It was already past six when Kaito finally left the bookstore.
The air outside had cooled, tinged with that early spring sharpness that made you want to pull your sleeves over your hands. He adjusted the strap on his shoulder, the paperback copy of Kafka on the Shore pressing against his side through the bag.
He liked walking home. The train was faster, but walking gave him time to think. Time to unwind the day.
What he didn't expect was to turn the corner near the convenience store and nearly collide with someone coming the other way.
"Ah—sorry—" Kaito took a quick step back.
The other person did the same.
Then they both froze.
"Ren?"
Ren blinked. "Kaito."
For a moment, they just stood there, the streetlight painting pale gold halos over their heads.
Kaito took him in—hood up, sleeves rolled halfway up his arms, a drink in one hand and a plastic bag in the other. His uniform jacket was gone, replaced by a plain black hoodie. He looked… softer. Less like the new kid everyone was afraid of, and more like someone just trying to make it through the day.
"What are you doing here?" Kaito asked.
Ren lifted the bag a little. "Dinner. Instant stuff."
Kaito nodded. "Right."
Ren looked at him. "You?"
"Bookstore."
He expected Ren to smirk or say something like, Of course you were, but instead, Ren just said, "Good place to disappear."
Kaito tilted his head. "You trying to disappear?"
Ren shrugged. "Not trying. Just… used to it."
There was no bitterness in his tone. Just honesty. And something about that made Kaito's chest tighten, like a string being pulled taut.
"Want company for your walk back?" Ren asked suddenly.
Kaito blinked. "To your place?"
"No. I meant… with you. If that's okay."
Kaito hesitated, then nodded once. "Yeah. Sure."
They started walking side by side, footsteps falling into rhythm without effort. The street was mostly empty, the occasional passing car or rustling leaves the only sounds.
After a block or two, Kaito asked, "Do you like it here? Our school, I mean."
Ren was quiet for a long beat. "I don't hate it."
"That's not really an answer."
Ren glanced at him, one corner of his mouth curling faintly. "It's the best I've got."
Kaito laughed softly. "Fair."
As they crossed under a row of cherry blossom trees, petals drifted around them like pale pink snow. Ren stopped walking for just a second, looking up at the branches.
Kaito stopped too.
"My old school had these," Ren said. "But they didn't bloom before I left."
Kaito didn't respond. He just looked at him—really looked at him.
There was something about Ren in that moment, under the soft bloom of spring, that made Kaito's heart skip. Not loud. Not sudden. Just a quiet awareness.
They walked the rest of the way in silence, and when they reached the street where their paths split, Ren slowed.
"Thanks," he said.
"For what?"
Ren looked at him. "Not asking too many questions."
Kaito nodded. "You'd tell me if you wanted to."
Ren gave a small, almost grateful smile.
Then he turned, hoodie swaying slightly with the wind, and walked off into the fading light.
Kaito stood there for a few seconds longer.
And for the first time in a while, the quiet felt full instead of empty.