The city was obscured by a subdued silver-gray light as the following day dawned beneath a cloudy sky. Like him, chilly, silent, and half asleep.
With his fingers tucked under his sleeves and his scarf pulled tight around his face, He sat cross-legged next to the alley wall. Beside him, forgotten and empty, was the thin plastic of a takeout cup. He didn't think she would come back.
That's what he told himself. Again and again.
Typically, no one returned. They never got enough of you. They were unaware of the fissures beneath your exterior. A tiny, ashamed part of him hoped, though.
And when he saw her again, that part made him more excited.
Wearing a long beige coat that billowed in the wind, her cheeks flushed from the cold, she strode toward him. Warm steam rose from the top of the paper bag she was holding.
She grinned and crouching next to him, she said, "Still here."
Ren's lips quirked at the corners as he gave a neutral shrug. "Thought I'd watch over the trash can."
Ayaka laughed. "All right. It appeared lonesome.
She gave the bag to him. Ren slowly unwrapped it. A bowl of hot katsudon. His stomach twisted just from the smell.
With wary eyes, he gazed up at her. "This is becoming suspicious."
She said, "I'm just feeding a friend." "Unless you'd prefer that I didn't?"
He hesitated. Then he picked up the chopsticks and bit into them with purposeful composure. A sigh of pleasure crumpled his face. "I remain suspicious. But really excellent."
As he ate, they sat quietly, Ayaka grinning curiously at him. The moment had a delicate, unsaid calmness to it.
Eventually, she stated, "We never actually introduced ourselves."
He looked at her after using a napkin to wipe his mouth. "You first."
"Ayaka Takahashi," she said with a slight bow. "Maker. Director of creativity. And working part-time as an alleyway food service right now."
Ren chuckled. It was a warm, rare, breathy sound.
"Ren," he said plainly. "Just Ren."
"Hello, Ren."
She didn't insist on having a last name. He gave her another point for that.
"So," Ayaka said, putting her chin in her hand, "what does Ren want out of life?"
He averted his gaze after blinking. "For a first meeting, that's a pretty deep question."
"This is our third meal together."
"Fair."
Leaning back against the wall, he exhaled slowly while setting the empty bowl aside. Like smoke, his breath curled in the air.
At last, he declared, "I wanted to be an idol. Not just well-known. Large. among the most well-known names. Kind people cry just by looking at them on stage, you know."
Ayaka's eyebrows raised. "Ambitious."
"Is it?" he asked. "Everyone aspires to be something these days. However, yes. That was something I used to dream about. The lights, the training, the performance... I even went to a few auditions. made it to training once."
"Once?"
Ren's face darkened. "Did not endure. Things took place. Financially and otherwise, I wasn't exactly secure. Before they could expel me, I departed."
Ayaka didn't say anything. She gave him space to speak and let him choose what information to share.
"I've been singing to get by ever since. Street, internet, and occasionally underground performances. I was even once scouted by a dubious agency. Almost signed, but..." he trailed off.
She noticed his tense jaw. He didn't want to mention the pain.
She said softly, "The dream never really died, did it?"
The softness of her voice nearly caught him off guard as he looked at her. Then he shook his head. "No. Simply bury it. For the time being."
Ayaka gave a small smile. She took something out of her coat pocket.
"How about unburying it, Ren?" she asked, putting a tiny, rectangular card in his hands.
He cast his gaze downward. Her card for business. Silver-embossed, sleek, and white.
Casting, Voice Direction, and Anime & Film Production by Ayaka Takahashi, Creative Director | Takahashi Studios.
Ren blinked. Then blinked once more.
"You're that Takahashi?"
Ayaka grinned. "The exact same."
"As in the Takahashi who collaborated with Kei Haruki and directed Skyfall Sonata?"
"And Lunar Glass, yes."
Ren gazed at the card as if his fingertips had just been burned. "Why are you in this place? Alongside me?"
"Listening," she said plainly. "And looking."
He looked at her suspiciously. "Looking for what?"
"A voice," she said. "For one of the characters in our next anime project. Something a bit different—unvarnished, truthful, expressive. a prominent role that carries emotional significance. And ever since I heard you that day, I can't get your voice out of my head."
Ren's mouth opened, but nothing came out.
She grinned. "I'm not requesting that you dive right in. However, what if you temporarily collaborated with me as a voice actor? Voice acting only. I pay well. Real, wealthy money," she teasingly said.
Ren's eyebrows lifted. "That's... abrupt."
"It is," she concurred. "However, this is not philanthropy. It's business. Alleys are not worthy of your voice. Additionally, this could be your first step back if you so choose. Not as an idol just yet. However, something similar. "
He clutched the card as if it were a secret.
She stood up and added, "No pressure." "Consider it. Put it to sleep. Or five evenings. It's your call."
She turned to go.
"Ayaka."
She paused.
He gave her a serious look. then gave a gentle smile.
"Thank you. For hearing."
She gave it back. "Anytime, Ren."
Long after she had left that evening, Ren sat in the flickering streetlight on the chilly pavement.
He gazed at her card.
"Takahashi Studios..."
He chuckled to himself.
"She is truly unique."
He flipped the card over, running his fingers over her name once more.
Takahashi Ayaka.
The type of woman about whom songs are written.
After secretly slipping the card into his pocket, he raised his gaze to the sky.
Perhaps dreams were still alive.
Not in a voice.
Not with her, either.