A while later, the sound of running water filled the room. Emerging from the bathroom, he dabbed at his damp face with a towel, now in a loose shirt and shorts. Just then, his phone buzzed on the desk. He glanced over, walking to pick it up, fingers brushing the device as his heart skipped, eyes lighting up at the name glowing on the screen. 

Reina.

The phone buzzed in his hand, and without a second’s hesitation, he swiped to answer, bringing it to his ear. 

“Reina?” His voice softened in an instant, the fatigue from earlier melting away.

“Ryo,” her voice chimed sweetly on the other end, warm and gentle. “I was just thinking about you. Did you get home safely?” 

He leaned back against the desk, a faint smile curving his lips. “Yeah, I just got in. Long day, but… hearing your voice makes it worth it.”

A soft laugh drifted through the line. “You always say things like that. Do you ever get tired of flirting with me?”

“Not in this lifetime,” he teased, closing his eyes. “Besides, it’s not flirting if I mean every word.”

Her silence lingered for a moment, and then she whispered, “You’re too smooth for your own good, you know that?”

“Maybe,” he said, shifting onto the bed and lying down again, phone cradled to his ear. “But I only want to be smooth for you.”

On the other end, she giggled softly, her tone melting into something tender. “You’re impossible… but I love that about you.”

His chest warmed at her words. “And I love you, Reina. Even on the worst days, you’re the one thing I never get tired of.”

The line went quiet for a beat, but he could hear her steady breathing, could almost picture her smiling shyly. Finally, she whispered back, “I love you too, Ryo… always.”

He closed his eyes, letting her words sink into him, a quiet peace settling over his heart, then shifted on the bed, lying on his side with one arm propping up his head. “So, what were you really calling me for? You missed me, didn’t you?”

Reina let out a small laugh. “Confident, aren’t you?”

“Well,” he grinned, “I’m not wrong, am I?”

“Hmph… maybe a little,” she admitted, her voice carrying that playful edge. “But only because you skipped out on the opening ceremony this morning. Everyone noticed.”

Ryo winced, running a hand through his silver-blue hair. “Ouch. Straight to the guilt trip, huh?”

“You deserve it,” she teased. “Can you believe Misora almost chewed me out just because I grumbled about the tailcoat? Honestly, it screams your style, not mine.” She puffed her cheeks in protest.

He chuckled softly, rolling onto his back. “I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”

“Oh?” Reina’s tone shifted, curious. “And how exactly are you planning to do that?”

Ryo smirked at the ceiling; his voice low but playful. “Dinner. Just you and me. No patrols, no interruptions. I’ll cook for you.”

Her laugh sparkled through the phone. “You? Cooking? I don’t know if I should be touched or terrified.”

“Hey! I’m not that bad,” he protested, pretending to sound offended. “I can make instant ramen like a pro.”

“That’s not cooking, Ryo,” she giggled, her voice softening. “But… if it’s with you, I guess I’ll eat anything.”

His heart skipped, and he turned his head into the pillow, grinning like an idiot. “Careful, Reina. You say things like that, and I might just fall for you all over again.”

A pause stretched, and then her voice lowered, gentle and sincere. “Then keep falling. Because I’ll always be here to catch you.”

Ryo’s smile melted into something softer, more vulnerable. “You really don’t play fair, you know that?”

“Why’s that?”

“Because every time you say something like that… I don’t ever want to hang up.”

Reina’s laugh was tender, almost shy. “Then don’t. Just stay with me like this a little longer.”

“…Always,” Ryo whispered, closing his eyes, the sound of her breathing through the line lulling him into calm.

“Let’s put all that aside for now. About this morning… I was honestly nervous speaking to the newbies, but somehow, I managed to say a few things,” Reina admitted, her voice carrying a playful lilt.

“Yeah, I heard. Raito mentioned it—you covered everything. Said you did great.”

“Eh?! Raito said that about me? No way! Ahh, I’m so relieved~!” she giggled, and the sound made Ryo’s lips soften into a smile.

“…I also met her today, on my way home,” he added after a pause, the silence between them stretching briefly.

“I see,” Reina murmured. “So, what’s your impression?”

Ryo leaned back, closing his eyes with a small smile. “She’s alright… maybe a bit sharp around the edges.”

“That’s Aoi for you,” Reina giggled knowingly.

“Ryo! Dinner’s ready!” his mother’s voice called from downstairs.

“I’ll be right there! I’m on a call!” he replied, swinging his legs to the floor.

“I should go, love. Mom’s calling us to eat.”

“Okay. We’ll see each other tomorrow, right?”

“Of course. Good night. I love you.” His voice softened.

“I love you too. Oh, and greet Mrs. Kazehaya for me,” she teased warmly.

“Will do.” With that, he ended the call, his smile lingering as he headed for the door. Jogging down the stairs, he spotted his brother already at the table, while their mother set down a steaming stew pot.

“Was that Reina?” their mother asked, her tone laced with excitement.

“Yup! She told me to say hi to you,” Ryo grinned, dropping into a seat.

“Ooh, I’ve missed that sweet girl! When is she visiting again?” she giggled, settling beside him.

Raito groaned from across the table. “Can we just eat already?”

“Now, Raito, don’t sound so cold whenever Reina’s name comes up,” their mother chided gently, handing him a plate. He clasped his hands quickly and dove in without hesitation.

“Let him be, Mom. He won’t be saying that once he finally gets a girlfriend,” Ryo smirked.

“Yeah, like that’s ever happening,” Raito mumbled through a mouthful of food.

Ryo chuckled, shaking his head. “Hopeless as always.”

His brother rolled his eyes, focused only on his meal. Ryo’s gaze drifted to the window, a soft warmth tugging at his expression before he finally turned back to eat.