. Sei didn't like him much. Kael's gaze sometimes felt like he knew everything.
– "I forgot the water," Kael said calmly. "But did no one notice the system is running more stable than yesterday?"
Sei frowned. That strange screen last night… The questions in his mind grew heavier.
Just then, Nira entered the office. She still seemed like an outsider. But this time, there was something different. As if something deep inside her had begun to awaken.
– "Nira, are you okay?" Arya asked.
– "I... don't know if I belong here," Nira whispered. "But I feel like I'm supposed to be."
Sei shivered. That same feeling had crept in years ago — the night of his final argument with Riven. Nothing had been the same since then.
That night, at home, Leo was lying on the couch, watching something on his phone. When Sei entered, Leo looked up.
– "Late again. Don't tell me you're into the mysterious girl now."
– "The mysterious girl's name is Nira," Sei said, taking off his coat.
– "Nice. Still don't trust you though," Leo muttered.
Sei didn't answer. Because now, even he wasn't sure if he trusted himself.