13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24SoZQotqf
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEL95NMrl4
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.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei9PjnUBwx
Elias looked at Rei with calm, unwavering eyes.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqYBgei3JR
"So," he said softly, "I'll start watching Tomodachi Game tonight. Twelve episodes... I can finish that in a few nights."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGlMNe3ueX
He slipped his phone into his pocket and smiled faintly.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYGTGRAlf6
"When I'm done, I'll come back to you. You can explain everything I didn't understand."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtlIQLB6dQ
Rei tilted her head, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5yBGmOFCK
"But... do you really think we'll meet again?"
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8pb4ehwur
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.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwqIs9bY9M
"You're asking a question you already know the answer to."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN0Luj2xCG
He looked back at her, his expression unreadable, yet his eyes were warm.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHCCSr2xBa
"I don't believe in coincidences, Rei. And I don't believe in letting people go simply because it's convenient."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xHW7sDToC
A confident smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL62ybKs3Mz
"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."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ82zxE4hrt
Rei couldn't help smiling.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy68N8k2dV6
"Oh," she said quietly. "You're persistent."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5PmXjVzAA
Elias let out a soft, dry laugh.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J9wDpzmZ3
"Persistence is just another word for knowing what you want."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF82bqAI6pG
He stepped a little closer, close enough to notice the small change in her expression, but careful enough not to invade her space.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw5qry0Dl3
"And right now," he admitted, never breaking eye contact, "I know exactly what I want."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP3JBk3DOI
The air between them grew warmer despite the cool night breeze.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg048zAd3GG
He didn't rush her.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z9OAmLSan
Instead, he simply stood beside her, letting the silence speak for itself.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrrZWmP30p
After a while, he whispered,
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLtEZ3CBZ0
"You're quiet. I like that about you. Most people use silence to hide something. I think you use it to listen."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86so443a0T
His fingers brushed lightly against the stone railing beside her hand, never touching her, yet close enough for her to feel his presence.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a1uKK2u6v
"I'm going to watch those episodes," he promised. "And I'm going to remember everything you told me tonight."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7mWVoC9OJ
Then he took a small step back, giving her room to breathe.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YBsuAlKns
"It's settled."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlebD54otHq
From inside his jacket, Elias pulled out a simple, elegant card and held it toward her.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKemhxOql6s
"In case you change your mind about whether we'll meet again."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rOCEFBaGe
He didn't force it into her hand.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9yWKgce07
He simply waited.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nPXB3gvca
"I'll be waiting for your explanation after Episode Twelve," he added with a gentle smile. "Don't make me wait too long."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fVY5ltL58
Rei looked at the card for a moment before taking it.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCiQCplxfn
"Okay."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcphv2FcL7
A softness appeared in Elias's eyes.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMHZKlOUf1
"Good."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbDncsq9yP
He stepped back once more.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RJz7hi3tc
"I'll see you around, Rei."
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MJVBniOPJ
He didn't say goodbye.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhkVy92SSj
He only watched her for another quiet moment before turning toward the ballroom.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO9HuwZn8s
Rei finished her drink and walked toward the parking lot.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhZ24dqUxw
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.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgXaLxia5A
Meanwhile, Elias stood alone on the balcony, staring at the place where she had been standing only moments before.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYmrVsT8Gm
The night suddenly felt quieter.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uhjsbQKcE
He reached into his pocket and took out his phone. Once again, he searched for Tomodachi Game.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLuzI7FnWG
He read the synopsis one last time before locking the screen.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGzVfDqvWz
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.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfX06a38hB
and then Add to home screen.