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The streets of Kyoto stretched ahead, calm under the soft glow of streetlights. 

Arin walked beside Ren, but each step seemed slightly heavier than the last. 

Her shoulders slumped, and the subtle sway of her steps betrayed the exhaustion she tried to hide.

Ren noticed immediately. 

He didn’t comment at first, but subtly slowed his pace, letting her match his stride. 

When she stumbled slightly over an uneven patch of pavement, he reached out, letting a hand brush lightly against her elbow. 

「気をつけて。」

(“Careful.”) he murmured, voice soft, almost more to himself than to her.

Arin gave a faint, tired smile, barely audible. 

“…I’m fine.” she whispered, though her voice lacked conviction.

The journey continued in quiet companionship. 

Neither spoke much—words seemed unnecessary against the rhythm of their steps.

Ren adjusted his pace again, moving closer so that he could subtly support her if she needed it. 

Her eyes occasionally fluttered shut as fatigue tugged at her, and he noticed the small signs.

The weight in her movements, the slight lag in her steps, the way her fingers brushed against the bag she carried as if holding herself upright.

「大丈夫？」

(“You okay?”) he asked gently, eyes scanning her face for any signs of struggle.

She nodded, though her eyelids drooped. 

“Yeah… just… tired.” she admitted, voice soft.

They arrived at the apartment, the quiet of the street fading behind them. 

Ren paused at the door, giving her a small, almost imperceptible nod. 

「ちょっとここで待ってて。」

(“Wait here a moment.”) he murmured, slipping inside. 

A few soft sounds—the click of shoes, a drawer opening and closing—echoed faintly from within.

Moments later, he reappeared, a grin tugging at his lips. 

「よし、入って。」

(“Okay, come on in.”)

Ren opened the door for her, holding it just a moment longer than necessary. 

「ゆっくりしてね。ここは自由に使っていいから。」

(“Make yourself at home.”) he said softly, almost like a whisper meant only for her.

Arin stepped inside, and a soft smile curved her lips. 

The warm glow of the lights welcomed them. 

The quiet of the apartment, mixed with the faint hum of the city outside, felt protective—a small pocket of peace for just the two of them.

The apartment was… surprisingly tidy. 

Not the chaotic, messy space she had half-expected from a guy living alone. 

Everything had its place, neat, simple, and calm. 

She raised an eyebrow in silent amusement at the contrast.

Ren caught her glance and tilted his head, shrugging slightly with a playful smirk. 

“I can be neat… sometimes.” he said, motioning for her to follow him further inside.

“You can take the shower first.” he added, his tone casual, yet considerate. 

“I’ll make the room a bit more comfortable.”

Arin shook her head lightly. 

“The sofa is fine.”

Ren’s eyes narrowed slightly, mock-serious. 

“Nope. Absolutely not. You’ll take the bed. I’ll take the couch.”

Her smile widened, soft and warm, touched by his insistence. 

“Okay then.” she said, amused, leaning slightly against the doorway.

He nodded, satisfied, and moved toward the bedroom to prepare the bed and tidy the space further. 

Arin lingered in the hallway, quietly taking in the apartment.

The faint scent of cleanliness mixed with his subtle presence making her chest feel… lighter.

Even in his quirks and insistence, there was something undeniably considerate about him. 

She thought, not for the first time, that maybe she could get used to this—the quiet care, the subtle attention, the little gestures that spoke more than words ever could.

Ren peeked back from the bedroom, catching her gaze. 

「準備できたらでいいよ。」

(“Whenever you’re ready.”) he said softly.

「わたしのことは気にしないで。」

(“Don't worry about me.”)

Arin gave a small nod, her smile lingering as she disappeared into the bathroom, letting the warmth of the water and the privacy soothe the weariness of the day.

The weight of the day, the uncertainty of travel, the lingering tension—all of it seemed to ease, if only slightly, in the presence of his quiet attentiveness.

Ren returned to the living area, settling on the couch with a contented sigh, glancing occasionally toward the bathroom door. 

Quiet, thoughtful, steady—he stayed, letting the moment stretch, letting her rest.

Arin settled onto his bed, letting herself take in the room. 

Everything felt… like him. 

The neatly stacked books, the faint hum of the air conditioner—it all carried a quiet sense of him. 

She paused, letting her fingers brush over the sheets and blanket, taking a moment to just be there.

For the first time that day, Arin felt completely unguarded. 

The space felt like an extension of him—peaceful, calm, and carrying the subtle presence of the person she’d come to know.

After a while, she rose and stepped toward the living room. 

The light was still on, flickering gently, casting soft shadows across the couch and floor. 

She stretched her arms above her head and let out a quiet sigh.

Ren, sitting at the low table, a notebook open in front of him. 

His pen moved slowly across the page, the quiet scratching filling the otherwise still apartment.

He looked up as she entered, eyes meeting hers. 

“Hmm?” he said softly. 

“Do you need anything? Water… tea… something to eat?”

Arin shook her head, offering a small smile. 

“No, I’m fine.”

Ren nodded, glancing back at his writing for a brief moment before looking up again. 

「わかった…。もし何かあったら、言ってね。」

(“Alright… just let me know if you do.”)

She moved to the sofa, settling in while watching him work, the faint flicker of the light above casting gentle shadows over the room.

Ren’s pen scratched again, but every so often, his gaze flicked up to check on her, subtle but attentive.

Arin shifted slightly on the sofa, brushing a strand of hair from her face. 

Ren’s eyes flicked up from his notebook. 

「来てから、ずっと静かだね。大丈夫？」

(“You’ve been quiet since you got here. Is everything okay?”)

She hesitated, then shrugged, a small, tired smile forming. 

“Yeah… just taking it in. Your place… it feels….”

Ren blinked, then let out a soft chuckle. 

“Not too messy, I hope?”

Arin smirked faintly. 

“Messy? I think it’s… suspiciously neat for a guy.”

He grinned, leaning back slightly. 

“Ah, so you do notice. Careful, I might start thinking you’re judging me.”

“Maybe I am.” she teased, crossing her arms. 

“A little.”

Ren laughed softly, then his tone softened. 

“Alright, enough for today. You should try to rest properly tonight.” 

He said quietly, his gaze meeting hers. 

「明日は…一緒に予定をこなさないとね。」

(“Tomorrow… we’ve got plans to go through.”)

Arin nodded, her eyelids heavy but a small smile tugging at her lips. 

“I’ll try…”

Ren gave a short, approving nod, picking his notebook back up. 

「うん。じゃあ、ゆっくり休んで…。明日、一緒に考えよう。」

(“Good. Then get some rest… and tomorrow, we’ll figure out things together.”)

「おやすみ。」

(“Good night.”)