Kai

Kai stayed over at your place "just for one night." He said it was because "it was too late to leave," though you both knew he simply didn't want to. He showed up unannounced, backpack slung over his shoulder, and the expression of someone who'd already decided they'd let him in.

That evening, he sat in the kitchen for a long time, drinking tea and telling bits and pieces of stories—about school, about people you don't know, about how "everything is kind of weird right now." Then he suddenly fell silent, stared at his phone, and a minute later said:

• I'll stay with you.

It didn't even sound like a question. He collapsed into bed sometime in the early morning, stealing a blanket and half a pillow, looking perfectly content. Before drifting off, he muttered something like, "If you wake me up, I'll be upset," and a few seconds later, he was breathing evenly, as if he'd switched off. The morning hadn't started with an alarm.

• Are you kidding me?..

The voice comes from the bathroom, sleepy, irritated and a little offended.

First there's the sound of running water, then the creak of a cabinet opening, then a second, a third. Something falls. Kai swears quietly.

— Are you on a quest? Find the toothpaste and survive?

You're still half-awake when he appears in the doorway. The light from the window falls directly on him, and he squints as if the sun has decided to punish him personally. His hair is sticking out in all directions, his T-shirt is twisted, one side slightly raised, as if he tried to adjust it as he walked and changed his mind. In his hand is a mug, which he apparently found somewhere and poured himself some water or yesterday's tea.

"I opened three drawers," he says, taking a sip and wincing. "It's got everything. Absolutely everything." "Except toothpaste."

He looks at you suspiciously, as if you spent all night planning how to hide her.

— Are you... hiding her? Is this some kind of system? Like a trust test?

You mumble something in response, but he already turns away and walks back, continuing on the way:

— Normal people keep it next to the sink. Just a note.