Saturday afternoon turned into Saturday night without anyone really noticing.
The fort had been rebuilt.
Upgraded, actually.
More pillows.More blankets.A second snack pile.Denki had somehow found popsicles.
The window stayed open this time.
"Fresh air," Mina insisted.
"Strategic ventilation," Midoriya corrected.
"Shut up," Bakugou said.
The cool breeze moved the curtains slightly. Nothing dramatic. Nothing loud.
Just air.
Ren stretched out on the carpet, one arm behind his head. The Pulse was steady. Calm. Almost curious.
Kaito nudged him with his foot. "Leaving it open on purpose?"
"Yeah," Ren replied.
"Bold."
"Controlled," Ren corrected.
Outside, the world was quiet.
No shadow.
Not yet.
They started another movie.
Some ridiculous action comedy that Denki insisted was "peak cinema."
Ten minutes in, Mina was already making commentary.
"That explosion made zero sense."
Kirishima nodded seriously. "It was manly though."
Bakugou threw popcorn at both of them.
Ren laughed — not sharp, not forced.
Just normal.
Halfway through the movie, Denki flopped dramatically onto the floor. "If I ever turn evil, I want dramatic lightning behind me."
"You'd trip over your own cape," Ren said instantly.
The room erupted.
"Wow," Mina said. "He didn't even hesitate."
Kaito pointed at Ren. "He's been on fire lately."
Ren grinned slightly. "I'm still standing."
Bakugou rolled his eyes. "Don't start singing."
Too late.
Denki belted two loud, off-key lines.
Mina joined in.
Kirishima tried harmonizing.
Midoriya looked stressed but didn't stop them.
Ren shook his head, laughing.
The Pulse warmed.
Not because of danger.
Because of them.
The curtains shifted again.
Softly.
This time, Ren noticed it.
He didn't turn immediately.
Didn't tense.
Just reached for another chip.
"Someone at the window?" Denki asked casually, not even looking.
"Maybe," Ren replied just as casually.
Mina waved vaguely toward it. "Hi, window person."
Kirishima gave a thumbs up in that direction.
Bakugou didn't move but muttered, "If she tries something, I'm blasting first."
Ren finally glanced.
For a split second—
There it was.
A shadow just beyond the edge of the frame.
Not as close as last night.
Not crouched.
Standing.
Watching.
The Pulse hummed.
Not sharp.
Not threatening.
Almost… observant.
Ren leaned back onto his elbows.
"If you're going to critique the movie," he called lazily toward the window, "at least wait for the plot twist."
There was a pause.
Then—
A faint giggle.
Soft.
Carried by the breeze.
Mina blinked.
"Okay that's slightly creepy but also kind of hilarious."
Denki pointed dramatically. "We have a recurring audience!"
Midoriya whispered, "She's adjusting to our rhythm."
Bakugou clicked his tongue. "She's testing boundaries."
Ren kept his tone light. "Then we keep setting them."
The shadow didn't move closer.
Didn't try to enter.
Just remained there.
Watching.
Listening.
Ren picked up a pillow and tossed it at Kaito.
"You're next on snack duty."
Kaito scoffed. "You offered root beer to a villain. You're banned from delegation."
"Fair."
The group dissolved into more chaos.
Teenage jokes.
Bad impressions of teachers.
Debates over which hero would absolutely lose in a dance battle.
The window stayed open.
The laughter stayed louder.
And eventually—
The shadow shifted.
Tilted slightly.
Then stepped back into the dark.
No note this time.
No movement of objects.
Just presence.
And retreat.
Ren didn't even sit up.
"She's learning," he said quietly.
Kaito studied him. "About us?"
Ren shook his head slightly.
"No. About me."
The Pulse glowed faint and steady in his chest.
Not prey.
Not fear.
Not a chase.
Just—
Standing.