Silvia made her way home with a small, gentle smile resting on her lips. As the chilly autumn night settled around her, she instinctively pulled her coat tighter around herself, welcoming the little warmth it offered.

Before long, a familiar two-story house came into view, complete with a modest front garden. Warm light spilled through the windows, making the house stand out against the dim evening.

Then her eyes landed on the black sedan parked in the driveway.

The smile she’d been wearing quietly disappeared.

Mom’s home already...

Silvia wrapped her fingers around the doorknob, let out a slow breath to steady herself, and stepped inside.

"I’m home!"

Her voice echoed through the house.

No one answered.

Silently, she slipped off her shoes and exchanged them for a pair of bunny slippers waiting beside the shoe rack. Their soft lining offered just enough warmth to soothe her cold feet.

Without making a sound, she walked deeper into the house until she reached the spacious living room.

There sat her mother.

Fine wrinkles had begun to appear around her stern face, but they did nothing to soften the commanding aura she carried. Her fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard of her laptop, completely absorbed in her work.

The television nearby played a YouTube video of a peaceful beach, waves gently rolling onto the shore—a strangely tranquil backdrop against the tense silence filling the room.

Seeing her mother so focused, Silvia decided it would be best to quietly grab a change of clothes and head straight for the shower.

"Silvia."

The firm voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Why are you home so late?"

Even without looking directly at her, Silvia could feel those sharp eyes weighing heavily on her.

"The school started a new program," Silvia explained immediately. "A study group. It’s meant to reduce the academic gap between students while helping everyone build better relationships."

For just a moment, her mother’s expression hardened.

"...What a ridiculous program."

The words slipped out with open disdain.

Silvia lowered her gaze.

She couldn’t argue.

Simply standing in front of her mother already made her feel suffocated.

"How many people are in your group?" her mother asked.

"...Four."

Silvia’s voice grew quieter.

"Two girls, including me... and two boys."

A long, weary sigh escaped her mother’s lips.

"...Just don’t get too involved with them."

Her fingers finally stopped typing.

"Treat it as if you’re studying alone."

Silvia slowly lifted her head.

"But, Mom—"

"Are you talking back now?"

Her mother’s voice dropped, heavier than before.

She rose from the sofa and walked toward Silvia.

Instinctively, Silvia took a small step backward.

Her heartbeat quickened.

"Remember this, Silvia."

Her mother stood directly before her.

"Focus on yourself."

"Don’t waste your attention on people whose value is uncertain."

"Everything I say, everything I do, it’s all for your own good. It’s all for my little angel."

Her mother gently cupped Silvia’s cheek.

Her hand was painfully cold.

Silvia lowered her head and gave a small nod.

"That’s all."

Her mother withdrew her hand.

"Go take your shower, study diligently, And don’t lose your notebook again."

Silvia quietly turned away and headed upstairs.

Her face remained hidden behind her hair.

Just as she reached the staircase.

"Don’t forget to write today’s diary, and give it to me afterward."

That was enough.

Silvia quickened her pace.

She entered her room, locked the door behind her, and tossed her school bag carelessly into a corner before collapsing face-first onto her bed.

She didn’t even bother turning on the lights.

Her face disappeared into the pillow.

Her eyes closed.

The tips of her eyelashes shimmered with unshed tears.

What she missed most... was the laughter from today’s study group.

The easy conversations.

The relaxed atmosphere.

The simple joy of being with people.

It had been so long since she’d experienced something that made her genuinely happy.

That night, Silvia spent hours doing nothing but rolling from one side of the bed to the other, letting out one long sigh after another.

***

As Liam finished the last bite of his pelmeni, Miria naturally reached over and picked up his empty plate.

"Want another serving?"

"No, I’m full."

"Then I’ll wash these."

Before she could stand, Liam gently caught her wrist.

"No, I’ll do it."

He rose from his chair, gathered both of their plates and utensils, and carried them into the kitchen.

There was no way he could let Miria do even more after everything she’d already done today.

She had waited for him all evening.

She had cleaned his apartment until it sparkled.

She had cooked dinner.

She had shared the meal with him.

And yet...

Throughout dinner, the only thing occupying Liam’s thoughts had been the warmth of another girl’s hand.

He couldn’t help feeling guilty.

Turning on the faucet, he quietly began washing the dishes.

"Miria..."

He glanced over his shoulder.

She was standing nearby, silently watching him.

Though she wore her usual composed expression, a trace of affection had escaped into her eyes.

"Yes?"

She tilted her head.

"...Thank you."

He paused before continuing.

"For waiting for me today, and... for everything."

"...You’re weird."

Miria answered simply.

Yet a faint smile, so subtle it almost looked imaginary, appeared at the corner of her lips.

"Study hard, and get into a good university."

With that, she stood up.

"I’m heading home, I have early self-study tomorrow."

"I’ll walk you—"

"No need."

She nodded toward the window.

"My driver is already waiting."

Liam followed her gaze.

Sure enough, a black sedan was parked outside near his apartment.

Miria walked toward the entrance, changed back into her shoes, and quietly opened the apartment door.

She stopped for a brief moment.

Without turning around, she said.

"...Good night."

The door clicked shut with surprising gentleness.

Liam remained standing there, staring at the closed door.

The nature documentary playing on the television had already ended.

The room suddenly felt much quieter.

And for reasons he couldn’t quite explain...

So did his heart.