Max walked along the streets, his footsteps heavy with remorse and disappointment. The encounter with Rika still echoed in his mind, and he couldn't shake off the feeling of hurt and rejection. The words he had spoken, questioning if he could ever beat that person, had left a bitter taste in his mouth.
As he reached the office, Max mustered the strength to hand over the briefcase to the woman with the glasses. Her gratitude for his hard work only served to intensify the somber mood that enveloped him. Max took a deep breath and finally made the difficult announcement, "I'm sorry. Today's my last day on the job."
The woman was taken aback, her surprise evident in her expression. "You're quitting?" she asked, trying to comprehend his decision.
Max nodded in agreement, feeling the weight of his emotions. He knew deep down that he needed to find his own path, one that allowed him to grow and learn. The woman quietly kept the folder she intended to give him, understanding the gravity of his decision.
The guy with glasses, Nathan, chimed in with an arrogant tone, mocking Max's feelings. "You're sad because starting tomorrow you can't see her anymore? You're so transparent," he sneered while engrossed in designing a building on his computer.
Annoyed by Nathan's assumption, Max replied, "No, that's not it. I just want to learn more on-site."
The woman, standing with a stick in her hand, tried to intervene, "Then how about you work for us?"
But Nathan dismissed the idea, believing that an art student like Max couldn't possibly be of any use in their line of work. "Are you joking? How can an art student become our fighting power?"
"You're also from Crescendo Art, so what are you talking about?" she said, defending Max's background.
Nathan remained dismissive and condescending. "Therefore I know better than anyone else whether he's serious or not about this work," he retorted, doubting Max's intentions and abilities.
Determined to prove himself, Max asserted, "I'm serious about architecture."
Nathan continued his belittling remarks, "That means you really want to get into architecture. You're not just doing it to be near that person?" while pointing his cigarette to his monitor.
The accusation struck a nerve, and Max found himself losing his temper, vehemently denying the assumption with a loud "No!"
Nathan's attitude remained cold and unyielding, "I don't trust people like you the most."
However, the woman stepped in, her authoritative voice calling him by name, "Nathan," as if to remind him to be more considerate.
The tense atmosphere in the office eased slightly, and Max excused himself, leaving the room with a heavy heart. The woman wished him well with a soft, "Take care," while Nathan continued to stare intently at his computer screen. As Max walked away, the bustling city seemed to hold both uncertainty and promise for his future.
☘
Evie found herself dozing off at her desk, the weariness of the day finally catching up with her. As she stirred from her short nap, she couldn't help but notice a peculiar red stamp on her forehand that read, "Max is an idiot." Edward, the mischievous troublemaker of the group, stood there triumphantly, holding the stamp as if it were a prized possession.
"You're tired of complaining about Max, right?" Edward teased, a sly grin playing on his lips. "With this stamp, rounds in tens are a piece of cake."
Before Evie could retort, Edward began stamping papers all around the laboratory, making a game out of it. Even the school newspaper hanging on the notice board didn't escape his playful antics, adorned with the same "Max is an idiot" stamp.
Meanwhile, the sound of the door opening drew their attention as Honey and Carlo walked in, carrying shopping bags filled with goodies. Honey greeted Evie with a warm smile.
"Honey, welcome back," Evie said, her fatigue momentarily replaced by genuine happiness.
Honey placed her bags down and smiled back. "I met your father just now, Evie."
Evie's expression shifted as she heard about her father. A mix of frustration and exhaustion washed over her, and she slumped her head on the desk, feeling somewhat defeated.
"Is that so?" she sighed wearily.
Seizing the opportunity to lighten the mood, Edward chimed in with his usual teasing tone. "Don't go near that old mean man. It's because of her old man that she's like this," he said, pretending to pinch Evie's cheek like she was a child.
Carlo stepped forward, concern etched on his face. "What's wrong, Evie?"
Evie raised her head, offering a tired smile to Carlo as she tried to dismiss her worries. "Don't worry," she murmured, her eyelids heavy with fatigue.
Unbeknownst to Evie, Honey's attention had shifted from the conversation to her cream breads, which she had bought specifically for Arthur. But there they were, in Edward's hands, being devoured without a care in the world.
"Ah! That's for Arthur!" Honey exclaimed, her surprise evident.
"In Crescendo, if you space out, your food will be taken," Edward quipped nonchalantly, much to Honey's dismay.
Carlo, who had witnessed this chaos, couldn't help but chastise Edward, albeit with a hint of amusement. "Edward, what are you doing?!"
Ever the impish one, Edward offered a piece of the stolen bread to Carlo, his playful nature showing no signs of relenting. "You want some, Carlo?"
