Carrying the two surviving bags of chocolate, Ren quietly avoided the crowded main streets.
Instead, he slipped into a narrow alley that led toward the rear entrance of Anteiku.
The distant noise of construction faded as he moved deeper into the alley.
The air smelled damp.
Cold.
The scent of fresh pine and paint from the café renovations was faint here.
He pushed open the back door carefully.
His footsteps intentionally quiet.
On the first floor—
A temporary cordon still surrounded the damaged area.
Nearby, Enji Koma was directing several workers while they moved fragments of broken wall.
The two exchanged a brief nod.
Then Ren climbed the stairs.
The second floor corridor was narrow and dim.
Several closed doors lined the hallway.
Only a small window at the far end allowed faint city light to enter.
One door stood slightly open.
A thin beam of warm yellow light spilled into the corridor.
Touka's room.
"Still studying this late?"
Ren murmured.
Was it really necessary to work this hard just to get into university?
Inside his mind—
Carnage responded.
[…No movement…]
[…She's asleep…]
He stopped at the doorway.
Holding his breath.
Then gently pushed the door open.
The room was simple.
But tidy.
A single bed against the wall.
Textbooks arranged neatly on a small shelf.
Plain curtains covering the window.
By the desk—
Touka Kirishima had fallen asleep.
Her head rested sideways on her arm.
A cup of coffee—long cold—sat nearby.
Sheets of scratch paper covered with formulas lay scattered around.
The desk lamp bathed her in soft light.
Her purple hair had fallen loosely across her cheeks.
Her eyelashes cast faint shadows on her skin.
She was still wearing her school uniform.
Clearly she had returned from school and gone straight to studying.
Without even changing clothes.
Her lips were slightly parted in sleep.
The usual sharp hostility in her expression was gone.
Only exhaustion remained.
The kind carried by an ordinary girl forced to shoulder far too much.
Ren watched her quietly for a moment.
A faint trace of softness appeared in his eyes.
He stepped inside silently.
Setting the heavy bag of chocolate beside the door.
Careful not to make a sound.
Approaching the desk—
He studied her posture.
Making sure her arm wasn't going numb.
Then he bent down.
One arm slid beneath her knees.
The other supported her back.
He lifted her gently.
Touka stirred slightly.
Her brow furrowed faintly.
A soft murmur escaped her lips.
Instinctively—
She leaned closer.
Her face brushing lightly against his neck.
Like a small animal searching for warmth.
He froze for a brief moment.
Then tightened his hold carefully.
Making sure she wouldn't wake.
She was light.
Far lighter than expected.
Within a few steps—
He reached the bed.
He placed her down slowly.
Pulling the thin blanket over her shoulders.
Carefully covering her.
Protecting her from the cold night air.
The entire process passed without waking her.
He remained standing beside the bed for a moment.
Looking down at her peaceful face.
Outside—
Neon lights filtered faintly through the curtains.
Shifting softly across her cheeks.
Downstairs—
The faint sounds of tools and Koma's instructions drifted upward.
Creating a strange contrast with the quiet room.
Carnage broke the silence.
[…How long are you planning to stare…]
Ren looked away.
His usual calm expression returning.
After one final glance—
He turned to leave.
Just before closing the door—
A scarlet tendril emerged briefly from his shoulder.
Pressing the light switch.
Click.
The room fell into darkness.
He closed the door quietly.
Picking up the chocolate bag—
He walked down the hallway to his own room.
Inside—
He placed the bag on his desk.
Then sat down.
Carnage stirred.
[…Chocolate…]
Without speaking—
The skin of his arm rippled.
A dark red substance surged outward.
Forming Carnage's grotesque head.
It plunged directly into the bag.
Wrappers tore.
Candy cracked.
The sweet smell of chocolate mixed with a metallic scent of blood.
Soon—
The bag was empty.
Carnage's voice sounded satisfied.
[…Enough…]
The head dissolved.
Returning beneath his skin.
Leaving only scattered candy wrappers on the desk.
Ren crushed the final wrapper.
Throwing it into the trash.
He stood—
Planning to open the window.
CRASH!!!
The window exploded inward.
Glass shattered everywhere.
Fragments rained across the room.
A dark blue figure burst through the broken frame.
Landing on one knee.
The hood slipped back.
Revealing the sharp face of Ayato Kirishima.
His hoodie flapped violently in the cold wind pouring into the room.
Ren stared at him.
Expression darkening.
"Hey."
Ayato looked up.
Seemingly unaware of the destruction he caused.
"We need to talk—"
"Kirishima Ayato!!"
Ren suddenly shouted.
Standing up abruptly.
Pointing at the shattered window and glass-covered floor.
"Couldn't you use the front door?!"
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