Day 15, September 1, 2015
Dawn
Account Balance:¥3,093,000.
The neon lights outside faded more slowly than she expected.
The room was quiet.
The window unit was still humming, the air weak.
A tissue had fallen on the floor; she didn't know when.
Half the blanket was hanging off the bed, the other half crumpled near the foot.
The bottle of water on the table was almost empty. The cap wasn't fully closed.
When Aria woke up, the room was still soaked in that dim pink light.
She opened her eyes and first saw the patterned sticker on the ceiling—
Then she felt someone beside her.
She didn't turn her head right away.
She tried to sense his breath first.
He was still there.
His breathing was steady. His body was warm.
It wasn't a dream.
He was really lying next to her—in the cheapest love hotel in Kabukicho.
Julian had his back to her, his body close to the edge of the bed.
He hadn't crossed the line they drew last night.
Even the blanket had stayed where it was—neatly covering only her side.
Aria stared at his back for a while, waiting for her eyes to adjust.
She didn't speak. She didn't reach out.
She just needed to be sure he was still there.
Then she reached out and touched his shoulder, lightly.
Julian didn't move.
Her fingers slid slowly down from his shoulder blade to his back, then to his waist.
Still, no response.
She paused.
Didn't pull her hand back. Didn't move forward either.
For a second or two, she waited for him to react.
But he didn't do anything.
She knew he was awake.
He had been awake the whole time.
But he didn't speak.
So she moved closer, resting her forehead against his back. Her breathing was shallow.
"…You're still here," she whispered.
Julian didn't turn around.
He shifted slightly just enough to change position. Not clear. Not deliberate. But he didn't pull away.
Aria's hand rested at his waist. Her fingers lightly gripped the fabric of his shirt.
A second later, she kissed him.
Not deep. Not teasing.
Just a brief, quiet touch of her lips on the back of his neck.
Julian finally spoke, his voice low—like it came from a dream.
"…Are you sure?"
Aria didn't answer.
She buried her face in his shoulder and mumbled:
"Don't talk."
He didn't say anything after that.
Their bodies moved closer. The distance between them disappeared.
The sheets turned into a mess.
Morning light spilled across their skin.
The air smelled of smoke, sweat, and cheap body wash.
It wasn't graceful, but it wasn't awkward either.
Just something that happened.
Julian pulled on his pants and sat at the edge of the bed.
After a moment of silence, he asked:
"Do you want to eat something?"
His voice was low, more like he was asking himself than her.
Aria nodded.
She didn't cover herself, didn't show shame or regret.
She just pushed her hair aside and leaned back against the headboard.
"Why did you come last night?" she asked.
Julian didn't turn around. He was tying his shoelaces as he replied:
"I was worried something might happen to you here. Alone."
Aria let out a short laugh. It sounded tired—and a little sharp.
"And now you're more worried, right?"
Julian didn't respond. He just exhaled, like giving in or letting go.
At 9:40, Aria hit the service button and called the front desk to check out.
Not because she wanted to leave, but because this place wasn't worth staying.
"This room is disgusting," she said.
"The TV's too loud. The bed's hard as hell."
Julian stayed seated, watching her pack. He didn't say a word.
She stuffed things into her bag without looking up.
"Let's go somewhere else," she said casually. "It's not like I can't afford it."
Julian looked at the toothbrush in her hand.
She looked like someone always ready to leave.
He asked, "You sure you don't want to stay somewhere else?"
She paused, didn't turn back. Her voice was calm:
"I'm staying in Kabukicho.
If you don't like it, don't come."
Then she grabbed the bag with her laptop, wireless mouse, a wrinkled T-shirt, and that black toothbrush.
Without looking back, she walked out the door.
Julian stood at the doorway, watching her disappear down the stairs.
He didn't follow.
He didn't say anything.
When he stepped outside, the light hit his face.
Julian stood in the doorway, watching her disappear down the stairs.
He didn't follow. He didn't say anything.
As he stepped outside, the sunlight hit him.
The street was already busy.
At the convenience store, boxes of fresh bento were stacked by the door.
A stray cat crawled out from an alley, then darted back in when a garbage truck passed by.
A group of hosts in platform shoes walked past, smoking and scrolling on their phones.
The air was thick with perfume, cigarette smoke, fried food, and the beer stink from last night that hadn't quite faded.
Julian put on his sunglasses and caught up with her.
"You going back to the market today?" he asked.
Aria was standing at the crosswalk, sipping an iced coffee she bought from the conbini.
She paused for a second.
"Not sure," she said. "Today I want to feel like a human."
He smiled, didn't ask further.
The light turned green.
The crowd moved like a wave.
Wide shot.
They walked side by side through Kabukicho's daylight,
blinding sun, hot air, the street loud and alive again.
Last night's softness, this morning's silence, all of it seemed to evaporate in the heat.
They walked through the crowd.
No one noticed.
No one cared.