THE ROAD BACK TO REALITY
The final day in the village passed quickly, too quickly.
Suitcases lay open across the room, clothes folded, refolded, then finally packed with quiet determination.
What had once felt like a peaceful escape was now closing, replaced by the steady anticipation of returning to school.
Massimo, Clara, and Kamsi moved with focused energy, sealing bags and organizing what little space remained.
The calm of the countryside still lingered around them but it no longer held them in place.
They were already halfway back to reality.
"Morning of Departure"
The next morning arrived softly, sunlight stretching across the courtyard as the house slowly came alive.
Clara's parents arrived early.
Her mother stepped out first, already carrying multiple bags—carefully packed, thoughtfully arranged, and far too many to be considered "just enough."
"Take everything," she insisted, handing them over one after another.
"School will get busy. You won't have time to think about food."
Clara laughed, pulling her into a hug.
"Mom… this is more than enough."
"There's no such thing as enough," her mother replied firmly.
"If it finishes, call me. I'll bring more."
Kamsi smiled quietly, helping arrange the bags, while Massimo took some of the heavier ones without hesitation.
It wasn't just food.
It was care—packed, sealed, and sent with them.
"A Grandmother's Blessing"
Before the final bags were loaded, Massimo's grandmother stepped forward.
The movement alone quieted everything.
She took their hands gently, her gaze steady and warm.
"My children," she began softly, "you are going back to noise… to responsibilities."
A pause.
"Do not forget the peace you found here."
They listened without interruption.
"Study well. Take care of each other. And wherever you go, carry this home with you."
She placed her hand briefly on Massimo's forehead.
"Make us proud."
The moment stayed with them, even after she stepped back.
"The Drive Begins"
The car was packed to capacity.
Bags filled the trunk.
Food occupied the backseat.
Space had become a negotiation.
Kamsi settled into the driver's seat, adjusting the mirrors with calm focus.
"Everyone ready?"
Massimo nodded from the passenger seat, glancing back once more at the house.
Clara sank into the backseat between bags, already opening a snack.
"Ready."
The engine started.
And just like that—
They left.
The road stretched long and quiet at first, cutting through greenery and open air.
Inside the car, conversation came easily.
Clara held up a pack of chips.
"My mom packed like we're going to war."
Massimo leaned back slightly.
"She's not wrong. This semester won't be easy."
Kamsi glanced at them briefly.
"Which is why we're not doing it alone this time."
Clara pointed at her.
"Exactly. Team survival."
Massimo smiled faintly.
"…That sounds more serious than it should."
"It is serious," Clara said, already opening another snack.
A few hours into the drive, Massimo's phone buzzed against the cup holder.
He picked it up this time.
A video call.
Clara leaned forward immediately.
"…Oh?"
Kamsi glanced briefly through the mirror.
"Answer it."
Massimo hesitated for half a second—then accepted.
The screen lit up.
Gemini appeared, slightly angled, like he had propped his phone against something.
His hair was a little messy, his shirt slightly undone at the collar, and there was a quiet exhaustion in his eyes that didn't need explanation.
"…You look like you haven't slept," Massimo said.
Gemini exhaled softly.
"I haven't. Not properly."
Clara moved closer to the screen.
"Wow. Celebrity life is not treating you well."
Gemini blinked once, then smirked faintly.
"And yet, you're still watching."
"Of course we are," Clara said proudly.
"We're invested."
Kamsi leaned slightly forward.
"Have you eaten at least?"
Gemini paused.
That was answer enough.
Massimo's expression shifted slightly.
"You need to eat."
"I will," Gemini said but it sounded like a promise he hadn't kept yet.
A brief pause followed.
Not awkward.
Just… quiet.
Then Gemini's gaze settled properly.
"Where are you?"
"On the road," Massimo replied. "We left this morning."
Gemini nodded once.
"Okay."
Clara crossed her arms dramatically.
"Don't worry, we've replaced you."
