It happened without discussion.
One moment, space existed.The next, it didn't.
Ha-rin sat on the sofa, scrolling idly through her phone. I took the other end, leaving the usual gap between us out of habit more than intention.
The gap closed on its own.
She shifted, leaning back slightly. Her shoulder brushed mine.
She didn't move away.
Neither did I.
"…The cushion's uneven," she said.
"Yes."
She adjusted it, which somehow brought her closer instead of farther.
"…There," she said. "Better."
"Yes."
We stayed like that.
No tension.No pause to acknowledge it.
Just proximity.
Later, in the kitchen, she reached for a cup at the same time I did. Our fingers touched briefly.
She didn't flinch.
Neither did I.
"…Sorry," she said out of habit.
"There is no need," I replied.
"…Right," she said, nodding once.
When we went out, she walked half a step closer than usual. Not deliberately. Just… where she ended up. When she stopped to look at something, I stopped too, without thinking about it.
"…You're matching my pace," she said.
"Yes."
"…That's new."
"It is efficient," I replied. "We arrive together."
She snorted softly.
"…You say that about everything."
"It remains true."
In the evening, she sat at the table while I sorted through mail. She leaned forward to look at something I was holding, her arm resting lightly against mine.
"…This is boring," she said.
"Yes."
"…Good," she replied. "I like boring."
She stayed there even after losing interest in the paper.
The apartment felt smaller.
Not crowded.
Just… occupied.
At some point, she spoke without looking up.
"…Does this feel strange to you."
"No."
She glanced at me, surprised.
"…Not even a little."
"No."
She considered that, then nodded.
"…Good."
She didn't elaborate.
Neither did I.
When she eventually stood to go to her room, she paused.
"…I'll be back," she said. "I forgot something."
"Yes."
She returned a moment later, settled back onto the sofa—this time without leaving space at all.
It wasn't a statement.
It wasn't a shift anyone could point to.
It was just how things were now.
And no one questioned it.