It was a normal, calm day in Kur-de-Fontaine city, even though it was autumn season and normally each day would bring heavy rains, last couple of days gifted people outstanding, sunny, warm weather. Region of Fontaine always differed from others with exceptional system of justice, their musicians, writers and actors. As people say, it's a nation of love, yes, people here is dramatic, per se, but each human who visited this region fell in love with everything they saw.

But, let's move on to the start of our story, shall we? Everything starts at Fontaine National University, to be exact - class of law degree, where one of our main characters calmly read his essay to the teacher. One of the «control points» each semester had, to validate knowledge of students. While teacher listened with his eyes closed, everyone could see how he smiled with approval, while other students just seemed uninterested, some of them even had gaze of dispraise straightforwardly piercing stoic figure of Neuvillette, who seemed uninterested, he even had playing headphones on, well, this person always made exceptional work, and because of his nature teachers decided to make some exceptions. He never let anyone down, so, this behavior wasn't a problem at all. "...And that's why Fontaine banned capital punishment, after all, judgement is a fight for a right-fullness of final verdict. Fight we have to lead with determination and conviction, no justice is infallible and each execution could kill an innocent. Thank you for your time.", ends Neuvillette calmly, as he closes his notebook and bows down to teacher.

"Exceptional work, Neuvillette! Your research on topic is outstanding, approved!" laughed teacher out, while clapping. He wrote something down in his journal, and then looked back at Neuvillette. "You won't wait for others, as always?" but instead of verbal answer teacher just got a nod of approval, "Then, you are free to go. Don't forget about meeting tomorrow!".

Staying silent, Neuvillette just returned to his place for briefcase, well, notebook, briefcase and glasses is everything he ever brought to the classes, and he as a human always was... Underdressed? Plain shirt, trousers, glasses and briefcase. Two most exceptional things about him always were his outstanding looks with this unnatural silver-white, long hair, and lack of any external emotions, no one ever saw him sad, happy or angry. Always this «stone» face with eyes, that continuously gave this «judgmental look», as you are not his discussion companion but another defendant, who he will judge.

Because of this, he never actually had friends or close people in his study groups, but there is couple of people he could call «friends». But, sadly, this doesn't change the factor of him being non-accepted by people near him, even now, while he was taking his things, he couldn't take a feeling of him being accusingly gazed on. People think he is nothing more than a «lucky golden child"», but he already got used to it, he doesn't care about others opinions anymore. After leaving the university building, he always goes to cafeteria near it, taking coffee and pastry for his breakfast, keeping up his study even here. In his briefcase he had only his personal laptop, that he used to study in free time. Well, actually, his whole life consisted only of studying, sleeping and more studying. While everyone thought he is just a golden child that got so good by his resources, the only truth is how much of his life he gives into a craft he believes in. While he was searching for literature he researched, one pretty girl who was officiant in this place came to him to take order, but, in the meantime, she sneaked paper under his laptop, while he was ordering coffee and croissant.

She saw him for each day on the last year, and his looks with majestic stature... «Oh, who could ignore that?» she thought, and looked with pure interest at what his reaction will be, she really awaited for that moment a pretty long time already, but, as Neuvillette read the paper with her number and personal info, he just crumpled it off and threw it into a can with same calm expression on his face.

Officiant girl, on the other hand, quickly became shocked and angry, she took it personally, as some sort of mockery or spit in her soul, so, she made him hot water instead of coffee. "That's your order." she said, her voice sounded off, angry, but Neuvillette didn't react, he made a sip of water and his face brightened a little.

"Oh... Actually, that's even better than coffee for this morning. You're guessed that it would be better, yes? Thank you, Olivia, sincerely." he answered, with calm and warm voice. But she on the other hand understood it as another mockery and left him alone. Right when he was going to ask why did he find some strange piece of paper under his laptop, he thought she forgot it here. But, she never came back to his table. Feeling like something is off and he done some bad thing, Neuvillette just payed for his order and leaved the place, heading home.

