The kiss ended slowly, as if neither of them truly wanted to let go. Emi's breath trembled as she pulled back just slightly, her forehead resting against Ren's. Her heart raced, not from fear this time, but from something far more terrifying. Hope.
"I'm scared," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Not of you. Of what this means. Of how much I want to believe it's real."
Ren gently cupped her face again, his thumb brushing the faint tear track beneath her eye. "It is real. I'm not asking you to believe in me because of what I've done. I want you to believe in me because I'm standing right here and I'm not going anywhere."
Her hands slid from his shirt down to his wrists, holding onto him. "You said you tried to stay away to keep me safe. Then what are we doing now? Isn't this just making it worse?"
"Maybe," Ren admitted. "But if I stay away and something happens to you, I'll never forgive myself. I've already failed once. I won't do it again."
Emi closed her eyes. The memory of Riku's hand on her throat, her father's betrayal, the weight of pretending she was okay, everything still pressed on her like a storm she hadn't outrun. But right now, in Ren's arms, she didn't feel like she was drowning.
Just breathing.
"I don't know how to be with someone like you," she said quietly. "You come from a world I don't understand. I don't even know if I want to understand it."
"You don't have to," he said softly. "You just have to let me protect you from it."
She hesitated, then nodded.
Ren took her hand and led her to sit on the edge of the bed. Neither of them spoke for a while. The silence this time wasn't full of distance or pain. It was heavy, yes, but it was shared and accepted.
Eventually, Emi leaned her head on his shoulder. "You remembered me all this time."
"I never forgot," Ren said. "Even when I tried to."
Emi let out a shaky breath. "Then I guess it's my turn to remember what it feels like to be seen."
Ren didn't respond right away. He looked down at her, quiet for a beat, then asked, "Tell me what happened today."
Emi tensed slightly. She looked away, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her skirt. "It doesn't matter anymore. I'm fine now."
He didn't press her, but she could feel his gaze. Calm, steady, unrelenting.
"Emi," he said again, softer this time. "I need to know."
She hesitated. A part of her wanted to keep it in, not burden him, not ignite more conflict. But she also knew something else just as clearly. Ren would find out anyway. He always did.
So she took a breath. "My father showed up outside the campus. He said if he brought me to them, he could get back into the pachinko hall. He handed me over to Riku Hoshino."
Ren's jaw tightened. Emi saw it.
"He brought me to some underground place. Riku… he didn't hurt me much, but he wanted to make a point. He said he just wanted to see the girl you've been protecting. He thought he could use me to get to you."
Ren's fists clenched, but he said nothing yet.
"I didn't say anything at first. I thought maybe if I played it down, it would end there. But when he grabbed me by the neck…" her voice faltered, "I lost it. I told him what I thought of him. I didn't let him see me break."
Her eyes began to sting again, but she looked up at Ren, steady despite it. "I didn't want you to know because I didn't want you to carry this. But I should have told you. I'm sorry."
Ren pulled her close again, wrapping his arms around her. His voice was low and calm, but there was steel beneath it. "You don't need to protect me from this. I'll take care of it. You never have to face someone like him alone again."
*****
After everything had been said, Ren did not ask her any more questions. He simply stood, took her hand in his, and led her gently toward the kitchen.
"Sit," he said, his voice calm with no room for argument.
Emi looked at him with a puzzled expression, unsure of what he was doing.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Making something for you to eat," he replied without looking back.
She tilted her head slightly. "You cook?"
Ren glanced over his shoulder, a faint and almost amused smile forming at the corner of his lips. "I manage."
Still not quite believing it, Emi sat down and watched him with quiet curiosity. She observed the way he moved, efficient and focused, never rushed. This was a side of Ren she had never expected to see. There was no command in his voice, no cold authority. He simply existed in this moment with her, doing something simple and personal.
He placed a bowl of warm food in front of her and sat across from her with his own, calm and composed.
"Eat slowly," he instructed. "I guessed you didn't have anything today."
She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite. The warmth of the food brought more comfort than she anticipated.
After night, they returned to her room in silence. As she sat on the bed, Ren opened a nearby drawer and took out a small first-aid kit. From it, he retrieved a bottle of soothing cream and turned back to her.
"Come here," he said gently.
Emi followed him with her eyes, uncertain of what he intended until he stepped in front of her. When he reached out and gently swept her hair over her shoulder, she understood. She stayed still as he knelt slightly to meet her gaze. His fingers were cool as they touched the side of her neck, and she flinched a little from the sore spot.
"Sorry," he said quietly.
"It's okay," she replied just as softly.
With slow, careful movements, he applied the cream to the red mark on her neck. Each stroke was gentle and the tenderness in his touch stirred something in her that was difficult to name.
"You can just rest after your classes tomorrow. You don't have to report to the office," he said, his tone even but clear.
"But," she began to protest.
"No," he said again, this time more quietly. "You're resting."
She said nothing more, and the silence that followed was her agreement. Truthfully, she had no strength left to argue.
Ren pulled the blanket back and gestured for her to lie down. She obeyed, hesitating for only a moment before slipping under the covers. He moved to sit beside her and she looked up at him.
"You're staying?" she asked.
He nodded. "Until you fall asleep."
She turned to face him, her eyes studying his expression. Slowly, her hand reached for his shirt and her fingers curled into the fabric as if she needed the reassurance of his presence. He remained there, still and steady, not speaking. His calm presence was enough. As the minutes passed, her breathing slowed, her shoulders relaxed, and the tight grip she had held on herself for so long began to ease.
When he was sure she had fallen asleep, Ren gently slid his arm away and stood. Moving carefully, he stepped out into the hallway and pulled out his phone. He scrolled to Daiki's name and pressed call.
Daiki answered immediately. "Boss?"
Ren's voice was low and steady. "Riku has crossed the line. Make sure he understands exactly what it means to lay a hand on something that belongs to me."
There was no hesitation. "Understood."