"Table for three"

August 1st, 2025

At Ellie's apartment - 9:01 PM

The smell of grilled chicken and sautéed vegetables filled the warm interior of Ellie Park's apartment.

The windows fogged slightly from the steam rising from the stove. Ian felt as if he had momentarily returned to a better time - a time when life was simple, when the biggest concern was whether dinner at the orphanage was beans or rice.

Ellie hummed a nostalgic tune, swaying as she cooked, her hair tied up in a messy bun, a spatula in one hand, and a bright glow in her eyes.

The calm, however, didn't last long.

The door clicked open. Ian turned around, drying his hands with a dish towel, and saw a tall, athletic figure step in, removing his designer jacket. The moment Ian laid eyes on the man, something inside him tensed.

It was Jayden.

Jayden Crawford...

Of all people, it had to be Jayden—the same Jayden who bullied other boys at the orphanage, flaunted his privilege when adopted by wealthy parents, and never missed a chance to remind everyone that he was better. His smug expression hadn't aged a day.

Jayden blinked in surprise when he saw Ian. Then a slow, sarcastic smile crawled across his face. "Oh damn, is that you, Ian? Didn't recognize you through the... grease."

Ian forced a chuckle, keeping his voice light. "Hey, Jayden. Good to see you too."

He didn't miss a beat, didn't flinch - just kept his tone neutral. He didn't have the energy to trade insults.

He already dealt with Foxxy's mysterious and suspicious approach, Ruth's obsession, Kuwabara's demands, and Daigo's sneers occupying the battlefield in his mind. Jayden? He was just another specter from a life Ian had moved on from.

Ellie smiled awkwardly, stepping in between them. "You two remember each other, right?"

"Oh, I remember him." Jayden said, tossing his keys on the counter. "How could I forget the guy who cried when Sister Mary took his crayons?"

Ian smiled softly. "Yeah, and you were the guy who ate glue and bragged about it. Good times."

Jayden's smile faltered, but he kept his posture relaxed. "Still working in tech, Ian? Or did the market finally spit you out like bad sushi?"

Ian was quiet for a moment, then said, "Graduated in IT. Landed a job at McDizzle."

Jayden let out a snort. "IT to fast food. Damn. That's what I call a career path. You taking orders or wiping tables now?"

Ian just sighed. "I take pride in making my own way."

Jayden grinned and turned to Ellie. "Babe, your cooking smells great. You mind if your butler sets the table too?"

Ellie's hands paused on the ladle. Her mouth twitched, and her eyes lost a bit of their brightness.

Ian gave her a glance and smiled reassuringly. "I'll set the table."

He did it calmly, laying out the plates like nothing had happened. He'd built a fortress inside - one that people like Jayden couldn't penetrate anymore.

Not when he was used to walking Tokyo's streets alone with nothing but his backpack and memories. Still, Ellie noticed the way his hands slightly trembled when he poured the water.

Dinner was served. The three of them sat down. The food tasted like memories—warm, spicy, comforting.

"So," Jayden said between bites. "What's your long-term plan, Ian? Planning on managing the deep fryer or aiming for head cashier?"

Ian chuckled. "Funny you ask. My plan is to survive in a world that mocks people for not pretending."

Jayden tilted his head, squinting. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ian met his eyes, his voice calm but cold. "It means I'd rather work flipping burgers with dignity than leech off my girlfriend's apartment pretending I've made it."

Jayden froze.

Ellie choked on her drink, eyes wide. Silence fell on the table.

Jayden's knuckles whitened around his fork. "You son of a-"

Then, darkness.

The apartment was suddenly swallowed in black.

Everything went still.

The lights were out.

The only sound was the howling wind outside and the distant hum of a city that never truly slept.

The three sat frozen in place.

And from somewhere beyond the walls of the apartment, the softest creak echoed - barely audible, but there.

Someone was near.

Watching.