As he had decided to accompany Esiah, they walked a long way together, noticing that it wasn't just them; students from several other schools were heading home.

Without ignoring this, Esiah asked Theos if he was available the next day, Saturday, and Theos replied in the affirmative, so they agreed to meet on Saturday.

Theos couldn't make it to Esiah's, so to avoid an awkward situation he dropped her off on the way, and later Esiah learned that her father had sent Sebastian to pick her up, so they'd just missed each other.

Theos then returned home.

After arriving at the building where he lived, he went into the mini-market. According to government regulations, every building had to have a market, so that in the event of a crisis he could last at least a month or two.

He picked up a few refreshments in the mini-market before returning to their apartment.

I'm home," he said.

His sister, who was probably in the living room, had replied.

-Welcome back.

-An ice cream; Theos placed a bag on the table it contained ice cream, apparently the bag had been made with special bio-degradable substances it would even be fair to say that even the bag could be eaten, the food products no longer had the plastic covering as before.

-Thank you, Louise.

Louise hurried off to fetch the ice cream from the table, and while Theos went up to his room, she put what she wasn't going to eat in the fridge before sucking equally hard on her ice cream bar on the sofa.

In his room, Theos launched his terminal and scanned the information on why his school had released them earlier today, but other than the fact that all the schools had done the same, he couldn't find anything good.

This aroused his curiosity.

As his schedule had been turned upside down, he moved everything forward, and what he'd been putting off, he began to replay the game Mahito had lent him.

He'd beaten his record, but the scene whose content he couldn't remember had not been unlocked; it was more as if he'd dreamed it.

Eventually he gave up, having seen the time running out as it was getting late he left his room.

He grabbed an ice cream from the fridge and headed for the living room, where Louise was still standing. He moved close to her, but she didn't really seem to be following the show that was playing in front of her, it was just as if to create a certain animation.

To put it simply, she wasn't doing anything.

Theos wasn't really interested in what was going on either, just lying there on the sofa.

Only the sound of the loudspeakers reigned, otherwise it would have been totally quiet.

They stayed like that, neither of them speaking - they didn't feel the need to.

The brother and sister were people of few words.

The door was unlocked again, and both knew it could only be their mother.

-mmm

-mmm

They hadn't taken their eyes off the projection, though they weren't really following it.

-I'm back," announced the children's mother.

-Welcome back," they replied at the same time.

-So, how's it going? she asked, passing through the living room.

-Nothing's going on.

-Agreed; both nodded.

-I understand; so I'm going to take my bath and then we'll have dinner.

Louise rose to her feet and issued the command to cut the projection, she and Theos went into the dining room, which opened onto the open kitchen, and began to set the table.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Later, their mother had joined them and, as she had prepared dinner in the morning, all that remained was to serve it - and therein lies the importance of the preservation device.

It was a light but rich meal.

*Thank you for the meal*.

-I'm going out tomorrow.

Louise watched Theos quietly, for if he was talking about going out in front of his mother, he must be taking his time, so he was seeking permission.

After a few seconds, Louise quietly asked: "Can I come?

As calmly as the sister had asked, the brother had calmly replied - no!

-Out to where? asked her mother.

-A friend invited me.

-Okay, but stay up and don't be late, there's been a strange atmosphere since this morning, and I've heard rumors at work that a curfew request has been issued.

-I'd be careful, but does a curfew have anything to do with the fact that all the schools have had to ask students to go home?

-I don't know much about it, let's wait and see.

-All right!

After this brief discussion, the whole family left the table, and as Theos went out, he went to bed.

On Saturday, after having eaten his breakfast and made all sorts of preparations, he sent Esiah the coordinates of the place where he was to meet.

As he'd thought, she'd come by car at the appointed time, and as Theos had drawn up a plan for the day and checked out places of interest, everything went off without a hitch.

They went shopping, and with her ID card inserted into a terminal, Esiah's data was processed and a virtual model of her was generated with all the clothes she had chosen, which was a little embarrassing, like seeing a video of a fashion show in front of the person you liked.

