Henry stood still for a moment, his fingers tightening around his cat. Then, finally, he spoke.
"It's my life," he said calmly. "And no one is allowed to interrupt my decisions. Understood?"
His voice wasn't loud—but it was steady. Too steady. The kind of calm that carried years of buried anger underneath it.
Neon raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "I thought you'd welcome me lovingly," he said lightly. "But you're being rude."
Henry didn't reply.
He simply picked Kate up properly in his arms and walked past Neon, heading downstairs. His footsteps were firm, deliberate.
Neon followed him, hands in his pockets, a faint smile still on his face—as if Henry's anger entertained him.
At the same time, far across the city, Twilight was stretched out comfortably on his couch.
An action movie played loudly on the television. Explosions. Gunshots. Dramatic music.
Twilight held a large bowl of popcorn, lazily eating while his white rabbit, Rony, sat beside him, nibbling happily.
Ding dong.
The doorbell rang.
Twilight groaned. "Ugh."
He didn't even move. Instead, he looked down at Rony.
"Buddy," he said, "go see who's out there."
Rony straightened instantly.
He raised one tiny paw and saluted like a brave soldier heading into battle.
Twilight saluted back seriously.
Rony jumped off the couch and began his mission—sprinting from table to table, hopping onto the stairs, then racing toward the door. He climbed the small carved patterns on the door like steps and reached the peephole.
He peeked through.
His eyes widened.
Immediately, Rony turned and bolted back toward Twilight.
Twilight leaned forward. "So? Who's out there?"
Rony stood upright and made a heart shape with his tiny paws, eyes wide and sparkling.
Twilight froze for a second.
"…Chris?"
Rony nodded enthusiastically.
Twilight shot up. "I'M COMING—JUST WAIT!"
He hurriedly cleaned up the popcorn, switched off the TV, fixed his hair with his hands, and rushed to the door.
He opened it.
Chris stood there.
"Hello," she said softly.
Twilight smiled, trying not to look too excited. "Hey. Come in."
She stepped inside, the door closing gently behind her.
Elsewhere, the sound of basketballs echoed against the court.
Lily wiped sweat from her forehead and bounced the ball confidently. "Hey," she called out, "let's do one more round."
Henry nodded. "Why not."
They took their positions again.
Neon stood off to the side, watching them. His eyes moved between Lily and Henry, sharp and unreadable. He looked uncomfortable—like someone trapped in a place he didn't belong.
But it didn't look like he could leave.
Not yet.
The ball hit the ground.
The game continued.
And unknowingly, all of them were moving closer to something much bigger than they realized.