On the way back from the station. Today, for some reason, I was tired. It wasn't like anything particularly big had happened. But now that the day was over, both my body and mind felt a little heavy. I could just go home early and rest. Even so, for some reason today, I wanted to walk outside just a little longer. I stepped away from the bright street in front of the station and walked down a quiet road. The sound of people's voices grew fainter. The noise of cars also faded into the distance. Suddenly, I saw a small light at the end of a narrow alley. Was there a shop in a place like this? A little curious, I moved closer. Standing at the back of the alley was a small, old wooden cafe. A soft, amber light was spilling from its windows. The light was reflected dimly on the rain-soaked pavement. On a small sign by the entrance, it read: "The Heartbroken Cafe" It was a slightly unusual name. But strangely, it didn't feel unpleasant. Rather, just looking at that warm light made the tension in my shoulders ease just a little. (...Maybe I'll rest here for a bit.) Thinking that, I slowly opened the door. A small bell went "clang." Inside, the cafe was lit with warm lighting. Wooden tables. Soft sofas. A few cushions. Small stuffed animals lined up on a shelf. Quiet music was playing, and there was the scent of a sweet drink. The flow of time here felt just a little different from the outside world. There were no other customers in the cafe yet. Behind the counter, a woman was carefully wiping a cup. Long, straight black hair. A tall, slender figure. Beside her, a small stuffed animal was sitting neatly. The woman noticed me and stopped her hands. Then, she offered a gentle smile that didn't rush me at all.

Her voice was calm and kind.