After that, they did several things.

Theos studied the one walking next to him.

-Theos, you know, I wanted to tell you something.

-I wanted to thank you for agreeing to accompany me today, although that's not all...

Esiah was a little embarrassed, she took a deep breath in a discreet way, she wasn't blushing excessively it looked like she was prepared for something.

It wasn't the right place to have a chat or relax, but Theos knew of a quiet spot nearby.

-Wait, come with me.

As he spoke, he grabbed her hand and she tried hard to hide her embarrassment.

-Where are we going?

For a moment she thought she'd had an absence.

They were constantly being watched by passers-by, perhaps giving the impression of a young couple?

-I know a quiet corner where we can have a chat - you see, I've got something to tell you too.

Her heart racing with excitement, she followed him quietly through the city streets.

-And here we are!

A little corner of paradise along a riverbank, a vast expanse of grass far from the concrete of the city.

-This is where I often come for a breath of fresh air, having only recently discovered the place.

Eshia took a breath and felt herself relax.

-It's true that the air is pure here.

-Yes.

It's normal, it's my own little paradise or not, it's not the first time I've been here, I spotted the place when ...!

It's not important.

- Theos, I wanted to tell you...

She couldn't finish the sentence, maybe she was still feeling embarrassed!?

-Eshia, I brought you here because I wanted to talk to you too!

I'd rather not discuss what happened this morning, because it's sure to spoil the mood, so I'd rather take the initiative, Theos thought.

-What did you want to talk to me about?

The wind blew again, as if it were blurring my words, and his hair danced in the air again.

It was simple, no complicated strategies or anything, he'd just said what he felt.

-Is that true, Theos?

-Would you repeat yourself, please?

-I'm asking you if you'll go out with me?

I love you!

She let out a few tear drops?

-Why are you crying?

Was that too sudden?

-No, I'm just happy, don't mind me.

Still, I was pleased by her reaction.

-Theos, I wanted to tell you that I'm madly in love with you too.

Phew, it was a risky bet, even though I was sure of myself, I must admit I panicked when she started to cry.

-Tell me, is it possible for you to take me in your arms?

-Yes, of course!

He took her between his arms, it was funny to see her snuggling up to him knowing she wasn't my size.

-I feel great can we stay like this for a while? You know, Theos, I'm so surprised. I love you too, and have ever since we first met.

It was a bit strange but maybe that's how it is with couples!?

It's true that he had feelings for her, but his declaration was sincere and impulsive.

If I'd known what was going to happen next, I'd have wanted this moment to last an eternity, one that Theos would later regret.

-Of course it did.

It had lasted about three to five minutes, enough to give you cramps.

-Is it getting late?

They were officially a couple, but they couldn't get home too late, so they started talking about everything on the way home. As for Esiah, it didn't seem real - she wanted to go home, sleep and wake up to find she was with the man she loved.

-Yes!!!

The lady knew she had to go home - the fact that she'd come alone was an exception.

After walking we came to an intersection, the car that was supposed to take her home was still there, the sense of patience.

-Do you want me to walk you home?

-Sebastian!

Sebastian was the creepy guy in the black suit who usually accompanied her, not that Theos feared him.

exaggerated on his part, he was just a little tired.

The kind who'd do anything for his employer - we'll stop here for today.

A shiver ran through my body, he'd forgotten that slight detail.

-Hey, maybe next time.

-See you tomorrow.

Their paths diverged.

I'll probably see you tomorrow.

Back at home, it was afternoon.

Opening the door, he was greeted by my personal welcoming committee.

-Big brother, where have you been? Is it getting late?

-You were supposed to come home early, the school called for the next tutor meeting.

-Louise your big brother is allowed to go out once in a while!?

Is she pouting now?

-How about a game later?

- YES

She had smiled. I like that better, thought Theos.

-In the meantime, let me rest a little

he went straight to his room and immediately flopped into bed - I'm exhausted.

Before falling asleep, he thought of writing to Esiah to ask if everything was going well and if she'd made it back safely.

Next chapter: Beyond the limits

And so the story begins...