Gemini raised an eyebrow.
"That was fast."
"Temporary," Kamsi added calmly.
Gemini's expression softened just slightly.
"Good."
Another pause.
Clara leaned closer again.
"You better not forget us. We have food waiting."
Gemini let out a quiet breath, a faint smile slipping through.
"…You always lead with food."
"It works," Clara replied confidently.
Kamsi tilted her head.
"You should rest when you get the chance."
Gemini hummed softly.
"I will. Eventually."
Massimo's gaze stayed on him a second longer.
"Don't say 'eventually' like it's a plan."
Gemini's eyes flickered slightly at that—something softer passing through.
"…I'll try," he said instead.
A small pause followed.
Not heavy.
Just something unspoken settling quietly
between them.
"Drive safe," Gemini said.
"You too, stay safe," Massimo replied.
The call ended.
The car fell quiet again.
Clara leaned back slowly, a knowing look on her face.
Kamsi didn't say anything but her expression said enough.
Massimo didn't respond.
He just looked out the window again—
But this time,
His expression wasn't as neutral as before.
Gradually, the landscape changed.
Open roads became busier.
Trees gave way to buildings. The quiet hum of nature was replaced by the restless movement of the city.
Kamsi's posture shifted more alert now.
"We're about an hour away. Once we arrive, we unload immediately."
Clara saluted lazily.
"Yes, Captain."
Massimo adjusted slightly in his seat.
"Let's get it done."
The energy in the car shifted.
Less relaxed.
More focused.
They weren't just returning as students.
They were returning after everything that had happened—
The production.
The pressure.
The attention.
And now—
Reality was waiting.
The car moved forward, steady and certain.
Carrying them away from the quiet safety of the village and toward something louder.
Faster.
Unpredictable.
But this time, they weren't going alone.
By the time the campus gates came into view, the air inside the car had changed.
The quiet ease of the journey was gone.
Replaced by something sharper.
Awareness.
Kamsi slowed slightly as they approached the entrance, her hands steady on the wheel but her eyes more alert now.
"…We're here," she said.
Clara straightened in the backseat, peeking through the window.
"…Why are there so many people outside?"
Massimo didn't answer immediately.
He had already seen it.
Students gathered in small clusters.
Phones out.
Watching.
Waiting.
The car rolled in.
And just like that heads turned.
At first, it was subtle.
A few whispers.
A double take.
Then recognition hit.
"That's them—"
"Wait, that's actually them—"
"Massimo—!"
The energy shifted instantly.
Clara sank back into her seat.
"…Nope. I don't like this."
Kamsi exhaled quietly.
"Stay calm."
Massimo's expression didn't change much but his shoulders straightened slightly.
Not tense.
Just ready.
The car barely came to a stop before the space around them started filling.
Not aggressive.
But intense.
Excited voices overlapping.
Phones raised.
People stepping closer.
Clara peeked again.
"…Why are they looking at us like we just dropped an album?"
Massimo opened the door first.
The noise increased immediately.
"Massimo!"
"Over here—!"
"Can we get a picture?!"
He stepped out calmly, closing the door behind him, his presence alone enough to hold the moment steady.
Not overwhelmed.
Not distant.
Just… controlled.
Kamsi stepped out next, composed as always, scanning the crowd briefly.
Clara followed last and instantly froze.
"…Oh wow. This is real."
A few students approached carefully.
"Welcome back," one of them said, trying to sound casual and failing completely.
Massimo nodded slightly.
"Thank you."
Another voice from behind—
"You guys were amazing in the series."
Clara blinked.
"…Okay, I accept this level of fame."
Kamsi nudged her lightly.
"Behave."
"I am behaving," Clara whispered. "I'm just acknowledging my new status."
Massimo almost smiled.
More people gathered.
Not pushing.
But circling.
Watching.
Curious.
Excited.
Some just stood at a distance, whispering and pointing.