☘
In the quaint and serene paint room, the air was imbued with the sweet scent of acrylics as Honey immersed herself in her canvas. Her brush danced gracefully, leaving trails of vibrant colors behind, giving life to her artistic vision. Soft, melodic music floated in the background, adding to the tranquil ambiance of the space she cherished.
Just as Honey was lost in her creative world, Evie burst into the room, a mix of excitement and hesitation in her voice.
"Sorry. Am I bothering you?" Evie asked, concern etched on her face.
A warm smile graced Honey's lips as she put down her brush. "No, not at all. Come in," she replied.
Evie let out a relieved sigh and stepped further into the room. Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she finally voiced the question that had been gnawing at her mind.
"Honey, haven't you ever thought about giving up on painting? I mean, even for something you love, it can get exhausting, right?" Evie's fingers fiddled with the edges of her signature red scarf, her gaze wandering to the walls adorned with Honey's artistic masterpieces.
Honey's eyes softened, understanding the depth of her friend's concern. "I haven't really thought about giving up," she answered thoughtfully. "Painting is like breathing to me, Evie. It's my passion, my escape, and my solace. Even on the hardest days, creating art keeps me going."
As Evie absorbed Honey's heartfelt response, her own feelings seemed to swirl within her. Her thoughts wandered to her own struggles, particularly with love and dedication. She found herself looking up at the ceiling, as if seeking answers in the blank expanse above.
"I see," Evie finally said, her voice tinged with a mix of emotions. "If you really love it that much, then I guess that's how it is, huh?"
Honey smiled warmly at her friend, recognizing the underlying complexities behind Evie's words. Their shared journey of growth and self-discovery was evident in that moment, and the paint room served as a sacred space where they could express their hopes, fears, and dreams.
☘
It was a brand new day at the university, and Carlo couldn't contain his excitement as he entered the laboratory. The night before, he had received a package from his mom, and to his delight, it contained the rock clay that Honey had been wanting for her sculpting. Finally, he felt like he could be useful and make her happy. With a broad smile on his face, Carlo hurriedly put down his backpack and retrieved the heavy brown rock clay.
Summoning all his courage, he approached Honey, ready to present the thoughtful gift. "Honey..." he started to say, but before he could continue, Arthur burst into the room with something in his hands, interrupting the moment. "I found a pickled vegetable rock! Is this okay?" Arthur exclaimed, causing both Honey and Evie to look up with surprise and delight.
Honey's eyes sparkled as she happily replied, "Arthur, that's great! This is perfect for making pickled vegetables!"
Evie chimed in, "Isn't it hard to make them yourself?"
Honey shook her head and smiled, "No, it's not that difficult! I can show you how sometime."
Carlo's heart sank as he watched the exchange, realizing that his thoughtful gift was now overshadowed by Arthur's find. He couldn't help but feel disappointed, thinking, "Mom, I'm sorry. Even though you went through the trouble to send it to me, it was completely useless."
Carlo awkwardly caressed the rock clay to his face, muttering, "This rock is so freaking heavy, and the coldness just sinks into my body." Despite his disappointment, he tried to hide it and put on a brave face.
Just then, Evie called out to him, bringing him back to the present. "Hey, Carlo!" she said, holding a cup of coffee, while Honey still clutched the vegetable rock. Carlo quickly hid the rock behind his back and nervously responded, "Y-Yes?!"
Evie, seemingly unaware of Carlo's unease, continued, "Is Max at his job again?" Carlo stammered, "Uh, um, no. He said he was going to look at the bulletin board. He's searching for a new job."
Evie seemed surprised by the news, asking, "Huh? Did Max quit his job?"
Carlo admitted, "I don't know."
Arthur, who had been listening to the conversation, chimed in with a somber tone, "He got fired." Evie's eyes widened in shock, realizing that Max had lost his job. The revelation surprised Carlo as well, leaving them all in a moment of contemplative silence.
Carlo then thought of something and asked Arthur, "Where is Edward, by the way?"
☘
In the shopping market of the city, Edward found himself surrounded by Evie's father and four elderly gentlemen, all sporting red coats adorned with shopping stickers. Their eyes bore into him with a fierce intensity, and Edward returned their gazes with a mix of frustration and determination.
Edward's anger was evident as he demanded, "Hurry up and start, old man." Evie's father, not one to back down, retorted, "Don't be so impatient, brat. Your lottery ticket is currently under investigation." The tension in the air was palpable as the four elders began examining Edward's supposed lottery tickets, their scientific materials scattered on a nearby table.
