For dinner, the Corona Café had offered everyone a hot drink and a dish that could be cooked on gas chosen from the menu. Max had prepared everything with the help of Roelke, while Sonja stayed with the customers in case they needed anything, and was in charge of serving them.

They were understaffed and Bonnie's request had turned out to be rather complex, but Max loved to cook, and it had been a pleasure for him to do it, especially since the gas had given him a certain warmth in the environment which was starting to get colder and colder, in the absence of heating.

After dinner, he and Sonja had made makeshift beds both on the sofas and with the remaining blankets, and they were all trying to get some sleep.

But Max had forced himself to stay awake at least until everyone was asleep, to always stay alert.

At the moment he was tenderly observing his best friend, who had assured him shortly before that she would stay awake with him because "I know very well that you are too altruistic and you will stay up all night, Maximilian", and who was now sound asleep on a sofa with the blonde girl who had taken a liking to her and timidly asked her for warmth because she was really sensitive to the cold.

They were wrapped up in blankets like a large piece of sushi.

“Clover is really nice” he heard a voice with a marked German accent whisper next to him, and he turned abruptly towards the source from which it came, a Sonja wrapped in a blanket and leaning against the wall, looking at him with a slight smile and the pale face that stood out in the candlelight.

‘You're even nicer’ Max wanted to admit, but the words didn't seem to want to come out of his mouth, and he just nodded and smiled wider.

“Yes, she's a great person” he admitted, glancing at her again and not holding back a giggle as he noticed that she began to breathe more and more noisily.

“Have you been together for a long time?” Sonja asked, innocently, making Max turn towards her again, suddenly, confused.

“No!” he exclaimed hastily, trying to keep his tone low “I mean… we're not together. We're just friends” he added quickly, as if to justify himself for something. He didn't even know exactly why he felt the need.

“Oh I see. Sorry if I jumped to conclusions. It's just that you seem to have such great alchemy…” Sonja tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. Max couldn't see her well in the dark, but he could swear her face had turned a little redder.

“Well, we're friends. Best friends, since high school. But we have never been more than this. We are like siblings, in some ways” he explained, slipping on the floor in order to approach her to speak more softly so as not to wake anyone up.

“How wonderful. Old friendships are precious. I don't have many friends” Sonja admitted, pulling the blanket around her shoulders.

Touching her arm with his, Max realized she was shaking.

Maybe she wasn't used to the cold.

“If you want I'll let you meet the boys of the Corona Crew. They're always eager to make new friends” he proposed, getting closer to give her some warmth.

Sonja looked at him gratefully.

“That would be nice, but I don't think I'd be a good addition. I work a lot and I don't have much time to go out. I'd just be boring” she began to twist a blonde braid in her hands, uncomfortable “And also… it's not a good idea for me to merge in big groups…” she added, almost to herself.

“I don't consider you boring, but I understand that you may feel uncomfortable around so many people. In any case, we are friends, right?” he asked, smiling at her.

Sonja met his gaze, and reciprocated.

“I guess... I hope so… ja” she whispered hopefully.

“Then know that you can count on me, and if you want to get to know the others too, when you feel ready, it will be a pleasure for me to act as an intermediary” he encouraged her, taking off the blanket and putting it on her shoulders.

Sonja jumped slightly.

“Herr Sleefing! I can't… you need the blanket” the girl tried to object, pushing it back on his shoulders.

“Don't worry. I've had my fair share of winter nights with no heat. Now I can bear them without problems” he assured her.

It was true. Due to his family's limited funds, since Max was a little boy he had always put his brother and father first, and often gave up all his blankets and hot water bottles to Denny.

The cold no longer affected him.

“Are you sure?” Sonja asked, very uncertain, but comforted by the extra warmth.

“Absolutely. Keep it. And call me Max” he asked, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders.

Sonja approached him until she was completely leaning on him, probably to offer him warmth.

“Thanks… Max” she gave him a kiss on the cheek, and leaned on his shoulder, closing her eyes.

Max was red as a pepper, and his heart was pounding in his chest. Too fast. He hoped Sonja couldn’t hear it.

“Sonja, can I ask you a question?” he asked her in a barely audible whisper, and felt her nod against his shoulder.

“You are liking staying here?” he inquired, without knowing how to express the many questions he had for the girl. He wanted to get to know her better, but was afraid of being intrusive, or running into some cultural misunderstanding or unprofessional moments.

However, Sonja seemed to appreciate the question, and answered while remaining relaxed and with her eyes closed. Max felt her words more in her movements against him.

“More than I thought. The work is really rewarding. And you…” Sonja stopped for a moment.

He what? Was he bad? Needy? Too accommodating? Unprofessional? Max never got paranoid, since he let his brother do it for both of them, but Sonja had an aura that caused him discomfort and fear of not being enough. However, it wasn't the girl's fault, on the contrary, she was a reassuring type and never seemed to judge others. It was probably just Max making mental movies.

“…you are an excellent colleague. The best I could have” Sonja then concluded, reassuring him and placing her hand on Max's, who felt wrapped by new warmth.

“I’m… really happy to hear that” he thanked her, not holding back a really reassured smile, holding Sonja's hand in his own.

Before he could muster the courage to say anything else, Sonja's breathing began to settle, and Max returned to observe the rest of the room.

Clover was snoring loudly by now, but the little girl didn't seem to be affected and was sleeping without problems.

Bonnie had taken up all of the sofa she was supposed to share with the regular customer Max vaguely knew, who had been tossed onto the floor with little grace.

Mathi was facing up, and still seemed awake, though it was not quite definable by candlelight.

Roelke was sleeping on the floor, snoring herself.

The only one definitely awake was Max. And he was convinced that he wouldn't be able to sleep a wink, with Sonja so close to him. After little more than an hour of vigilance, however, he fell inexorably asleep, with his head resting on her friend's head and his hands still gripping hers.