Later that evening, Kavei returned to his job at the bustling restaurant. The warm glow of the lights illuminated the space, casting a welcoming atmosphere over the diners. With a polite smile, Kavei greeted each customer, his demeanor both attentive and respectful. He also moved gracefully between tables, ensuring that every patron felt attended to.

Among the evening's guests was Kai, who had decided to dine at this particular restaurant. As he settled into his seat, he lifted the menu card, his eyes scanning the list of dishes with interest. After a few moments of deliberation, he reached for the small brass bell on the table and gave it a gentle ring.

Kavei, who was attending to the door, promptly appeared before Kai, dressed in his crisp black uniform. His presence was marked by an air of calm professionalism.

"Ah? Didn't you greet me at the door?" Kai inquired, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Kavei responded with a serene smile, his silence conveying a quiet humility. Knowing that he would receive no verbal reply, Kai sighed lightly. "Okay. French bread and soup, please," he said, closing the menu card and handing it to Kavei.

Kavei accepted the menu with a nod, acknowledging the order. He then turned and walked away, his steps measured and purposeful.

A short while later, Kavei reappeared, balancing a tray with Kai's order. The aroma of freshly baked bread and savory soup wafted through the air, tantalizing the senses. Kavei carefully placed the dishes on the table, arranging them with meticulous precision. He bowed respectfully to Kai before retreating back to his duties, leaving Kai to enjoy his meal in the serene ambiance of the restaurant.

Thirty minutes past midnight, the restaurant's employees finally closed the entrance, signaling the end of another long day. Kavei stepped out of the main dining area, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He let out a tired sigh, the day's fatigue settling heavily on his shoulders.

He joined his coworkers in the backroom, where they gathered their uniforms and belongings. The room buzzed with the quiet chatter of tired workers exchanging farewells. Kavei offered a weary smile and nodded goodnight to his colleagues before slipping out through the back door into the stillness of the night.

The quiet street was bathed in the soft, faint glow of street lamps, their light casting long shadows on the pavement. Kavei walked along the deserted road, lost in his thoughts. His footsteps echoed in the silence, creating a rhythmic accompaniment to his contemplations.

As he walked, his attention was suddenly drawn to a familiar figure leaning against a nearby lamp post. The dim light cast an ethereal glow on the boy's features, sparking a sense of recognition in Kavei's mind. He squinted, trying to place the face.

"Just served him in the restaurant. Senosan Kai. Ethereal, maybe. Pianist. Child actor. Cute," Kavei muttered to himself, piecing together his observations and assumptions.

Kai, who had been lost in his own thoughts, overheard Kavei's quiet musings. His curiosity piqued, he approached the young boy directly. "Is that what you think of me?" Kai asked, his tone curious but friendly.

Kavei blinked in surprise, caught off guard by Kai's sudden appearance and direct question. He opened his mouth to respond but found himself momentarily at a loss for words.

"Oh? Then were you thinking out loud?" Kai pressed, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Realizing his mistake, Kavei quickly apologized, "Ah. Sorry. My bad."

"No. It's okay," Kai reassured him with a small smile. "No one is this good at observing, and it's so good that it's kinda scary."

Kavei chuckled softly, acknowledging Kai's remark. "Ah. Haha. Thank you and sorry for scaring you like that."

"Yeah, it's fine. Kavei, right?" Kai asked. Kavei nodded in confirmation, intrigued by Kai's apparent familiarity.

"You know me?" Kavei asked, surprised by the boy's recognition.

"No. The nameplate on your uniform back in the restaurant," Kai explained, gesturing towards the establishment they had just left.

"Right, right," Kavei replied, recalling the small detail.

Introducing himself, Kai said, "I am Kai. Senosan Kai. Well, as you already know."

Kavei's eyebrows raised slightly in recognition. "Ah. Yeah, yeah. Child actor and model Kai. Son of the owner of one of the largest business groups."

Kai nodded with a smile, acknowledging the connection. "Haha. Which school do you go to?" he asked, attempting to continue the conversation.

Kavei's response was unexpected. He shook his head with a hint of resignation.

"You don't go to school?!" Kai exclaimed, taken aback by Kavei's revelation.

"Yeah," Kavei confirmed simply, his tone nonchalant.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Kai probed further, "I'm really sorry to ask this as a complete stranger, but may I know why?"

Kavei shrugged, dismissing the question with ease. "Oh, don't be sorry. I just don't like studying."

Kai nodded, unable to fully understand Kavei's sentiment. "Ah.. okay.. good."

The conversation shifted as Kai inquired about Kavei's residence. "Where do you live?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"The apartment across the fourth block. Black Street," Kavei responded, his gaze drifting momentarily.

Offering to accompany Kavei home, Kai made a polite gesture. "Would you like me to walk you home?"

Kavei countered with a question of his own. "Who'll drop you?" he asked, his curiosity evident.

"I can walk home myself," Kai replied, his tone casual.

"I guess I can too," Kavei said, taking a step forward and continuing down the dimly lit street.

Kai watched him go, his mind swirling with thoughts. "Is this dude putting up a wall? Does he not want to talk to me? Is that it?" he pondered. "Wow. Kavei is the only person who has ever ignored me, I guess."

"Great. So you know. See you around," Kavei called back, his figure receding into the darkness.

As Kavei disappeared from view, Kai couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of curiosity. "So I know what?" he muttered to himself, pondering the encounter as he stood under the streetlamp, the soft light casting long shadows on the pavement. The night was quiet once more, leaving Kai alone with his thoughts and a newfound interest in the enigmatic boy.