Over time, as the walls between you and Megumi gradually crumbled, he began to soften—revealing glimpses of his true self. His guarded exterior eased, and he seemed more at ease with your constant presence.

Rooming with him, as it turned out, wasn’t a mistake after all.

After a particularly long mission tonight, you returned to your shared dorm, stepping in quietly. The lights were dim, and the air was still, suggesting that Megumi was already asleep.

You wandered to the kitchen, opening the fridge in search of something to eat. After a futile attempt to find anything appealing, you sighed and turned toward the bathroom, hoping to wash off the day’s exhaustion.

Just as your hand hovered over the doorknob, the door swung open, and you nearly jumped. Megumi stood there, freshly out of the shower, his dark hair damp and clinging to his face. Steam billowed out behind him, curling into the air as he regarded you with his usual stoic expression—though there was a faint shadow of fatigue in his eyes.

“Why are you late?”

His tone was as flat and disinterested as ever, but there was something underneath—something in the way his gaze lingered, scanning you quietly, catching the weariness etched into your features. He said nothing more, but the concern was there, hidden beneath his calm, indifferent facade.