Loading New World

New Game+: Truth and Connection

The last week of the term came faster than Jace expected.

The final version of the project was submitted. The group presentation was done. No one fainted. No one cried. (Not visibly, anyway.)

Now the classroom were quieter, the assignments fewer, and there was space – for once – for things to slow down.

And in that stillness, something else began to shift.

Not grades.

Not projects.

Something closer.

"Want to go back to the café?" Robin asked after class one afternoon.

It was cold outside, but they said it with that same soft certainty they always had – like the question wasn't an obligation, just a door Jace could walk through if he wanted.

He did.

They sat in the corner again, drinks in hand. This time, Jace got the cinnamon chai without asking what it was first.

Robin leaned back in the seat and sighed. "We survived."

"Barely."

"Still counts."

Jace smiled. "You thinking of joining the spring game jam?"

"Maybe. You?"

"Yeah. I think I want to try."

Robin looked at him for a moment. "You're different now. Not in a bad way. Just... I don't know. More here."

Jace stirred his drink. "I think I used to feel like I was watching my life happen. Like, behind glass."

"And now?"

"Now I still feel confused. Still overwhelmed. But I also... want to show up for it. Even the weird parts."

Robin nodded slowly. "That's really brave, you know."

Jace looked at them.

Really looked.

Robin's fingers were wrapped around their mug. Their eyes were tired but kind. There was a small pixel heart pin on their lanyard.

"Can I tell you something kind of scary?" Jace asked.

"Always."

"I think I... like you. More than just friends. And it's okay if you don't feel the same. But I needed to say it."

There. Said.

The world didn't explode. The floor didn't open up and eat him.

Robin blinked once, then smiled – soft and real.

"I was waiting for you to say that."

Jace's breath caught.

"Really?"

"Yeah. You're not the only one figuring stuff out. But... I like you too."

They didn't kiss.

They didn't need to.

It was enough to sit there, hearts loud, drinks half-finished, not hiding anything.

It was enough to be seen.

Later that night, Jace opened his phone again. But instead of updating the same note, he made a new one:

Day 30 – New World+

"Told the truth"

"Wasn't rejected"

"Wasn't too much"

"Maybe I deserve this"