It had been almost an hour of waiting when Norih finally returned with Michi, who now looked especially handsome. Alyx was suddenly full of energy, eager to take him out.
"Do you know where we're going, Michi? We're going to Uncle Nick's place."
She answered her own question, as if she were used to chatting with her beloved cat.
Michi didn't move much in her arms. He only let out soft meows whenever the wind brushed against his face. He was an Angora cat—elegant, slightly arrogant in appearance, but always adorable in Alyx's eyes.
"I'm at your door," Alyx said into her phone as soon as she arrived at an apartment she had visited several times before.
Nick, who had just received the notification, rushed to the door and checked the screen. Sure enough, Michi's face filled it. "What are you doing here?"
"Just open the door!" Alyx snapped, annoyed by his act.
Nick turned to glance at the mess scattered around his place.
"You don't need to clean your room," Alyx clicked her tongue. "Relax, I won't expose you to your employees as a messy person."
"Don't talk nonsense." The door opened, and Nick let her in.
"Took you long enough," Alyx complained as she stepped inside.
She crouched down, letting Michi walk freely.
"What do you need, coming to my place like this?" Nick lifted his chin, though his eyes were already scanning Alyx, trying to guess where she had been earlier.
"You're so heartless. I'm your friend, at least be nice. You're the one who told me to come," Alyx muttered.
"Don't step on the carpet. It's expensive," Nick shouted at Michi, who strutted across the floor like a model, completely ignoring him.
"Hey, don't yell at him. He's sensitive," Alyx defended, pointing at Michi, who meowed as if asking for backup.
"So you really missed me," Nick ignored her words and tried to wrap an arm around her—but Alyx immediately twisted his wrist, making him wince in pain.
"What are you doing?!"
"Sorry. Reflex."
"Then let go!" Nick grumbled. A moment later, he rubbed his wrist. "What is this now? Martial arts enthusiast? Taekwondo? Karate?"
"No. Just something I learned before," Alyx shrugged.
Nick chuckled. "No wonder no guy can stand you."
"So you're not a guy?"
"You're unbelievable. You're too strong. You shouldn't learn everything—you're greedy," Nick complained, remembering how Alyx always picked up new martial arts whenever she visited a different country. Not for competition—just because she could.
"You're too much," Alyx said, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a drink from the fridge.
"What if we fought?"
"You want to fight a woman? Seriously? Maybe you'd win in boxing, but…" Alyx raised her voice.
"But what?"
"I'd probably win in everything else," she said with a small laugh.
"Dream on."
Alyx suddenly lifted her leg in a swift, precise kick—stopping just inches from Nick's face.
"Maybe Taekwondo?"
"Maybe next time," Nick muttered, fully aware of how strong her kicks were.
Alyx lowered her leg and sat in front of the TV, sipping her soda.
"I made a pinhole camera," Nick said excitedly.
"I didn't ask," Alyx replied without looking away. Then, after a pause, "Fine. What for?"
"Nothing. Just made it."
"Then I shouldn't have asked."
"You're terrible at conversations. Is your English that bad?"
Alyx scoffed. "At least I understand languages you don't."
A moment later, her attention shifted to a DSLR camera nearby.
"You changed the lens?"
"Why?"
"There's dust. You should take better care of it."
"Thanks. You care a lot about my camera."
"Forget it. I'm leaving."
"You're leaving already?" Nick asked, his eyes catching the bracelet on Alyx's wrist as her sleeve slipped up.
Alyx smiled, lifting her hand. A small charm shaped like Elizabeth Tower hung from the string bracelet. "Do you regret giving it to me?"
"No. I'm glad you still wear it."
"It's because you gave it," she said casually.
Nick grinned. Alyx rolled her eyes.
"You're really going?"
"Why, are you happy?" Alyx picked up Michi. "Let's go, Michi. It's boring here."
"Where are you going?"
Alyx waved her hand. "The usual. I'll start searching again."
"Do whatever you want," Nick sighed. "See you."
*
Alyx arrived in front of the Houses of Parliament. This time, she left Michi at home and only brought her camera.
She looked up at Big Ben. She had been here months ago. After taking several shots, she moved on, walking along the Thames, letting the London breeze brush her face.
Walking felt better, she thought. Maybe she'd find what she was looking for more easily.
But nothing.
She had started this routine ever since her camera once captured someone she desperately wanted to find. That person had been standing near Big Ben—just like she was earlier.
She thought she might see them again.
But she never did.
Maybe they had left London. Maybe even the country.
Should she leave too?
No. Not until she had clear information about that person.
*
It was enough for today.
Alyx returned to her apartment. She shouldn't leave Michi alone for too long—she hadn't even prepared his food yet. She smiled, imagining how Michi would follow her around, asking to play.
When she arrived, she paused.
Tom wasn't at the reception desk.
Strange.
She entered the elevator, occasionally glancing at the shopping bag in her hand—cat food for Michi.
Ninth floor. The elevator opened.
She stood in front of her door.
Before even inserting the pass, she realized—
The door was already open.
Alyx froze.
"Did I forget to lock it?"
She stepped inside. She wanted to rush to her room—to check her camera—but her steps stopped.
Michi lay beside his food bowl.
Alyx took out the food from her bag, about to pour it—then paused.
There was leftover food already in the bowl.
"What is this?"
She brought it closer to her nose.
"…bitter almond."
Her eyes widened.
She dropped everything and rushed to Michi, pulling him into her arms.
And all she could do—
was hold him tightly.
*