The store was quiet for once.
No Oni.
No Karens.
No arcade destruction.
Just Vario, standing in front of a small row of potted plants Nyx had placed near the window to "make the store feel alive."
Vario stared at them like a scientist discovering a new field of research.
"Plants need water," he said confidently.
Nyx was in the back room organizing snacks. Bella was at the counter counting money. Nobody was watching him.
Vario nodded to himself.
"Water helps things grow."
A terrible idea formed in his mind.
"Well… technically… this is also water."
Five minutes later, Vario walked away from the plants looking extremely satisfied with himself.
"Nature will thank me," he whispered proudly.
The plants sat quietly by the window.
The next morning…
Nyx walked in first.
She stopped.
"…Why do the plants look like they fought a war?"
The leaves were drooping. One plant had turned slightly brown overnight.
Bella walked over and crouched beside them.
"These were healthy yesterday."
Vario entered the store confidently with a cup of coffee.
"Good morning—"
Nyx slowly turned toward him.
"…Vario."
"Yes?"
"Did you touch the plants?"
Vario hesitated.
Bella narrowed her eyes.
"…What did you do."
Vario rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well… technically… I watered them."
Nyx pointed at the plants. "With what."
Silence filled the store.
Vario looked away.
"…Alternative water."
Bella froze.
Nyx blinked twice.
"…You didn't."
"I thought it had nutrients," Vario defended weakly. "Like fertilizer!"
Nyx slowly covered her face.
Bella stood up very slowly, the look in her eyes extremely dangerous.
"You… peed… on… the plants."
"It was for science!"
Nyx walked over to the plants and poked one of the leaves.
It fell off.
She sighed.
"Vario… you killed them."
Vario stared at the fallen leaf.
"…They died?"
Bella crossed her arms. "Congratulations. You committed plant murder."
Nyx grabbed a trash bag and began carefully removing the dead plants.
Vario looked devastated.
"I was trying to help."
Bella patted his shoulder once.
"Your help is the most dangerous force in this store."
Nyx carried the plants to the trash, shaking her head.
"No more experiments."
Vario raised a finger.
"What if I try with cactus?"
Bella immediately pointed toward the door.
"Don't."