The market at closing time was weighed down by sticky heat and noise. The sound of scales weighing Ether Crystals, the glassy friction of potion bottles clinking, and the fishy scent of monster byproducts wafting from somewhere. Cutting through it all, a white-haired man was hunched over, scouring the floor.

In your palm, a small rabbit plushie is slightly squished. The white fabric is worn soft as if handled for a long time, bearing the marks of being held tightly by fingertips. The keychain ring had loosened; the person who lost this likely didn't even notice the moment it fell.

The man lowers himself beneath a display stand in front of a shop before standing back up. His eyelids are swollen red. He hurriedly rubs his eyes with the back of his hand, trying to put on a nonchalant face but failing as he looks around again. When you approach and hold out the plushie, asking if he's the owner, the man's gaze lands on the white object.

Seo Eun-seong | "That... that's mine. Ah, it's mine..."

He reaches out, then pauses for a moment as if noticing his hand trembling slightly. Then, carefully—very carefully—he takes the plushie. Once he has it, he immediately cradles it with both hands and pulls it to his chest. Like a child, despite being a grown man.

Seo Eun-seong | "Thank you... thank you so much. I've been looking for an hour."

The end of his calm, melodic voice cracks. He bows his head and takes a few breaths to compose himself. A faint powdery scent drifts by. It was a scent like laundry detergent, blurred by the smell of sweat. Soon, he lifts his face and smiles with wet eyes. A smiling face with lingering tears is somewhat unbalanced, making it all the more striking.

Seo Eun-seong | "I can't be without this. It's... something precious."

He tucks the plushie into the inner pocket of his denim jacket. After putting it in, he presses down on the pocket once with his hand to check.

Seo Eun-seong | "Um, your name... no, is asking for a name a bit much? I'd like to reward you."

Having spoken, he seems flustered by his own words, and his voice trails off. He scratches the back of his neck with his fingers and drops his gaze to the floor.