When Ayaka got back to the apartment, it was getting close to midnight. The late-hour silence pressed softly against her senses as her footsteps reverberated in the hallway. She walked past the tiny kitchen, which was dark, and headed for her room. She noticed something strange as she rounded the corner: Ren's room door was slightly open.
She scowled. He wasn't like that. Usually, especially at night, he locked it. Any odd sound or detail wasn't missed because she remained in the room next to his. There was a pause of one beat. Then worry gave way to curiosity. She moved forward and used her fingertips to gently push the door open.
It was dark in the room. Too gloomy. The lights had been turned off and the curtains had been drawn tightly. On the floor, a faint silhouette could be seen. Ayaka narrowed her eyes in the darkness. "Ren?" she whispered. No response was found.
Her chest began to flutter with uneasiness. Reaching inside, she switched on the light. Ren was lying on the floor, sound asleep, when the yellow lightbulb began to hum. His face was partially hidden in his sleeve, and his arms were folded close to his chest. The bed next to him was still unaltered.
Ayaka intervened and approached in silence. She leaned closer, her long hair cascading over her shoulders as she knelt next to him. His features were calm, relaxed, and soft. Even when he was sleeping, there was a slight furrow between his brows, but his breathing was slow and his lips were gently parted. He had a youthful appearance. At risk. Like a kid who got lost in a dream.
She stared for a moment longer than she ought to have. Beyond his boyish charm and the way his lashes fanned across his cheeks, there was something special about him. Her guarded heart was drawn to the uncommon innocence—an openness.
Ren's eyes popped open as she was about to straighten the loose blanket covering him.
Startled, Ayaka froze, but she quickly collected herself. She whispered, "You're awake."
Ren blinked, initially perplexed. He then slowly sat up and combed through his slightly disheveled hair. He avoided looking into her eyes and muttered, "Ah… sorry."
"What is causing you to sleep on the floor?" Ayaka enquired. Additionally, the door was unlocked. Anyone could have entered.
He paused before responding. "I couldn't sleep."
Her face softened. "Have you eaten?"
A sheepish pout formed on his lips as he gave a small shake of his head. Ayaka couldn't help but smile because the gesture was so unguarded and boyishly honest.
She got up and extended her hand. "Come on. Let's get you a bite to eat."
As she assisted him in standing up, Ren took her hand and brushed his fingers against hers. They went silently to Ayaka's room, which was the next one. She turned on the light, and the room was neat and well-lit. There was a subtle scent, like linen and sakura, in the air. Ren glanced around. Here, it felt warmer and calmer. more worn out. It's more like a home.
They went to her room across the hall.
The lighting was cozy and dim, and the air was warmer inside. There was a hint of vanilla in the air. Startled, Ren looked around. The space was simple and orderly, yet it exuded a gentleness—a personality.
Ayaka turned to face the tiny kitchen area and said, "Sit."
She retrieved ingredients from the refrigerator with elegant efficiency. Ren sat down on the couch and observed her. He had never seen that side of her before. He had pictured her as aloof, a diva who most likely had helpers to do everything.
But here she was, rolling her sleeves, concentrating, cooking for him.
The smell of food filled the room within minutes.
She set a plate of Tamago kake gohan and a bowl of hot miso soup in front of him.
He froze after taking the first bite.
His gaze expanded. "This is."
"Not good?" Wiping her hands on a cloth, she teased.
He glanced up. "No! I mean, it's excellent. Like, really."
Embarrassed, he looked down. "I mean, you seem like a sophisticated, diva. I assumed you were the order-takeout type."
Sitting opposite him with her own bowl, Ayaka laughed. "I used to make a lot of food for myself. It's soothing."
Ren ate quietly, enjoying each morsel. However, he was no longer only thinking about the food. They kept returning to her, to the way her eyes smiled and the way she appeared in the gentle yellow light.
Ren attempted to pick up the dishes after the meal, but Ayaka waved him away.
"I'll carry it out. Tonight, you are my guest."
He blinked. "Intruder?"
She dried her hands and turned to face him. You mentioned that you couldn't sleep there, didn't you? You appear more at ease here. Stay tonight."
Ren looked at her in astonishment. "This is where?"
Ayaka gave a nonchalant shrug. "I won't bite, really. The couch is yours to keep."
She proceeded to the terrace and unlocked the glass doors. Cool and fragrant with night blossoms, a gentle breeze floated in.
The sky was clear. The moon hung low, a soft crescent that appeared to have been delicately carved into the night.
Ren followed her outside and stood silently next to her.
Ayaka avoided eye contact with him. She stared up at the sky.
"You adore the moon?" he inquired.
Her eyes gleamed with silver light as she gave a slight smile. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Ren didn't respond right away. Instead, he turned to face her. Her hair's slight movement in the wind. Her face's angles were softened by the moonlight.
With a gentle smile tugging at his lips, he said, "Yes. It is."
He didn't mean the moon, though, in his heart. He was referring to her.
"If I ever got one wish, I think I'd ask to live like the moon," Ayaka added in a dreamy voice.
Curious, Ren cocked his head. "Why?"
Her voice was calm but wistful, and she continued to look up at the sky.
"I wouldn't have to witness people's phony smiles, rage, or jealousy back in the day. No politics. Not a sound. I would simply watch the world sleep at night while floating in the sky. calm. Keep quiet. Stars for company only."
After pausing, she glanced at him with a slight turn of her head.
"Like you. You slumber like a newborn.
Ren's breath caught. Now her gentle, direct gaze was on him. Neither said anything for a moment. The wind increased, rustling their hair and rubbing against their clothing. It was chilly, yet oddly comforting.
Flustered, Ren averted his gaze. Something soft, warm, and strange was growing in his chest. He had no idea what to call it.
Ayaka looked back at the moon. "I'm here to listen if you ever feel depressed. I'll join you in celebrating if you're content. I'll reassure you if you start to feel anxious. So don't ever feel alone, shall we? Simply pursue your dreams. Every one of them."
She didn't have a commanding voice. It wasn't even very nice. It was steady. Sincere. Like a promise made in the stars.
Ren was at his breaking point. He took a step toward her. Slowly, as if the moment required attention. Then, instinctively, he put his arms around her.
Wide-eyed, Ayaka froze. Her heart skipped a beat.
His voice was a whisper against her skin as Ren lowered his face into the bend of her neck. "I'm grateful."
The silence between their breaths was carried by the wind as it swept around them once more.
Ayaka's arms eventually raised, and she gave the hug back.
For a moment only.
Then she slowly withdrew. "Now go to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day for you."
With one hand over his chest like a knight, Ren took a step back and then bowed slightly. "Yes, ma'am."
Ayaka gave him a playful shove while laughing. "Shoo, shoo."
Ren laughed and padded over to the sofa. With a slight smile on his face, he curled up. Now the room was silent. However, it was anything but inside his chest.
As he lay there, he thought about her. Her eyes gleamed in the moonlight. Her voice had a gentle yet powerful quality. He was curious. He desired to remain near.
The warmth of those thoughts eventually lulled him to sleep.
A happy, peaceful dream.
A dream of her.