Chapter 7 – What’s been going on so far?
For the first time in months, the factory manages to reduce the number of defective parts. The moment Rayco finds out, he flies into a rage and goes looking for Abián to demand an explanation. Abián, meanwhile, has gone home in shock after receiving his university dismissal letter. Rayco ends up forcing him to throw up after he overdoses on pills, then stays by his side while Abián breaks down in tears, questioning his purpose and identity.
The next day, after an argument over the defects, Abián shows up at Rayco’s house with a cake as a peace offering. There he meets the worker’s family, and Rayco invites him to the barbecue he’s hosting on Saturday for his sister’s birthday.
The barbecue unfolds amid the high-energy chaos of Rayco’s Gomero family. The obvious chemistry between the engineer and the factory worker does not go unnoticed by Jara, who manages to get Rayco alone to express her frustration over his erratic behavior at work in recent weeks, as well as his romantic inclinations.
Later, in the privacy of Sunday, Rayco and Abián confess their admiration for each other.
Abián
32 y.o. || 191cm (6’3″)|| 11 November || Scorpio ♏︎
A PhD engineer in charge of the coupling phase. He spent a long time pursuing Atteneri, convinced she was the “perfect” girlfriend by his standards. He has spent his entire life living up to other people’s expectations, to the point that his own identity and desires have become blurred.
Like any Spanish guy in his thirties, he plays padel. His ham croquettes are unbeatable.
Rayco
33 y.o. || 186cm (6’1″) || 25 April || Taurus ♉︎
Team leader for the coupling phase. He climbs into other people’s houses through the balcony with alarming ease.
He is obsessed with admiring and being admired in his romantic relationships. A growing tendency toward jealousy and control begins to surface, tied to his insecurities and low self-esteem.
Like any Spanish guy in his thirties, he plays padel. He has a neurodivergent sister, a loud, butch mother, and a ficus-like father he loves dearly.
Supporting characters
Jara – Head of engineering. It took her seven episodes to realize Abián and Rayco are sleeping together.
Now she finally understands why the two of them keep randomly disappearing from the factory, and she is not taking it well.
Joan – Quality engineer. He kept his promise to buy sandwiches for everyone.
Ale – Preparation-phase engineer. She can read your cards at weddings, baptisms, communions, and family barbecues.
Carme – Post-processing engineer. She has a talent for hitting a nerve.
Abián’s Father – Professor at the university where Abián also worked. He forced Abián out of the university under pressure from his former daughter-in-law.
His son is his greatest source of pride, but he is old-fashioned and does not tell him nearly often enough.
Atteneri – Abián’s ex-fiancée. Highly demanding and ambitious. It took Abián a long time to get her to agree to a first date, but in the end he lived up to her expectations. She has convinced her former father-in-law to push Abián out of the university for good.
Conchi – Abián’s next-door neighbor. She has a dog named Calabacín.
She has a knack for being in exactly the right place at the right time to help Abián and Rayco’s relationship move forward.
Rob – A worker on Rayco’s team. He’s a bit slow on the uptake, but he’s really nice.
Anna – A worker on Rayco’s team. Probably a bit of a fujoshi.
Zucchini – Conchi’s dachshund. Her favorite show is “Vice and Lust Among Volcanoes.”
She’s really into her new neighbor.
Frank and Xavi – Workers on Rayco’s team. Willing to do whatever it takes for a free mortadella sandwich.
Popi and Crunch – A human sorceress and a half-orc barbarian who occasionally team up to earn some coin. They met years ago during the Papitas Arrugadas Rebellion. Crunch does 200 burpees every day at 5:30 a.m. He does it as consistently as Abián reminds you that he has a PhD.
Brisa – Rayco’s younger sister. She calls Rayco “Chichi.” Hyperactive and loud, like all the women in the family.
Chichi’s mother – Hyperactive, shameless, and loud. She will not hesitate to steal the cake you made for your boyfriend if that boyfriend is her son.
Chichi’s dad – A very gentle, ficus-like father. He does not talk much because his wife and daughter never give him the chance.
PMR Patri 