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The ballroom was alive with music and laughter, but neither Elias nor Rei paid much attention to it anymore. They stood together on the quiet balcony, where the cool night breeze carried away the noise of the party.
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Elias looked at Rei with calm, unwavering eyes.
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"So," he said softly, "I'll start watching Tomodachi Game tonight. Twelve episodes... I can finish that in a few nights."
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He slipped his phone into his pocket and smiled faintly.
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"When I'm done, I'll come back to you. You can explain everything I didn't understand."
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Rei tilted her head, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.
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"But... do you really think we'll meet again?"
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Silence settled between them. Elias turned toward the city skyline, watching the lights shimmer like stars scattered across the darkness. After a long moment, he spoke.
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"You're asking a question you already know the answer to."
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He looked back at her, his expression unreadable, yet his eyes were warm.
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"I don't believe in coincidences, Rei. And I don't believe in letting people go simply because it's convenient."
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A confident smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
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"I'll find you. Whether it's at another party like this... or if I have to search for your favorite forest with the waterfall."
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Rei couldn't help smiling.
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"Oh," she said quietly. "You're persistent."
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Elias let out a soft, dry laugh.
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"Persistence is just another word for knowing what you want."
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He stepped a little closer, close enough to notice the small change in her expression, but careful enough not to invade her space.
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"And right now," he admitted, never breaking eye contact, "I know exactly what I want."
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The air between them grew warmer despite the cool night breeze.
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He didn't rush her.
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Instead, he simply stood beside her, letting the silence speak for itself.
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After a while, he whispered,
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"You're quiet. I like that about you. Most people use silence to hide something. I think you use it to listen."
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His fingers brushed lightly against the stone railing beside her hand, never touching her, yet close enough for her to feel his presence.
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"I'm going to watch those episodes," he promised. "And I'm going to remember everything you told me tonight."
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Then he took a small step back, giving her room to breathe.
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"It's settled."
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From inside his jacket, Elias pulled out a simple, elegant card and held it toward her.
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"In case you change your mind about whether we'll meet again."
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He didn't force it into her hand.
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He simply waited.
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"I'll be waiting for your explanation after Episode Twelve," he added with a gentle smile. "Don't make me wait too long."
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Rei looked at the card for a moment before taking it.
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"Okay."
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A softness appeared in Elias's eyes.
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"Good."
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He stepped back once more.
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"I'll see you around, Rei."
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He didn't say goodbye.
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He only watched her for another quiet moment before turning toward the ballroom.
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Rei finished her drink and walked toward the parking lot.
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A few minutes later, she was driving home. Her hair, once neatly styled for the party, was now tied into a messy bun. Headphones rested over her ears as music filled the quiet car. Outside, the city lights stretched into long golden and crimson lines across the windows.
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Meanwhile, Elias stood alone on the balcony, staring at the place where she had been standing only moments before.
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The night suddenly felt quieter.
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He reached into his pocket and took out his phone. Once again, he searched for Tomodachi Game.
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He read the synopsis one last time before locking the screen.
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Instead of returning to the ballroom, he walked slowly toward the parking area. His thoughts drifted back to the forest with the waterfall—the peaceful place Rei had mentioned.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgfub7sAVt
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