The next morning, Emi sat quietly in the passenger seat of Ren's car. She hadn't said much since stepping out of the house, but the silence between them wasn't uncomfortable. Ren's fingers rested casually on the steering wheel, but his voice broke the quiet as they stopped at a red light.
"I don't usually stay at that place," he said, not looking at her. "I stay at the Kazama estate most nights. But you can stay there as long as you need. You don't have to worry about anything."
Emi blinked, caught off guard. "You mean… I can just stay there?"
"It's quiet. Safe. And yours—for now," he replied, glancing briefly in her direction. Her brows furrowed.
"Then… let me pay rent."
Ren's knuckles tightened slightly on the wheel. "No."
She turned toward him, her voice softer but more determined. "Then at least deduct it from my pay. I'm working. I can contribute."
"No," he said again, firmer this time. "You're a student. You should focus on your studies. Not on rent."
"But—"
"Emi."
His voice dropped, quiet and absolute, cutting off her protest.
She exhaled, defeated but oddly grateful. She hated owing people. But somehow, with Ren… it didn't feel like debt. It felt like something harder to name.
When they reached her school, she murmured a small thanks and slipped out of the car. Ren waited until she had safely entered the building before driving off.
*****
During Lunch time, Emi sat across from Sora at the campus cafeteria. Despite their different class schedules—Emi with general studies and part-time work, Sora in fashion design—they made time for each other when they could.
"You look a little more rested today," Sora said, sipping her iced latte. "Your skin's glowing too. Finally using that skincare I told you about?"
Emi laughed softly. "More like I finally got five hours of uninterrupted sleep."
But before the conversation could go further, they heard it.
Whispers. Not loud, but not subtle either.
A group of girls seated a few tables away were murmuring behind their hands, their eyes flickering not-so-discreetly in Emi's direction.
"…she's been dressing up lately…"
"…probably found someone rich…"
"…maybe she took an easy job—those girls who sleep around always have designer bags overnight…"
Sora's smile dropped. "What the hell—" She started rising from her seat, fury flashing in her eyes.
But Emi reached out and gently tugged her back down. "Don't," she said quietly.
Sora stared at her. "You're just going to let them talk like that?"
Emi looked down at her hands wrapped around her cup. "Let them. People talk when they notice change. Even my dad thought the same thing… that I must've done something dirty to get by."
The words were soft, but they hung between them like thunder.
Sora's expression twisted. "That bastard."
Emi looked up, managing a sad smile. "He tried to marry me off to some middle-aged guy to clear a new debt. Said it was the only way left."
Sora's breath hitched. "Wait, what? Are you serious?"
Emi nodded slowly. "But… Ren showed up. He stopped it. Tore the contract apart right there. He brought me to his place last night and…" she hesitated, choosing her words carefully, "He told me that I can stay there."
Sora leaned back, stunned. "The Ren Kazama?"
Emi nodded her bread.
A teasing smirk crept onto Sora's face. "Well, maybe he has something for you?"
mi's cheeks flushed. "He said I'm not just anything to him. I didn't know how to respond. I mean… I always had this feeling he was looking out for me, but hearing it like that…"
Sora leaned in, brows raised. "He actually said that?"
Emi gave a small nod. "Yeah. I think part of me always knew… I mean, why else would he keep saving me?"
Sora leaned back in her chair, folding her arms as her expression shifted from amused to serious. "Emi… that's not something someone like Ren Kazama says lightly. He's not exactly handing out feelings left and right."
Emi's eyes dropped to her drink, her fingers tracing the rim of the cup. "I know. That's why I'm scared. I don't belong in his world. I'm just a college student. He's… Ren. He's in the Mafia."
Sora didn't speak right away. She glanced around the cafeteria, made sure no one was listening, then turned back. "Are you ready for that? The Mafia isn't some tragic love story or romanticized movie stuff. It's dark. Dangerous. You don't just dip your toes in. Once you step in… you're in."
"I know," Emi said quietly. "That's why I told him I'm not a match for him. I'm grateful for everything he's done, I really am. No one's ever helped me the way he has. But I don't want to be something he feels responsible for. I don't want to be a burden."
Sora softened. "You're not a burden, Emi. Not to him. And definitely not to me."
Emi gave a faint smile. "I told him I wanted to pay rent. He refused."
Sora grinned. "Classic rich guy move."
"I just… I feel nervous around him. Not in a bad way, just… I can't breathe when he's too close. When he touches me, even just my arm… my heart starts pounding so hard it hurts."
Sora leaned in again, her tone gentler now. "That's not just gratitude, Emi."
Emi looked at her, startled.
Sora shrugged. "You like him. Maybe you don't want to admit it yet, but your body already knows. And that's okay."
"But what do I do with that?" Emi asked, almost whispering. "I'm not ready to be part of that world. I'm not like him."
"No," Sora said firmly, "you're not like him. And that might be exactly why he's drawn to you. You're real. Grounded. You're not trying to play some role or prove anything. You see him for more than the name he carries."
Emi looked down, letting the words sink in.
Sora reached out, squeezing her hand. "Just promise me something. Don't lose yourself in his world. If you do decide to be close to him, do it because you want to—not because you feel like you owe him. And don't forget who you are in the process."
Emi nodded slowly, her throat tight. "I won't."
Sora leaned back and smiled, playful again. "Also… if this thing with Ren becomes real, just promise you'll let me be there for you. No matter how messy it gets."
Emi laughed, eyes misty. "You're ridiculous."
"Yeah," Sora said with a wink, "but I'm your ridiculous."
*****
After classes, Emi stepped into the office and went straight to her desk. As she settled in, she noticed it immediately—Ren wasn't in today. She checked his office, but the door was closed and the lights were off.
She tried to brush it off. He's probably busy. Or handling something elsewhere. But the quiet tug of disappointment was harder to ignore than she expected.
The workday passed without issue. Emi stayed focused, kept herself busy with paperwork and small tasks, answering emails, taking calls. Still, part of her kept glancing toward the hallway, half-hoping he might show up.
But he didn't.
After finishing her shift, she stopped by the convenience store and picked up a simple bento for dinner. She wasn't in the mood to cook, and honestly, she wasn't that hungry either.
Back at Ren's private house, she set the bento aside. It sat untouched.
She changed into something comfortable and made her way to the bathroom, filling the tub for a long bath. She sank into the water, trying to relax, trying not to think.
But her thoughts kept returning to him.
It's not just about feeling safe, she admitted silently. I miss him. Even though I saw him this morning... I still miss him.
Later, she lay in bed, eyes open in the dark. The house was quiet. Too quiet. She knew Ren wouldn't be coming back tonight. He hadn't said anything, but she felt it.
He's not coming.
Her chest felt tight, but she didn't cry. Instead, she pulled the blanket up, closed her eyes, and whispered, "Goodnight, Ren."