Rio let out a heavy sigh in front of the bathroom door before turning and walking toward the apartment entrance.
His eyes immediately landed on the pair of Yuzu's shoes sitting neatly by the door.
Shit.
Without wasting a second, he crouched down, quickly grabbing them and sliding them behind the door, carefully angling them out of sight. He straightened up just as he reached for the handle, forcing his expression into something normal.
Then he opened the door.
Hayashi stood there, waving like nothing in the world could possibly be wrong.
"Hi, friend!" he said cheerfully, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
Rio stared at him for a second before closing the door.
And this guy is seriously the ace of a club? I can't believe it…
Hayashi wandered a few steps in, glancing around the apartment. His movement slowed.
Rio felt it immediately.
That pause. That look.
Tch… don't tell me—
"Takahashi…" Hayashi said slowly. "…something's here."
Rio's eyes widened. "W-what… do you mean?"
Hayashi turned toward him, his expression suddenly serious. Then, as if slipping into some ridiculous role, he closed his eyes and raised a hand to his face, mimicking the motion of adjusting imaginary glasses. In Rio's mind, he could practically see it—black suit, neat blue tie, headband, the whole act.
"I hear a noise coming from the bathroom…" Hayashi continued, pointing dramatically toward the hallway. "…it sounds like-"
No. No no no no no!
"…Water… that's dripping!"
Rio didn't even let him finish.
"YEAH," he said immediately, way too fast. "I was, uh... preparing a bath."
The words came out before he could even think.
Hayashi blinked. "…You?"
"Yes. Me." Rio crossed his arms, forcing composure. "Is that a problem?"
There was a brief pause.
Hayashi narrowed his eyes slightly, still facing the direction of the bathroom. "…Huh. So that's what it is."
Rio felt a drop of sweat run down his temple.
This guy… what is wrong with him?
How do you 'hear' water dripping through a closed door from across the room? What kind of inhuman, absolutely ridiculous anime-level hearing does he have? Is he part dog? A bat? Some kind of sonar-equipped tennis prodigy?
Hayashi tilted his head slightly, as if still listening.
Rio's eye twitched.
Stop listening. Why are you still listening? There is nothing to hear.
Hayashi suddenly snapped his fingers. "Oh... so you were about to take a bath?"
Rio nodded instantly. "Exactly."
"Did I interrupt you?"
"Yes."
"Ah." Hayashi scratched his cheek. "My bad."
Rio exhaled quietly, but his guard didn't drop for even a second.
While this conversation was happening, Yuzu had already wrapped herself in a towel and sat at the edge of the tub. Her face was flushed a deep shade of red, heat lingering across her cheeks and ears.
What… what is happening? W-why is this happening?
Her thoughts spiraled, one after another, refusing to settle.
She stared at the bathroom door, unmoving, her fingers trembling slightly as she clutched the towel tightly against herself. Her heartbeat was fast—too fast—echoing loudly in her ears, making it hard to focus on anything else.
He came back… why now of all times? Who even is he? Should I have just waited until the hot water came back? But... what if it didn't???
She swallowed, trying to steady her breathing, but it only came out uneven.
The situation pressed in on her all at once—the fact that she was in Rio's apartment, alone with him… the fact that someone else was now just outside the door… the fact that she couldn't make a single sound without risking rumors that would spread within mere hours. Rumors that would ruin her image, and cause trouble for Rio—trouble she didn't want, especially when she was the one who had asked to be here.
Her shoulders tensed, her posture still composed out of habit, but only just holding together under the weight of her embarrassment. A faint tremor ran through her fingers as they tightened around the towel, her heartbeat still refusing to slow.
"Alright, I got my earbuds. I'll be heading out now," Hayashi said, slipping them into his pocket. He paused near the door, glancing back at Rio. "Oh—and by the way, Takahashi, would you mind coming over later today or tomorrow if you're not busy? I really need some tutoring, or I might get kicked out of the club. That's what the advisor said."
Rio let out a small laugh, his eyes darting briefly toward the hallway before he nodded. "Tomorrow should be fine… but it'll be pretty late. I've got some things to take care of in the morning."
Hayashi grinned, giving him a thumbs-up. "Works for me."
He took a few steps toward the door, then suddenly stopped, turning back around with a grin. "Oh, and I was inspired by you, Takahashi. I'm gonna start packing three containers of protein every time I hit the gym. I'm honestly pretty jealous of how strong you are."
Rio blinked. "…That's what you took from this?"
Hayashi just laughed, waving casually. "See you tomorrow!"
With that, he stepped out, the apartment door closing behind him as he made his way toward the elevator.
Rio stood there for a few seconds, listening carefully—waiting—until the distant sound of the elevator doors sliding shut reached him. Only then did he let out a quiet breath.
He walked over to the bathroom door and knocked lightly. "Hoshimura… he's gone. You can, uh… finish up."
