The air between the three of them—well, the two visible figures and the invisible Janne—shifted ever so slightly as Albert hesitated, his eyes dropping to the ground. He scuffed his shoe against the cobblestones, unsure how to express what he was feeling. The vibrant energy of the street around them seemed to blur into the background as Satoru's words lingered in the air.
"What about you, Albert?" Satoru asked again, tilting his head slightly. His gaze was steady, warm, and inviting. It was the kind of gaze that made people feel comfortable, like they could say anything without fear of judgment.
Albert scratched the back of his head awkwardly, his fingers ruffling his already disheveled hair. "Uh… well, I…" he began, his voice low and uncertain. He glanced to the side, avoiding Satoru's direct eye contact. The bustling crowd flowed around them like a river, and for a moment, Albert felt like he was drowning in his own thoughts.
