"You're going back to the library?"
"Yeah, I want to check a couple of things."
The next day, Ren informed Yane that he'd be spending the whole day at the library.
"In that case, say hi to Teri for me."
"Teri?"
"The librarian."
Ren nodded. Now he remembered who she meant.
"And what about you, what are you up to today?"
"There was a lot of tension yesterday between Carla's group and David's. I've been asked to calm things down, make sure it doesn't escalate."
As those words left his mouth, the elevator doors opened. The two parted ways, each heading off to their own mission.
"Are you sulking, Catherine?"
Seated at a table, two girls faced each other. The younger one crossed her arms and looked away while the older girl tried to win her over.
Anyone witnessing the scene might've thought they were sisters having a typical sibling fight—but the truth was, they'd only met a few hours earlier.
That morning, they'd arrived a little early at the restaurant. Most residents of the complex were still sleeping in, with not much else to do. It was the perfect moment to avoid prying eyes, gossip... and interruptions.
Catherine had just been assigned as Carla's new roommate, for several reasons.
First, she didn't know anyone here. Sure, a few people had reached out, but only because of her status. Had she been an ordinary girl, no one would've even noticed her. In fact, there were kids who seemed far more lost than she did, yet no one paid them any attention.
Then, there was Catherine's particular situation.
All the rooms were already filled in pairs, which left her alone. Sometimes, she'd crash with other girls just to avoid sleeping by herself. And while they didn't mind—treating her like a little sister—it was hard to speak freely about certain topics in front of a child.
So Catherine kept switching beds, never more than two nights in the same place.
When they told her she'd finally have a real roommate—her very own—and that it was none other than Carla, her idol, she was overjoyed.
But reality hit her quickly.
No sooner had they met than people swarmed in to greet Carla. Once again, Catherine was left alone.
Disappointed, she wandered off to the library, as she often did. That was when she met Ren. That day, he'd kept her company.
She knew they couldn't really be friends because of the age gap, but it felt good. Almost like having her father by her side again, just for a moment.
Then Carla had shown up—and that moment vanished.
"From now on, I'll always be there for you."
"Hmph..."
But her attempt to make peace didn't work.
A waitress approached and set the dishes down on the table. Catherine took one look and her enthusiasm dropped instantly: rice.
Quietly, the waitress handed a small box to Carla. A bit surprised, Carla opened it—and a smile instantly lit up her face.
"That's really too bad, Catherine… I was planning to give you some honey."
"Honey!?"
"Yep..."
But before she could finish her sentence, Catherine snatched the jar from her hands, dipped her fingers in, and licked them clean.
"You're forgiven."
Having finished her shift, the waitress calmly returned to her station.
"Thanks for helping me make up with her."
Carla gestured toward Catherine, still sitting in the same spot, now happily stuffing herself with honey.
"Glad it worked."
Carla scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed.
"Are there any more jars in storage? I kinda want some now too."
But she lowered her head, already expecting the answer.
"Sorry, that's going to be difficult."
"There's none left?"
The waitress waved her hands, signaling Carla was off track.
"It's actually one of the perks reserved for employees. After all, no one here works for free."
Carla nodded—she understood. But then something came to mind.
"So… you gave yours away?"
"Don't worry. I'm not much of a sweet tooth anyway. Bad for the skin."
She finished her sentence with a soft pat on her plump cheek.
Carla nodded enthusiastically—totally on board. A woman has to take care of her body, after all.
"But… why did you help me?"
"Do I need a reason?"
Carla looked at her, slightly puzzled.
"Haha... ha..."
A shiver ran down her spine at the sudden laugh.
The waitress held back from laughing too hard, covering her mouth to stifle the chuckle.
"Don't think I act all saintly just for the fun of it."
She took a breath, wiped away a tear, then continued more seriously:
"There's no such thing as giving without expecting something in return. People who do that are just naïve."
Carla didn't know how to reply. Sure, she helped the weak and made donations—but mostly to protect her image, her father's, and by extension, her country's.
"But Catherine… is an exception."
She raised an eyebrow, not sure what she meant. The answer came soon enough.
"Catherine is still a child. An innocent one who doesn't yet know how cruel this world can be. She should've grown up like any other kid, but fate brought her here, with us. I'd rather see her smile than watch her be corrupted by this place."
It wasn't just her words that struck Carla, but how she said them.
This young woman, who had seemed calm at first, had transitioned from lighthearted to solemn with perfect control. She had a sharp understanding of the world—a kind of awareness very few people ever developed.
"Carla, I'm done eating. Can we go now?"
Catherine tugged on Carla's clothes with sticky fingers.
"One second, I still have a few questions. Finish your rice in the meantime."
Carla had never met someone this honest, this open-minded. She wanted to keep talking, maybe even get some answers about this place.
"I mixed the rice with the honey, by the way. Weirdly enough, it tasted good."
Out of excuses to stay, Carla ran out of arguments.
"Don't worry. I'll be here all day. You can come back anytime."
The waitress then crouched down, wiping Catherine's cheeks gently with a carefully folded napkin.
"Besides, she needs time to digest all that food."
After a few seconds of hesitation, Carla nodded.
"Okay, we'll take your advice..."
"Annie."
"Right. Annie."
With that, Carla and Catherine left the room, waving goodbye. Annie stayed behind, a faint smile on her lips.
At that moment, Yane walked in.
"Hey, Annie."
"Morning, Yane."
He sat down like a regular, and Annie poured him a cup of coffee.
"Looks like she finally got a roommate… and not just anyone."
Yane glanced toward the hallway Carla and Catherine had exited through.
"Yeah, I think they'll get along," she said, retreating behind the counter.
"And what about your new roommate?"
Faced with such a simple question, Yane took a moment to respond.
"I'd say… he's different."
"Different? Interesting. Go on."
According to Yane, Ren wasn't very social. When he did speak, it was only to ask questions about this place.
Yane didn't mind that at all, but he hoped his friend wouldn't end up being labeled the "weird guy" who spent all his time in the library.
"If I had to pick one word, I'd say… curious."
"That's odd."
"What is?"
"You're usually chatty, but today you're holding back."
Everyone under Vagner's rule knew Yane's personality—so seeing him so reserved was a little worrying.
The truth was, Yane didn't see the point in revealing more about Ren. Sure, he had described him in detail recently—but only to help locate him. Now that he had, he didn't feel the need to dig into his private life any further.
"There's nothing wrong with someone being discreet. But you, Annie..." he said, standing after finishing his coffee.
"You're the type who never does anything without getting something in return. And yet, I've never seen you use any of the perks reserved for staff."
Annie, unfazed, replied:
"Oh, dear Yane... I could say the same about you."
At that, Yane fell silent and left the room.