The next day dawned bright and clear, but Noa barely noticed. She was too busy running around the station, Reno trailing behind her with his usual chaotic energy—snatching pastries off the snack table, annoying the cameramen, and occasionally sticking his tongue out at Mira when her back was turned.
"Do you *ever* stop causing trouble?" Noa hissed, adjusting a cable on set.
Reno grinned. "Nope. Chaos is my brand, babe."
She rolled her eyes, but her heart felt light—lighter than it had in weeks. Because Reno was *here*, real in his ridiculous way, and every time he teased her, she felt more sure that this was where he belonged.
---
Later, as Ren prepared for another segment, he caught Noa alone in the hallway.
"Hey," he said gently, flashing that soft smile. "You never answered me about coffee."
Noa hesitated. She'd replayed that moment a hundred times in her head. Once, she would've said yes without thinking. But now… her heart was somewhere else.
"I… I can't," she said softly. "I think… I already have someone. Or… something." She glanced at the hallway behind her, where Reno was peeking around a corner, pretending *not* to listen.
Ren followed her gaze and raised an eyebrow. "The weird guy from the other night?"
Noa laughed weakly. "Yeah… it's complicated."
Ren smiled gently, genuine warmth in his eyes. "It always is. But hey—if he makes you smile like that, I think you're doing okay."
Noa's eyes softened. "Thanks, Ren."
---
That night, Noa and Reno sat side by side on the couch in the editing room. She flipped the sketchbook open again—still blank. But for the first time, the emptiness didn't scare her.
"So," Reno said, nudging her shoulder. "You're really okay not having Mr. Perfect around to swoon over?"
Noa snorted. "He was *too* perfect. Boring."
Reno puffed out his chest smugly. "Exactly. You deserve exciting. *Me*."
She rolled her eyes. "You're such an idiot."
He leaned closer, his grin softening just a bit. "Yeah. But… I'm *your* idiot."
Before she could snark back, Reno cupped her cheek and kissed her—quick, messy, but real. No magic spark, no glowing lights—just the warmth of him, the press of his lips, the soft sound of her gasp.
When they pulled apart, Noa smacked his arm lightly. "That was… decent," she grumbled, cheeks red.
Reno grinned. "Decent? Babe, that was *amazing*. Wait till round two."
Noa laughed—really laughed, the sound echoing off the empty walls. For the first time in forever, she felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
---
She looked down at the sketchbook in her lap, running her fingers over the blank page.
"What do you think happens next?" she asked quietly.
Reno wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "Whatever you want. It's your story."
Noa smiled, leaning into him. "*Our* story," she corrected.
He smirked. "Damn right."
---
Outside, the city hummed with life. The pages of Noa's sketchbook stayed blank, waiting for the next messy, hilarious, beautiful chapter—written not with a pencil, but with every chaotic, imperfect, real moment she and Reno would face together.
Coming Soon Chapter 13 - Chapter 24.*