For a moment, there was only silence. Then a soft laugh slipped through the door.
Yuzu had moved closer, one hand lightly resting against the wood as she stood just on the other side. Her cheeks were still warm, though the initial panic had faded just enough for her to concentrate on the things around her better.
"…Three containers of protein?" she said softly, her voice lowered, still touched with embarrassment. "Is that really what you came up with?"
Rio rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… what else was I supposed to say?"
There was a brief pause.
"…That's fair," she admitted, her voice gentler now. "I suppose that makes sense."
A small exhale followed. "…I'll be done soon."
Rio nodded instinctively, even though she couldn't see him, and turned to walk away.
But just as he took a step a faint, unmistakable sound reached him from the other side of the door.
He slowly turned back, hearing her stomach growl.
"…W-would you like me to make some breakfast before you go?" he asked, his voice a bit hesitant, trying to sound casual despite the slight flush returning to his face.
Yuzu glanced down at her stomach, then closed her eyes for a brief moment, shaking her head faintly. "…It's fine. It doesn't matter," she replied, her voice quiet.
What is wrong with me…?
A flush crept back across her cheeks, warmer than before, and she pressed her lips together, trying to steady herself.
Carefully, she unwrapped the towel and stepped back into the bath, lowering herself into the water until the warmth surrounded her again. She let out a slow breath, closing her eyes as she tried to calm the lingering tension in her chest.
Even so, her composure didn't fully return.
Her eyes flickered open after a few seconds, drifting toward the bathroom door.
She knew it could only be unlocked from the inside but her gaze still returned to it every few moments, as if reassurance alone wasn't enough.
…I really don't understand him.
Her fingers traced lightly against the surface of the water, creating small ripples.
Who lets someone else use their bath like that…?
A pause.
And more importantly… why did I even ask?
Her brows knit slightly, the embarrassment settling into something quieter, more thoughtful.
I mean, I know why, but-... Ugh!
She sank a little deeper into the water, her shoulders relaxing just slightly.
My hot water just had to go out, didn't it?
...
Yuzu cracked the bathroom door open just slightly, enough for her voice to carry through.
"Takahashi… u-um, there's something… I need to ask of you."
Rio, who had just finished preparing a simple breakfast—eggs, toast, and milk—paused as he set the plates down. He turned toward the hallway, rubbing his eyes slightly as he walked over.
"Hm? What is it?" he asked, stifling a yawn.
Damn… I'm exhausted. I'll get some sleep once she leaves.
From behind the door, Yuzu hesitated. Water continued to drip softly from her damp hair, small droplets hitting the bathroom floor. She kept her gaze lowered, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of the door as she bit gently against the inside of her cheek.
"…Would it be alright if I borrowed a change of clothes?" she asked quietly.
A brief pause.
"I… wasn't thinking when I first knocked. I apologize."
Rio leaned back against the wall, his eyes drifting toward the two plates of breakfast resting on the counter. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. His stomach let out a low, untimely growl.
He tilted his head slightly, staring up at the ceiling for a moment as he thought.
Absentmindedly, he brought his left hand to his right, pressing lightly against it—the dull ache from earlier still lingering beneath the surface.
His teal eyes caught the light as he exhaled softly, gathering his thoughts.
After a few seconds, he nodded to himself. "…Does anything work?"
There was a small pause before her reply came, just as quiet as before.
"…Anything is fine."
Rio let out a quiet sigh and pushed himself off the wall, his body moving before his mind fully caught up. He stepped into his room, the door left slightly ajar behind him.
For a moment, he just stood there.
His gaze drifted—almost unconsciously—toward the window above his bed. Light spilled through it, soft and warm, stretching across the sheets and up the wall.
He found a black hoodie with an image engraved on the back of a wolf, and a gray pair of joggers pants. He walked toward the bathroom door, and knocked. "I have my eyes closed."
Rio closed his eyes as the bathroom door opened, and he looked down at the ground, holding both the hoodie, and the joggers pants in one hand, covering his eyes with the other hand.
Yuzu reached out with both of her hands and grabbed them, pulling them into the bathroom. She closed the door, "You can open your eyes now."
Rio opened his eyes, and moved his hand away.
...
Rio glanced up at the moon, hanging silently in the sky, pale and distant. He raised his hand, tracing its outline with his fingers before letting it fall back to his side. Sliding his phone from his hoodie pocket, he checked the time: nearly midnight on June 6th.
The air was sharper than he had expected, cool and crisp, brushing lightly against his skin beneath the white hoodie and black joggers he wore. Not cold enough to sting, but enough to make him aware of it. He slid the phone back into the front pocket, resting both hands there, and exhaled softly.
