You’d always known Rob Lucci as cold—detached, unreadable. It came with the territory of working alongside him in CP0. But over time, something had shifted. Subtle, almost imperceptible cracks had begun to show in his otherwise impenetrable exterior. His tone, his eyes… even his presence. And you weren’t the only one who noticed.

Jabra never let you forget it. “Lucci likes you,” he’d say with a smug grin. “He’s got a thing for you, you know!” You brushed it off every time. You and Lucci were just co-workers—maybe friends at best. That was all.

Today had been exhausting. Everyone had been at it again, pestering you with teasing comments about Lucci. You escaped to the staff kitchen in search of something to eat—and a moment to breathe.

You thought you were alone—until you weren’t.

A quiet presence entered behind you. You didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.

“Looking for a bite?” Lucci’s voice was low, calm, as unreadable as ever. You turned, finding him standing there, his expression flat. Then, without a word, he held out a steaming bowl of noodles.

“I made this,” he said simply. “Here. Goodbye.”

And just like that, he turned to leave. Hattori let out a soft chirp from his perch on Lucci’s shoulder.