'In silence I sleep where the night doesn't end,
Beneath falling stars that forgot how to mend.
A whisper of warmth in a world so cold,
A voice they ignored, a story untold.
I dream with my eyes open, chasing a flame,
For someone to see me, not run from my name.'
Ren's voice trailed off into the soft silence of the snow falling. There was silence between them for a moment, heavy, tender, and thick. He didn't intend to sing out loud. He was unaware that someone was listening. But she was there.
She.
The previous evening's woman.
She.
Her name was unknown to him. However, she remained like a winter warmth.
This time, he didn't avert his gaze as their eyes locked. He didn't recoil or pull himself closer to himself. Her gentle, unblinking gaze had a way of keeping him rooted, as if he would not be carried away by the storm.
Additionally, Ayaka
She remained silent. Not just yet. She simply stood there, encased in silence. Something about the way his voice broke the silence kept coming back to her, and her heart was racing in her ears. That voice—raw, unadulterated, and painful. It was more than just lovely. It was authentic.
With a voice as soft as snow, she finally said, "I... didn't mean to interrupt."
Uncertain whether he was relieved or embarrassed, Ren gave a small shake of his head. "You didn't."
Silence for a beat.
Then another.
Ayaka said, taking a small step forward, "Your voice is..." She looked for a word, but none came to mind.
Weary and uncertain, he gave a half-smile. "Rusty?"
She returned the smile. "No. Sincere."
Her words stuck with him even though he didn't respond.
It started that night.
Not a big one. Not just yet. But of connection, something neither of them had experienced in a long time.
The following evening, Ayaka found herself paying another visit. She brought a woolen scarf that she couldn't remember purchasing and hot tea in a thermos. When she offered him something, Ren paused as usual. His eyes still had that flicker of shame that comes from being stepped on too many times.
However, Ayaka never gave him a pitying glance. Curiosity only. and serene.
They sat silently at times. He occasionally told her about songs he had sung and places he had visited. He was never overly specific. Not just yet. However, she paid attention. And that was more than sufficient for Ren.
He was not easily trusted. Not able to afford it. After all, trust had once cost him everything.
However, he trusted their silence. I had faith that she would arrive judgment-free. Not much. However, it was a beginning.
Ayaka's absence had not gone unnoticed at work.
One afternoon, Haruto eyed his watch and said, "Ayaka-san." "You left early for the third day in a row."
She answered casually, avoiding eye contact, "I had errands."
Haruto's eyes narrowed. "You detest running errands."
She gave a shrug. "People evolve."
He didn't exert pressure. Not just yet. However, Haruto had worked as an artist manager long enough to recognize when someone was concealing something.
When Ayaka left early again that night, Haruto went with her.
In order to avoid being noticed, he kept a considerable distance behind. He watched her walk through the snow with her hands in her pockets and her face deep in thought as her car came to a stop a few blocks before the convenience store.
Then he noticed her halt.
Observed her grinning.
and noticed the man he had seen a few days earlier sitting close to the alley.
A homeless man.
Ayaka knelt next to him, gave him something, possibly food, and then sat down. They conversed. From his parking spot, Haruto was unable to hear. He didn't have to, though.
In his hand, his phone buzzed. He called her.
She glanced at the screen.
Didn't respond.
He saw her laugh at something the man said and put the phone away.
Haruto's mouth clenched. He turned the key, turned on the engine, and drove off without saying a word.
Ren gave Ayaka a silent chuckle that evening. "Your phone has been buzzing for a long time."
She gestured with her hand. "Work. It can wait."
After giving her a long look, he whispered, "Why are you doing this?"
She blinked. "Doing what?"
"Coming over here. conversing with me. Bringing items. I don't I am not anyone."
Ayaka cocked her head. "That's a lie."
Ren averted his gaze. "It's not."
"You think you're nobody despite having a voice like that?"
"I didn't get very far with it."
"Perhaps it hadn't yet found the right ears."
He gasped. For a moment only.
He questioned, "You believe that words like that can make a difference?"
"No," she answered. "However, they might be able to start something."
He was at a loss for words. However, he also didn't tell her to go.
That was sufficient.
Ayaka brought him a coat a few days later.
She handed it over and remarked, "It's not new. But it's warm."
Ren gazed at it. "You don't need to bring items all the time."
"I understand."
"So why do you?"
Her eyes were serious, but she smiled. "Because I am able to. Additionally, perhaps I simply enjoy conversing with people who don't constantly act fake."
He was surprised by that. But he smiled at it.
A small, genuine smile.
The type he hadn't worn in years.
A flicker of something stirred somewhere deep within.
I hope.
Once more.
Not too loud. Not very intelligent.
However, there.
Burning softly under the snow.