The grand ballroom shimmered beneath golden chandeliers, filled with elegant laughter, clinking glasses, and conversations that felt rehearsed. Everyone seemed to be performing for someone.
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Rei stood quietly among them, her champagne glass resting lightly in her hand. Her gaze wandered across the crowded room, but she felt strangely detached from it all.
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A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.
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"There you are."
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She turned to see Elias walking toward her with his usual calm confidence. His eyes briefly swept over the crowd before settling on her.
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"I leave you alone for five minutes," he said with a faint smile, "and suddenly everyone wants your attention."
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He stepped beside her, close enough to offer comfort without invading her space.
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"You look like you've been thinking too much," he murmured. "Which is dangerous in a room full of people pretending to be someone they're aren't."
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He glanced toward the open French doors leading outside.
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"The balcony is quieter."
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Rei let out a quiet breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
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"Thank you," she said softly. "I needed that."
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Without another word, Elias guided her through the crowd. His hand rested gently against the small of her back, steady and reassuring.
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The cool night air welcomed them as they stepped onto the balcony. The music faded behind the glass, replaced by silence and the distant glow of city lights.
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For a while, neither of them spoke.
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Elias leaned against the stone railing, watching the city below.
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"I used to hate parties like this," he admitted after a long silence. "I thought it was the room that exhausted me."
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He smiled faintly.
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"But then I realized... it wasn't the room."
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His gaze drifted toward her.
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"It was the effort of constantly being on display."
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A quiet pause settled between them.
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"Tonight feels different," he said.
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"Because you're here."
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Rei tilted her head, genuinely confused.
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"Do you... know me?"
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Elias looked at her for a long moment before answering.
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"I know you."
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His voice remained calm.
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"I know how you look when you're deciding whether to stay or leave a conversation. I know how tightly you hold your glass when you're nervous."
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A small smile touched his lips.
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"I know you've spent the last hour wishing you could be anywhere but inside that ballroom."
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He chuckled softly.
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"I don't know your favorite color."
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"I don't know your childhood stories."
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"But I've been paying attention."
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Rei rested her chin on her hand, studying him carefully.
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"But... why?"
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"Why do you want to know me?"
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Elias's expression softened.
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"Because seeing someone isn't the same as knowing them."
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"Anyone can see."
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"But knowing someone..." he said quietly, "...takes time."
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"It takes attention."
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"And I've found myself paying very close attention to you."
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She looked away toward the city lights.
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"What's the point of knowing someone..."
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"...when you already know you'll probably never see them again?"
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Her voice was calm, almost matter-of-fact.
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"Isn't it just a waste of time?"
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Elias didn't argue.
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Instead, he looked at her with quiet understanding.
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"That's a very practical way of looking at the world."
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"But life isn't always practical."
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He stepped a little closer.
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"I don't know if we'll ever meet again after tonight."
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"I don't know where life will take either of us."
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"But right now..."
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He held her gaze.
29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaYNsjUept
"You're here."
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"And I'm here."
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Silence returned.
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After a long pause, Rei finally admitted the truth she'd been hiding.
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"I don't avoid people because I dislike them."
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She smiled sadly.
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"I avoid getting close because..."
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"It hurts when people leave."
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"When they stop talking."
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"When they forget you."
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"I'd rather not become attached than lose someone again."
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Elias nodded slowly.
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"It does hurt."
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"People leave."
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"They change."
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"They disappear."
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He looked at her with quiet certainty.
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"But if you only allow yourself to know the people you're guaranteed to keep..."
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"...you're not really living."
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"You're only protecting yourself."
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He offered a gentle smile.
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"We don't have to promise forever."
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"We don't even have to promise tomorrow."
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He extended his hand toward her.
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"Just tonight."
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"Just this conversation."
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Rei looked at his hand for a long moment.
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Then, almost shyly...
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She smiled.
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"Okay."
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"I'll try."
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Elias smiled back, warmer this time.
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"That's all anyone can ask."
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The city lights stretched endlessly before them, while inside, the ballroom continued pretending.
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Out here, for the first time that night, neither of them had to.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU3ZDIxYd9
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