Others stepped forward boldly, asking for pictures, quick greetings, small interactions.
And through it all—
Massimo stayed steady.
Responding when needed.
Nodding.
Keeping it simple.
Then—
A familiar voice cut through the noise.
"Move—please, give them space."
The crowd shifted slightly.
Lodge president.
Trying to restore order.
"Let them at least breathe first," he added.
Clara leaned toward Massimo.
"…I like this guy."
Kamsi nodded.
"Very useful."
They finally managed to move toward the lodge.
Not easily.
But gradually.
Step by step.
Attention following them like a shadow.
Inside the lodge—
The noise dropped instantly.
The door closed behind them.
And just like that—
Silence.
Real silence.
Clara dropped her bag immediately.
"…I need a moment."
Kamsi exhaled, setting her keys down.
"That was… a lot."
Massimo stood still for a second longer.
Then finally relaxed his shoulders.
"…Yeah."
Clara turned to him slowly.
"…So this is your life now."
Massimo glanced at her.
"…Our life."
Kamsi leaned against the wall slightly.
"We'll get used to it."
Clara shook her head.
"I refuse. I want a refund."
Massimo let out a quiet breath that almost turned into a laugh.
Then his phone buzzed.
He didn't need to check.
But he did anyway.
A message.
Short.
Simple.
"Have you arrived?."
Massimo stared at the screen for a second.
Then typed back—
"Yeah."
A pause.
Then another message came in.
"How bad is it?"
Massimo glanced briefly at Clara, who was still dramatically recovering on the sofa… then at Kamsi, who looked calm but thoughtful.
Then he replied—
"Loud."
There was a short delay.
Then—
"I figured it."
Massimo's expression softened just slightly.
Almost unnoticeable.
Clara noticed anyway. She always did.
"…He texted, didn't he?"
Massimo didn't look up.
"Yeah."
Kamsi crossed her arms lightly.
"And?"
Massimo locked his phone, setting it aside.
"…He asked how it was."
Clara narrowed her eyes.
"And you said?"
Massimo leaned back slightly.
"…The truth."
Clara stared at him for a second—then smiled.
Slow.
Knowing.
"…Yeah," she said quietly. "We can tell."
Outside, the noise of campus life continued unchanged, unbothered.
But inside that room, something had shifted.
Not just attention.
Not just pressure.
Something quieter.
Unspoken.
Still unfolding.
And this time, there was no distance to hide behind.
The silence lingered for a moment longer, comfortable, but charged.
Clara stretched out on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
"You know what's crazy?" she said.
"We just walked into campus like celebrities… and now we're back to worrying about assignments."
Kamsi let out a quiet breath, moving toward the window.
"Reality doesn't wait."
Massimo leaned back, eyes briefly closing.
"…Good. I need something normal."
Clara turned her head toward him.
"You say that now. Give it two days, you'll be complaining about lectures."
"I already am," he replied calmly.
Kamsi smiled faintly. "At least you're consistent."
A small knock came at the door.
All three of them paused.
Clara sat up immediately. "…No."
Another knock.
Louder this time.
"Massimo? Are you guys inside?"
Clara dropped back dramatically.
"It's starting again."
Kamsi walked over and opened the door slightly.
A few familiar faces stood outside—coursemates, smiling, curious, trying not to look too eager.
"Hey," one of them said.
"We just wanted to check in… and maybe say welcome back."
Kamsi nodded politely. "Thanks."
Clara leaned from the sofa. "You people could have sent a message."
They laughed awkwardly.
Massimo stood up, walking over. "It's fine," he said. "We just got in."
"Yeah, we won't take much of your time," another added quickly.
"We just—uh—wanted to say you did well."
Massimo nodded once. "Thank you."
There was a brief pause like they were all deciding whether to ask for more.
Clara clapped her hands once. "Okay! Appreciation received. Energy noted. We are now resting."
Kamsi hid a smile.
The group outside laughed again, taking the hint.
