"…I… see…" Reika finally spoke.
"… That is all… I think…"
"…Thank you… for telling me… Renji."
The way she said it felt different from her usual tone. So genuine, it stirred something in him.
"…Since we're talking about thanks," he added after a pause, "I guess I should thank you too. For bailing me out of prison, Reika-sama. So… thank you."
"…Don't mention it, you got caught up in my problem, after all."
Renji hesitated, then let out a mocking smile to himself, as if settling on a decision.
No… there's… one more thing…
"Reika-sama… back then… when I snapped at you. When I said you ruined my shot at that competition…"
A pause, he relaxed his shoulders, and stares at the sky.
"I lied."
Reika turned her head fully toward him, recalling the moment where he said it.
"I mean—I meant it at the time… But not because it was true. It was just… convenient. You are the perfect piece that I can put the blame on."
Renji let out a short and mocking laugh at himself.
"I knew I wasn't going to win that damn competition. Hell, I knew I wasn't even submitting anything decent. Half-assed effort, half-hearted hope… But I still sent it in. Like… maybe fate would feel generous to a certain loser that week."
Reika said nothing, only gazing at him intensely as Renji went on.
"So when the whole drug arrest thing happened, I thought… great. Now I've got a real excuse. I don't have to submit my work. Don't have to lose. Don't have to face the fact that I was never good enough in the first place."
Renji cleared his throat once and muttered.
"…Schrödinger's cat, right…? As long as I didn't open the box, I could pretend I still had a chance. Even though I knew… the cat was already dead."
The breeze filled the silence between them.
"And when you offered to make me win…" he said quietly after a long pause, "or that you can extend the deadline… I got scared. It felt like you were shoving reality back in my face."
He finally looked at her. Reika didn't speak, but something in her expression softened, just slightly.
"Even if you could pull the strings… even if you could make me win the competition, publish my writing, or… whatever…"
He shrugged with bitter smile.
"It wouldn't buy me people's hearts. And I… can't face that."
Reika looked away. That sentence hit her harder than she expected. Her breath caught, just for a moment, adjusting her sight, she asked softly.
"…So, in the end…what was your dream…?"
"I don't know… I wanted to make something… Something that could move people. Like that movie… the one that stopped me from crossing that line… But honestly… I don't know anymore."
"…Hmm. I see."
"That's it… That's all I wanted to say. So… I'm sorry… Reika-sama…"
"…Apology accepted." Reika closed her eyes, deep in thought. "Then… what do you want to do now, Renji?"
A long pause.
"…I… don't know."
They sat like that for a while, side by side, letting the silence settle, processing each other's presence.
Then Reika stretched as she stood up first, and dusted off her skirt.
"For now… if you're still interested in continuing as my driver… will you be around, Renji?"
… Should I…?
He didn't answer immediately. His thought interrupted by Reika's resolute voice.
"Renji, I promise I'll find out whoever behind all this. In the meantime, I want you to live at my mansion too. After everything that's happened… I believe you'll be safer where I can see you… You don't have to answer now… just think about it, okay?"
I guess… I really have nothing left to lose.
Renji stayed silent for a moment, then let out a weak-deadpan smile.
"…When can I move…?"
"As soon as you want," Reika said, smiling as she extended her hand, and added some remarks that she meant to ease the mood "…The room already prepared since 5 days ago…"
"…Heh."
He took it, and as she pulled him to his feet, standing up face to face, a sudden flash of color bloomed across the night sky beyond the balcony. Then another. And another one with various popping sound spreading across the darkness in quiet bursts.
"…Fireworks…" Reika murmured, turning toward them. The light caught in her clear amber eyes, reflecting each color of fleeting sparks.
"…Oh… damn. It's already past midnight…?" he said, glancing back at the clock inside his room.
She gave a soft laugh. "Hehe… well… happy new year, Renji. I look forward to working with you this year."
"A-ah… yeah…Happy New Year, Reika-sama…"
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The familiar route back to Reika's mansion slipped by in several mundane short conversation, streetlights streaking across the windshield like passing thoughts he couldn't quite grasp.
By the time the car slowed before the towering iron gate, Renji stopped the car out of habit.
Dang… uselessly huge gate as usual…
The sensors picked them up, and the gates parted soundlessly, revealing the long, snow-dusted path beyond.
Renji barely noticed, as his mind was still drifting somewhere—until Reika's voice came from the backseat.
"…What are you waiting for? Go on."
"Oh… yeah. Sorry."
He stepped on the pedal, and the car rolled smoothly into the estate. And Renji said in hushed voice—
"Pardon my intrusion…"
"Heh… silly…" Reika let out a giggle.
