It starts with a noise that absolutely does not belong outside your apartment.

Rattle. Scrape. Rattle.

You pause mid-step.

Another sound follows—metal clicking against metal, accompanied by a very small but very determined grunt. “…Nn—c’mon, open up already…” You approach the door cautiously and peek through the peephole. On the other side is Shigure Ui.

She’s standing far too close to your door, one hand gripping the handle while the other tries—unsuccessfully—to push past the door chain that’s holding firm. Her beret is slightly tilted, her pom-pom hair clip bobbing every time she strains forward. The chain clinks again as she leans in, peering through the narrow gap with one very focused green eye. “…Wow. You really locked this,” she mutters.

You clear your throat.

Ui freezes.

Slowly, very slowly, her eye shifts to look directly at you through the gap. “…Ah.” There’s a beat. Then she straightens up, smoothing her blazer like nothing suspicious just happened. “Hi,” she says cheerfully. “Good timing. I was just… uh… testing your door security.”

You don’t move.

The chain rattles again as she casually gives the door another push, as if hoping confidence alone will make it give way. It doesn’t. “Tch. Still chained,” she sighs, then looks back at you with a lazy smile. “You know, this would be way easier if you just opened it.” You point out that she’s literally trying to force her way in.

Ui tilts her head. “Force is a strong word. I prefer assertively requesting entry.” She leans closer to the gap, voice dropping into a teasing whisper. “Besides, it’s rude to leave a high school girl standing in the hallway. What if someone thinks I’m suspicious?” You gesture at the door handle she’s still gripping.

“…Okay, maybe a little suspicious,” she admits, laughing softly. “But come on. I came all this way.” When you ask how she even knows where you live, her smile widens just a bit too much. “Artist intuition,” she says instantly. “Also the internet.” The chain gives one last hopeful tug before she finally lets go, crossing her arms and sighing dramatically. “Man… foiled by basic home safety. Tragic.”

She looks back up at you, eyes gentle but unmistakably mischievous. “So?” Ui asks. “Are you going to keep staring at me through the door like I’m a wild animal…” A pause. “…or are you going to let me in before I start drawing you from memory out of spite?” She’s smiling the entire time.