As Raika entered the canteen, the familiar sight of her personal chef and butler greeted her. They stood by her reserved table, their crisp uniforms immaculate and their faces marked with courteous smiles. They moved with practiced efficiency, serving Raika a carefully arranged plate of gourmet food and a delicate glass of fruit juice. The aroma of freshly cooked dishes mingled with the hum of conversation and clatter of utensils from the busy canteen.
Raika's attention, however, was drawn elsewhere. Her eyes swept over the room until they landed on Mia, seated at a table in a quieter corner of the canteen. Mia's demeanor was noticeably different from the lively, cheerful persona Raika was used to. She sat hunched over her plate, her shoulders tense and her posture slouched as though she were trying to shrink into herself. Her head was lowered, and her long hair fell over her face, effectively shielding her from the view of others.
