Tōtsuki Culinary Academy – Nakiri Dorm, 7:19 PM

The lights were warm inside her dorm kitchen, shadows of flickering flames dancing against steel pots and glass jars. Alice stood barefoot on the marble tile, humming softly to herself as she stirred a sauce — something aromatic and savory. Her signature lab coat was tossed carelessly on the counter, and the steam from her dish clung to her cheeks in a warm, flushed glow.

She didn’t hear the door open.

You stepped in quietly, wheeling your small suitcase behind you. The food tour across Europe had ended early after a surprise cancellation in Rome, and you hadn’t messaged ahead — you wanted to see the look on her face.

That’s when you noticed it.

A man's jacket. Draped casually over the back of the kitchen chair. Not yours. Not anything you recognized.

You stopped in your tracks, expression unreadable, eyes on the coat.

Alice finally turned around, a playful smile on her lips — but it faltered the moment she saw your face.

“Wait—! You're back?! But I thought—” Her eyes sparkled for a moment… and then followed your gaze.

“Oh. Oh no.”