His eyes widened slightly when he spotted two men standing side by side outside a house. Both had sharp, striking features—chiseled jaws, high cheekbones, and piercing gazes that could have easily belonged to superstars on a magazine cover. Their muscular torsos glistened faintly under the dim streetlights, the definition of their six-pack abs impossible to miss. They wore nothing but dark pants.
Each man held a mask in his hand, slipping it over his head with fluid motions before scaling the stone wall with ease, vanishing over the top.
"Ah… that's normal," Rio murmured, forcing himself to continue walking, though his eyes lingered a moment longer. He rubbed them gently with his thumbs. "Normal? W-WAIT! Were those… thieves?!"
Rio wasn't an officer in this country, nor did he hold any legal authority, so he decided to keep walking, ignoring the obvious criminals of the night. Still, he thought it prudent to report it. He pulled out his phone, quickly dialed the local authorities, and gave them a brief description of what he had seen and the location. Just as quickly, he hung up and slipped the phone back into his hoodie pocket.
...
Rio continued walking through the quiet streets of town, yawning slightly as the night air brushed against his face. His steps slowed when he reached a small café he had been meaning to visit for weeks, but had never found the time to. The warm glow of its lights spilled out onto the sidewalk, a quiet invitation in the otherwise still night.
He was about to step toward the door when a sharp, high-pitched scream tore through the air from a nearby alleyway. His heart skipped a beat, and without thinking, he sprinted toward the sound, the familiar rhythm of his sneakers echoing against the pavement.
He darted into alley after alley, scanning quickly for the source of the scream. Finally, his eyes caught a small group of three men standing in a tight circle, their attention focused on something—or someone—on the ground.
Rio called out, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Hey! What are you doing?!"
The three men turned toward him.
Each was imposing in appearance—tall, broad-shouldered, and exuding a kind of careless confidence. All three wore a matching t-shirt with holes in it, with dark red pants. One of them twirled a knife absentmindedly, another cracked his knuckles with a low chuckle, while the last leaned slightly forward, eyes glinting in the shadows as if sizing Rio up.
The one holding the knife began to advance toward Rio again, teeth gritted and eyes wild, but the wail of sirens pierced the night air, echoing down the empty streets.
All three of the men froze, exchanging hurried glances. None of them wanted to stick around for the law.
"You're lucky this time, brat!" the knife-wielding man spat, shoving the weapon back into his pocket.
Without another word, they bolted, sprinting down the street together, their footsteps echoing off the walls as the sirens grew closer.
Rio exhaled sharply. "…Well, that was something," he muttered to himself, brushing off his hands, relieved he hadn't had to engage in a fight.
His teal eyes scanned the alleyway, and they widened in shock as he realized the three men had been surrounding Yuzu Hoshimura.
"H-Hoshimura?! Are you okay?" he called, sprinting down the alley before crouching beside her.
Yuzu's body was trembling, her shoulders shaking as she leaned against the rough brick wall. Her eyes darted up to meet his, wide and startled. "W-what… what happened to them?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"They're gone," Rio said firmly, glancing down the alley. "It's safe now. You can… you can leave."
Yuzu didn't move. She stayed pressed against the building, on her knees, her hands gripping the wall for support. Her lips quivered as if she were holding back words, and a faint shiver ran down her spine.
"Are… are you okay?" Rio asked gently, placing a hand near hers but careful not to touch.
She shook her head slowly, her voice soft but heavy with truth. "N-no… I'm not fine at all…"
Tears slipped from her eyes, landing softly on the wet pavement as she tightened her fingers against the brick wall, her gaze fixed downward.
W-what should I do here? Rio thought, panic rising in his chest. I can't just leave her like this… but I was really looking forward to that café…
After a moment, he crouched slightly to meet her eye level. "Would you like to go home?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm, carrying a hint of reassurance.
Yuzu lifted her tear-filled eyes to him and gave a small, shaky nod. She pressed the sleeve of the hoodie she had borrowed from Rio earlier that day against her face, gently dabbing at her tears as she tried to calm herself.
Rio exhaled softly, letting the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. "Alright," he murmured, then straightened and turned around. "I can give you a piggyback ride back to the apartment, if you want."
For a long moment, Yuzu just stared at the broad back of his white hoodie, biting her bottom lip nervously. Her fingers twitched at the edge of the fabric, a mix of hesitation and embarrassment flashing across her face.
Finally, she whispered, barely audible, "…Okay."
Rio smiled faintly, trying to keep his voice light despite the adrenaline still coursing through him. "Hold on tight, alright?"
As he bent down slightly, Yuzu climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms cautiously around his shoulders. Her body trembled just a little, whether from fear, embarrassment, or the lingering adrenaline, Rio couldn't tell—but he could feel it through her tight grip.
He lifted her effortlessly, adjusting his stance to keep her secure, and began walking back through the quiet streets, the distant hum of the city and the soft patter of rain the only soundtrack to their slow, careful journey home.