The next morning, after finishing his workout and taking a shower, Leo dried off and stepped into the kitchen. Emily was already there, just starting on breakfast, the stove warming beneath the pan.
"Good morning," he said.
"Morning," she replied, glancing at him briefly.
"Adam's coming over," Leo added. "Could you make one extra portion?"
The moment she heard Adam's name, Emily's hands moved faster. She reached for more ingredients without hesitation.
"Then I'll make something proper," she said.
Emily was a chef, but more than that, she genuinely enjoyed watching people eat her food. And Adam, to her, was family. A little loud, a little silly, always playful, but a good kid. He had been there during Leo's lowest days, after Leo had lost his parents, and that alone was enough for her to treat him like her own.
Adam came over often to hang out with Leo, so Emily knew exactly what he liked.
As she cooked, Leo stayed beside her, helping where he could. He chopped vegetables, passed her utensils, and washed dishes as she moved around the kitchen with practiced ease.
At 8:45, the doorbell rang.
Leo was still in the kitchen when it happened. He wiped his hands and said, "I'll get it. That must be Adam."
He opened the door.
Standing there was a boy taller than him, around 184 centimeters, broad-shouldered and muscular. His skin was lightly tanned, his jaw sharp, his green hair buzzed short. Hazel eyes looked serious at first glance.
In short, he was a handsome young man.
Leo stared at him for a moment. If anyone knew how badly this guy had destroyed himself over a girl in his previous life, they wouldn't believe it. They'd laugh it off.
Adam's serious expression vanished the instant he saw Leo. A wide grin spread across his face as he stepped forward and pulled him into a hug.
"Yo, man. Good morning!"
Leo hugged him back. "Good morning."
They pulled apart.
"Come inside," Leo said. "Breakfast is almost ready."
Adam followed him into the kitchen and spotted Emily.
"Good morning, Emily."
She turned from the stove and smiled, stepping forward to hug him. "Good morning. Why are you standing in the kitchen? You should've sat at the table. I was just about to bring everything out."
Adam put on an exaggerated, wounded expression. "Aunt Emily~… am I not family anymore or are you taking me for a guest?"
Emily's ears practically perked up. "You brat," she said, pointing at him. "Did you just call me an aunt?"
Adam froze for half a second.
Then both Adam and Leo burst out laughing.
They both knew Emily hated being called an aunt. She said it made her feel old, even though she looked more like she was in her mid-twenties than a woman in her early thirties. That was exactly why they teased her with it.
Once the food was ready, Adam helped carry the dishes to the table. Today's special breakfast was spicy peri-peri chicken with a tangy citrus kick, paired with herbed potatoes and a cool yogurt sauce on the side. Spicy, sour, and comforting. Adam's favorite.
The moment Adam saw his plate, he froze.
Then his face lit up like he'd just won something.
"Oh my god," he said, leaning back dramatically. "THIS. This right here is why I dragged myself out of bed early."
Emily laughed softly, already pleased.
She put her fork on the table and, slipping easily into her familiar, half-teasing elder tone, asked, "So, I heard from Leo that you scored pretty well. Have you decided what you're going to study? Any universities in mind?"
Adam nodded, chewing happily. "Yeah, yeah. I'm thinking of Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology." He swallowed and added, grinning, "As for uni, Whitestone University. It's one of the best, and the campus vibe is great. Not just study-study-suffer."
Emily smiled at that. "That actually sounds like a good fit for you."
Adam immediately turned toward Leo, pointing his fork at him. "Bro, you should seriously consider Whitestone too. Their CS department is insane. I went down a rabbit hole last night researching it."
Leo chuckled. "It's already on my list," he said. "I've shortlisted a few universities, and honestly, Whitestone is probably the best option among them."
Adam's grin widened. "See? Fate," he said, leaning back in his chair, clearly satisfied with himself. "Just pick it. We'll end up in the same place."
Leo shook his head with a small laugh. "Yeah, that would definitely make things simpler."
Emily glanced between the two of them, then turned to Leo. "Didn't you say earlier that the application process would start in two weeks?" she asked. "It's already been more than that. So when exactly is it?"
Before Leo could answer, Adam spoke up with his mouth still half-full of chicken.
"Bhe-th thahust."
Emily stared at him. "Adam. Swallow first."
Leo sighed, already used to this. "Eighth of August," he said. "The portals open then."
Adam finally swallowed and snapped his fingers. "See? Perfect timing. We'll apply together. Moral support."
Emily raised an eyebrow. "Moral support, or mutual procrastination?"
"Hey," Adam said defensively, "I procrastinate very responsibly."
Leo laughed under his breath. "That's… not reassuring."
Breakfast carried on in that easy, familiar rhythm after that. They talked about classes and campus life, about whether dorm rooms were actually livable, and which one of them would fail first if cooking ever became mandatory.
Adam went on a dramatic rant about how he would starve in a week without Emily's food.
Emily threatened to disown both of them if they survived on instant noodles and takeout.
Leo mostly listened, chiming in now and then, a quiet smile lingering on his face as the conversation flowed around him.
At 9:35, Emily glanced at the clock and stood.
"Alright," she said, reaching for her bag. "I need to head out."
She looked at the two of them pointedly. "And don't make a mess."
"We won't," Leo replied easily.
Adam raised his fork in a lazy salute. "No promises, but we'll try."
Emily shook her head, smiling despite herself, and stepped out. The door clicked shut, leaving the apartment quiet again.
After clearing the plates, Leo led Adam into his room.
Adam took two steps inside and stopped.
His eyes swept the space once, then again. The tripod standing near the bed. The LED light on the desk. The microphone placed carefully beside the laptop.
He slowly turned to Leo, eyes wide.
"…You're making videos."
Leo nodded.
Adam's hand flew to his chest. "Oh my god," he said dramatically. "The shy Leo I know. The guy who barely talks. Recording videos."
He leaned in, squinting. "Bro, are you okay? Did you hit your head or something?"
"I'm fine," Leo said calmly.
"Nope. Absolutely not," Adam replied, shaking his head. "The Leo I know didn't even know how to talk to girls."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Hey. I know how to talk. I just didn't want to."
He smirked. "You're the one who couldn't."
Adam scoffed. "Excuse me? Who asked Selina for her notes for you, huh? Who borrowed a green pen from Emma for you?"
Leo met his eyes, smile widening just a little. "Then what about Freya?"
Adam froze.
"…Bro," he said slowly, suddenly very interested in the wall, "that's just— you know— um—"
Leo folded his arms. "What now? Go on."
Adam coughed, ears turning faintly red. "Forget that. That's ancient history."
He waved a hand toward the equipment, changing the subject at record speed. "What's with all this? Are you actually serious about making videos?"
Leo nodded again.
Adam stared at him for a second longer, then grinned.
"…Damn," he said. "This I've gotta see."