"Alright, we'll leave you guys," one said.
"See you in class."
"Yeah," Massimo replied. "See you."
The door closed.
Silence returned again.
Clara pointed at the door. "That was level one."
Kamsi turned back. "Level one?"
"Yes," Clara said seriously.
"Next is random visits, then group pictures, then people pretending they've always known us."
Massimo sat back down. "…You've thought this through."
"I've studied human behavior," she replied.
Kamsi shook her head slightly, amused. "We just need to manage it."
Massimo nodded. "We will."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then—
His phone buzzed again.
This time, he picked it up slower.
A message.
"You sound tired."
Massimo stared at it.
Clara noticed immediately. "…Again?"
He didn't answer her, instead he typed.
"Long day."
A reply came almost instantly.
"Still standing?"
Massimo exhaled quietly.
"Yeah."
A short pause
"Good."
That was it.
Simple.
But it stayed.
Massimo's grip on the phone loosened slightly.
Not tense anymore.
Just… steady.
"Okay," Clara said suddenly, breaking the moment.
"Enough emotional tension for one afternoon."
Kamsi raised an eyebrow. "You created most of it."
"I maintain it," Clara corrected.
Massimo shook his head faintly.
"…I missed this."
Clara smiled. "Of course you did."
Kamsi walked back to the sofa, sitting down this time.
"We should rest a bit. Tomorrow won't be quiet."
Massimo nodded. "Yeah."
Clara leaned back again. "Wake me up when life gets harder."
"It already has," Kamsi replied.
Clara groaned. "Let me live in denial for five minutes."
Massimo let out a quiet laugh.
And just like that, the noise outside stayed outside.
Inside, it was still the same.
Messy.
Loud.
Real.
And somehow, that made everything feel manageable.
Evening settled in slowly, the light outside turning softer, stretching long shadows across the room.
For a while, they stayed exactly where they were.
Clara half-asleep on the sofa.
Kamsi scrolling quietly through her phone.
Massimo leaning back, eyes closed but not fully resting.
Then—
"Food," Clara muttered suddenly, not opening her eyes.
Kamsi didn't look up. "You ate two hours ago."
"That was survival," Clara replied. "This is living."
Massimo opened one eye. "…You're unbelievable."
Clara finally sat up, stretching. "I'm consistent."
Kamsi stood. "There's still food your mom packed."
Clara's energy returned instantly. "Say less."
The kitchen came alive again in small, familiar ways.
Plates pulled out. Containers opened. The quiet clink of spoons against dishes.
Clara hovered over everything like a supervisor.
"Careful with that one, that's premium," she said.
Kamsi glanced at her. "It's stew, not gold."
"It's emotional gold," Clara corrected.
Massimo leaned against the counter, watching them.
Not saying much.
Just… there.
They carried the food back to the living room, settling in more comfortably this time.
Clara took a bite and sighed dramatically.
"Yeah… I'm not leaving this family."
Kamsi shook her head. "You say that every time."
"And I mean it every time."
Massimo smiled faintly, shaking his head.
Halfway through the meal, his phone buzzed again.
This time, Clara didn't even pretend not to notice.
She slowly turned her head toward him.
"…Should we give you privacy?"
Massimo didn't react. "Eat your food."
Kamsi glanced briefly, then looked away, choosing not to interfere.
Massimo checked the message.
A picture.
He paused.
Clara leaned closer. "What is it?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Just tilted the phone slightly.
Gemini.
Still on set.
Sitting in a chair, script in hand, lighting equipment visible behind him. His expression tired but focused.
Below it, a short message:
"Still here."
Clara softened slightly. "…He looks exhausted."
Kamsi nodded. "He hasn't rested properly."
Massimo stared at the screen for a second longer than necessary.
Then typed:
"Take a break."
He hesitated.
Added—
"Even if it's just five minutes."
Clara watched him closely this time.
No teasing.
Just observing.
"…You worry about him," she said quietly.
