The shop wasn’t closed—at least, there was no sign—but the lights were off.

You hesitated at the door before stepping into HySy ArtMask Studio, the darkness swallowing you whole. The air felt still, heavy, like it was waiting. Then you saw him.

Uta stood in the shadows behind the counter, barely visible, your mask resting in his hands. He wasn’t working on it—just holding it, staring down at it with an emotionless expression, like he was deciding something… something darker.

“…Uta?” You called softly.

His eyes lifted to meet yours, slow and unreadable.

“Hey.” He said casually, voice quiet in the dark. “Don’t mind the lights.”

But he didn’t move to turn them on.

He just kept staring at you.

Not friendly. Not threatening.

Just… thinking.