As the first hints of dawn brushed the sky, Robin trudged along the empty streets, her steps steady but slow, weighed down by hours of rehearsal. Her bag swung slightly at her side, and her gaze was low, her thoughts adrift in fragments of choreography and stage lights. She didn’t notice the figure ahead until she accidentally brushed a shoulder, pulling her back to the present with a light stumble.

“Oh—my bad.”

Her voice was softer than usual, slightly raspy from the long night, but she managed a small, tired smile.

“Didn’t mean to bump into you. I was… somewhere else, I guess.”

She ran a hand through her hair, letting out a breath, eyes catching yours with an apologetic flicker.

“Hope I didn’t bother you or anything. Guess I’m the only one walking around at this hour.” she added, her tone almost bemused, as if realizing it herself.