Massimo didn't look up. "…He's working too hard."
Kamsi's voice was calm. "So are you."
Massimo locked his phone again, setting it down.
"…Not the same."
Clara tilted her head slightly.
But she didn't push.
Not this time.
A few minutes later—
The phone buzzed again.
Massimo picked it up almost immediately this time.
A reply.
"Director says five minutes is illegal."
Massimo exhaled softly almost a laugh.
Clara leaned in. "What did he say?"
Massimo shook his head slightly. "…He's joking."
Kamsi smiled faintly. "That means he's still okay."
Massimo typed again.
"Ignore the director."
A pause.
"Sit down somewhere. Breathe."
He sent it before thinking too much.
The room went quiet again.
Not heavy.
Just… aware.
Clara watched him for a second.
Then leaned back slowly.
"…Yeah," she murmured.
Kamsi glanced at her.
Clara didn't look away from Massimo.
"…Still just a 'friend,' right?"
Massimo didn't respond immediately.
Didn't even look at them.
He just stared ahead for a moment, then reached for his food again.
"…Eat before it gets cold."
Clara's lips curved slightly.
Not mocking.
Not teasing.
Just… knowing.
Kamsi didn't say anything.
But the look they exchanged said enough.
Outside, night had fully settled now.
The campus lights flickered on one after another.
Voices passed in the distance.
Life moving.
Fast.
Unpredictable.
Inside nothing felt rushed.
Massimo leaned back again after eating, quieter now.
His phone rested beside him.
Screen dark.
But not forgotten.
And somewhere else, under bright lights and constant motion.
Another world continued without pause.
Still filming.
Still demanding.
Still loud.
But between both spaces something held.
Thin.
Unspoken.
But there.
And neither of them had said it out loud yet.
After the food, the room settled into a softer, quiet, the kind that comes after full plates and satisfied silence.
Clara stretched, then looked around lazily.
"…If we don't unpack now, this place will turn into a disaster zone."
Kamsi stood immediately. "It already is."
Massimo glanced at the bags lined against the wall. "…Fair point."
They started slowly.
Not rushed.
Just steady movement.
Zippers opening. Clothes unfolding. Bags shifting from one corner to another.
Clara sat in front of her suitcase, staring into it like it had personally offended her.
"Why do I pack like I'm relocating permanently?"
Kamsi didn't look up. "Because you don't believe in 'essentials.'"
"I do," Clara argued. "Everything is essential."
Massimo walked past with a small stack of folded clothes. "…That explains a lot."
Kamsi took control of the space without saying much.
She arranged things neatly, books stacked, toiletries lined up, clothes sorted into sections.
Everything had a place.
Everything made sense.
Clara, on the other hand, started organizing.
Stopped halfway.
Got distracted.
Then started again.
"Okay, this pile is for clothes I'll wear often," she said.
Massimo glanced at it. "That's everything."
"Exactly."
Kamsi shook her head slightly. "You're impossible."
Massimo worked quietly.
Less talking.
More doing.
He folded his clothes with simple precision, placing them neatly into his space.
Every movement controlled.
Every placement intentional.
But every now and then—
He paused.
Just briefly.
Like his mind had drifted somewhere else.
Then he'd continue again.
At some point—
Clara picked up a shirt from her bag, frowned, then tossed it onto Massimo's side.
"Help me decide—keep or donate?"
Massimo barely looked. "Keep."
"You didn't even check it."
"You're not donating anything."
Clara gasped. "You know me so well."
Kamsi added calmly, "It's not hard to figure out."
Laughter came easier now.
Lighter.
Less guarded.
The room slowly transformed.
From scattered luggage—
To something lived-in.
The kind of space that felt like theirs.
Kamsi stepped back after a while, scanning the room. "Okay… this is better."
Clara dropped onto the bed dramatically. "I contributed emotionally."
Massimo sat down on the edge of his bed.
"…You created extra work."
