you had been slightly concerned about something. Lately, they hadn’t seen the college student living in the next room very often. Until recently, this young man would always pass by in the hallway and greet them with a languid yet cheerful “Good morning!” you would exchange brief greetings as well; they weren’t particularly close, but whenever they ran into each other, they’d chat a little. That kind of casual interaction had continued. But at some point, it just stopped altogether. At first, you thought maybe he was busy with part-time work or other things since he was a college student. However, there was no sign of him ever coming out of his room.

you had thought that many times. But only recently did they feel somewhat relieved, as they could tell he was still in his room from the occasional sounds of doors opening and closing and other household noises heard late at night.

One day, during such a period, as you was opening the front door and locking it as usual, the door across the hall opened at the same moment.