Well, he lives in an apartment near his university, he doesn't like long walks, so he used some of financial resources his family left him to buy a nice spot to live, near park and big lake, that he could see out of window. He didn't really need something, keeping minimalistic style of life. He sleeps on a mattress, not even a bed, because he doesn't need it. Most of his food supply is stocks with different flavors to make consommé, which is mainly the dish he prepares and consumes at home. Eating two times a day, sleeping for hours a day, this is what became his main routine.

When he comes home, he says "I'm home" into nothingness, bowing to his mother and father photography that meets him each day. They left him a long time ago in a tragic event, but he already let that sink in. He lived with his grandmother for most of his life, but now her health became so weak, that she lives in a hospital on a daily basis, he tries to come and see her each two to three days, but she doesn't like that, she keeps saying stuff like:

"Find more valid things to waste your free time on. Study, for example. No one will accept human, who doesn't stand up for anything. Don't become another disappointment". There was a time when those words attacked him like a dagger to the heart, but now he thinks it's just a way for his Grandmother to show her interest in his life. She wants for him to be something, so she won't fear to leave him alone.

He was already feeling full from pastry, so, in the moment he ended showering, he continued to study, just to end up distracted with notification on his phone. He knew who could it be, so he just continued, while taking his headphones back on and opening his favorite playlist consisting of music made or covered by popular artist "Focalors", no one knew her true identity, but she was one of the most popular Fontaine musicians, actors and writers. Even won some awards! Honestly, he's a big fan of her songs, and even came to nearly each of her concerts. As time passed, his phone continued to shake with notifications, one by one, but it stopped at one point. As he looked with semi-surprised gaze on his phone, someone knocked down the door to his apartment, this certain someone was...

"Neuvillette, the hell!? I thought you dropped dead or something, why didn't you answer? I'm waiting for half an hour already." said seemingly concerned Wriothesley, who was one of the four friends Neuvillette had. His best friend, to be exact. They knew each other from the childhood.

"Uh... Why did you wait me?" asked Neuvillette as calm as always, looking at his poor, damaged door. The strength his friend had is... Scary.

"Week ago we agreed to meet up at the local bar with Navia and Clorinde, didn't you forget? You're forsaken, honestly. Is there something in your head out of working all the time?" he looked on Neuvillette like person before his eyes was most helpless thing on this planet. Honestly, the more he knows Neuvillette, the more he couldn't understand him.

"Uh... No?"

" ...Get ready, I'll wait here... Do you still have the tea I gifted you last month?"

"Yes, on the top shelf."

"I hope you tasted it at least?"

"...No." Neuvillette got to his bedroom, where he took his coat, same plain shirt and another pair of trousers, and after he got dressed, he came back to Wrio who already was done with the tea, so both of them leaved building together, walking to a bar.

Their relationship was strange, they're too close to call them just friends, but at the same time they're not close enough for something more. Like a brothers, per se? Anyway, Neuvillette was pretty comfortable near Wriothesley, even tho he didn't show it at all. Their story is something they both keep for themselves. Neuvillette doesn't like to talk about his past, as does Wriothesley, so, no one knows how they meet and why they are so close, but this duet is certainly interesting. After all, Wrio is a cop, and Neuvillette is future judge. One is personification of «troublemaking», second is the calmest person anyone could ever imagine. But, actually, sometimes even Neuvi wants to beat him, especially when Wriothesley takes him to the questionable places by lying, or when he takes him with him to work on some cases. Again. By lying. But, anyway, he can't do that even when he wants. After all, he is the only person who doesn't look at him like he is some sort of psychopath. And Neuvillette truly is thankful for that.

"Heeey, guys!" they met a familiar voice as both of them were near bar already. It was Navia, another law court student, but if Neuvillette wants to become a Judge, she on the other hand, dreams to become advocate. Near her was Miss Clorinde, as Neuvillette called her. She is Wriothesley partner, cop too, but their relationship is... Quite questionable. Why? Well, uh...

"Hey~ Lady Clorinde, you're as breathtaking as always, I would say if I wouldn't be me, but today, oh your new lipstick definitely makes you look even better. Want to share some with me?" said Wriothesley, coming right at her with nasty smile, but, Clorinde came closer to him, leaning to his neck, and then she pierced his boot with her heel, making Wrio fall with agonized face.