"I created personality," she corrected.
Kamsi smiled faintly. "We'll fix it later."
A small silence followed.
Not empty.
Just… settled.
They had unpacked more than just bags.
The trip.
The tension.
The shift.
All of it—
Slowly finding its place.
Massimo reached for his phone again, almost absentmindedly.
Checked it.
Nothing new.
He placed it back down.
But this time, his hand lingered for just a second longer.
Then he pulled away.
Clara noticed.
Of course she did.
But instead of saying anything—
She just turned onto her side, watching him quietly.
A small smile playing at the corner of her lips.
Kamsi moved to switch on the room light fully as the evening deepened.
"There," she said softly. "Now it actually feels like we're back."
Massimo looked around once more.
The arranged space.
The familiar faces.
The quiet comfort.
"…Yeah," he said.
And this time, it wasn't just about the room.
Kamsi glanced around the room one more time, satisfied with how everything had come together.
Then, almost casually, she spoke.
"…What about the house your dad got?"
The question landed softly but it shifted something.
Massimo looked up slightly. "It's still there."
Clara turned immediately. "…Still there?"
Massimo nodded. "Yeah. It hasn't been used much. Just maintained."
Kamsi leaned against the table, arms loosely crossed.
"Have you checked it since you got back?"
He shook his head. "Not yet."
Clara sat up straighter, interest lighting up instantly.
"Wait—so you're telling me there's a whole house just sitting somewhere… unused?"
Massimo raised an eyebrow. "…That's one way to say it."
"That's the only way to say it," she insisted.
"Do you know how valuable that is right now?"
Kamsi nodded slightly. "Especially with everything happening on campus."
There was a brief pause.
Then Clara snapped her fingers.
"Perfect."
Massimo glanced at her. "…I don't like that tone."
She pointed at him. "We go there tomorrow."
Kamsi didn't argue. "That makes sense."
Massimo looked between both of them. "To do what exactly?"
Clara leaned forward, already planning. "To clean it. Set it up. Make it usable."
Kamsi added calmly, "It could be a quiet space. Somewhere to step away when things get overwhelming."
Clara nodded quickly. "Exactly. Because if today is anything to go by—" she gestured vaguely toward the door, "—this place is not going to stay quiet."
Massimo exhaled slowly, thinking it through.
It wasn't a bad idea.
Actually, it made sense.
"…It might need a bit of work," he said.
Clara grinned. "Good. I love projects I don't have to pay for."
Kamsi shook her head lightly. "We're not renovating. Just organizing."
"Same thing," Clara replied confidently.
Massimo almost smiled.
He leaned back slightly, gaze drifting for a second.
A quiet place.
Away from noise.
Away from attention.
The thought alone felt… necessary.
"…Alright," he said finally.
Clara's reaction was immediate. "YES."
Kamsi smiled faintly. "We'll go early. Less attention."
Clara pointed again. "And we're taking snacks."
Massimo sighed. "…Of course we are."
The plan settled into the room easily.
Simple.
Practical.
But beneath it, there was something else.
An understanding, that things had changed. And they needed space to breathe through it.
Clara flopped back onto the bed, satisfied.
"Look at us. Making smart decisions."
Kamsi sat down, calmer now. "We'll need it."
Massimo glanced once more at his phone then away again.
"…Yeah," he said quietly.
And this time, he wasn't just talking about the house.
Clara rolled onto her side, still smiling to herself. "Tomorrow is going to be interesting."
Kamsi nodded. "We'll need cleaning supplies. And probably food."
Massimo exhaled lightly. "…You always remember food first."
Clara pointed at him. "Because food is survival. Everything else is optional."
Kamsi stood again, picking up an empty bottle from the table.
"We should also check if there's water running there. Electricity too."
Massimo nodded. "It has basic maintenance. It should be fine."
Clara snapped her fingers. "Perfect. So it's not a jungle house. Just a slightly neglected mansion."