The mansion grounds unfolded around them. An expansive, old-money Japanese garden preserved with obsessive care. Snow rested lightly on arranged pines and bamboo groves. Several tall black pine trees stood as if becoming the proof of time itself. A large koi pond mirrored the dark sky, its surface broken only by slow, unseen movement beneath the ice-thin water. Lanterns cast warm pools of light across raked gravel and frozen moss, making the entire place feel outside of time.
"You can park over there."
Reika gestured toward an open space beside a carefully maintained flower garden, where two sleek luxury cars were already resting.
Renji guided the car in—and his eyes caught on something.
…That flower…
"…You really like that one, huh?"
"Hm?"
"That flower," he said, nodding toward the beds. "It's the same kind as the one in your office garden, right?"
Reika studied him through the rearview mirror for a moment in invisible surprise. Then her lips formed a thin, amused smile.
"Hyacinth… Weird flowers that chooses to bloom in winter… Still, can't say it's my favorite."
"Oh? Then what's your actual favorite?" Renji shut off the engine and glanced around the garden. "As far as I can see, all you've got growing here got the same shape."
"…The one I like hasn't bloomed yet… you'll see when it does."
"Cool."
He stepped out, circled the car, and opened the door for her.
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"Ah, Reika-ojō-sama. Welcome back."
An elderly maid approached, dressed in a simple, traditional kimono with a neat apron tied at her waist. Her posture was straight, her movements disciplined and her air is gentle.
"Aya oba-san… I'm back, how was the rest of the New Year's party?"
"They decided to take it outside," Aya replied with a warm chuckle. "Said they wanted to let loose a bit more tonight."
"…That explains why it's so quiet here… Oh—and happy New Year."
"Happy New Year, ojō-sama. May the coming year be kind to us."
"Yes… and… about the room, is it ready? Shira should've told you days before."
"Of course. As per requested, the second guest room, on the first floor, has been prepared."
"Thank you." Reika turned slightly. "So… Aya oba-san, this is Renji… my new private driver. He'll be staying here from today."
Then to him, with the same professional gesture, "And Renji, this is Aya oba-san, one of the head caretakers of the mansion. If you need anything, feel free to let her know."
Aya inclined her head and gave proper greetings. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Aya Kurosawa."
Kurosawa…? Shira-sama relative?
Renji straightened instinctively and greeted back. "G-Good to meet you too, Aya… oba-san. I'm Renji Tohara."
Reika nodded in satisfaction. "Then, if you would."
"Of course. This way, Tohara-san."
"Ugh…Renji's fine, or… no need for -san… I'm not really used to being addressed that formally."
"I understand, Tohara-san," Aya replied with a gentle smile, already turning down the corridor with slow steps.
Reika gave a wry sigh and about to walk the opposite direction. "Well then… I'll be heading to my room."
"Sure."
"…And… Renji… One more thing…" She stopped in her track, seemingly hesitates and lost in thought. "…What's already happened to you… please… don't blame yourself too hard… especially for what happened to Tetsuo-san… none of it was your fault, okay?"
"O-oh…" he could only blink at her kind words. "…Yeah… thanks Reika-sama…"
"Hmm, have a nice rest Renji… Tomorrow, I'll need you ready, at least by ten in the morning."
"Got it, ma'am."
"Good night."
She left him with a tired smile, steps fading softly as she disappeared down another hall.
"Yep, night…"
Renji hurried after Aya, who was already several steps ahead.
--------
After a few minutes of turns and countless sliding doors, they reached a row of guest rooms.
"I hope this room suits you, Tohara-san."
He's greeted with a room that blended traditional Japanese design with subtle Western touches. Tatami flooring paired with a low, modern bed, clean wooden beams, soft lighting, and a compact but fully renovated private bathroom to the side. Everything smelled faintly of fresh linen and winter air.
"Yeah… thanks."
Heck… this guest room... isn't it way better than the hotel room back at Shimonoseki…?
After a brief explanation of the room and the layout of the mansion, Aya excused herself and closed the door quietly behind her.
The sound of her footsteps gone, replaced by the hush of night wind and distant birds.
Without bothering to unpack, Renji walked straight to the bed and let his full weight fall onto it, staring up at the new ceiling.
"...New year… to me…"
Recalling his long conversation with Reika, his expression turns to somewhat uncomfortable.
…I've never told anyone so much about myself…
"…Kokuren… and… Reika-sama…"
…Reika… Hiraga…
Her name lingered in his mind, then gradually he was lulled to sleep.
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