"You'd better watch your sweet as honey words, Mister «Rizzley». This gift from Navia is too pretty to share." she answered, while stepping forward into a bar. Well, each time Neuvillette sees them interact, it ends in three ways. Sweet, ignoring from Clorinde, or... like this...

"W-well, I'll wait for you all in the bar, guys." said Navia, following Clorinde. Quite a lady, honestly. She didn't cause trouble, even though she was most emotional person out of group, and she herself is quite dreamy. Her family is noble-blood, as Neuvillette's is, but they anyway quite often keep being referred as «lower-class», not saying this gets them in any way, her family is kind and forgiving. For those qualities, Neuvillette actually respects them much more than most of other noble families of Fontaine.

"Take my hand, Wriothesley." said Neuvillette, offering his hand to help him stand up.

"Neuvillette, you're the only person in this world who doesn't turn his back on me..." answered Wrio, accepting his hand.

"Well... Uh... If I wouldn't help someone who looks so miserable, I couldn't look into a mirror without disgust." continued Neuvillette, when he stepped forward in the bar. What about Wriothesley? Well... You'd better not see his face in that exact moment. Anyway, as they both attended to the table, their little friend group fiesta started. Well, why did they get together today? Neuvillette and Wriothesley friends for almost whole of their lives, but with Navia and Clorinde only for four years. They got pretty close to each other, like, small family that loves to spend time together. So, one time per month they get together for a holiday of their friendship. Neuvillette is not the type of guy who drinks, but as always it happens, Wriothesley sneaked him vodka when he looked at Navia as she told about some story with new customer of her agency. And as he did sip of the drink he thought water, he just, seemingly, didn't react, but said:

"Uh... Why is this water so... hot?", actually his voice for first time in a night was... surprised. He didn't like this sensation and aftertaste, but there was something that kept Neuvillette's interest in drinking those kinds of stuff. Maybe, it's how «lighter» his head gets? He couldn't express, but, didn't stop until his glass ended up empty.

"It's Vodka, Neuvi." answered Wrio with grievous smile, while looking how his friend kept drinking alcohol.

"But i asked for a water... Well, it would be bad to strain barmen over that matter anyway..." he exhaled, as always, too soft to make trouble, too comforted to think how Wrio fooled him again. So, he just ended up with an excuse to keep the mood.

They just continued their conservation, Wrio, as always, continued to change Neuvillette's drinks, Navia and Clorinde didn't react to this, because they too are interested in Neuvillette life, and if he doesn't drink, he never talks much. But today... Oh, today is some different matter! It's even funny, how «true» and emotional Neuvillette can be after some drinks, even tho he doesn't seem drunk at sight, but his alcohol tolerance is incredibly low. He can control his appearance and he can walk or do something without much trouble, but his thoughts and themes he'd speak of... Let's say, he's embarrassed to think of any time he ever started speaking on that manners.

"So, Neuvillette. Ahem... How's it going? Something new?" asked drunk as hell Wriothesley, even though his alcohol tolerance is great, let's say, he drinks... too much...

"Nothing much. Just... Exhausted." answered Neuvillette.

"Hm? What do you mean?" asked Clorinde. She had highest alcohol tolerance and self control from the group, Navia was almost asleep though. Poor girl.

"How do I explain... You know, this feeling when nothing new happens? You get back home, where no one is to meet you, work, go sleep, go to the University and feel gazes of people who think you're some kind of... inhuman being? Tired of loneliness." he said, while his head bent over the chair, and he grasped it with his hands to keep balance.

"Hey, Neuvi, you still have us, you know?" answered Clorinde, for the first time she sees how much his style of life truly exhausts himself. To be honest, she really worried for Neuvillette for all this time. Human is not a machine, feelings is not something you can get rid of. And in some moment, this dam he created to keep his emotions in will break. But he won't be able to help himself. And they, as his friends, won't too, they are not close enough. Even tho they are everything he has, they are not something he truly needs.

