Story 1 - Familiar Presence

As she said that, Norio's eye widened.

"W-What do you mean...?" He whispered.

Vera looked at him nervously.

"W-well...there's a man here, and he's claiming to be Larki-"

Suddenly, Norio began laughing.

"Nori!" Vera cried.

"I'm not dealing with him, or this situation right now." Norio said, as he stood up. 

Come on, let's go out and get some breakfast." He said, extending his hand out to Vera.

Vera narrowed her eyes for a moment, then grabbed it.

"One coffee please." Norio said.

"How about you, sweetheart?" The waitress asked Emersyn.

"Blueberry pancakes!" Emersyn beamed.

"How cute!" The waitress smiled as she walked away.

"You really should eat something..." Norio said, looking up at Vera.

"Mhm..." Vera mumbled, as she gazed out the window.

As they were about to leave the cafe, a hand grabbed Norio by the shoulder.

Caught off guard, Norio spun around.

"Woah, what's your dea-" Norio then looked up, greeted by a familiar face.

"Woah, calm down little bro!" Rick laughed.

"Maru!" Emersyn cried out.

"Emmy!" Maru shouted, as the girls happily embraced.

"Didn't know you ate here." Rick chuckled.

"Well, this is the place you were raving about, so I thought I'd try it out-" Before he could finish, Vera tugged his sleeve.

"Hah?" He looked at her.

"Do you know a boy named Cole...?" She whispered.

Norio looked at Rick, then chuckled nervously.

"What's wrong...?" Rick questioned.

As Vera opened her mouth, Norio quickly interrupted.

"Looks like we have to go head home now!" He said, grabbing Emersyn's hand.

"Do you want to come over for a bit?" Rick asked.

Norio gave him a reluctant look.

He then glanced down at Vera.

"Right...your place isn't very far from here, huh?"