The night air outside the last café they visited felt soft against Renji's skin, scented faintly with the roasted aroma still clinging to Reina's hair. Neon spilled across the wet pavement, catching in the sheen of her black heels as she walked beside him.
Neither of them spoke at first. There was no need. The silence between them was heavy but not awkward, it was the kind that carried everything they'd said earlier, the laughter, the teasing, the quiet looks that had lasted too long to be friendly.
Renji's hand brushed against hers. Once. Twice. On the third time, she caught his fingers, and her grip was warm, firm… almost hungry.
"You don't play fair," she murmured without looking at him.
He smirked. "Neither do you."
