LENAMIU | THIS MEANS NOTHING... RIGHT? (COMPLETED)

Chapter 1: She Wasn't Supposed to Reply

“Gosh, it’s already the second quarter and we still don’t have a love life.”

Bam didn’t just say it, she performed it, dragging her hand across her forehead like a veteran of heartbreak, like the office air itself had personally betrayed her.

“A few months from now, it’s Christmas again.” She continued, voice thick with accusation.

“Do you know how many grapes I’ve eaten under the table every New Year? I’ve followed every superstition. Every. Single. One.”

She sat up, pointing at no one and everyone.

“Twelve grapes. Jumping at midnight. Wearing polka dots. I even tried that thing where you open all the doors so love can ‘enter.’”

A beat.

“Nothing entered, by the way. Not even a text.”

Pete snorted, leaning back in his chair.

“You sound like you’re filing a formal complaint against destiny.”

“I am.” Bam shot back instantly.

“At this point, I deserve compensation.”

She leaned back again, staring at the ceiling like she was waiting for divine accountability.

“Still no one to kiss under the mistletoe. Do you understand the emotional damage?”

Pete shook his head, amused.

“You’re so dramatic.”

Then, like it was the most obvious solution in the world, he tilted his head toward Miu.

“Why don’t you just ask her? People fall for her even when she doesn’t try.”

A pause.

“Or worse... when she’s not even aware it’s happening.”

Bam’s head snapped toward Miu.

Pete continued, warming up now.

“Yesterday at the conference? Someone already liked her just because of her speaking voice. Can you believe it?”

That landed. Not loudly. But enough.

Both of them turned, slowly, deliberately, toward Miu.

Miu didn’t look up.

Her fingers moved steadily across the keyboard, calm, precise, like this conversation existed in a completely different dimension.

“I can hear you, guys.” She said flatly.

“In case you forgot.”

Bam blinked.

Pete blinked twice.

Then Bam leaned forward, narrowing her eyes.

“And you’re just going to sit there like that’s normal?”

Miu kept typing.

“It is normal.”

Pete let out a short laugh.

“See? This is what I mean. She doesn’t even react. That’s the problem.”

“Problem?” Miu repeated, finally pausing, just barely.

She didn’t look at them yet.

“Or... boundary?”

That made Bam sit up straighter.

“Oh, don’t start with your philosophical answers. We’re talking about romance, not life principles.”

Before Miu could respond... Pete suddenly straightened.