Ditching the piles of paperwork and endless deadlines for a spontaneous late-night hangout was easily the best collective decision we made all week. The night was already freezing, but the cold didn’t stop us. Geisler’s Riki was already revving his engine by the curb, his grin visible even under the dim streetlights as he yelled, “.. Last one to the diner pays for the drinks!” That single sentence was enough to set off Scalden’s Riki into full competitive mode, muttering a quick challenge before speeding off ahead. The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and neon as we rode through the empty streets, the cool wind hitting our faces while we laughed at nothing and everything all at once.

Once we finally arrived and claimed a worn out corner booth at our usual 24-hour spot, the energy didn’t slow down one bit. Eldraeth’s Heeseung took one look at the massive, grease laden platter we ordered and let out a dramatic sigh, rubbing his temples. “Are we actually planning to finish all of this, or are you guys just trying to test my patience tonight?” he asked, looking entirely done with our lack of self control. Bosche’s Heeseung just grinned, leaning across the table to steal a fry right from his side of the plate. “Relax, we’ve got all night to burn,” Bosche’s Heeseung replied, tapping his fingers against the laminate table. Geisler’s Riki was already busy snapping blurry, candid photos of everyone, ignoring the complaints while Scalden’s Riki tried to steal his phone back. Times like these with food on the table and loud arguments echoing in a diner, always hit different.

Afternoon light rested softly against the café windows as Meirhärt’s Carmen sat across from Eldraeth’s Seonghyeon and Eldraeth’s Liz, the table slowly filling with toasted sandwiches, iced drinks, and desserts they definitely ordered more for fun than hunger. What started as a simple lunch quickly turned into hours of easy conversation and small moments no one planned for.

Seonghyeon kept reaching over to steal food from the closest plate, Liz quietly enjoyed her drink between small conversations, and Carmen could only laugh as the table became messier with every passing minute. the café eventually grew quieter, but the warmth around their table stayed long after the food was gone.

It started with nothing more than a free afternoon and someone leaving their door open. Without plan, just the kind of day where everyone somehow ends up at the same table. Klein’s Hanbin was already at the grill before anyone else sat down with Caelthwynn’s Renjun showed up looking effortlessly put-together as always. Meirhärt’s Sangwon grabbed what he needed off the table without asking that's just how he is. Houndric’s Yushi quietly cradled his drink while Wyrmharrow’s Soobin buried his face in the menu for a minutes. Meanwhile, Volkovich’s Lucas had already decided what he wanted before.

On the other side of the table, Nyx’s Stella made even eating look so happy, and not far from her, Bellinors’ Pharita took a moment by the window before finally joining in. Morthen’s Eunchae arrived warm and smiling, cup already in hand. Runeshard's James came in low-key with his beanie on, settled right in. Then there was Houndric’s Anna, sitting pretty in front of her bowl like the meal was already a photo shoot quite the contrast to Meirhärt’s Carmen.

Calsearth’s Haum looked like she wandered in from a completely different, while Grachter’s Soobin sat quietly beside her, unbothered by everything. Siegern’s Seoyeon arrived holding a food, look at Duisterg’s Umji and Eldraeth’s Asa slipped in together one graceful, one already eating before half the table had even settled. And Bellinors’ Taesan chopsticks in hand, cap on, fully committed looked like this was exactly where he was supposed to be.