The morning after that day, Siiri woke up lying on the bed that used to belong to Lauri but that he had kindly offered her, exchanging it for the guest chair. He had arrived so late that we had not felt his arrival, or perhaps he had simply crept in.

She was dressed as she had been the night before, which made Lauri somewhat suspicious. But she didn't want to dig too deep. He left her lying there and started making breakfast for everyone. She made a strange stew that had different meats and vegetables dipped in barbecue sauce, to that stew she used to say tortilla, although... she didn't really know exactly where she got that name.

He also sent the typical good morning message to Ruth, a text full of nice words.

And I saw the Universe of Siiri pass by, which had already woken up and was heading for the courtyard. I ran to it and stopped it. This one, only saw me smiling, as always... traveller of the clouds and thoughts.

-Were you with Risto? -I asked.

-Yes, for him it was yesterday's cake. Siiri got worried, he thought he might get depressed, you know he likes to give food to people he loves...

-She likes Risto?

Siiri's Universe changed its expression, seeing me upset and missed for the first time in so many years. And that made me feel a little uncomfortable and stupid...

-No, Risto is not at all his type... or so he's told me. Besides, if it turned out that he always liked it, we wouldn't have any say in it.

-You're still communicating with Siiri? You must stop, she'll go crazy...

-She won't, she doesn't think so, so there's no power to affect her... Siiri has only positive thoughts...

-Lauri doesn't want them to be a couple and that's my job. So, you better not let them become boyfriend and girlfriend -I commented aggressively- Are you listening to me?

-Well, who understands, he doesn't want her by his side and he doesn't want her with anyone else.

-And why did you come so late? -I don't know.

-I don't give out private information about my human and his life.

-Forget it, you and Siiri are just as unbearable.

I looked at his bedroom door. Siiri had finally emerged from the smell of food emanating from his kitchen. He carved his eyes with his arm and then squeezed them with his hand, as if they hurt.

-What happened to you? -Lauri asked.

Siiri was silent...

-Hey Siiri, yesterday... -continued Lauri.

-You don't have to explain anything to me.

-I have a couple of doubts. Explain? -he asked in astonishment.

-Yes, I know, you wanted privacy to be with your girlfriend -he gave her a strange look.

-Well, that's the thing about growing up. How much did you do yesterday? You look terrible... and you smell strange.

-Strange?

-A... tobacco... alcohol... I don't know, but what if someone accuses you...

-No one's going to accuse me of anything, plus it's none of your business.

-Of course it is... -He said- You're my little sister.

-It's not like that, and once you go to America there won't be anyone left for me...

-My grandparents, -he interrupted- say they have no problem receiving you here. Just don't go sticking to the Valos. I don't think they'll be good company for you.

-Why not? -she exclaimed thoughtfully- Why do people always take what's mine? --she said, turning to look at it.

Lauri remained silent, waiting for someone to interrupt that conversation. The whole house felt tense, with the noise of the hands of the clock in every corner, and suddenly, they knocked on the door three times in a row.

Siiri grimaced and headed for the door. It was Ruth who had come to Lauri's house for breakfast and had brought an apple pie to accompany her.

-Look at you. -exclaimed Siiri- In that red coat, and that pie, any wolf would say you were Little Red Riding Hood.

Siiri opened the mosquito net door and let her in, trying to keep her smile and her eyes alive while Ruth was nearby. And he gave big, strong, unmistakably marked sighs.

Siiri didn't want to force things, let alone spoil them. She wanted to be a good loser, but she was also tired of always losing. So, she locked herself in her room without making any noise.

-Where are your grandparents? -Ruth asked.

-They get up late, I always get up early to make breakfast for everyone. Especially when Siiri is hanged over or asleep.

-Has she drunk anyhthing? What if she is accused?

-I just told her that, but I have no idea who she was with or what she was doing, she wouldn't tell me anything.

Ruth helped Lauri with the preparation of lunch, while they were cooking and the oil was frying the food, there was again a knock on the door. Lauri stopped for a moment, without saying a word and with a face of dread, he went to the door waiting for what he knew would become a nightmare.

As he opened the door and peeked out behind the screen, it didn't take a second for him to slam the door again. And again without a word he walked a few steps towards his kitchen.

-Who was it? Why did you slam the door in his face? -Ruth asked, confused.

