After a rigorous morning workout in the park, Adam returns home, his steps lighter but his body still bearing the satisfying ache of physical exertion.
He joins his family for breakfast, savoring the warmth of home and the simple pleasure of a shared meal.
His mother, Rachel, smiles at him from across the table, pride in her gaze as she places a plate in front of him.
Adam offers a warm smile in return, nodding his thanks, before glancing at the clock and realizing it's nearly time to head to school.
Finishing up, Adam gives his parents a quick goodbye, adjusting his bag on his shoulder as he steps out the door.
His mind shifts instantly back to business, and he reaches out mentally to Pratham, his AI companion.
Pratham, he asks, has there been any message from Ani?
Pratham's voice, precise and almost humanly warm, comes through in Adam's mind. No, Lord Adam. Miss Ani has not sent any messages yet.
Adam frowns slightly but keeps walking. Did she leave her house yet?
Yes, Lord Adam. Miss Ani left a few minutes ago and should be arriving at the Futaba Station shortly.
Adam's pace quickens, determination shining in his violet eyes as he moves swiftly down the street, intent on reaching the bus station before Ani arrives.
Though typically unreadable, Adam's gaze flickers with a trace of uncertainty. He contemplates messaging her, remembering her tendency to leave him waiting when she doesn't respond.
Just as he pulls out his phone, his finger hovering over her contact, his screen lights up—Ani is calling.
For a moment, Adam is frozen, taken aback. He wasn't expecting her to reach out, especially not so early.
It's a rare, fleeting vulnerability, one that would only be visible to someone who could see through his well-maintained mask.
Swallowing, Adam steadies himself and accepts the call.
Earlier, Ani stepped out of her house, her thoughts swirling around her as she briskly made her way down the street.
The crisp morning air held a faint chill, a subtle reminder of the warmth that had settled in her heart from last night's encounter with Adam.
She couldn't stop herself from replaying the previous evening in her mind—the way he'd looked at her, his violet eyes intense and mesmerizing.
She catches herself blushing and, flustered, covers her mouth as if to hide the evidence. She can't shake the memory, and each recollection makes her pulse quicken.
Lost in thought, Ani almost collides with a passerby, who raises an eyebrow at her distracted state.
Embarrassed, she refocuses on the path ahead, trying to shake off her feelings, but Adam's face remains at the forefront of her mind.
Her fingers instinctively hover over his profile on her phone screen, debating whether to send a message.
Should I just call him? she wonders, hesitating as her heart races with anticipation.
As she's lost in indecision, her finger slips, and she accidentally taps the call button.
Her eyes widen in horror. Oh no, did I just…? Her immediate instinct is to end the call, but as she fumbles, she hears Adam's voice on the other end.
"Hello, Ani?"
A rush of warmth floods through her at the sound of his voice.
Realizing there's no graceful way to escape now, she clears her throat and decides to follow through with the call.
"Hey, Adam," she replies softly, her tone slightly uncertain but holding a hint of joy. Hearing her voice,
Adam's face lights up with a rare, unguarded smile. He's on his way to the bus station, moving swiftly as he talks.
"How are you feeling, Ani?" he asks, his voice laced with genuine concern. "Did you get enough rest after yesterday?"
His words wrap around her like a warm embrace, and Ani feels her cheeks redden again.
The kindness in his tone, his care for her well-being, makes her heart flutter. "Yes, I'm fine now, thanks to your help with the documents," she responds, smiling despite herself. "I finished everything faster and managed to get to bed early."
Adam feels a wave of relief, glad to hear that she's doing well. "Good," he says, his voice softening. But he can't help but add, "I just wanted to make sure you didn't stay up too late working on them."
Ani's heart melts a little at his words, realizing how much he worries about her.
She remembers last night vividly, the quiet closeness they'd shared, his intense gaze that had seemed to look straight through her.
I'm glad he came over, she thinks, a smile tugging at her lips.
