Time had a funny way of changing people.

After the battle with the Demon Warlock, Aphmau had left MyStreet behind, choosing to go by Ava instead. Somewhere along the way, she'd met five daemos—Pierce, Rhys, Noi, Asch, and Leif—and somehow found herself calling them family.

Life moved on.

So had Ein... or at least, he tried to.

The boy who had once manipulated everyone with the Forever Potion was gone. In his place was someone quieter. Kinder. Someone who poured his heart into music instead of revenge.

His wolf ears and tail had somehow returned, though neither he nor anyone else knew how. His left eye remained an unnatural emerald green—a permanent reminder of the Forever Potion—while his right stayed its original gray.

No matter how much he'd changed...

He still couldn't bring himself to face the people he'd hurt.

So he didn't.

He kept his distance from Ava, Aaron, Zane, Kawaii~Chan, Kim... everyone.

Today had been simple. He'd finally finished recording the last song for his newest album and decided to celebrate with a stop at a local ice cream shop.

Cone in hand, headphones around his neck, he rounded a corner—

Thump.

"Oh—sorry, I wasn't—"

His words died in his throat.

"...Aphmau?"

The girl blinked.

For a split second, neither of them moved.

Then her face lit up.

"Ein?!"

His stomach dropped.

Every instinct screamed at him to apologize.

To run.

To do... something.

Instead, he stood frozen, wolf ears pinned flat against his head while his tail instinctively tucked behind one leg.

"...I..." His voice caught. "...Sorry."

The apology was barely louder than a whisper.

Ava studied him for a long moment.

Then she smiled—warmly.

"It's Ava now."

Ein blinked.

"...Ava?"

"Long story."

Silence settled between them.

"...Congratulations on the new album," she said suddenly.

He looked up in surprise.

"...You listened to it?"

"I've listened to all of them."

"...What?"

"I even preordered this one."

His brain completely stalled.

"...You... bought my album?"

She laughed.

"Of course I did."

He couldn't understand it.

After everything he'd done...

Why was she smiling at him?

Why wasn't she angry?

Before he could ask, Ava gently nudged his shoulder.

"C'mon."

"...Where?"

"My apartment."

"...Why?"

"Because you've spent long enough avoiding everyone."

Ein visibly paled.

"...Everyone?"

"Mhm."

"...As in Aaron?"

"...No."

"Zane?"

"Nope."

"Kawaii~Chan?"

"Nuh-uh."

He let out a relieved sigh.

"I'm living with five daemos now."

"...Five what?"

"Oh, you'll see."

"...Ava."

"Yep?"

"I don't like that smile."

"You will."

"...That's somehow more concerning."

Still clutching his slowly melting ice cream, Ein reluctantly followed after her.

For the first time in years...

He was finally going to stop running.