Chapter Text
They say falling in love is easy.
Falling out of love? Even easier.
And afterwards?
The answer comes to you quicker than love ever did.
Linkon City is not only technologically advanced, it's also vast. More than a thousand people make their lives here. With that in mind, 'coincidences' should be impossible right?
"...Are you going to buy that last red bean bun?"
Wrong.
You ignore the owner of the voice in favour of wrapping up your purchase and yes, the bun included. The cashier beams when you softly thanked her and only then did you turn around.
Today, the bakery - the one that your heart claimed as a favourite because of their raisin breads and cheesecake - is in a sleepy dull due to the early morning rays. It won't be long before the rest of city is awaken. And yet, when you turned around...
Xavier is there, two steps behind you despite having the empty spaces in the shop, dressed as if he had just woken up. He looks even more so, beautiful eyes blinking slowly. Lazily. Almost like a cat. Or a wolf underneath that soft, white hoodie.
"Are you going to do anything about it?" You ask with a raised eyebrow, holding up the plastic bag of baked goods, as if taunting him with it. You're not, though. You just didn't appreciate how close he is. The you from three and a half months ago wouldn't mind, but the you now is currently undergoing some much-needed self-reflection, and your fraying patience is the result.
Xavier didn't pout or scowl. His face doesn't betray any facial tics as he stares at you. His stoicism can give Zayne a run for his money. "I remembered you said that you preferred the raisin breads."
"And do you see any right now?"
His eyebrows furrow, sensing the sharpness laced underneath your tone, but before he could reply, the cashier helpfully chimes in from behind the counter. "Sir? Did you want the red bean bun too? If you could just wait for a few more minutes, we'll have a fresh batch out for you soon!"
And then, just as you expected, another impossible 'coincidence' manifested itself in the form of a bell tinkling.
"I knew it was you guys! And to think I almost missed this street just now."
MC, dressed in a simple workout attire but still effortlessly beautiful, closed the shop's door behind her. Xavier's lips immediately tug into a small smile as she approaches the two of you.
"Good morning. Were you out for a jog?"
"Woke up earlier than usual today. The weather seems nice for a change. If I knew you were up, I would've invited you, Xavier and you too."
Something... indescribable flashes over Xavier. You're surprised that his eyes darted towards yours for a split second. Usually, you might as well cosplay as a ghost with how intense his attention is on MC. Nothing else matters but her.
You've added that little titbit into your ever-expanding file of self-reflection.
"I'll be sure to text you next time, MC." Xavier promises her.
You didn't fidget, but you're wondering why you're still in the bakery. You got what you wanted - a treat in the hope of sweetening your already soured day. Was it because of societal expectations that prevented you from being rude? Not really. Why should you care about propriety against people who are ignoring you in favour of their clearly animated conversation? Perhaps you're a masochist?
...Well. That's going into the file as well.
"Oh! Do you want to join us for breakfast?" MC suddenly turns to you when she notices that you're leaving. "I feel like we didn't get to know you much since you're our new neighbour. Even if you live next to our apartment." When you didn't reply, some of that bubbly cheer dims into hesitation. Xavier wastes no time glaring at you. "S-Sorry, was that too forward? I just thought it would be fun since I always see you and Xavier hanging out at that diner in the corner."
You exit the bakery without acknowledging MC's offer or Xavier's silent displeasure. Ignoring the twisted knots in your heart as you made a beeline straight home, knowing that no more unpleasant surprises were waiting for you now that you know where MC is.
Because while you don't believe in coincidences, you do believe in patterns, and they take the shape of MC.
When you first moved into your brand new home, when Linkon City was an unfamiliar-familiar scene to you, you met Xavier while eating outside. Too lazy to cook despite having done grocery shopping the day before. Small yet pleasant words were exchanged while he was hovering near the rows of barstools, waiting for his food. Both of you kept to yourselves, but every time you meet him on the streets, something more begins to take root. He chuckles at your jokes, especially regarding astronomy, and you find his nonchalant demeanour humorous during that time when a couple broke into a loud argument in the middle of the convenience store.