"Yes, Clorinde. And I'm truly thankful for your patience towards me. Honestly. You three are people I consider family. Don't think about this thoughts too much, uh... It's something that just slipped through my mind." said Neuvillette, trying to stop this theme, embarrassed by himself.

"Hey, don't forget, your troubles matter. You are as human as we are, don't forget that everyone should sometimes let their feelings to go out, and if you need to speak to someone on that behalf, I'm always—" and she quickly changed point of her view to Wrio, looking how he just sneaked his hand near Neuvi and took his phone. "Wriothesley, what the hell are you doing?"

"I'm tired of this already, Clorinde. This dude needs someone already, if he can't let himself be, so why not try to find someone who he will care enough to change this dumb behaviour of his? As our best we can at least try." answered Wrio, who had Neuvillette phone in his hands. Well, he knew his password, and he just took a photo of Neuvi. Not the best photo though… Wrio was too drunk, and this evangelion like posed Neuvillette photo was taken in 144p.

"Wriothesley, please... You know even better than I do, I'm not suited for any romantic interaction..." — Neuvillette tried to sneak in at least one argument, he knows that when Wriothesley gets «fired up» by any idea it's hard to stop him, but he'd prefer to try, than to be embarrassed to whole city after.

"Well, I think Wriothesley is right? But anyway, Wrio, the hell are you doing right now? For the first time in a long time I'm agreed with your thoughts, but if it's something stupid, I swear..."

"Don't worry, Clorinde, he is now registered in Tinder." chuckled out Wriothesley, showing shocked Clorinde new Neuvillette profile.

"Well... That could work?" she said with interest in her voice, that surprised even Neuvillette, who kept looking at those two with helplessness in his eyes.

"Do you have any interest on my thoughts. on this behalf, maybe?" asked shocked Neuvillette, even though his face didn't show any emotion, only people who knew him well could say what he feels by looking him in the eyes.

"No."

"At all." Both Wriothesley and Clorinde said in unison.

"Well, maybe, but I still—" Neuvillette tried to sneak in at least one word, but he was interrupted.

"Navia, keep him in place, we will look for some good match." said Wrio sitting closer to Clorinde.

They have started to sweep profiles, Wrio laughed doing this, Clorinde gave some crucial comments and good thoughts why some of the profiles wasn't the match for Neuvi. Navia, on the other hand, reacted to their words by laying on Neuvillette's shoulder, so he couldn't even move because he would feel horrible if he'd wake her up. Well, trap was set, time is going forward, up to the moment both Wrio and Clorinde gasped together "This... This is the one"

"She has similar interests, music, arts, she seems as a pretty active person which would help Neuvillette personality shine. He needs someone who will bring him out of this miserable position he put himself in." said Clorinde while researching profile.

"And judging by the looks that she tries to hide, and interactions with the profile, she is in the same situation as this dumbass. Hm... She is 151 centimetres tall? Well, Clorinde, did you know that ANY thoughts towards this matter I've got from him for all time we've been together is the fact he's into short people?" added Wriothesley, while swiping to the right.

"Well, she's also has whole set of Focalors music in her interests, so, one more addition to—"

"Can you stop, please." asked Neuvillette, but got ignored by both of them.

"Well, she's online, lemme cook some magic... What was the main line…? Oh!" said Wrio while typing and saying out loudly "Hey girl. You must be an angel. Cuz ur eyeliner wings are heavenly".

"Wriothesley, I'm going to kill you if you won't stop, you're going to scare her off!" reacted Clorinde, punching Wrio jaw.

"OUCH! Hey, that's gonna work, you'll see... Wait. She read the message... Uh... No, not answering, she's gone offline." he added with quite a concern in his voice. Did he really fumble so hard?

"Stop embarrassing me to the other people, Wriothesley." said Neuvillette, whose face was all red, he got up while Navia head fell off to his chair, and took his phone back by the force, closing Tinder. But at least he saw the name of person they wrote to, Furina. "Audacity to do something like that! If she will write back, what shall I do, huh? I have almost no free time even to meet you all because of studying, what makes you think I'll be able to construct something even harder than friendship? I'm not the type of person that able to create deep connections with other people." Neuvi sounded angry, but in the same time... Sad?

