The evening had settled gently over the town, like a quiet curtain being drawn across the sky.
Faint orange light still lingered at the horizon, but most of the streets were already illuminated by rows of hanging lanterns. Their soft glow reflected against the stone pavement, stretching long shadows behind passing figures. The usual daytime noise had dulled into a calmer rhythm—merchants packing up their stalls, distant chatter fading into low murmurs, and the occasional clatter of carriage wheels rolling across uneven roads.
Renji exhaled slowly as he walked.
Not a normal breath—but a tired one.
The kind that came from deep within the chest.
"Mizuki…" he called, his voice dragging slightly.
No reply.
He glanced sideways.
She was walking beside him, her pace steady, her posture perfectly straight as always. But her eyes—
They weren't here.
They were distant. Focused on something far beyond the street, beyond the moment.
Renji frowned.
"…Mizuki."
Still nothing.
A small vein twitched on his forehead.
He raised his voice.
"MIZUKI!"
She flinched.
Her body stiffened slightly before her eyes snapped back into focus. "Ah—" she blinked, almost confused for a second. "Yes?"
Renji stopped walking.
"You didn't hear me at all, did you?"
"I did," she replied automatically.
"No, you didn't."
"…I was thinking."
"That's just a polite way of saying you ignored me."
"I did not ignore you."
"You literally did."
They stood there for a second, staring at each other.
Then Renji sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"…Whatever. Just—listen. It's getting late."
A pause.
"And I'm starving."
Right on cue, his stomach let out a loud, embarrassing growl.
Renji looked away instantly.
"…That didn't happen."
Mizuki watched him silently for a moment.
Then, very faintly—
"…You are hungry."
"I just said that."
She turned forward again.
"Let us return to the hotel."
Renji didn't even try to hide his relief.
"Finally."
The hotel stood quietly at the end of the street, its wooden exterior glowing warmly under lantern light. The sign above the entrance creaked softly as it swayed in the evening breeze.
As they stepped inside, a wave of warmth greeted them.
The air was filled with a comforting mix of scents—fresh bread, simmering soup, and polished wood. A fireplace crackled softly in the corner, its orange flames dancing lazily and casting flickering shadows across the walls.
A few travelers sat scattered around the room, speaking in low voices. The atmosphere was calm… almost peaceful.
Too peaceful.
The receptionist noticed them immediately.
Her eyes narrowed.
"You two."
Renji froze mid-step.
"…Yes?"
She leaned slightly over the counter, her gaze sharp.
"Where have you been since last night?"
Renji's brain stalled.
"Uh…"
He glanced at Mizuki.
Help.
She answered without hesitation.
"We were in a dungeon."
The receptionist blinked.
"…A dungeon?"
"Yes."
"For the entire night?"
"Yes."
A pause.
The receptionist stared at them for a long moment.
Renji forced an awkward smile.
"…We got lost?"
Mizuki didn't even look at him.
"We were exploring."
"…Right. Exploring," Renji added quickly.
The receptionist's expression didn't change—but her eyes clearly said she wasn't convinced.
"…I see."
She leaned back.
"Well, your room is still available."
Renji let out a quiet breath.
"That's good…"
They didn't even fully settle in before a knock came at the door.
Knock. Knock.
Renji's eyes lit up instantly.
"That's food, right?"
"You are predictable," Mizuki said.
Renji opened the door almost immediately.
A staff member stood there holding a tray.
The moment the tray entered the room—
The smell hit him.
Warm rice.
Grilled meat glazed with thick sauce.
Lightly fried vegetables.
And a bowl of steaming soup.
Renji's eyes widened like a child seeing treasure.
"Finally…"
The tray was placed on the table.
That was all it took.
Renji sat down instantly.
"Slow down."
"Mizuki, you don't understand—this is life."
"Eat properly."
"I am eating properly."
"You are not."
"I will."
He didn't.
The moment he picked up his food—
He started devouring it.
Fast.
Too fast.
"Mmm—this is so good—!"
"Slow down."
"I am slow—!"
"You swallowed that whole."
"That's efficient."
"You are not even tasting it."
"I am tasting it!"
"You just ate half the plate in three bites."
Renji paused for half a second.
Then continued eating.
"…Don't interrupt me during important moments."
Mizuki sighed quietly, watching him.
There was something strange about the way he ate.
Not just hunger.
Desperation.
Like his body was trying to recover something it had lost.
Within minutes—
The plates were empty.
Completely.
Not even a grain of rice remained.
Renji leaned back, letting out a deep, satisfied breath.
"…I can see heaven."
"You are exaggerating."
"No. That was the best meal I've had in days."
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"…Actually, ever."
Mizuki's gaze lingered on him.
"You eat like a starving animal."
"…I'll take that as a compliment."
Then—
Without warning—
Renji sat cross-legged on the floor.
Closed his eyes.
His breathing slowed.
Focused.
Mizuki's expression changed instantly.
"Renji."
No response.
His mana began to stir.
Subtle at first—but unstable.
"Renji."
Still nothing.
She moved.
In an instant, she was beside him.
Her hand rested firmly on his shoulder.
"Stop."
Renji's eye twitched slightly.
"…Why?"
"You are forcing your mana again."
"I'm fine."
"You are not."
"I just ate. I feel better."
"That does not restore your mana."
Renji opened one eye.
"…Then what does?"
"Rest."
"…That's boring."
Her grip tightened slightly—not harsh, but firm enough to stop him completely.
"You have already exceeded your limit today."
"…So?"
"If you continue—"
Her voice lowered.
"—your body will collapse."
Silence.
Renji looked away.
"…I don't have anything else to do."
That was the truth.
No training.
No fighting.
No purpose.
Just… waiting.
Mizuki's expression softened slightly.
"You will have a lot to do tomorrow."
"…Promise?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"…Fine."
He let out a small sigh and relaxed his body.
Mizuki slowly removed her hand.
"Sleep."
Her form began to fade.
Small particles of light drifted from her body, dissolving gently into the air.
Renji watched silently.
"…You always disappear like that."
No reply.
Only fading light.
"…Feels lonely."
The last particles vanished.
The room fell into silence.
Renji stood up slowly.
Walked to the torch.
Fwoosh.
Darkness.
He lay down on the bed.
The sheets were soft—far softer than anything he had felt recently.
"…This is nice."
His body sank into the mattress.
Muscles relaxing.
Mind slowing.
"…Tomorrow…"
His voice faded.
"…I'll get stronger…"
Within seconds—
He was asleep.