As the day progressed, there was a quiet buzz of anticipation in the studio, but Ren moved through it like a ghost. Ayaka's icy distance and the weight of unsaid words were starting to seep deeply into him.
He hadn't shared the song online. He hadn't even permitted anyone to hear it.
On his laptop, it was quietly stored in a folder with the simple label "For_Her_Demo_001." Late one evening, when no one else was around, he had recorded it in the sound booth of the training studio. It was just him, the microphone, and the pain he couldn't describe.
When he struck the last note, his fingers shook a little. Ren closed his eyes and allowed the emotions to wash over him as the playback reverberated through the headphones. He never opened the file again after saving it and sealing it with his breath.
Rehearsals for voice acting, vocal training, late-night script readings, and stage movement classes filled his days, leaving him exhausted. Ren didn't let himself lag behind because the industry didn't wait for anyone. He put in twice as much work, remained silent outside of the recording rooms, and kept his head down. His intensity caught the attention of his teachers. No one questioned it, even among fellow trainees. It was simpler to think he was simply concentrating.
Ayaka's silence, however, was profound. It was beginning to feel like there was no turning back the distance between them.
That night, Ayaka sat at her desk going over her notes for the upcoming anime pitch. Her eyes were unfocused as her pen lingered above the paper. Minutes went by. She tapped absently at the desk. She didn't follow the script. It was somewhere else.
She leaned back in her chair and sighed.
Then she checked the time. Her heart skipped a beat.
It was around the time that Ren typically completed his training. Something pulled at her, softly but firmly.
She got to her feet.
She picked up her coat and walked out of the office without saying anything to anyone. She walked purposefully, her boots clicking softly against the pavement under the warm glow of the city lights.
Ayaka's thoughts drifted silently as she walked to the building where Ren received training.
Have I gone too far?
Those days of avoiding her. She used to look at him when he wasn't looking. She wasn't upset. She felt afraid. She cared so much that it scared me. It all seemed to happen so quickly.
She now understood, however, that her silence had probably caused him more pain than she had thought.
She arrived at the building and paused close to the gate, out of sight. Her coat was gently tugged by the cool breeze. The sky deepened into a subdued navy, and streetlights continued to flicker.
Her gaze kept straying to the doorway.
The moments were drawn out.
She unfolded her arms after folding them. looked at her phone. Next, the gate.
The door opened at last. Ren went out by himself. His body was obviously exhausted, his head lowered, and his backpack slung over one shoulder.
Ayaka gasped.
He failed to notice her. He started to move slowly down the block toward the bus stop.
She paused to observe his shoulders' curve and the slight lag in his pace. That walk was familiar to her. It was a person attempting to carry more than they ought to.
She moved forward.
"Ren!"
The air echoed softly with her voice.
He stopped in his tracks.
He raised his head abruptly.
He turned.
She was standing just in front of the building, and his eyes widened in shock. He didn't believe it for a moment. Not after all these weeks. Not with her voice's warmth.
Ayaka was standing in front of the building on the other side of the street. Wearing a dark beige coat, she clutched her bag under the orange glow of the streetlamp. She fixed him with her gaze.
Then something exploded inside of him.
He started running.
He darted across the street without hesitation or thought. Ren was unconcerned as cars drove by and a horn sounded. She was all he saw.
"Ren—watch out!" Panic rising in her throat, Ayaka called out.
However, he continued until he was directly in front of her. Then, without warning, he fell to his knees.
His hands extended and clasped hers tenderly.
With his shoulders shaking and his head bent, he muttered, "I'm sorry. Ayaka-san, I'm really sorry for everything. I didn't intend to cause you any discomfort. I never intended to hurt you."
Ayaka gazed at him with wide eyes and a racing heart.
He had such a raw appearance. So exposed. Her throat tightened.
She hesitated for a long time.
Then she withdrew her hand—and gave him a light headshake.
Ren clutched his head in surprise as he looked up.
"Oh—"
"Are you crazy or just stupid?" Ayaka gave a gentle reprimand in a worried-sounding voice. "A green light was crossed by you! What if you had experienced something?
Ren blinked.
Then he chuckled.
A soft laugh of relief. Real. The sort that reverberated through the silent night.
His eyes crinkled with delight as he vowed, "I won't do that again."
Ayaka rubbed her temple and sighed. "You'd better not."
They were silent for a while. A kind that is healing and warm.
Then she gave a small smile.
"Come on. I take it you haven't eaten?"
He gave a headshake. "Not just yet."
"Come on. I'll give you a treat."
His eyes glowed. "Really?"
"Yes."
They visited a nearby little hotel restaurant that Ren had never been to before. It was quiet, comfortable, and full of low chatter and the gentle clink of dishes.
They took a seat by the window.
Rice, grilled veggies, miso soup, and teriyaki chicken were among the hot foods they ordered.
They ate in silence at first.
Then they started talking slowly.
Confessions are not the point. It has nothing to do with the song. Simply put, life.
He described training to her, including the demanding schedule, the late-night sessions, and the teachers who challenged him.
She updated him on the anime project she hoped to complete in time for spring, the deadlines, and the characters she was creating.
They paid attention to one another.
They chuckled.
They also didn't want the evening to end when dinner was over.
So they went for a walk. Through Tokyo's dimly lit streets. They were unaffected by the cold air.
They went to a small convenience store and purchased soft serve ice cream, matcha for Ren and vanilla for Ayaka.
Like they always did before things got complicated, they walked along the riverwalk.
Ayaka caught a glimpse of him.
He seems exhausted.
However, he looked happy.
There were no walls between them that night.
Just the two of them, strolling together once more.
Together.
And even though neither of them expressed it, they both sensed the silent truth slowly coming back, one step at a time.
The whisper of something healing and the echo of laughter filled the night air.
Additionally, Ren didn't listen to the song on his laptop for the first time in weeks.
He didn't have to.
Since his name had been called by her.
And it was sufficient.