10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFe5VM3xO1
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEHmGr3U0I
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.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhudfV1zEi
Elias looked at Rei with calm, unwavering eyes.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys4Dxsgjqa
"So," he said softly, "I'll start watching Tomodachi Game tonight. Twelve episodes... I can finish that in a few nights."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeMtxj63K6
He slipped his phone into his pocket and smiled faintly.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHplA3H3vc
"When I'm done, I'll come back to you. You can explain everything I didn't understand."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xhKx7arP3
Rei tilted her head, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJMwj3pzmA
"But... do you really think we'll meet again?"
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4csLxt4NIj
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.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfO3niRglU
"You're asking a question you already know the answer to."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsLoVwQJ2o
He looked back at her, his expression unreadable, yet his eyes were warm.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1yiBP770g
"I don't believe in coincidences, Rei. And I don't believe in letting people go simply because it's convenient."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1weD1N0r5
A confident smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbdKpBS2SH
"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."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1sqs1rPZi
Rei couldn't help smiling.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvGVh1NCrK
"Oh," she said quietly. "You're persistent."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGkn7GqfKl
Elias let out a soft, dry laugh.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiKOYR0dlt
"Persistence is just another word for knowing what you want."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLafckFoaS
He stepped a little closer, close enough to notice the small change in her expression, but careful enough not to invade her space.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmJhkVSfN0
"And right now," he admitted, never breaking eye contact, "I know exactly what I want."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKTk1xDMMj
The air between them grew warmer despite the cool night breeze.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHB7PqA5bh
He didn't rush her.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2L8T3ISmB
Instead, he simply stood beside her, letting the silence speak for itself.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVwv9FVZMd
After a while, he whispered,
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRRghxZVvJ
"You're quiet. I like that about you. Most people use silence to hide something. I think you use it to listen."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnSdXj3Zvc
His fingers brushed lightly against the stone railing beside her hand, never touching her, yet close enough for her to feel his presence.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdKZ5EiQsp
"I'm going to watch those episodes," he promised. "And I'm going to remember everything you told me tonight."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJojPuTYaj
Then he took a small step back, giving her room to breathe.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq23gWYnO3
"It's settled."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KVhBNmd3q
From inside his jacket, Elias pulled out a simple, elegant card and held it toward her.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYSuLRXTp6
"In case you change your mind about whether we'll meet again."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifucPVaQlY
He didn't force it into her hand.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicoPBQbDh8
He simply waited.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ090TXEkcE1
"I'll be waiting for your explanation after Episode Twelve," he added with a gentle smile. "Don't make me wait too long."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxhimRHKQE
Rei looked at the card for a moment before taking it.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs3eTwmplO
"Okay."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPwzTcdQ9P
A softness appeared in Elias's eyes.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqdUTRrf8I
"Good."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxi10WJIc1
He stepped back once more.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYrgGbhAw4
"I'll see you around, Rei."
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8elGxwc5X
He didn't say goodbye.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWwPobW97E
He only watched her for another quiet moment before turning toward the ballroom.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jxqX8aT9Q
Rei finished her drink and walked toward the parking lot.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmN7DH3cRc
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.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw18xSwKoL9
Meanwhile, Elias stood alone on the balcony, staring at the place where she had been standing only moments before.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH7svFsWii
The night suddenly felt quieter.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaLoC8MHet
He reached into his pocket and took out his phone. Once again, he searched for Tomodachi Game.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfwXGQh7o3
He read the synopsis one last time before locking the screen.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DqBGHJB71
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.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5RvMNGIx7
and then Add to home screen.