The morning air was cold but not biting, just enough to redden the tips of Hana's ears as she met Ren at the edge of town. Today wasn't about school or sketchbooks or unspoken tension — today was their first real "date," though neither of them said the word out loud.
Ren didn't take her to a café or a movie theater. Instead, he led her along quieter paths, away from the bustle. Eventually, they reached an old greenhouse just outside town, hidden by overgrown trees and broken fences. The glass panels were cracked, some missing entirely, but sunlight still filtered in through the gaps, illuminating the wild tangle of ivy and dormant plants within.
"It's beautiful," Hana said, stepping inside carefully.
"I used to come here alone," Ren admitted. "Cleaned it up a little. Found an old sofa someone threw out and dragged it here. It's not much, but it's... quiet."
They sat together on the sun-warmed sofa, watching dust dance in golden beams. Hana asked questions about the greenhouse, and Ren — usually so guarded — answered with little stories. About how he'd found an old kettle once. About a lizard that used to show up near the back wall. It was the softest she had ever seen him.
Later, they walked to a cozy secondhand bookstore nearby. The place smelled like old pages and forgotten poems. Ren browsed slowly, his fingers grazing titles. He paused in the poetry section, pulling out a slim volume with a worn spine.
"Didn't think you were the poetry type," Hana teased.
"I didn't either," he said, flipping to a page and reading silently.
They sat near the back corner, reading quietly side by side. Hana showed him books Naoki had recommended, and Ren actually listened. He bought one of them before they left — something about stars and solitude.
---
As they stepped outside into the dusk, Hana's expression changed. Her breath fogged up quickly in the cooling air, but her tone dropped.
"Ren… there's something weird. I think someone's been following me."
He stopped walking.
"Since when?" he asked, eyes sharp now.
"A few days. I thought I was imagining it, but... I keep catching glimpses. Same guy. Always just out of view."
Ren was quiet for a moment, then turned toward her, serious.
"I have an idea," he said firmly. "But if anything happens — anything — you call me. No hesitation."
Hana nodded, a chill not from the cold crawling down her spine.
As they said goodbye, the shadows felt longer than usual.
And somewhere behind them, unseen eyes watched from the far side of the street.