As Adam listens to Ani's voice, he feels an odd calm wash over him, a contrast to his usually intense disposition.
They continue their light conversation, each relishing the simple comfort of the other's presence, even over the phone.
Adam, always so guarded and aloof, finds himself letting his defenses down ever so slightly, drawn into Ani's warmth.
Suddenly, Adam feels a hand clap onto his shoulder, snapping him out of his reverie. He turns, seeing Leo beside him, one of his closest friends and allies.
Leo had approached quietly, watching Adam with a knowing grin as he noticed Adam was on a call.
Leo raises an eyebrow, gesturing playfully, silently asking who has captured Adam's rare attention so thoroughly.
Suppressing a smirk, Adam gives Leo a look that says, Keep quiet. Leo, understanding the silent command, merely nods, giving Adam space while still staying close by.
Understanding Adam's signal, Leo falls in step beside him, careful to stay silent and blend into the background.
Adam continues his conversation with Ani on the phone, their words flowing with ease, yet his mind remains sharply aware of his surroundings.
After a moment, Adam pulls the phone slightly away from his ear and leans closer to Leo.
"Take your girlfriend somewhere else before she sees me here, talking on the phone," Adam whispers, his tone both commanding and amused.
The idea of anyone catching him in a moment of rare openness unsettles him, but he trusts Leo to handle it.
Leo gives Adam a playful thumbs-up, grinning before whispering back, "Alright, see you in class." With that, Leo jogs ahead, veering off to meet his girlfriend, Susan, and escort her down an alternate path to keep Adam's location concealed.
Meanwhile, Ani remains engrossed in her conversation with Adam, oblivious to the looks she's attracting from passersby.
Her face is bright with a smile that refuses to fade, her laughter spilling out freely as she speaks to him, her fingers occasionally twirling a lock of her silvery-white hair.
It's as if the world has melted away, leaving only the warmth of Adam's voice and the thrill of his attention.
As she approaches the station, Ani asks playfully, "Where are you? You haven't reached yet?"
Adam's voice, calm but with a hint of excitement, comes through. "I'm waiting for you at the station, right at the entrance. The train arrives in two minutes—better hurry."
Surprised, Ani's eyes widen with a mixture of delight and urgency. "Wait for me!" she says, ending the call quickly.
She scans her ticket at the entrance, her pace quickening as she makes her way up the stairs to the platform.
At the top, she spots Adam standing there, his silhouette sharp and imposing against the early morning light.
His school dress outfit gives him an air of quiet innocent, the shadows casting an edge to his face that only softens when he sees her approaching.
Ani can't help but smile, her heart skipping a beat as she walks up to him, her phone slipping back into her bag.
They exchange a glance that speaks volumes as they settle onto the train together, side by side.
The gentle sway of the train and the quiet hum of the tracks provide a soothing backdrop to their silent companionship.
Every now and then, Adam glances at Ani, noting the small smile playing on her lips, her eyes bright with unspoken thoughts.
The two share a sense of peace that feels rare and precious, as if in this small pocket of time, the world outside holds no sway over them.
As the train arrives at their destination, Ani turns to Adam, her face softening. "I'll go on ahead," she says, her voice warm, though a blush colors her cheeks.
Before she moves, she pauses, glancing back at him with a shy smile. "I'll wait for you in class."
Adam watches her walk away, both touched and amused, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
The usually calm and composed Adam feels an unfamiliar warmth blooming within him, something new and deeply cherished.
Her last look lingers in his mind as he leaves the station, his steps quickening toward the school.
When he finally reaches the classroom, he pauses by the doorway, catching sight of Ani seated inside, her gaze fixed on the entrance as if she's been waiting just for him.
Her smile lights up the moment she sees him, and Adam can't help but return it, a quiet acknowledgment of their connection.
He slips past her row, settling at his seat toward the back, his eyes meeting hers for a fleeting moment that says more than any words could.
To be connected ...