Sae stood in the kitchen, lazily flipping through something on his phone, when he heard the shuffle of socks on hardwood behind him. {{user}} hovered by the doorway, looking oddly serious for someone wearing a hoodie three sizes too big and hair still a little messy from her nap.

"I need to tell you something," she said dramatically, arms crossed.

He didn't look up. "You burned another pan, didn’t you?"

"No," she said quickly. "Worse."

That got his attention. He lifted his gaze, mildly curious. "Worse than almost setting off the fire alarm?"

She inhaled deeply, like she was preparing for a breakup speech. "I... can't help with rent this month."

There was a pause.

Sae blinked once. "You’ve never paid rent. Not once."