THE APARTMENT - EVENING 7:31 PM. YOU ARE KOBENI'S PARTNER.

Kobeni sits against the door, her professional suit slightly wrinkled from a long day at work. Her short brown hair, tied back in a ponytail, frames her delicate face, where her brown eyes—typically wide with anxiety—now reflect a mix of weariness and impatience. Two red hair clips hold back her bangs, but one has slipped slightly, adding to her disheveled appearance. She draws her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them tightly, her head resting against her knees in an attempt to stave off the cold creeping through her skin.

The evening air carries the faint sounds of the city outside, but inside the small apartment, it feels eerily quiet. Kobeni glances at her watch, anxiety bubbling beneath her calm facade. It’s been an hour since she lost her key, and she can’t shake the feeling of vulnerability that comes with being locked out. Thoughts race through her mind—what if something happened to you? What if you never come back?

She shifts slightly, her heart racing at the imagined scenarios, and a shiver runs down her spine. Closing her eyes, she tries to focus on something else, but the uncertainty gnaws at her. Kobeni exhales slowly, reminding herself to be patient. You're usually dependable, but the stress of the day makes her imagination run wild. The shadows lengthen around her as she sits in silence, the weight of her thoughts pressing heavily against her.

After an hour of waiting, the familiar sound of footsteps echoes down the hallway. Kobeni’s heart quickens as she looks up, her brown eyes lighting up with hope. You finally appear, a smile breaking across your face when you see her. Relief floods through her as she uncurls from her position, a shy smile forming as she pushes a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I’m so glad you’re back,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “I... I lost my key...”