Ren's POV
As he stood quietly in the shower, steam rising around him like mist over a forgotten lake, the warm spray of water poured down his back. In sharp contrast to the rain and urban grime that had adhered to him like armor, the air was infused with the faint, clean smell of soap. He raked his fingers through his wet hair in an attempt to ward off the fatigue, the chill, and the uncertainties.
He was unable to push her away, though.
Ayaka.
Her image burned behind his closed eyelids, her skin glowing with an unreal softness, her white loose shirt clinging to her, her rain-kissed hair falling in dark strands around her face. Even the way she gazed at him—comfort, warmth, or perhaps something else. Something he was unable to identify.
He let out a breath. He muttered, embarrassed by the idea but unable to ignore it, "She looked gorgeous... maybe even sexy." No, not only that. She appeared unrestrained. Actual. She appeared as though she had emerged from a dream he had never dared to dream.
He dried off and put on the gray joggers and a simple black shirt that Haruto had left on the chair. They fit surprisingly well. He looked in the mirror. Still hollow-eyed, but cleaner now. He was still a boy on the brink of something he didn't comprehend.
He went downstairs. He followed the faint murmur of conversation to the office. The aroma of coffee filled the air as he rounded the corner, but Haruto was already there, beckoning him closer.
"Come on. Let's introduce you."
Wide tables, walls covered in storyboards and sketches, a few soundproof booths with wires and blinking lights—the room opened up like a scene from a movie. Designers, authors, animators, and voice actors were all rushing around, engrossed in their own rhythm.
When Ren walked in, everyone's eyes shifted.
"Whoa. Who is the attractive man?" A young woman with big glasses and a bob cut spoke loudly in a whisper.
Haruto smirked and lifted an eyebrow. "I promise you, he's more than just a pretty face—"
The door behind them creaked open before he could say anything more.
"What's happening?" Ayaka asked.
Ayaka entered with a coffee tray. The room froze.
People turned.
Hers, however, didn't. Not just yet.
Her gaze was fixed on him.
Ren's breath caught as he turned.
Still slightly damp, her hair cascaded down her shoulders like ink. Her brown eyes were as deep as the twilight of autumn, and her skin shone in the gentle illumination. She exuded an air of simplicity and unpretentiousness, as though beauty were a natural part of her.
Her gaze finally met Ren's.
A breath of time passed.
She didn't think he would look that way.
He was tall and clean from the rain, and he was now dressed in jeans and a basic but fitted shirt that Haruto had lent him. For some reason, he looked like he was from a different world. Strands of his dark hair fell across his forehead, still a little damp. His features were sharp and delicate, as if he had been hand-sculpted by silent pain and forgotten dreams. He had an air of ethereality, and the silence of his presence was eerie.
Silently, Ayaka's breath caught.
Lovely. Before she could stop it, the word slipped through her mind.
He was also staring at her in the same manner, as though the chaos outside of them didn't exist—just the sight of one another.
Ayaka also froze, her mouth slightly open. Neither used words to communicate. They didn't have to, either.
Their gazes met.
The spell was broken when Haruto cleared his throat. You really don't need to bring coffee, Ayaka. Here, you are in charge.
As though returning to reality, Ayaka blinked and gave a slight smile. "Haruto, I am in charge. And it is my responsibility to maintain everyone's satisfaction. Correct?" She smiled broadly as she turned to face the team.
"All right!" Everyone joined in, with some grinning and others laughing.
She distributed cups as she went around the room. She approached Ren and offered him one gently. "This is it. I thought you might require this."
With his fingers briefly touching hers, he whispered, "Thanks..." electricity.
She looked around the group. "This is Ren, everyone. He will now become one of us."
One by one, people smiled, waved, and introduced themselves:
"Hello, I'm Sora, a concept artist."
"My name is Riko—assistant writer!"
"Takashi. Engineer for sound."
"Voice actor Kana."
Then the bob-cut girl appeared once more, approaching Ren directly. "My name is Mei. design of characters. Will you sit with me? She grabbed his arm before he could react.
Ren gave Ayaka a look. She simply grinned and gave a small nod. So he allowed Mei to drag him over to a desk.
The group talked about their most recent endeavor, a supernatural anime about treachery and time travel. Ren mostly listened, taking in and learning as they flipped through the sketches and clips. However, he couldn't help but stare at her lips and the way her eyes glistened when she was passionate whenever Ayaka spoke, whether she was describing emotional beats or how a scene should feel.
He wondered, What is she doing to me?
Ayaka also took notice. Although she didn't express it, she could see how his eyes lingered. Inching closer to him, she also noticed Mei.
"What part does Ren play?" Finally, Mei brushed her fingers against his and asked.
With a steady voice, Ayaka took over. "He will play our voice in the upcoming project, In Between Us."
Cheers and gasps. Everyone looked excitedly at him. Riko gave a clap. "Oh, Ren, I'm so excited to hear you!"
Unsure of how to respond, he bowed slightly. "I'll... try my hardest."
Ayaka clapped her hands following the meeting. "All right. Help Ren become acquainted with the location, everyone. Be kind, shall we?"
She looked over at Ren. "Come upstairs to my office when you're finished."
With gratitude, he nodded. "Yes."
The studio was a hive of activity. Takashi gave him a glimpse of the sound booth while Sora showed him the art boards. A few amusing blunders from their most recent recording were shared by Kana.
It was... warm. As if he were at home. As if he were a part of something.
He went upstairs after remembering what Ayaka had said when everything had calmed down. He rapped on the door of her office.
A voice called softly inside. "I recognized you."
Ayaka brushed her hair back as she stepped out after opening the door. "Leave now."
Ren blinked. "Where?"
"To the upper level."
His heart pounding, he followed her to the elevator.
There was silence inside. She felt even closer in the cramped room. Her scent enveloped him, subtle and clean.
She's taking me where? He pondered. Is she that kind of boss? No... Even if she were, her beauty would be too much for me to bear.
They arrived at the top floor. Ayaka led the group down a silent corridor. This area felt serene, almost sacred, in contrast to the creative flurry below.
She stopped at the far end.
The hallway was lined with three rooms, each with sleek doors and simple furnishings. She took a key out of her pocket and turned to face him.
"This is it."
He gazed at it, perplexed.
She declared, "This is your place now." "You are no longer required to sleep on the streets. Above you is a roof."
Ren gazed.
His gaze expanded. He opened his mouth. And before he could stop it, a tear ran down his cheek.
Ayaka remained silent. She merely grinned.
It wasn't very impressive. It wasn't noisy. But it was everything at that moment.
a location where one can fit in.
A start.
And maybe the beginning of something more.