Ren handed Arashi the ring, holding it gently in her fingers. She smiled softly and said, "This is your ring, Arashi."
Arashi looked at it for a few seconds, as if trying to remember something far away, some memory buried deep inside. Then he said quietly, "Thank you, Ren." His voice was calm, but there was a weight to it, a seriousness that made the moment feel heavier than it seemed.
Ren lowered her gaze, her cheeks turning pink. "I… I only did my duty, Sir Arashi," she whispered, almost embarrassed.
Arashi reached into his pocket and pulled out a small item. He handed it to her and said with a small grin, "Surprise."
Ren stared at the doll in his hand for a long moment. She didn't speak at first, simply looking at it. Then Arashi asked, hesitating slightly, "Did you not like it?"
Her eyes snapped up, wide and sincere. "No, no… it's wonderful. I really like it." She smiled softly, and there was a warmth in her tone that made Arashi pause. "Thank you," she added.
He looked back at the ring in his hand. "I'm grateful to you… this ring was a gift from my father."
Ren's expression changed subtly, her brow knitting slightly. "Did your father travel?" she asked carefully.
Arashi stayed silent for a moment, and when he spoke, his voice carried a quiet sadness. "No… my father and mother… they passed away eight years ago in a car accident."
Ren's eyes dropped. She felt guilty for asking, her fingers fidgeting slightly. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to upset you. I didn't know."
He shook his head slowly, calming himself. "No, don't worry… I'm not angry."
For a moment, they stood in silence. The school rooftop was quiet, the wind softly brushing past them. Then a voice called from afar, sharp and teasing, "Ren! Ren! Where are you?"
Ren glanced toward the sound, then turned to Arashi. "Excuse me… I should go see my friends. They're calling me."
Arashi's lips curved slightly in a faint smile. "No need to ask permission. Go whenever you want."
She waved her hand. "Goodbye, Sir Arashi."
"Goodbye, Ren," he replied, his voice calm as she walked away.
He stayed standing for a moment, watching her retreating figure, letting the wind touch his hair, letting the quiet wrap around him. Then, with a small jump, he left the rooftop, landing lightly on the street as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He walked slowly through the city, taking in the sights: restaurants glowing warmly with light, groups of people laughing, music spilling from open doors and windows. For a moment, he imagined Ren walking beside him, her laughter mingling with his thoughts, and he found himself smiling softly without realizing it.
Then he spoke quietly to himself, almost as if thinking aloud, "I need to find a job… a part-time job. I need to manage my expenses. I can't rely on anyone."
Hours passed as he moved from shop to shop, asking around, searching quietly. Some places were too expensive, some didn't need help. His steps grew heavier, and his patience was tested, but he refused to stop. Finally, as the sun dipped below the horizon, he found a small clothing shop tucked between larger buildings in Tokyo.
The shop owner looked him over and said, "You'll start tomorrow. It will be your first day."
Arashi nodded slowly, thinking over the words. "Alright, sir. I'll come tomorrow for my first day."
The owner's lips curved in a small smile. "Do you understand your role?"
Arashi shook his head slightly. "I have a question."
"Go ahead," the owner replied patiently.
"Will tomorrow be training, or will it count as part of my salary?"
"Don't worry about training," the owner said. "We'll evaluate you during the first week. If you don't meet expectations, we'll find someone else."
Arashi's eyes narrowed slightly. "And what exactly will I be doing?"
"You won't have a fixed task. Every week, different jobs. But do them well, and you'll get paid."
Arashi's lips curved in a small grin. "I can handle it. How much will my pay be?"
"Depends on your work. Average daily pay is about 1,000 to 1,500 yen."
"Good. I won't waste your time," Arashi said, straightening his posture. "I'll be here tomorrow, on time."
The owner nodded. "You'll work five hours a day. Do your best."
"I agree," Arashi replied, and they shook hands.
As he left the shop, he muttered to himself, "Great… one to six. That's enough. Now… home."
The city lights flickered softly as he walked calmly through the streets. He opened his apartment door, stepped inside, and said, "Finally… a quiet day."
He flicked on the television, and a news anchor appeared. "Unexplainable crimes have occurred recently," she said. "Several people have gone missing, and there have been incidents of property destruction, including vehicles."
Three images flashed on the screen. "Three suspects have been identified. If you have any information, contact the authorities immediately."
Arashi leaned back slightly, looking at the images, his expression unreadable. "I'll call," he murmured quietly.
He picked up the phone, dialing slowly, his mind already planning the next steps, his thoughts focused, calm… unshaken.