The room was quiet again after his decision had been made.
Leo sat at his desk, notebook still open beside his laptop, the words Reset My Life: 30 Days faintly visible beneath the glow of the screen. The excitement from earlier hadn't faded—but it had settled into something calmer, steadier. Now came the work that no one would see.
Execution.
He shifted closer to the screen and began researching the editing style that would match the kind of content he wanted to create. At first, it was nothing more than endless scrolling through Fastgram, fast cuts, flashy transitions, dramatic filters, loud music stitched over everything.
His brows slowly furrowed.
"It's all too loud," he murmured.
So he switched platforms and opened MeTube instead. The tone changed instantly. Longer videos. Slower pacing. Creators calmly explaining lighting, color balance, framing, and subtle transitions. Tutorials on how to let silence breathe instead of filling every second with noise.
What started as curiosity turned into genuine study.
Time slipped past without him noticing.
Then,
Ding-dong.
Leo lifted his head and checked the time.
7:45 PM.
"It must be Emily."
He stood and went to open the door.
The door had barely opened before Emily swept inside, a gust of movement and impatience filling the quiet apartment.
"Why are you still standing there?" she said at once, already slipping past him. "Go wash up and change! I managed to reserve our seats, nine o'clock sharp."
Leo blinked, then laughed softly. "Alright, alright. I'm going."
A few minutes later, the bathroom light flicked on. Water ran. The faint scent of soap drifted through the hallway. When he finally stepped back into the living room fifteen minutes later, he had changed into a clean white cotton shirt, loose-fit blue jeans, and white sneakers. His ice-blond hair was slicked back into a neat ponytail, sharpening his features and giving him a surprisingly mature edge.
Emily, who had just adjusted something near the mirror, turned around mid-step.
Her gaze paused.
Then traveled once, slowly, from head to toe.
"Well," she said with clear satisfaction in her voice, "looking sharp, handsome."
Leo smiled easily. "You're the one who looks gorgeous, Emily. That dress suits you perfectly."
She had changed into a simple black one-piece dress, paired with black heeled sandals and a thin silver necklace resting neatly against her collarbone. Her brown hair flowed freely down her back, soft and elegant.
She tilted her head slightly, clearly pleased. "You're getting better at talking," she said lightly. "Or maybe you're just finally noticing your aunt properly."
Leo chuckled. "I've always noticed. I just didn't say it out loud before."
She scoffed and waved a hand as she grabbed her small handbag from the table. "Flattery won't save you if we're late."
"We won't be," he replied calmly, picking up his phone and wallet. "You still have half an hour to scold me during the ride."
"Then I have a lot of time," she said seriously, then broke into a smile as she stepped into her heels.
They left the apartment together, the door clicking shut behind them as the hallway lights stirred to life. The elevator carried them downward in a quiet hush, the soft hum of movement filling the space. Emily adjusted the clasp of her necklace once, while Leo leaned against the mirrored wall, idly turning his phone in his hand.
When the doors slid open, the evening greeted them gently.
The air was cool and fresh, carrying the distant sounds of traffic, laughter, and passing footsteps. Above them, the sky had settled into a deep, calm blue, sprinkled faintly with stars that struggled against the glow of streetlights. Yellow lamps lined the road like a trail of quiet fire, and the cars passed in smooth, flowing streaks of light.
Emily lifted her hand and hailed a cab.
They slipped inside, the door shutting with a dull thud, and the city began to drift past the windows in soft motion. Neither of them spoke much during the ride, but the silence felt easy, comfortable, even warm.
Nearly half an hour later, the cab slowed and pulled to a stop.
They had arrived.
The restaurant stood at a corner of a lively street, large but not overwhelming, glowing with warm golden light behind wide glass windows. It wasn't a five-star establishment, but it was cozy in a way that felt inviting, like a place meant for families, quiet celebrations, and unhurried conversations.
Inside, the scent of freshly cooked food mingled with warm spices and baked bread. Soft instrumental music floated through the air, blending with the low murmur of conversations and the gentle clink of cutlery.
At the reception desk, a neatly dressed employee greeted them with a polite smile.
After a brief exchange, they were led deeper inside.
Their table was set near a wide window overlooking the street, candlelight flickering gently between polished wooden surfaces. Around them, warm amber lighting cast soft shadows across comfortable seating, couples spoke in hushed tones, families laughed quietly, and the atmosphere hummed with a calm, welcoming energy.
It felt like the kind of place where time slowed just enough to let moments breathe.
They had barely settled into their seats when a waiter approached with a courteous nod and placed two menus on the table.
Leo skimmed through the options without much hesitation. In the end, he ordered a grilled herb chicken with roasted vegetables, paired with a creamy mushroom pasta, and asked for a tall glass of fresh citrus-blend juice to go with it.
Emily took a little longer, reading through the menu with interest before smiling to herself. She chose a pan-seared salmon with lemon butter sauce, a side of garlic sautéed prawns, and requested a glass of red wine to accompany her meal.
The waiter noted their orders with practiced ease, offered a polite nod, and slipped back toward the kitchen.
For a little while, their table settled into a comfortable quiet. Candlelight flickered softly between them, while the low hum of conversation, clinking cutlery, and distant laughter drifted gently through the restaurant.
A few minutes later, their drinks arrived, Emily's wine placed delicately near her hand, Leo's fresh juice set down with a soft clink against the table.
Emily lifted her glass with a bright smile. "Alright then, congratulations again on those amazing marks."
Leo raised his juice in return and clinked it lightly against her glass. "Thank you."
They both took a sip, and for a moment it felt like the words didn't need to continue.
Then Emily tilted her head slightly, rolling the stem of her wine glass between her fingers as she spoke in a casual tone. "So… when does the university application process start?"
"Next week," Leo replied. "The portals should open around early August."
She nodded thoughtfully. "And have you decided where you'll apply? And what course you're going for?"
"That part's easy," he said with a small, almost sheepish smile. "Computer Science. As for universities, I've already shortlisted a few of the best ones I qualify for."
He didn't say it out loud, but there was another reason behind that choice. In his previous life, he had walked the same path. Taking the same course now would make it easier to handle his academics alongside everything else he was planning.
Emily studied his face for a moment, and he could see it there, relief, followed by quiet pride.
"That's good," she said softly. "You've worked hard for this. No matter where you go, I know you'll do well."
Warmth spread through his chest at her words. He hesitated, fingers tightening slightly around the edge of the table, then finally spoke.
"Actually… there's something I wanted to tell you."