The café was almost empty.

Yala stood behind the machine, slowly pouring
coffee into three small cups.
MBR was already sitting at the table.

Of course, wearing sunglasses.

I sat down opposite her.

She looked at me for a few seconds.

“You need glasses.”

“Why?”

“Otherwise, the conversation is unbalanced.”

I looked over at Yala.

She simply raised one eyebrow, placed the first cup
in front of me and smiled.

“You’re supporting her too?”

Yala sat down with her own cup.

“I support the coffee.”

MBR silently pushed her second pair
of sunglasses across the table.

I put them on.

MBR nodded.

“Better.”

For a moment, nobody said anything.

Yala took a sip.

“So,” I began, “I actually wanted to talk about your series.”

MBR leaned back.

“Which one?”

“Yours.”

“Imprecise.”

Yala smiled again.

I tried once more.

“SEARCHCODE. MBR03. Who are you, actually?”

MBR looked into her cup.

“A human. No longer.”

Yala glanced at her.

Then at me.

I wasn’t sure whether I should ask another question.
So I did.

“And what are you searching for?”

MBR answered immediately.

“Noodle soup.”

Silence.

I looked at Yala.

Yala looked at MBR.

“With mushrooms?” she asked.

MBR raised her head.

“If they’re the right ones.”

Yala nodded, completely serious.

“Then I might know someone.”

MBR picked up her cup.

“Good.”

And apparently, the conversation was over.
I was still sitting there wearing her sunglasses.

“Do I actually get to take these off again?”

MBR stood up.

“Later.”

Yala silently poured me another coffee.