𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐘𝐎𝐔⭑.ᐟ 𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐔 (✔)

chapter 14

Bonten Headquarters, Tokyo

The tension in the base didn't disappear after Mikey dismissed everyone, but it shifted into something quieter, something that settled into the walls instead of pressing directly on the air. Conversations were shorter, footsteps more deliberate, and even the usual noise felt restrained, like everyone understood that whatever had just started wasn't something small.

For now, though, there was nothing left to do.

I exhaled softly as I walked down the corridor, the weight of the day finally catching up now that everything had slowed down again. The adrenaline had worn off, leaving behind that dull, lingering exhaustion that made everything feel slightly heavier than it should.

Behind me, Rindou followed at an unhurried pace, his presence steady without being intrusive, and although neither of us said anything, the silence didn't feel uncomfortable. It had settled into something familiar, something that didn't need to be filled just for the sake of it.

I slowed slightly, glancing toward his room before looking ahead again. "You should get some rest," I said, my voice quieter now that everything around us had calmed.

"Yeah," he replied easily. But he didn't stop.

I noticed it without turning, the sound of his footsteps still following mine as I reached my door and pushed it open. I stepped inside, leaving it slightly ajar behind me without thinking much of it, already focused on getting out of the clothes that still carried the weight of everything from earlier.

I moved through the room naturally, grabbing fresh clothes before heading into the bathroom, letting the door close behind me as I turned the water on again. The warmth settled over me quickly, easing the tension in my shoulders as I stood there for a moment longer than necessary, letting the quiet hum of the water clear what little remained of the day.

When I stepped out again, drying my hair lightly with a towel, I paused almost immediately.

He was still there.

Rindou sat on the edge of my bed like he had every right to be there, leaning forward slightly with his elbows resting on his knees, his posture relaxed but not careless. He looked up as I stepped out, his expression unchanged, like nothing about this was out of place.

I raised an eyebrow slightly. "Your room's that boring?"

"It's fine," he said.

"Then why are you here?"

He shrugged, simple and unbothered. "Quieter."

I watched him for a second, like I was deciding whether that answer made sense or not, but in the end, I didn't question it further. "Whatever," I muttered, tossing the towel aside as I moved past him and sat down on the other side of the bed.

The quiet returned almost immediately, softer this time, not weighed down by anything in particular, just existing naturally between us. I leaned back slightly, resting my weight on my hands as I glanced toward him again.

"You always just walk into people's rooms?" I asked.

"You left the door open."

"That doesn't mean come in."

"You didn't tell me to leave."

I tilted my head slightly. "You're still here."

"So are you."

"That's because this is my room."

"That didn't stop you earlier."

I let out a quiet breath that almost turned into a laugh, shaking my head as I leaned back further. "You're not letting that go, are you?"