And then MC returns from her work trip.
Suddenly, she's there whenever you are with Xavier. At first, you brush it off, thinking nothing of it. The three of you live closely after all. Nothing suspicious about that. She introduces herself to you while you're busy drinking in her appearance, noting every little detail. A cocktail of emotions is brewing inside you. The second time she integrated herself was when you and Xavier made plans to visit the bookshop. Her text brought a Wanderers emergency, and she needed backup. Xavier left right away, forgetting to call you, who were waiting for him at the shop for more than thirty minutes.
The patterns soon became a norm.
You didn't bother with Xavier after he ditched you, emergency or not, after the third time.
You're a woman with a healthy amount of self-respect and pride. You didn't mope about a man you're barely acquainted with. Sure, you're annoyed at the constant interruptions via MC and the ghostings, but there's more to this life than some man with a pair of sleepy eyes, no matter the amount of butterflies he puts in your tummy. You'll be alright.
You decided to stay indoors after that scene in the bakery. Content to laze around playing video games and sustaining yourself with nothing but sugar and junk food (it's the weekend. The perfect day to indulge! You can feel guilty on Monday) until the sun dips below the horizon.
The end credits appear after the final cutscene plays out. The final boss is defeated, and the heroes are granted their happy ending. If only life followed the same formula. You stretched your arms and yawned. "Shit, it's that late already?" You mutter, seeing the first stars emerging in the night sky from peeking through the curtains. "Right. Dinner. Maybe something with veggies at least..." You snatch your phone from the couch.
Your thumb swipes away the text notifications from Xavier (and one from MC. Xavier must've given her your number. Without even asking for your permission. You made a mental note to block and delete their numbers later. Right now, you're too busy breathing in and out and counting to a thousand) in favour of the food delivery app.
With your food ordered and on the way, you decided to pretend to be a semi-functional adult who has her life together: You did the laundry, put away the clean dishes into the cupboard, cleaned the house a little, and showered. The scalding hot water that threatens to peel your skin off feels wonderful that by the time you step out of the bathroom and slip into something comfortable for the evening, you feel like a million gold coins.
'Your food has arrived. Please meet with the driver to retrieve your order.'
Just in time, too! Your stomach is already growling.
However, the hunger is replaced with a heavy lead when Xavier is standing outside your house, holding your food hostage.
"Why do you have my food?" You ask flatly.
"The driver had other places to deliver, and it just so happened that I was on my way back to the apartment." He explains. At least he had the decency to look sheepish.
Not like you believe him. The delivery guy could've just left the food at your doorstep. Xavier must've said something to him.
"Uh-huh. Well... thanks." You made a move to snatch it, only for Xavier to step back.
"You haven't been answering my calls." Xavier accused. His expression then morphed into an awkward one. It heckles you. "Please... can we talk for a bit? I know I've been bailing out on our trips lately. I've just been so busy..."
You can't help but wonder if Xavier knows the difference between apologies and excuses. Either way, it's not your problem.
You shrug, copying his nonchalance. "It's cool. It's not like we're friends."
Xavier looks positively stricken now. Eyes wide in surprise and mouth pressed into a hard line. The reaction is a bit over the top in your humble opinion. If it has nothing to do with MC, is he so detached from this world that he doesn't grasp the concept of being mindful of other people's emotions?
...And to think you had a crush on this man. You mentally pat yourself on the back for dodging this white bullet.
This time, you successfully steal your food from a stupefied Xavier and close the door on his face. He can roleplay as a gargoyle outside of your house until he gets bored and goes home. Just as you passed into the kitchen, you didn't even need to glance out of the window to see that the balcony curtain where MC's floor is rustled. As if someone had quickly withdrawn.
Another day, another narrowly avoiding drama here in the big Linkon City.