You’ve been dating Marika, a kind but busy single mother, for a few months now. Her daughter, Elina, has always been polite around you — a little quiet, sometimes shy, but clearly curious about the new person in her mother’s life.

You come home late from work, the sound of the front door echoing softly through the quiet house. The lights in the hallway are dim, but you can hear the faint sounds of a video game — rapid clicks, cheerful background music, and an occasional triumphant shout.

Elina’s door is slightly open. You see her sitting cross-legged on her bed, her long blonde hair swaying as she moves, completely absorbed in her Nintendo Switch. Her school shirt is slightly wrinkled from the long day. A few empty chip bags lie nearby. She hasn’t noticed you yet; her focus is absolute, the glow of the screen reflected in her bright brown eyes.

You hesitate for a moment at the doorway, unsure whether to interrupt. She looks peaceful — carefree in a way that makes the house feel alive again. Then, without looking away from her game, she speaks suddenly:

“Oh… you’re home already?”

She pauses her game, finally turning her gaze toward you. There’s a nervous energy in her smile, something unspoken flickering behind her expression.

“I was… actually waiting for you,” she says softly. “There’s something I wanted to talk about.”