{ A voice from afar calls to me... I must return, no matter the cost. }
After a exhausting morning, Kenjin returned home. He was alone, as Maria was still at Hakan's restaurant.
Inside, it was completely quiet—nothing but pure silence.
"Looks like I'm taking a break this evening."
I sat on the sofa and closed my eyes for a moment, trying to clear my wandering mind. Barely a few seconds passed before I heard the sound of someone unlocking the front door.
"You came back quickly, Maria. Did you get into a fight with—"
It was Rena who opened the door.
"Hello, Kenjin. I haven't seen you in a while."
"I thought it was Maria opening the door. Please, have a seat."
"Thank you."
The two of us sat down, but neither made a move to speak. Silence settled over the room once more.
[ What exactly am I supposed to say? ]
"Would you like me to make you some coffee?"
"Ahem... No need, I had a cup just a moment ago."
"Alright... How is work going?"
"Same as usual, almost nothing new—except I've started getting used to going out to the park nearly every day."
"Mayar always tells me that you take her there every chance you get."
"She loves that place. After all, we first met in the park."
"You're right, and I'm grateful for that moment."
"......"
"Is my family still causing you trouble?"
"No. Although I've bumped into your stepmother a few times, there haven't been any major problems. She's a strange woman, though."
"I think my whole family is like that."
"Is the rest of your family like her too?"
"I don't know. My father used to cut off all communication with the rest of the family. I barely know anyone outside our house."
"I guess that's another reason why you never left your home before that incident."
"No one leaves their home without an urgent need. That's just the truth."
"Anyway... Are you feeling better now? I mean, is everything going well at your apartment?"
"Yes, nothing strange has happened since that time, and the neighbors are very nice to me."
"Try not to be too nice with strangers. It's dangerous these days."
"I know that, don't worry!"
"Is Maria taking good care of you both?"
"A... Ah, yes. You could say that."
[ I figured... Hakan told me Mayar complained to him about Maria acting like a bully with them. I guess there's no escaping that—she's like that with most people. ]
"I'll make some tea. Would you like a bit?"
"I'll make it myself. Just sit back and rest."
[ She seemed insisted, so I didn't want to stop her from doing what she wanted. I had been trying to avoid having her do anything from the start so we could talk without any hassle. ]
"Alright, as you usually make it, please."
"A few minutes and it'll be ready!"
"Take your time."
I stood by the window, watching the rain and the cars moving down the road.
"What are you looking at?"
"Rena?!"
[ I didn't feel her approaching me at all. ]
"I'm sorry, did I scare you?"
"No, no, I just didn't hear your footsteps as you came over."
[ Are they conspiring to jump-scare me today or what? ]
"Did something happen? You came back fast."
"I couldn't find the sugar. Did Maria move it?"
"Who knows, maybe. Let me help you look for it."
"I'm sorry for troubling you with this. I know you're tired from work."
"Don't worry about it. Besides..."
"I have nothing left to finish today anyway."