-It was nobody... -cut Lauri.

After saying that again there were a few knocks on the door, this time louder and more desperate.

-Who is it? He must be desperate -insisted Ruth.

-It's... -exclaimed Lauri with annoyance.

The silhouette of Siiri rushed out of her room, barefoot like an ashtray. The scene was so fast that they hardly seemed to have seen her. Neither of them dared say a word. Nevertheless, Ruth left her breakfast halfway through, and walked away from the utensils into the living room. Lauri was holding on tightly to the kitchen bar, making a show of courage.

I am his Universe, I know everything, I see everything, and deep down he knew what would happen, and he wanted to turn back time - but in life, as in games, once you are inside you are only stronger and smarter than the enemy.

I walked into the room, too... I found Ruth petrified at such a scene, unable to make a sound, unable to even move. When I could look at what I was observing I was frozen in the same way.

Siiri hanging from Risto's neck as they both hugged dramatically in the entrance of Lauri's house. Siiri tearing up, and Risto with his eyes closed and, with a fascinating smile on his face that possibly no one had ever seen before.

Risto's Universe was eating popcorn from a bowl he had created with his energy and magic. It seemed to be true, he enjoyed eating popcorn as he watched his human's life unfold before his eyes. Ruth's Universe shuddered as he looked at her, and the world seemed to stop for long seconds.

When Risto opened his eyes, he turned to see Ruth, still with that strange smile on his face. Ruth was surprised and gave a little jump of impression. Risto only gave her a sign of silence, taking his index finger up to his mouth.

Ruth slowly backed up, walking backwards until she came across a lump with feet, my human, Lauri. Who was also petrified at the sight of the scene.

Ruth quietly took him by the arm and brought him into the kitchen, leaving Siiri and Risto alone in the living room.

-What was that? -exclaimed Lauri.

-I told you... -Ruth muttered- Something told me they were up to something, but I didn't think...

-It happened so fast?

-Yes, that's right. I guess you didn't either...

-I didn't even think about the possibility that it might happen... Risto is not Siiri's type.

-Risto is the type of everyone -exclaimed Ruth, somewhat annoyed.

-What's your obsession with Risto? If this were a book or a film it would probably be called "Everybody Loves Risto".

-It's not funny. If I agree to be your girlfriend it's because I love you, I just want you to understand, what even I don't understand. At what point did you fall in love?

Lauri put out the entire kitchen fire, concluding with breakfast, and sat on the floor, not wanting to move from there, looking into the living room wondering what was going on.

I, as a good Universe, moved away for a moment from the tense situation in the kitchen and floated towards the living room, however, halfway through, the Universe of Siiri stopped me by standing in front of me, just like the Universe of Risto. With a determined look and arms crossed they stood in front of me.

-Step aside! -I exclaimed.

-You are not going anywhere; your human made a decision and ours made a decision and no one will ruin their moment.

-Lauri doesn't want you to be together.

-Two against one, -exlaimed Risto's Universe.

Unfortunately, it made sense and reason, they applied one of the biggest rules about me, with no way to corrupt it. Meanwhile, all I could do was listen to Ruth and Lauri argue in the kitchen.

-Why are you so upset?

-I wouldn't be so upset if it wasn't him, but we both know what's going to happen... he'll play her and then throw her.

-How can you be so sure?

-He's not that kind of guy? -Lauri asked, smiling and raising his eyebrows- Didn't he kiss you yesterday and today he's in the living room doing I have no idea what with my stepsister?

Ruth remained quiet and made fists on the skirt of her dress. She squeezed her mouth, trying not to let a single rash word come out of it.

And then, the sound of her grandparents' old piano began to emanate around Lauri's little house. Risto's favorite melody, Nocturne, was played all over the house. Ruth felt her heart break when she heard it, she was so old that Risto had stopped playing it for her. And Lauri was filled with fury imagining the purpose of the song.

I really wanted to know what was going on, I wanted to go out and break down the piano, get acne all over their faces, and finally destroy their whole romantic atmosphere.

-I'm out... -said Ruth, reaching into her purse.

-Wait... Where are you going?

-To my house, to the park I don't know, but I'm not staying here. Coming?

-Let's go... -Lauri concluded.

For the first time in their lives, Ruth and Lauri covered their ears to the deafening classical music coming from Risto's hands.