"And that's the reason why you'll continue to be alone if you won't change something. If you're not ready to do first steps, who will do them for you? We've helped, but if you want to stop this «loneliness» you have problems with, you need to change your viewpoint on this world. No one is able to exist alone." Wrio, on the other hand, sounded serious for the first time of their meeting. His eyes too, almost completely thrown off any signs of his drunk state.

"I think you two shall talk about this while going to home, I need to take Navia with a taxi back, so, Wrio help him get back and talk over this. Neuvi. Honestly. You need to make some steps forward. You are not a machine you see yourself." said Clorinde, while taking her phone and calling taxi. Neuvillette, on the other hand, seemed contradicted. On one side, he understands their worry about himself, but, on the other, he just couldn't think he is able to become close with someone on that sense, he never thought of starting a family even, dream that comes to minds of many people. Only thing he ever had in his mind is how he can be helpful towards other beings, at the same time, be himself.

And his father seemed as perfect example. Justice. Courts. Even thought it is the hard way to live the life, but for people with the rightful heart, such as Neuvillette, it's a perfect one. Now he thinks, did his father meet same worries? Same troubles? What did he think of before meeting his wife and Neuvillette mother. He couldn't say, or even represent this thoughts. But, anyway. Clorinde and Navia leaved them, Wriothesley took two bottles of beer and took Neuvillette on the walk back home, but, instead of going to his apartment, they ended up on the roof.

"What do you fear so much, Neuvi?" he asked, opening both bottles, and giving one of them to his friend.

"I have said already. I don't think I'm a good match for anyone. Everything I've thought about for my whole life was the «how to be useful for others», not how to love. Even basic human emotions are still very hard for me to comprehend." he answered, giving it a go. Maybe, it's the dialogue he needed?

"You know, Neuvi, the more you think of it, the more desperate you make yourself. Let's see an example, you say that you can't create relationships with people? What about Navia, then. It's you who took her to the friend group of ours.", his friend made a direct shot, well, it's normal considering the fact that Wriothesley knows him better than anyone else. Excepting his grandmother, though.

"It was a... Uh... Happy little accident. I didn't thought she would become my friend, same with Clorinde. I still don't understand why they even care about me or my life, but I'm thankful for that. I care for them too." said Neuvillette, with hard feeling deep down in his chest.

"See? Life is full of accidents. You created this illusion of heartless creature that doesn't care about people around him, don't get interested, aroused, mad or even sad. Who could ever understand you, if this person won't be brave enough to make first step? Deep down you're the most emphatic and soft human I ever known of, Neuvi. And we both know what really took you to this path. Not the «usefulness» of yours, but justice itself. You couldn't stand any injustice you saw, when you were little. And that constructed you as a person I am know and cherish the most, brother." with light laugh added Wriothesley.

"So... What are you trying to say?" he hesitated.

"Let it go, stop caring so much about your boundaries, try to live a life by yourself, not the ideal figure you are trying to follow. You're not your father, and let's be honest, you don't even know who he was truly." quite a troublesome theme, Wriothesley knows that, but he had no other choice.

"He was caring. And he loved me and my mother." said Neuvillette, with dreamy tone. For a second he returned to his childhood, seeing memories of his time with his family.

"Then what stops you from being same, if it's the perfect human figure in your eyes?" asked his friend.

"Honestly... I... I don't know. It's just..." another hesitation, and his voice starts to sound unhinged.

"You fear to lose someone else, yes? Such a dork, honestly." Wrio smiled.

Neuvillette didn't answer, his face still didn't show any reaction to words of his friend, but, the oppressive feeling in his chest started to grow, taking his heart in the press. Yes. He feared this the most, to create relationships that is doomed to fail, destined to end, to see how people he cares about will leave him. Again. He didn't even had a chance to give his goodbyes to his parents, this is one of the things that couldn't let him forget about this part of the life completely. As he thought, of course. There is no way for human being to forget the pain of losing someone close to you. No matter how hard you try, which decisions you make, you can only make it worse, if you will overdo your «tryings». And he as a person falls into that category.

