Silent String

By the time they arrived at the diner, the sun was dipping just a little, casting a golden hue through the front windows of Earth's Hainanese Diner, a well-known local spot nestled on a buzzing street corner. It was one of those old-but-gold places with wooden tables, framed newspaper clippings on the walls, and the warm aroma of garlic and sesame oil lingering in the air.

Inside, the place was packed.

Every table was filled — families chatting over soup, students hunched over plates, even a couple of office workers flipping through papers while devouring their meals.

Fourth led the group through the narrow aisle until they found one of the few empty tables near the back. Six chairs squeezed around a rectangular table, a little too tight, but it worked.

Gemini slid in beside Fourth again — of course he did — while Phuwin, Satang, Winny, and Pond took the rest.

"This place is famous, isn't it?" Pond looked around with visible excitement.

Fourth nodded absentmindedly. "My brother says it even came out on TV once."

"Whaaaat?" Phuwin leaned forward. "Like a food program?"

"Yeah," Fourth said, still scanning the diner. "The owner, Earth Pirapat, made it what it is now. Super popular. My brother's lucky to work here, honestly. But..." He trailed off, eyes narrowing in thought.

Something had always bugged him.

This diner closed by 6:00 p.m. every day. Yet, Nani often didn't get home until well past 9:00.

Was he working another job? Or... doing something else?

Fourth had asked once. Nani had just smiled and changed the subject.

So Fourth let it go — for now.

Suddenly, a familiar figure stepped out from the kitchen doors and began making his way toward them.

Nani.

Wearing his signature black apron and warm smile, he was balancing a small notepad in one hand, ready to take orders. But the moment his eyes met the group, something... changed.

His gaze swept over the table. First at Fourth, then—

His eyes landed on Gemini. Just for a split second, Nani's entire expression shifted — a flash of recognition? Maybe even shock? But then, it was gone. A blink and the smile returned, cheery and polite like always.

Fourth blinked. Did I just imagine that?

"Hey, lil' bro," Nani said, nudging Fourth gently on the shoulder. "Didn't expect to see you today. Table for six, huh? You're growing."

"Don't say it like that," Fourth mumbled, though a small smile crept onto his face.

"Alright. Usuals or trying something new?"

Everyone started rattling off their orders — Satang wanted extra rice, Pond was already talking about soup add-ons, and Winny was trying to decide between two drinks. Gemini, of course, ordered the same dish as Fourth. Because of course he did.

But what really stood out?

Nani didn't linger.

He didn't chat with the group or ask questions like he usually did when Fourth brought someone new. He simply took down the orders, gave a short smile to Fourth, and disappeared into the kitchen with a soft, "Be right out."

No introductions. No teasing. Just... gone. Fourth stared after him, a frown forming. That wasn't like his brother. But before he could dwell on it, laughter erupted beside him.