Massimo looked at her. "…You're upgrading the description every second."
"I'm building excitement," she said proudly.
A short silence settled again, but this one felt different.
More grounded.
Like they were already imagining it.
The space.
The quiet.
The possibility of something separate from everything else.
Kamsi sat back down slowly. "It might actually help," she said softly.
Clara turned her head. "Help what?"
"Everything," Kamsi replied simply.
"Campus. Attention. Stress."
Massimo's gaze lingered for a moment.
"…Yeah," he agreed quietly.
Clara studied both of them, then shrugged.
"Good. Because I don't like stress. It doesn't match my personality."
Kamsi smiled faintly. "Nothing matches your personality."
"Exactly," Clara said without hesitation.
Massimo reached for his phone again, then paused.
He didn't open it.
Just held it for a moment.
Then set it down.
Clara noticed but didn't comment this time.
Instead, she stretched and stood up. "Okay. Tomorrow we clean a house."
Kamsi added, "We organize it properly."
Massimo nodded once. "We make it usable."
Clara pointed between them. "And we survive whatever campus throws at us after that."
Kamsi glanced at her. "That part isn't guaranteed."
Clara gasped. "Excuse me? I was promised confidence."
Massimo finally let out a quiet laugh. "You promised yourself that."
The room slowly settled into night again.
Lights dimmer.
Voices softer.
Movement slowing.
Clara grabbed a pillow and hugged it. "I'm calling it early. Today was emotionally expensive."
Kamsi agreed. "We should rest."
Massimo leaned back on his bed.
"Tomorrow's going to be long."
Clara nodded without opening her eyes.
"But productive."
A pause.
Then softly—
"…Goodnight."
Kamsi replied first. "Goodnight."
Massimo followed a moment later.
"…Goodnight."
And for a while, there was no noise.
No crowd.
No messages.
No attention.
Just three people in a room, resting before the next shift in their lives.
And somewhere in the back of Massimo's mind—
The idea of that quiet house waited.
Not as escape.
But as space.
The room had almost gone fully quiet again when Massimo spoke, his voice low and thoughtful.
"…It's been long since I sewed."
Clara opened one eye. "Since you what?"
Kamsi turned slightly. "Sewed?"
Massimo nodded once, as if confirming it for himself too.
"Yeah. Designing. Actual sewing. Working with fabric properly."
Clara sat up a little now, interest returning.
"Wait—your fashion thing?"
He hummed. "I stopped properly during the production period. Everything became sketches, meetings… no real hands-on work."
Kamsi leaned back slightly.
"That makes sense. You've been busy."
Massimo exhaled. "Too busy."
A short pause settled.
Then he added, "I'm starting again next week."
Clara blinked. "…Like fully?"
"Yeah," he said simply. "Back to it. Studio work, fittings, everything."
Clara slowly smiled. "So the Architect is returning to his actual craft."
Massimo gave a faint look at her. "Don't start with titles."
"I'm serious," she insisted. "You've been building everyone else's world. Time to build yours again."
Kamsi nodded quietly. "That's good for you."
Massimo didn't respond immediately.
He just looked down at his hands for a moment.
"…It feels overdue," he admitted.
Clara leaned back again, satisfied. "Good. Because I was starting to think you forgot you had a sewing machine."
"I didn't forget," he said calmly. "I just didn't have time to sit with it."
Kamsi added softly, "Now you will."
A comfortable silence followed.
Not heavy this time.
Just steady.
Like something had clicked into place.
Clara yawned. "Next week is going to be busy then."
Massimo nodded. "It will be."
Kamsi stood, switching off part of the lights.
"Then we should rest properly."
Clara pulled her blanket closer. "Yeah… because we're clearly entering another phase of life."
Massimo let out a quiet breath, almost a laugh. "…Another phase."
He leaned back fully this time.
Eyes closing for a moment.
Not tired.
Just… settled.
And for the first time, everything felt like it was moving forward again.