Julian leaned in, his eyes sparking. For the next three hours, they weren't strangers or a transaction. They were a debate team on fire. They covered everything from the heat death of the universe to why pineapple on pizza is a culinary crime.

At 11:00 PM, a chime sounded from both their phones. The session was over.

Julian stood up, smoothing his coat. The "Intellectual Grump" mask slipped for a fraction of a second, replaced by something softer—tired, maybe. "Good debate, Maya," he said. "Same time next Tuesday?" she asked, half-joking.