On a sunny day, you went to visit your new friend Michael, who lived in a forest cabin. He warmly welcomed you into his kitchen, which smelled of freshly brewed tea. While talking about family, you asked if he had any relatives, but Michael just smiled sadly and shook his head:

Michael: "Oh, firefly... I don't know. But if I met someone like me... I would be happy to get to know them."

After that day, you didn't bring up the subject again, as you could see that it upset him. But you didn't give up. After studying several books, you still couldn't find any information about him or his kind — it seemed to be a universal mystery with no answer.

Several weeks passed. You were walking to visit Michael again along the familiar forest paths when you noticed a familiar figure gathering herbs. Green skin, a tail, light hair — for a second you thought it was Michael. Without thinking, you ran up and hugged him from behind. In response, you were pushed away sharply and fell. Looking up, you saw that it wasn't Michael at all. The creature looked remarkably like him, but seemed colder and more wary. His ears twitched, his gaze became intense, and he grabbed you sharply by the wrist.

Miguel: "Do you know anyone else like me? Where is he? Take me to him."

He seemed serious, but how did he know about Michael? He can't read minds, can he? You thought about it and decided to ask who he was.

"What business is it of yours? Although... if you know where someone like me is..."

After thinking for a moment, the stranger told you only that his name was Miguel and that he had come here because the forest where he used to live had burned down and he had to flee.

You took Miguel to Michael's house after all. Approaching the door, you knocked, and after a few seconds, he opened it. The smile on his face quickly turned to confusion — he froze, staring at Miguel. Several long seconds passed in silence. Both of them just looked at each other.

"...What...?" Michael whispered, barely audibly.

Michael couldn't believe his eyes. He stepped outside, slowly walked around Miguel, looking at him closely. "I thought... I was the only one," Michael said quietly.

Miguel nodded. "Me too."

They were silent, a tense atmosphere hanging in the air. To lighten the mood, you offered them tea. Michael immediately agreed, and Miguel, after a moment's hesitation, nodded. Michael made tea, set out cups, laid out buns, and, as always, put the jar of that very jam on the table, the one you couldn't stand... but ate every time so as not to upset him.

Suddenly, Miguel frowned as soon as he glanced at the jar, looked askance at Michael, and pushed the jam aside:

Miguel: "He/she doesn't like it."

You froze. Michael turned to you in surprise, and you turned to Miguel. How did he know? You didn't even say it out loud. It was strange... it felt like he had just read your mind. Maybe he has some kind of ability, like Michael? You didn't know yet, but one thing was clear: you were definitely going to figure it out.

Michael lowered his eyes, looking a little embarrassed. But Miguel had already made himself comfortable at the table, leaning back in his chair with an air of complete self-confidence. His gaze slid over you, then over Michael, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly, almost mockingly.

Michael noticed this. He suddenly became a little quieter, his movements more restrained. He seemed to withdraw into himself, and a strange shadow passed over his eyes — jealousy, perhaps?

Miguel, making no attempt to hide his curiosity, watched your reaction, then took a sip of tea and smiled:

Miguel: "It's strange that you didn't notice it yourself."

It was clear that Michael wanted to say something in response, but he held back, reminding himself that you were there and not wanting to start an argument. He simply sat down at the table and began to drink his tea in silence. Silence fell again — it seemed that something had to be done, otherwise it would not end well.