Growing more irritated, Edward questioned, "What's wrong with my lottery ticket?" as he stepped closer to Evie's father, his annoyance seeping through his words. One of the elders approached Evie's father, holding up one of the tickets, and whispered something into his ear.
After a moment of intense scrutiny, the decision was reached. Evie's father turned to Edward and declared, "Your lottery tickets are nothing but fakes." He presented his own lottery ticket as evidence, a sly smile spreading across his face. Edward was caught off guard and tried to brush off the accusation, "What? How would you all know?"
Evie's father, with a twinkle in his eye, revealed the truth, "You forged one with the ticket my daughter had, didn't you?" He held up the genuine lottery ticket, and to Edward's dismay, there was a special stamp on it that the others lacked. "There isn't a stamp like this on the real tickets," Evie's father stated with a triumphant grin.
Defensively, Edward attempted to deny it, but Evie's father pressed on, "That sample was a fake ticket. No matter how flawless your forgery is, it's still a forgery, isn't it?" He continued to taunt Edward, who felt a mix of annoyance at being caught and admiration for Evie's cunning plan.
In a blend of frustration and embarrassment, Edward let out a defeated "Damn it!" and made a hasty retreat from the lively market, leaving behind the laughter of the amused onlookers and the victorious smiles of Evie's father and the elders.
☘
In the cozy laboratory, Evie stood by the window, her thoughts seemingly distant. Carlo sat comfortably in a chair next to Honey, and the two shared a bag of biscuits, exchanging smiles and laughter.
Seizing the opportunity, Evie turned to Arthur, who was engrossed in reading a book at his desk. With genuine curiosity, she inquired, "Professor, are you acquainted with someone named Rika?"
Arthur looked up from his book, reminiscing for a moment before answering, "Yes, I knew her. Back then, she was always smiling and full of life. Just like you all now, she used to get into all sorts of silly shenanigans."
Evie nodded, envisioning the lively and spirited person Rika must have been. Arthur continued his narration, revealing more about Rika's life, "After she graduated, she married the man on the left in that picture, Ethan." Evie's eyes widened in surprise upon learning that Rika was married. She couldn't help but ask, "She's married? She has a husband?"
Sighing, Arthur elaborated, "Yes, she was married. But unfortunately, Ethan is no longer with us. Today, it just happens to be Ethan's birthday. If he were still alive..." His voice trailed off, and a sense of nostalgia washed over him. The laboratory fell into a brief moment of silence, as everyone took in the weight of the memory.
Carlo, seeking to lighten the mood, offered Honey a biscuit, trying to bring back some cheerfulness to the atmosphere. Evie's heart was filled with a mix of emotions as she thought about Rika's past and the memories that connected them all.
Evie stepped out of the laboratory, her heart heavy with emotions. There, she found Max lying on a bench outside the school building, puffing a cigarette in his hand. Though Max noticed her presence, he chose to ignore her, lost in his own thoughts.
"Stop it already," Evie implored, desperate for Max to let go of his pursuit of Rika. But Max remained silent, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse of the blue sky above. Evie's voice grew more insistent, her emotions swirling within her as she tried to reason with him. "Just stop. Stop chasing after her already. Even if you wait, she isn't going to look your way. There's no way you can win against someone who doesn't exist in this world."
Max rose to his feet and sat back down on the bench. Frustration and anger seeped into his voice as he replied, "I know that!" His hurt was palpable, and Evie could feel the weight of his pain. Max continued, his gaze fixed on the ground, "I don't have to be told by you... I know." The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken emotions.
Unable to bear the intensity of the moment, Max suddenly exploded, shouting in anger, "But I can't help it. Stop caring about me. Stop having feelings for me." With those words, he turned away, leaving Evie devastated in his wake. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she tried to suppress her emotions, but the pain was too overwhelming.
Unbeknownst to Evie, Carlo observed the scene from a distance, still holding the heavy rock in his hands. Watching Evie's anguish and hearing Max's outburst, a realization dawned upon him. "Even though it's right in front of you, there's something that you can't have," Carlo mused to himself, contemplating the complexities of human emotions. "No matter how much you stretch your hand out, there's something that you can never touch."
Carlo's thoughts drifted back to Honey's painting, the one that had won the exhibit. He pondered the meaning behind her words about unfulfilled wishes and the possibility of finding happiness amidst them. "Is there a light at the end of the path if you continue to search?" he wondered, wondering if hope and happiness still awaited those who faced heartache and disappointment.
With these profound thoughts swirling in his mind, Carlo returned to the building, contemplating the mysteries of love and longing that surrounded him and his friends.