Kaivan sat on the sofa's armrest, smiling softly. "Heh, don't say that, Mom. Just keep praying. Maybe not now, but one day… we'll go there together."
The words were simple, but they carried warmth. His mother looked at him, eyes glistening, and placed her hand over his. "You always know how to make me feel at peace."
Kaivan smiled and turned back to the screen. The mountains of Norway grew even more majestic under the orchestra's swell. A calm settled over him, though he knew how far that dream really was.
"One day, Mom," he murmured to himself. "We'll make it happen."
After a moment, he stood, grabbing his bag. "I'll be in my room."
"Alright, dear. But don't forget dinner," she replied softly. Her gaze returned to the screen, yet something had changed, a faint spark of belief glimmered in her eyes. It was no longer a hollow dream, but a fragile hope beginning to take shape.
The next morning, sunlight spilled into Kaivan's small workshop. The beams filtered through the window, casting bright lines across the large whiteboard at the center of the room. Tools and cables were neatly arranged, reflecting the discipline of their owner. Kaivan stood tall, marker in hand, eyes sharp with focus, like an artist sketching the outline of a masterpiece.
"1. Budget Plan. A. Hardware," he wrote with steady strokes. Line by line, he listed prices and parts: scanner, RAM, motherboard, down to "TTS Software: Rp500,000–Rp1,500,000." A plan was forming, an apparatus that could scan and convert the contents of the Tome Omnicent into sound. He imagined OCR and TTS technology fused together, unlocking the book's secrets without ever opening it.
The workshop door opened softly. Zinnia entered, her oversized sweater draping elegantly over her frame. Her violet hair swayed with each step, and her calm eyes immediately caught sight of the cluttered whiteboard.
"What kind of budget are you working on?" she asked, her tone calm yet curious. She walked closer, brushing her bangs aside as her eyes traced Kaivan's notes.
Kaivan put down the marker, his expression serene yet alight with excitement. "A tool to read the Tome Omnicent. With OCR and TTS, we could listen to its contents anytime, anywhere."
Zinnia raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the table. "Like an automated reader? You really think it's possible?" she asked, skeptical but unable to hide her interest.
Kaivan nodded, showing her a rough diagram on the desk. "The technology exists. We just need precision to make it work. This might be the key to understanding the Tome's secrets."
His eyes gleamed with conviction. In that small room, a dream was beginning to take shape.
Zinnia leaned in, her finger tracing the edge of the diagram. "And the next step? You know a project this big needs more than conviction, right?" she said quietly, her tone sharp but steady.
Kaivan crossed his arms, meeting her gaze with a faint smile. "The next step is gathering resources. The budget's ready. Now I just need help bringing it to life," he said, glancing at the hardware list on the board.
Suddenly, Kaivan's phone rang, breaking the silence. The name "Thivi" appeared on the screen. He answered immediately.
"Your order's ready! Oh, and pick me up too!" Thivi's cheerful voice came through, drawing a small smile from Kaivan.
"Alright. Frans will pick you up," he replied briefly. After hanging up, he turned toward Felicia, who sat quietly nearby, her long hair cascading down, eyes filled with calm determination.
"Felicia, go with Radit and Frans to Thivi's place. Take her used phones and bring her here," Kaivan said softly but firmly, entrusting her with full confidence.
Felicia nodded lightly. "Alright," she replied simply, then stood with graceful composure and walked toward the door.
Just then, the workshop door opened. Raphael and Ethan stepped in, their strides confident. Behind them came Radit's faint laughter.
"Come on in, Kaivan's inside," Radit said casually, waving them in.
Raphael entered first, his presence serious and commanding. Ethan followed, hands tucked in his pockets, his usual relaxed demeanor unchanged. They found Kaivan standing before the whiteboard, organizing his notes and scattered sketches.
Kaivan turned toward them with a bright smile. "Perfect timing," he said enthusiastically, closing his bag now stuffed with tools and papers.
Raphael frowned slightly. "Where are we going?" he asked, his deep voice laced with curiosity.
Kaivan met his gaze, eyes gleaming with calm determination. "Business," he said simply, the word sharp yet full of purpose. Raphael and Ethan exchanged glances, they knew this wasn't just another plan.
Without further questions, both nodded and followed Kaivan's lead. Wherever he went, an unpredictable direction always awaited. As they stepped outside, the morning sun greeted them. Two motorcycles were parked by the roadside, standing like extensions of their will.
Kaivan was the first to put on his helmet, his movements quick and precise. "Let's go," he said with quiet resolve.
Raphael and Ethan nodded, mounting their bikes. Raphael rode with steady confidence, while Ethan lit a cigarette before easing on the throttle.
Their journey was silent, accompanied only by the hum of engines. The city was waking, yet they remained calm, weaving through narrow alleys and old buildings. The morning wind brushed against their faces, carrying an unspoken sense of unity. Ethan hummed occasionally, but mostly stayed quiet. Raphael's sharp eyes scanned every turn and shadow along the way.
The sky turned gray as they arrived at their destination, an old rusted building that stood like a relic of time. The surroundings were still, save for the occasional passing figure. The air smelled of metal and dust, steeped in a heavy silence.
Some time later, Kaivan and Raphael emerged, carrying a large sack filled with used phones. Their steps were steady, shoulders showing no strain. Raphael shot Kaivan a small grin. "Guess I'll have to find even cheaper deals next time, huh?" he joked lightly, though his eyes glimmered with satisfaction, the mission was complete, another step closer to their goal.
Kaivan looked at him, his gaze calm but piercing. "Exactly," he replied simply. "You're good at this. Your acting and adaptability make everything smoother."
Raphael chuckled softly, shrugging as if brushing off the compliment. But Kaivan's steps suddenly halted, across the street stood Isabel. Her pink hair swayed in the wind, eyes restless as she looked around. She seemed to be waiting.
Ethan leaned against the worn brick wall, one foot resting on the curb, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. Thin smoke drifted upward, yet his eyes stayed fixed on Isabel. When his gaze met Kaivan's, a faint tension stirred in the air.
Isabel stood frozen. The wind played with strands of her hair, but her face remained still as Kaivan and Raphael stepped out of the building. Their eyes met, and the world seemed to fall silent.
Kaivan lowered the sack from his shoulder, straightening his posture as he walked toward her. Raphael followed close behind, relaxed but alert. With each step, the weight on Kaivan's mind felt heavier than the sack he had just carried.
This place wasn't Isabel's world, not the kind of place she should be. Kaivan knew that, and his question slipped out sharply, "What are you doing here?"
Isabel flinched, glancing at Ethan before taking a small breath. "He was waiting for you… while smoking," she whispered uncertainly.