Strolling around observing the world

Morning arrived without fanfare.

Vany woke slowly, sunlight slipping through the curtains and painting soft patterns across the floor. She sat up, rubbed her face, and looked around. Nothing had changed. No magical surge. No mysterious voices. No dramatic transformation.

She stood, walked to the kitchen, and made coffee like she always did. The empty vial still sat on her desk, a silent reminder that something had happened—or was supposed to.

Vany (thinking): So... nothing happened? Or maybe I just haven’t figured out how to activate it?

Elsewhere, Alice had also woken up with a blank expression. She checked herself in the mirror, half-hoping for glowing eyes, a mystical aura, or maybe a sudden change in hair color. But no. Still the same Alice.

Alice (thinking): Maybe we need to do something first... or maybe the potion only works in danger?

Both of them went about their morning routines, the unanswered questions quietly simmering beneath the surface. No magic. No chaos. But something was lingering in the air—like the world was holding its breath.

And maybe... so were they.

Bar Pagos was closed for the day due to repairs. A leaking pipe, faulty wiring, and a coffee machine that had started making suspicious noises gave Vany and Alice a rare day off.

They decided to spend it together, strolling through the city, visiting quirky little shops, trying lavender-flavored ice cream, and laughing at things that probably weren’t meant to be funny. It felt like a break from their usual world of strange customers and unpredictable magic.

While sitting on a park bench, Alice looked up at the sky and said:

Alice: “Van, what if we invited Maros? He’d probably enjoy this kind of day.”

Vany turned to her, her expression shifting slightly.

Vany: “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

Alice: “Why not? He’s fun to talk to.”

Vany: “That’s exactly the problem. We still don’t know what the potion did to us. Bringing someone else into this—especially Maros—could be risky.”

Alice paused, then nodded slowly.

Alice: “Yeah... you’re right. We don’t even know what’s really happening yet.”

They went back to enjoying the afternoon, but behind the laughter and melting ice cream, a quiet tension lingered. The potion hadn’t revealed its secrets yet.

But it would.

Maros woke up a bit late that day. No alarms. No urgent calls. Just the soft hum of artificial ventilation drifting through the room.

After a simple breakfast—toast and tea that changed flavor every five minutes—he opened his personal info panel. A notification blinked at the top:

[Bar Pagos is closed today due to system maintenance. Please be advised.]

Maros raised an eyebrow.

Maros: “Huh... so it’s a day off.”

He leaned back in his chair and summoned Shadow, who emerged from the corner of the room as usual.

Maros: “Shadow. Have Vany and Alice received their packages?”

Shadow: “Yes, Master. They got them yesterday afternoon. No signs of suspicion.”

Maros: “Good.”

Shadow paused, then stepped forward.

Shadow: “Since Bar Pagos is closed... how about a walk today? Observe the world. See how it moves... without you.”

Maros stared at him, then gave a faint smile.

Maros: “Why not. But... you know the rule.”

Shadow nodded solemnly.

Shadow: “Of course, Master. The sweet maid outfit is ready.”

Maros stood and walked to the dressing room. Hanging there was a costume far too cheerful for someone of his reputation: a frilly skirt, crisp white apron, oversized ribbon headband, and shiny black shoes that screamed “innocent” with suspicious enthusiasm.

He put it on without hesitation. The mirror reflected a figure that no longer looked like Maros, but rather a character from a themed café who might greet you with a curtsy and a suspiciously rehearsed smile.

Maros (in his mind): Let’s see... does the world still function when I become something utterly ridiculous.

And with that, Maros stepped outside. Not as himself. But as a sweet maid, ready to observe the world... and maybe stir up a little chaos.

Shadow hid within Maros’s shadow, perfectly fused—no passerby would ever suspect another presence trailing behind the maid.

Maros stepped out with light, deliberate steps, his frilly skirt swaying gently in the morning breeze. The world felt... ordinary. Too ordinary. People were busy with their own lives, and not a single soul gave a second glance to the sweet maid walking alone—perhaps because in this city, absurdity had long been normalized.

He observed the world like a scientist watching an experiment left to run unsupervised. Cars passed, children laughed, and in the distance, a holographic bird sang a song that never quite ended.

Before long, Maros spotted two familiar figures: Vany and Alice. They were standing outside a clothing store, browsing the outfits displayed in the window. Vany looked focused, while Alice seemed more playful, occasionally pointing at something bright and ridiculous.

Maros approached slowly, then greeted them with a voice just a touch more cheerful than usual.

Maros (with an overly perfect maid smile): “Hello~! Shopping for clothes, are we? Need any help from today’s sweet maid?”

Vany turned, startled. Alice squinted, trying to recognize the face behind the smile and oversized ribbon.

Vany: “Wait... you’re...?”

Alice: “...Hold on. Is that... Maros?”

Maros gave a single wink, then bowed politely like a well-trained servant.

Maros: “Shhh. Today, I’m not Maros. I’m just a maid on her day off.”

Vany and Alice exchanged glances, then chuckled softly. No one asked further. They knew—when Maros was in disguise, something was being watched.