Neva enters the bakery café, the mystery man still in tow. The aroma of freshly baked bread and strong coffee fills her senses, and a small smile tugs at her lips.
She glances around and soon spots an empty table, then strolls toward it. Her mystery man trails behind, quietly.
Neva settles by the window, her gaze drifting to the quiet city beyond the glass.
Across from the bakery sat a quaint little shop—a cottage-style boutique selling clothes and accessories.
The atmosphere here was serene, almost nostalgic. No towering skyscrapers or bustling crowds, just the soft charm of a peaceful neighborhood. It was why she'd chosen to live here, even if only for a few years—it felt like a beautiful, hidden town tucked away from the chaos.
Meanwhile, her pursuer sits across from her, leaning forward with his elbows on the table, chin resting in his hands—watching her deeply.
Neva, absorbed in the quiet charm of the lively town outside, remained unaware of his lingering gaze.
A waiter arrives at their table.
"What shall I get you, ma'am?" he asks politely.
Neva tears her eyes away from the scenery she'd been glued to and glances up.
"I'll have some crêpes with chocolate and strawberry fillings, please."
"Alright, ma'am." The waiter nods, jotting it down. Then, he turns toward the man across from her.
"And for you, sir?"
The mystery man, he says nothing.
He's not quite on Earth.
Neva bites her lip, then exhales slowly, exhausted. His eyes are still fixed on her, refusing to look away.
"He asked you something," she says, her tone sharp.
He'd been pretending not to hear. Snapped out of his daydream, he shoots the waiter a glare—dark and oddly threatening. The poor waiter flinches.
What's wrong with this guy?
The waiter had done nothing wrong… or had he?
Neva sits frozen, mouth slightly agape.
"You want something to eat?" she asks.
"No money," he replies shamelessly with a shrug.
What is he even doing here? Neva wonders.
How does he survive?
The waiter likely shares her confusion.
Neva sighs, guilt pressing into her.
"Please bring two crêpes with chocolate and strawberry fillings," she tells the waiter softly.
Then she turns to the strange creature across from her.
"You'll have that?"
He nods, lips curling into a smile—giddy, as if her small act of kindness were the grandest affection he'd ever known.
---
On their way to the university, Neva and her mystery man gradually close the distance between them—mostly due to his persistent efforts to keep a conversation going.
Neva's part mostly consisted of nagging him to leave her alone.
As they reach the university gates, the area buzzes with students.
The crowd is thick, and countless eyes turn toward the two—half-formed pair standing at the entrance.
"We're parting now, aren't we?" Neva tilts her head, meeting his soft, searching eyes.
"I guess we are," he replies, offering a gentle smile.
"See you later, Neva." He pats her head lightly.
She shrinks just a little at the unexpected warmth.
Their eyes untangle.
He turns and walks away, and she stays where she is. He drifts farther and farther—until she can't quite see him anymore.
Her brows knit together as she touches the spot on her hair where his hand had been.
'Did he mess up my hair?'
She purses her lips, looking away—bewildered by the strange hollowness blooming in her chest.
---
At the entrance of the lecture hall, she scans the room. It's still early for classes to begin, yet most of the seats are already taken. Finally, at the far end of the hall, she spots an empty seat.
Neva makes her way over and settles in, barely getting comfortable when she senses a presence beside her.
She turns, and within a second, a girl with medium-length brown hair tied in a ponytail drops into the seat next to her.
"Hi! Nice to meet you. I'm Emma," the girl says brightly, flashing an alluring gummy smile—her dimples making the expression even more charming.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Neva," she replies, mirroring Emma's bright smile.
"Can I ask you something?" Emma leans in a little, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"Sure," Neva says.
"Do you like Rhett?" Emma asks, her gaze narrowing, watching Neva closely.
"Huh? Oh… yeah, I guess I like red," Neva replies, slightly thrown off, her lean, softly arched dark brows knitting together in confusion.
Emma's eyes light up. "Can I ask another?"
Neva nods. "Ask away."
"Is he your boyfriend?" Emma presses on, still watching her.
"What?" Neva frowns, dumbfounded.
When did people start dating colors? she thinks, bewildered.
"Man~ the guy you were with. At the campus gate?" Emma clarifies, already seeming warmed up to Neva.
A jolt runs through Neva's brain like a snapped wire. Her eyes widen. "His name's Red? As in the color red?"
She's visibly stunned by the revelation.
Emma chuckles. "No! It's Rhett. R-H-E-T-T," she spells it out, emphasizing each letter with playful firmness. Then she tilts her head, her expression turning a bit uncertain. "I guess?"
Neva nods slowly. Finally, she has a name for her mystery man.
Unable to help herself, she leans in slightly. "How do you know him?"
"Oh, he owns a car maintenance workshop a few kilometers from here. My boyfriend works there," Emma answers brightly, still brimming with curiosity about where Neva and Rhett stand.
"I see," Neva nods, her voice soft, absorbing this newfound knowledge about her mysterious man.
So his name is actually Rhett.
The name lingers in her mind, echoing like a whisper through the quiet corners of her thoughts.