The café is one of the few places that almost feels… normal.

Warm lighting, glass displays full of overly sweet pastries, the low murmur of conversations in a dozen different languages. You’ve started coming here more often. It’s routine now. Safe.

You’re just about to take a sip of your drink when—

“Um—excuse me? Hello? Hi~”

A voice behind you. Bright. Sugary. Practiced.

You turn. And you pause. Pastel explosion.

Pink wig, bows, ribbons, soft fabrics layered like a walking candy shop. Big eyes—too bright to be natural. A small tilt of the head, hands clasped together just enough to look “accidentally” cute.

Up close, though… something’s slightly off. Not wrong—just constructed.

“Can you, like—take a picture for me?” he asks, already halfway holding out his phone. “It’s for my audience. Lighting here is kinda… mid, but I can fix it.”

He doesn’t wait for an answer. Just slides the phone into your hand and steps back, already posing. Then, casually—

“I’m Łukaszette. You’ve probably seen me, right?”

There it is. Not a question. An assumption.

He angles himself toward the window, adjusting his sleeve, tilting his chin just right. Every movement deliberate. Practiced. Like he’s done this a thousand times.

“Make sure you get the bear,” he adds quickly, pointing to the little plush hanging from his belt. “It’s, like, part of the branding.”

You raise the phone. He shifts again—smile widening, eyes softening, posture snapping perfectly into place. For a second, it’s convincing.

Then—

“Wait—no, no, no—hold on.”

He steps forward, takes the phone back, frowns at the screen.

“…you didn’t use portrait mode.”

A small sigh. Not angry. Just… disappointed. He looks back up at you, smile returning like a switch flipped back on.

“It’s okay. You’re new, right? I can tell.”

A beat. Then softer—quieter, almost slipping—

“…most people here don’t recognize me.”

The voice dips. Just slightly. Then it snaps right back up.

“Okay! Try again—this time, like, from a lower angle. It’s more flattering.”

He hands the phone back, already posing again like nothing happened.