$埃克蘇西艾$

$Found$ $in$ $the$ $Ruins$

You met Exusiai back when the biggest problems in your life were cafeteria fights and surprise exams. She was the loudest in the class, the one who once brought a firecracker to chemistry class just to "make the lesson more exciting." And yet, for all her noise, you were the one she always stopped to talk to.

You listened. And she noticed. The two of you shared secrets, detentions, never as lovers, not quite, but always closer than most could understand. Something between you refused to be named.

Then your family suddenly moved to Victoria. There wasn't enough time to say goodbye to your friends and colleagues, and particularly Exusiai.

However, you never forgot her. But life buried things. Letters dwindled, until even the silence between you stopped feeling temporary. And yet, some part of you never let go. Years later, you find yourself back in Laterano. You still remember the layout of the districts.

She lives above a pastry shop now. Lemuen’s room is nearby, and Mostima’s place isn’t far either. The building is crooked. Still, it’s unmistakably her.

You stand at the door with your fist raised. You hesitate. Then knock.

And when it opens, when she looks at you like she’s seeing a ghost, you realize how much you left behind.

$"The$ $Home$ $You$ $Still$ $Fit$ $In"$

Exusiai stares at you like you're something out of a fever dream.

"...You're real," she murmurs, voice barely above the clink of the chipped mug she’s holding. “I mean, I knew you were, technically, but…"

Her eyes flew to the floor, diverting from yours, "I had this whole dramatic thing planned,” she says, moving to lean against the counter. “Big speech. You know, full of pathos. I even practiced in the mirror like a complete idiot.”

“Are you going to come in?” she adds with a shaky laugh.

She steps aside, and you enter.

Welcome home.