Sunlight spilled through the wide glass windows of Sunny Again Tomorrow Coffee Shop, casting golden beams across the polished wooden floors. Outside, the world moved slowly, cars rolled by, trees swayed gently in the early breeze but inside the café, it was quiet, peaceful. The scent of freshly ground beans lingered in the air, mingling with the warmth of baked pastries resting behind a glass counter.

Maya sat across from Jay at a small table tucked near the window. The table wobbled slightly every time she shifted her weight, but she didn't mind. Her eyes wandered, taking in the soft ambiance. The walls were painted a pale, cheerful yellow, adorned with framed photos of smiling customers and sunflowers in mason jars. A barista wiped the counter absentmindedly, humming a soft tune under her breath. Only two other customers sat in the corner, both men dressed in crisp business suits, shoulders hunched as they focused on their phones, silent and isolated despite sitting side by side.

Jay's voice drew her back to the moment. "It won't be hard finding a job with your qualifications," he said, flipping through the documents with an impressed look.

Maya's hands rested in her lap, fingers woven tightly together. She tried not to look as anxious as she felt, though her leg bounced ever so slightly under the table. She glanced down at the folder of her human-world credentials, wondering if any of this would matter in the grand design of her final test.

"As a matter of fact," Jay added with a light chuckle, "I have a few ideas already—but let's talk over coffee, shall we?"

He gestured toward the barista, who promptly set down her cleaning rag and approached their table. She wore a brown apron embroidered with the coffee shop's logo, her dark hair pulled back into a messy bun.

"Good morning, welcome to Sunny Again Tomorrow! We hope your day is bright," she said with practiced cheerfulness, pulling a notepad from her apron pocket. Her warm demeanor felt oddly soothing to Maya.

Jay smiled. "Good morning. I'll have a cup of espresso, please." He turned to Maya, his gaze expectant. "What would you like? Coffee's on me today."

Maya hesitated. She had heard about coffee in her preparatory studies—bitter, aromatic, strangely addictive—but never tried it. Still, declining felt impolite. She matched Jay's smile and turned to the waitress.

"I'd like a café latte," she said carefully.

"Coming right up. One espresso and one latte." The waitress gave a nod and walked away.

Maya's gaze followed her. The movements of the café intrigued her. It was all so human—routine, ordinary, and yet beautiful in its simplicity. A world of tiny rituals she didn't quite understand yet.

She glanced down at her untouched cup when the drinks arrived, the steam rising in delicate swirls. The scent was rich and foreign, inviting but slightly intimidating. She wrapped her hands around the ceramic cup, letting the heat seep into her skin.

"I work at a company called Steel Enterprise," Jay began, taking a sip of his espresso with evident pleasure. "I'm an accountant there, and, well, lately my work has been piling up."

Maya blinked, her interest piqued. "Why is that?"

Jay sighed, leaning back in his seat. "There's been... issues with the personal secretaries. My boss—Mr. Steel—isn't exactly the easiest person to work with. He doesn't yell, not exactly, but he's got this cold, intense aura about him. He's the type who gets irritated at the smallest things."

Maya tilted her head. "How small?"

Jay smirked. "One of them was let go for arranging his desk the wrong way. Another lasted only three days."

She winced. "Is he that bad?"

"I don't think he's cruel," Jay replied thoughtfully, "just...particular. He values space and competence above all else. The role's been vacant for a while now, and honestly, it's starting to affect everyone's workload, mine included."

Maya processed the information quietly. Her heart thudded with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. A vacancy in a company nearby? It felt like the test was giving her a nudge.

"You think I'd be a good fit?" she asked, still not having tasted her coffee.

Jay nodded. "You're more than qualified. But I won't lie—it's not a walk in the park."

Maya offered a small smile, her fingers brushing the rim of her latte. "I think I'd be able to survive."

He raised an eyebrow, amused. "So, you're interested?"

"Yes. How do I apply?"

Jay grinned, pleased. "You don't have to. Just show up tomorrow at eight. I'll send your credentials to Mr. Steel."

Relief washed over her like a wave. Her first real lead. Her first real step. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't entirely lost in this new world.

Jay raised his cup with a toast-like flourish. "Here's to working with you."

She raised her cup slowly. "Here's to working with you too."

Around them, the café had filled with a quiet buzz. More customers streamed in, their voices mingling with the sound of the espresso machine and soft indie music floating from overhead speakers. Maya took a tentative sip of her latte, and her eyes widened in surprise.

It was sweet, smooth, and warm. It filled her in a way she hadn't expected. Coffee, she realized, might just become her new favorite morning ritual.

As she took another sip, her heartbeat just a little faster—not out of fear, but anticipation.

Tomorrow, she would step into the next chapter of her human test.

And for once, she felt ready

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