The studio lights shimmered softly across the surface of the worktable as the night unfolded in quiet calm. Amid scattered sketches, rough-cut diamonds, and color swatches, Evelyn sat with a serious yet peaceful expression.

Across from her, Haruki tucked a pencil behind his ear. “I still prefer this one,” he said, pointing to a design—two rings with asymmetrical cuts that completed each other when joined.

Evelyn offered a faint smile. “You like things that aren't perfect, huh?”

“Because only the imperfect can ever be truly honest.”

That answer made Evelyn look at Haruki longer than she probably should have. Then she turned back to her sketches and murmured, “Maybe that’s...