Scene: Evening – Their Shared House
The evening sun cast a warm orange glow over the luxury home, shining through tall glass windows into the sleek kitchen. The silence inside was thick—not awkward, just… quiet.
Hiro sat at the dining table, a book open but unread. His blue eyes weren't on the pages. They were on the cup of untouched tea in front of him.
Across the room, Ayaka moved calmly, her back to him. Her long white hair swayed gently, left open as always, with the red ribbon tied neatly around her lower back — soft, elegant, untouchable.
She placed a plate down in front of him. Light curry, miso soup, a small salad.
"Eat before it gets cold," she said, not looking at him.
Hiro blinked.
He hadn't asked for dinner. She hadn't said she would cook. But it was here, anyway.
"Did your father tell you to cook too?" he asked.
She scoffed.
"No. I just didn't want the kitchen to smell like instant noodles all week."
He didn't reply. He simply picked up the spoon and began eating quietly.
Ayaka sat across from him, acting like this was just… normal.
But the silence wasn't heavy anymore. It was… gentle.
---
Scene: Later That Night – Living Room
Ayaka curled up on the couch with a blanket, watching a late-night drama. Her eyes were on the screen, but her mind wasn't.
Across the room, Hiro sat reading — again. Calm, quiet, and still. Like always.
She stole a glance at him.
He's annoying. Always so quiet. Always acting like nothing matters.
She looked back at the TV.
But then… she noticed him shift slightly. Just enough to glance her way. Their eyes met for a second — and she looked away first.
"What?" she muttered.
"Nothing," he said, flipping a page.
She tightened the blanket around her.
"I'm not watching this with you, you know. I was here first."
"You said that last night too."
"Tch… you have no presence, that's your problem."
Still, Hiro didn't leave.
He just stayed — sitting there, reading beside her like it was completely natural.
And Ayaka… didn't tell him to go.
- her room, she whispered just loud enough for him to hear:
"…Thanks for locking the door, I guess."
Hiro blinked.
He didn't say anything, but the corner of his mouth lifted — just slightly.
---
Midnight – Shared Bedroom
The door creaked open with a soft sound.
Ayaka stepped in, drying her long white hair with a soft towel, her damp strands falling around her shoulders. She wore a light pastel nightdress, simple and modest — just something soft to sleep in. Her feet made no sound on the floor as she entered.
She paused for a second.
The room was dim, lit only by the faint streetlights outside.
On the bed near the window, Hiro was already lying down. He hadn't changed position — his eyes stared quietly at the ceiling, one arm resting behind his head. Still wearing a black T-shirt and track pants, he looked… perfectly calm. But not asleep.
His blue eyes reflected the streetlight faintly. His breathing was steady. Too steady.
He knew she entered.
But he didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't even glance.
Ayaka hesitated for a moment.
Then sighed quietly.
She crossed the room slowly, towel still in hand, and sat down on the edge of the second bed — the one farthest from him.
Her back was to him now.
She dried her hair gently, quietly.
The silence between them wasn't heavy — but it wasn't comfortable either.
Just… neutral. Like two ghosts occupying the same space.
After a few minutes, she placed the towel aside and slipped into bed.
"Still awake?" she asked softly, staring at the wall.
A short pause.
Then came Hiro's quiet reply:
"Yeah."
Ayaka pulled the blanket up to her chin.
"Thinking about school?"
Another pause. Then—
"No. Just... the ceiling."
She let out a breath — maybe a laugh. Maybe not.
"You're weird."
Hiro didn't respond.
And yet… something about that calm silence felt a little warmer tonight.
---
> Even without looking at each other.
Even without talking.
The distance between two beds…
felt smaller than the silence they shared at school.