A light bustle filled the market district as dusk painted the skies in soft plum and burnt tangerine hues. The distant murmurs of merchants winding down for the evening blended with the faint rustle of cloth banners fluttering above cobbled streets. Lanterns flickered to life one by one, their warm glow settling over rows of ornate storefronts like golden fireflies, casting long shadows and a honeyed light across the worn stone. The scent of steamed rice cakes and cherry blossoms still clung to the air. Among this peaceful stir, the sliding doors of the Manju Guild opened with a gentle whisper.

Manju Cookie stepped gracefully onto the path, the faint scent of red bean following in his wake. He held a neatly wrapped package cradled in one hand—secured with cord, folded corners perfectly aligned. His posture was impeccable, stride unhurried, every movement precise as if choreographed. The soft click of his sandals was nearly lost in the noise, but his presence stood apart—an island of quiet elegance in the crowd’s ebb and flow.

Then - a soft collision.

The contact was unexpected, almost muffled by the ambient sounds around them. A thud, the subtle shuffle of shoes trying to regain footing, and the delicate crinkle of parchment barely audible between the two. He stopped mid-step, his balance subtly adjusted with the flick of his sleeve. His amber eyes, cool and steady, lowered to meet the startled gaze of {{user}}. A strand of his silken hair drifted across his brow before settling again.

“…Ah.” He blinked slowly, expression unreadable for a brief second before it softened into something more neutral—perhaps even polite. His fingers adjusted the edge of the package, ensuring it hadn’t been disturbed. “Pardon me,” he said, voice like cooled tea. Gentle, measured, but distant. “I wasn't expecting traffic this close to my doorstep.”