The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Tia sat on the chair without moving.
The box remained open in front of him.
A letter rested on top of everything else.
Neatly folded.
Ordinary.
---
For a long time—
he just stared at it.
---
His fingers didn't move.
---
It's just paper.
That was the thought.
Simple.
Safe.
---
But his hand still hesitated.
---
Slowly…
he reached for it.
Unfolded it.
---
At first—
just words.
Normal words.
---
Then his eyes caught the name.
---
Tia.
---
Something inside his chest tightened.
Just slightly.
He didn't understand why.
So he kept reading.
---
> My one-time friend, Tia.
---
Friend.
---
Tia paused.
---
His grip on the paper tightened.
Just a little.
---
That word again.
---
He continued.
---
> I don't know when this reaches you…
> But I hope it does.
---
The room felt colder.
Or maybe it was him.
---
His eyes moved faster now.
Not carefully.
---
> You probably think we aren't friends.
---
Tia's expression didn't change.
But his breathing did.
Slightly.
---
> That sounds like you.
---
A pause.
His fingers tightened again.
---
> But I disagree.
---
Silence.
---
Tia stopped reading for a moment.
Just stared at the line.
Like it didn't make sense.
---
Then he continued.
---
> Tonight was the first time in years I felt honest.
> So thank you.
---
His hand trembled.
Barely noticeable.
But it was there.
---
He kept reading.
Faster.
Like reaching the end would tell everything.
---
> If tomorrow goes badly… don't be too sad.
---
Tia froze.
---
"Tomorrow…"
---
His voice barely existed.
---
The paper shook slightly.
---
> Just remember to eat well.
> And wear warm clothes in winter.
---
Tia's eyes blurred for a second.
He blinked once.
Hard.
---
He continued anyway.
He had to.
---
> Look inside the box.
---
Tia slowly lowered the letter.
His gaze shifted.
To the box.
To the clothes.
To everything Joshua left behind like it was normal.
Like he was coming back.
---
His hand tightened so hard the paper crumpled slightly.
---
"No…"
---
The words came.
Small.
---
He read the last line.
---
> —Joshua
---
Silence.
---
The name stayed in the air.
Refusing to leave.
---
Tia didn't move for a long time.
---
Then—
his fingers loosened.
The letter slipped slightly.
Silence filled the room.
---
"…Idiot."
---
His voice cracked.
Just once.
Barely.
---
"…Who told you…"
---
His hand pressed against his face.
Like he was trying to hold something in.
Something leaking.
Something unfamiliar.
---
"…who told you we were friends?"
---
His breath broke.
Again.
---
And then—
the chair scraped back violently.
---
The paper fell.
---
The next day—
before dawn.
---
Tia stood before the grave.
Hands in pockets.
Silent.
Wind cutting through his coat.
---
Five minutes passed.
Ten.
Still no words.
---
Then—
his knees gave out.
He hit the floor.
Hard.
---
His hands slammed into the snow.
---
"…Idiot."
---
His voice cracked.
Just once.
Barely.
---
"…Who told you…"
---
His hand turned into a fist.
Clenching the snow beneath.
He looked up at the sky.
Like he was trying to hold something in.
Something leaking.
Something unfamiliar.
---
"…who told you we were friends?"
---
His breath broke.
Again.
---
Tia's hand slammed into the ground.
Hard.
Too hard.
---
"…ANSWER ME."
---
Silence answered instead.
---
Nothing reacted.
Nothing answered.
Only the cold wind brushing past him.
---
His shoulders shook once.
Then again.
Slower.
Heavier.
And finally—
it stopped .
"You… idiot…"
His voice wasn't steady anymore.
"You don't get to say that…
His fist clenched.
Trembling.
"You don't get to disappear after saying that…"
Tears hit the ground.
Hot against the ice.
"You said you'd come back…"
"Why did you make me promise?"
A pause.
Then—
it snapped.
"SO WHY DID YOU LEAVE FIRST?!"
Now—
the silence didn't feel empty anymore.
It felt unbearable.
Tia stayed there.
On the cold floor.
Seeking answers to questions that would never be answered.
Back to present
Tia's hand slowly loosened at his side.
Slightly.
"…What is it?"
Joshua scratched his head.
"Emm…"
"Sorry to bother you…"
"But—"
"Can I use your bathroom?"
"My pipes exploded."
"And my heater died."
"Your place is the closest.
A pause.
Tia didn't move.
Didn't answer.
Joshua shifted awkwardly.
"…Is that a no?"
Silence stretched.
Then—
Tia stepped aside.
Slowly.
Exhaled.
"…Come in."
Joshua smiled slightly.
"Thanks."
He stepped inside.
The door closed.
Fifteen minutes later—
Joshua stepped out of the bathroom.
Dressed.
Dry.
Tia sat at the edge of the bed.
Looking.
Alive.
He's actually alive.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Joshua said, arms crossed.
"Nothing."
Tia replied.
Joshua looked around.
"One bed."
"No decorations."
"Everything too neat."
A pause.
"…Are you a monk's descendant?
Tia frowned.
"Get out."
A small laugh escaped Joshua.
"Just joking."
"Chill."
His eyes kept scanning the room.
Then stopped.
"What's that?"
He pointed toward the open box in the corner.
Inside—
a neatly placed black stick.
Plain.
Old.
Unremarkable.
Tia replied flatly.
"It's nothing."
"Just trash I picked up."
Joshua nodded.
"Alright."
"I should get going."
He walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
Turned back.
"I almost forgot."
"My name is Joshua Bassett."
"You can call me Jay."
Tia said nothing.
He just nodded.
Joshua smiled.
"Cool."
"I'll come here again if my heater breaks."
"…Don't."
Tia answered almost immediately.
Joshua's smile widened.
"See you tomorrow."
The door closed with a soft click.
Silence returned.
"Haa…"
Tia exhaled.
His shoulders finally dropped.
His eyes moved toward the box.
The stick.
---
"That thing is really useless."
"It's weird keeping a stick."
"I should throw it away."
Tia walked toward it.
Lazy.
Slow.
Uninterested.
His fingers closed around the black stick.
Nothing happened.
He frowned.
"Useless."
He moved to the window, about to throw it out.
Then—
a sound.
DING!
Tia froze.
A large screen appeared before him.
His eyes narrowed.
"What…"
> "Access denied."
"Host body incompatible."
" Fulfill hidden conditions to unlock system."