The quiet streets of Fontaine lay under a soft mist as Rin strolled alone, the tension from his recent spat with Arlecchino lingering.
Rin was now feeling the effects of the Cryo Delusion after using it for a long time, He had to do something about it.
He barely noticed the footsteps that hurried to catch up with him until he heard a soft voice.
"Excuse me... are you alright?"
Rin turned, arching a brow as he took in the sight of a young woman standing behind him, a faint look of concern in her eyes. She wore the modest attire of a waitress, her apron still tied loosely around her waist, as though she'd just finished her shift. She looked slightly nervous but didn't avert her gaze.
"Out here so late?" he asked, his voice smooth with a hint of mystery.
She hesitated, then offered a shy smile. "I... just got off work. Couldn't help but notice you looked like you had a lot on your mind."
He smirked, maintaining an air of reserved charm. "Observant, aren't you? Most people wouldn't even ask." He gestured down the street. "Would you care to walk with me? This city feels lonely at night."
She blinked, surprised by his invitation, but quickly nodded. "I'd... like that," she replied, her cheeks faintly pink. They walked together, and she introduced herself as Sophie, a waitress from a nearby tavern who'd moved to Fontaine a few years ago. As they strolled, he began to share just enough about himself to pique her curiosity without revealing too much.
The streetlights cast a soft glow on his face as he spoke, each shadow and flicker giving him an almost ethereal allure that Sophie couldn't help but find captivating.
"I've traveled a lot," he said, glancing up at the night sky. "Seen too much, maybe. The world's a heavy place."
Her brow furrowed as she looked up at him, her gaze filled with a quiet admiration. "You make it sound... almost poetic," she murmured. "Not many people think like that."
He chuckled softly, letting his voice carry a trace of sadness. "Maybe because most people haven't lived it."
They passed a small café that was still open, its warm lights spilling onto the cobblestone. Ren glanced over, and with a faint smile, gestured towards it. "Would you like to get something to eat? My treat."
Sophie's eyes lit up in surprise. "Are you sure?"
He nodded, his smirk turning warm. "Consider it my thank you... for being the first person to ask if I'm alright in a long time."
Inside, they settled into a cozy booth by the window. Sophie ordered a simple tea, and he followed suit, choosing a dark roast. As they waited, Ren leaned in, his gaze holding hers with a quiet intensity. "So, Sophie," he said, voice low. "What brings you to a place like Fontaine?"
She hesitated, surprised by his interest, but answered softly. "I came here... for a fresh start, I suppose. Needed to get away from home. Thought a new city would bring a new life." Her gaze dropped to her tea, a flicker of sadness crossing her face. "But it turns out that no matter where you go, some things just... follow you."
Rin nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful, as though he understood her words on a deep, personal level. "Loneliness," he murmured. "It doesn't care where you are, does it?"
She looked up, her eyes widening. "Yes... exactly." A small smile tugged at her lips. "I don't think I've ever met anyone who gets it like that."
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No Longer Human | Arlecchino
FanfictionA genshin impact story reincarnated into the world of Genshin but Ren doesn't realize the Issues before it was too late. "You said you were losing the sense of morality, but they were never there to begin with... Liar" -Romance? hell yeah -Harem? Fu...
