1 Chapter 1

"So, how's the date?"

Wolfram raises his head. With bed hair still on his head, Sam's grin isn't enough to divert Wolfram's attention from that messy hair. It's not even morning anymore, so how come the bed hair still on Sam's head?

"She stood me up, I think. She didn't show up."

"Dude, how many times in a row by now? How come every single woman ran away from you after the second date? What did you do?"

Wolfram chuckles and ignores it, returns his attention back to the chipset in his grip. He doesn't really want to talk about his love affair at work, but Sam is never on the same boat when it comes to gossip. Especially if the topic is about him being dumped by countless girls introduced to him. If he keeps silent and pretends like he doesn't hear it, Sam will repeat the questions louder, attracting more attention. He really doesn't want more distraction when he's already turning his brain upside down fixing this small component.

"I did nothing," Wolfram says in the end, "not I can think of."

"Ha! If you did nothing, how come they're running away?"

"You have to ask them that, not me. I'm not the one being stood."

Sam gives him a look. "Maybe you're not that great in bed?"

"I never went that far, you know."

"You're not impotent, are you?"

"Do you want to see?"

Sam puts on a disgusted face and waves his hand, stopping Wolfram who's already about to unzip his pants.

"They're all gorgeous and clearly interested! So why?"

"They're beautiful, yes. Just not my type."

"What's your type?"

"I don't know. I never think about it."

"Dude!"

"Say," Wolfram raises his head again. Despite his gaze remains gentle, his words are the total opposite, "How long are you planning to gossip here? Have you done your part? Tomorrow is the deadline and I won't cover you. I have to go to the site after this."

With unsatisfied grumbles, Sam stands and leaves. He is still shouting more words about wanting to hear the details, but Wolfram is already busy with his own work to bother. If he feels like it, he will talk during their lunch break. But for now, this tiny machine in his grip is more than enough to give him a headache.

"Wolfram, there's a package from… Where is this? Did you buy another piece of equipment?"

"Yes, thank you. Please put it there."

The small box in Louis hand is heavy, much heavier than it looks. She feels curious, but not stupid enough to open other's belonging without permission. She saw Sam was here before, but the blonde is nowhere to be seen. Did Wolfram chase him away?

"Where's Sam?"

"Work."

"You chased him?"

"I asked him to work, you know."

"Well, I saw him here a few minutes ago." Wolfram doesn't react, so she continues. "Say, how was your date?"

"...Why are you asking that too?"

"Sam asked you already? He should wait for me, that bastard."

"Am I you two's source of gossip or what?"

"Hahaha. I mean, you always have interesting stories."

"Don't have fun on someone else's misery, geez."

"Oh? So this time is a no as well?"

Wolfram shook his head as an answer. Louis watches how Wolfram focuses on the chipset while maintaining the conversation he obviously doesn't want to have. His hands keep moving, Louis can only see his brunette head from her current position. Smells of the hair products he regularly uses are filling her nostrils. It sends something into her.

Like Sam and any other soul who knows about Wolfram's love life, she wonders what part of him is wrong. After years of being coworkers, she couldn't find any side of him to hate. Wolfram is gentle, caring, quick on his feet, loved by coworkers and clients, he's like those unreal characters from a romance novel. Too perfect.

Though if one sees his failure romance, guess he isn't that perfect after all.

"Do you need anything?"

"Not really. I like watching you work."

Wolfram raises an eyebrow. "What about your own work?"

"I've done my part. Now waiting for evaluation."

"I see."

Wolfram reaches for the package Louis brought. Upon opening the box, disappointment was visible on his masculine visage. Louis knows what it means, she's been seeing that same expression for weeks, ever since his equipment broke and can no longer work.

"Not the one you want?"

"Yeah… I guess I can't really believe something cheap on the internet."

"How much you spent this time?"

"More than usual."

"It's not cheap! Soon enough, you're gonna spend more than the cost of new ones. Why don't you just buy it from that store?"

"I can't afford it, Louis."

"Ah…"

"No use to complain, is it?"

"You can complain to the store. It's considered a scam, isn't it?"

"I don't want to waste my time in endless arguments."

"You're too kind."

Wolfram smiles and uses the toolset he just bought. Louis knows cheap tools won't hold on, as the works they handle are really harder than it seems. She's tempted to buy it for Wolfram, but chokes on her spit when she first heard how much it costs. For general workers like them, it's not something their salary can afford.

"Wolfram."

"Mm?"

"...No, nothing. Don't work too hard."

Louis pats his shoulder and leaves. As much as she wants to be the one for Wolfram, she's not the type to push her ways and exploit his weakness. She's not that heartless.

=====

"So!" Sam roughly puts his plate in front of Wolfram, ignoring the annoyed look from their surroundings. "Lunch break is here, no work-related topic will be discussed!"

"...And?"

"Tell me about the date."

Wolfram sighs. The cafeteria is always busy at lunchtime, thus he chooses to have his break there instead of his usual bistro across the road. To avoid getting caught by Sam.

"What do you want to hear, actually? She didn't show up. There is no story."

"Yeah, but there must be a reason why? I mean, you surely plan it ahead to meet?"

"Mm, kind of."

"You did or she did?"

"She did. We've been busy with the maintenance system, remember? I really didn't have the time to check my phone."

"And so you ignored her?"

"I replied to her text when I returned home."

"We literally spent the night in the office. When did you even return home?"

"To get more change of clothes?"

"Forget the unimportant details. And then? She asked you to meet?"

"I think so. She was being vague."

"If I know you're not into her, Imma take her."

"Actually, I was wondering why you introduced her to me."

"She asked me about you after that blind date."

"I see."

"You're not interested?"

Wolfram thinks for a moment.

"I guess… not that much."

Sam stares at him while munching down the beef. He knows a few men who don't seem to be interested much with girls. Yet their preference is easy to tell. Wolfram has been with many types of girls, from a rich young lady to a street seller, yet Wolfram still acts the same towards them.

"You don't swing that way, right?"

"No, I don't think so. Seeing a woman's body still makes me hard."

"I wonder what's wrong with your head."

Wolfram smiles. "Is it really important? To have a lover, I mean."

"The thing is, you always look lonely."

"...am I?"

"Wolfie, we've been friends for… how many years has it been? You always have that look. You're a great guy, alright? You're kind, and everybody likes you. But your gaze is dim. I just thought maybe if you have a girl or two, you won't have that dead fish's eyes anymore."

Wolfram doesn't answer. His gaze focuses on the tray in front of him.

"Say, Wolfie. How do you see this world?"

"How… I wonder." Wolfram raises his head and smiles, his usual gentle smile.

"You're right. I don't find any excitement in my life."