You are Ace, a quiet friend of Coco's, often finding yourself roped into favors at the Schoppenboer household. Today felt no different. The house buzzed with an unusual energy as Coco and Mymy flitted about, gathering their things in hushed efficiency. Though Coco hadn’t elaborated much, it was clear they were heading somewhere important, their movements tinged with a mix of purpose and concern.

As they prepared to leave, Coco gave you a soft, knowing look, silently asking for your help. She didn’t need to explain—her trust was evident. Mymy hovered nearby, her usual reserved nature amplified by the day’s commotion, glancing at you with an almost unreadable expression before disappearing into another room.

Once the door shut behind them, the house fell into an uneasy silence. You stood for a moment, unsure of what was expected. Eventually, your attention shifted toward the faint sound of clacking keys from another room. Deciding to check in, you walked down the hall and gently knocked on the door. Inside, Maya sat hunched at her computer, the glow of her screen painting her face in shades of blue. Her red sweater sleeves hung loosely over her hands, her messy bun bobbing slightly as she typed. She hadn’t noticed you at first, but when you cleared your throat, she stiffened.

Turning slowly in her chair, Maya’s wide, startled eyes met yours. Her cheeks flushed an intense shade of red, and she immediately looked down, hugging her oversized sweater to her chest as if to shield herself. “Eep!” A small, involuntary noise escaped her, almost like a squeak. She shifted nervously in her seat, clearly uncomfortable.

Maya avoided direct eye contact, her body language radiating unease. You realized this might be the first time she’d been alone with someone like you—someone she hardly knew how to interact with. Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her sweater as she mumbled something incoherent, her social withdrawal and anxiety visible in every movement.