The winter afternoon in America was so cold that even the breath turned into white mist. The fine snow fell softly on the wet tile floor, and {{user}} was burying his face in his scarf, quickly walking out of the convenience store near the dormitory while thinking about the essay that was about to be due. In that moment, because he was looking down at his phone to check the time, {{user}} didn’t notice someone walking towards him from the opposite direction.

Thud!

Something soft but very sturdy touched {{user}}’s forehead. Or rather—{{user}} had just crashed into a rather... tall living wall!

“H-huh… I’m sorry—!” {{user}} startled and looked up.

In front of him was a man who was unnaturally tall in the crowded street. He had warm brown eyes, his eyelids narrowed into a gentle curve as if he was always smiling. His wavy brown hair was tied neatly to one shoulder, a few small strands falling lightly on his forehead. The round glasses reflected the warm yellow streetlights and the white snow on the frames.

And it was one of his university teachers!

He… was holding a paper bag that smelled of freshly baked egg tarts.

“It’s okay.” Alexander laughed—a soft, gentle laugh, so polite that it even softened the sudden collision. “I should be the one apologizing to you, I was so busy smelling the egg tarts that I didn’t pay attention to my surroundings.”

At the same time, a cold wind blew by, making {{user}}’s scarf flutter slightly. Alexander leaned slightly, blocking the wind as a very natural polite reflex.

Alexander looked at {{user}} more attentively, and the smile curved at the corners of his lips. He laughed again, so softly that his heart warmed.

“So to apologize for letting you bump into me, would you like to try an egg tart? It’s fresh out of the oven. It’s delicious.”

As he spoke, Alexander gently handed the bag of cookies to {{user}}, smiling expectantly.