"If you keep on living by your fears, you will kill your personality. Just let it go. Who knows, maybe this girl will answer and it'll work?" asked Wriothesley, but Neuvillette, on the other hand, found not a solution, but, at least, maybe a path to it? Even though it could be hard or long... Maybe, he really just should try?

"Not after your pick up lines, i fear." answered calm voice of Neuvi, he looked somewhere in distance, making little sips of beer. Let it go... He thought only about this line.

"Hey! It never works for me, but I never tried to pick up someone for another person, you know? Everything happens for the first time!" Wrio's smile became wider, he liked the fact that his words made Neuvillette think, it shows that he ready to do something about his life.

"Ha-ha, I think, you can be right, Wriothesley." and now he laughed for the first time in decades, as it feels. Such a rare occasion, that Wriothesley's smile became a little less wide, but much more deep in the sense of emotions that this smile shows.

"See, that's better." Wriothesley voice became much more soft and warm.

"Thank you." added Neuvillette.

"There's nothing to be thankful about." Wriothesley disputed the words.

"No, but really..." Neuvi tried to add.

"You are my family, Neuvillette. I'm here to be at your side whatever happens. You shouldn't thank me for being your friend. You helped me a lot too." Minutes of calm silence, they just stand together at the rooftop, drinking, and seeing how night takes the city. Stars shined brighter than always today, and Neuvillette couldn't take his eyes from them. He didn't feel the flow of time, was it minutes, or hour. They just standed there together, until the moment when their drinks ended and Wrio exhaled. "So, Neuvi! What should you do?"

"I should give a try and let this fear go." he sounded much more calm. And this feeling in the chest became lighter.

"That's my boy!" answered Wrio, throwing a bottle to the streets, leftovers of moisture, seemingly, took some lights and ended up looking like a tiny stars. Neuvillette followed his example, like this gesture of throwing was not just a bottle, but his fear that consumed his whole life too. As he threw it, he exhaled with feeling of freedom for a first time.

"Not so hard as you thought, yea? I'll be heading home then, take some good nap today, work can wait." Wriothesley turned around to the door and started to walk, even though he shacked a bit, and he seemed... uh... not being able to walk a long road without help.

"You sure you'll be able to get home without trouble? I can let you to stay in guest room, you know?" Neuvillette tried to stop him by words, but he knew that his friend will just ignore this and continue doing as he wants to.

"Ah, forget about that, I'll be alright. Just take some time to think now, or fall asleep already." And with these words Wrio left him, Neuvi on the other hand got back to his apartment, as always bowing to his family picture. After he took shower and took off his clothes, he came back to his bedroom, making the mattress comfortable enough and dropping on it, to feel sensation from his pocket, where phone was. Notification. He quickly took his phone and opened it to see a reply in tinder chat from this girl named Furina, and he felt something. When he opened it, he saw next message:

"Ha-ha, you're a desperate one, I see? But there's some match in our interests, and we even are from same university~ Wanna meet up after classes?"

He quickly started to write back, his fingers were shacking a little, is it because of alcohol? Or was he nervous? Maybe both? "I'm sorry about that line... Don't think about this much. If you'd be comfortable enough, I know a great cafeteria, well, it's more like an cafe with home cooking made by one old couple, not so popular, but a great place to talk." and as he sent, he saw how she started to write him back.

"Already asking me join you on a date?~ You're that type of guy... I see... Well, you're lucky today, I will accept that." he didn't mean that as a date, just a meeting to know each other a little bit better, but... That isn't bad? Maybe, even better than he could initially expect.

"I'm sincerely thankful, Lady Furina. Let's meet up at the back exit after the classes end."

"Lady? •/•" and after this, she took a minute to write another message, "Well… Okay. I'll be there."

And then she gone offline, leaving Neuvillette to wonder what that "•/•" meant, but, for a long time he didn't felt like he is feeling right now. He is interested what could happen from this point on, but also... He let a thought that her photo seemed kind of cute. Even with the fact he couldn't see her face fully, but eyes... Eyes that mask didn't hide, those eyes just took his attention, and he really found them magnetizing. With those thoughts and feeling of consuming himself expectation that he didn't understand, he fell asleep.