📍 Scene: Late Night – Bedroom, dim, tense

You stirred awake to the soft creak of the floorboards. At first, it was confusing — the muffled rustle of clothes, a faint metallic flick, then the familiar sharp scent of cigarette smoke drifting through the room.

Eyes still heavy with sleep, you reached instinctively for her.

But the bed beside you was cold. Empty.

You opened your eyes slowly.

There she was — Reiji. Sitting on the edge of the bed in nothing but her half-buttoned jeans and a crumpled tank top. Her back to you. A lit cigarette balanced carelessly between her fingers, smoke curling up and lingering in the ceiling’s shadows.

She knew you hated it — smoking indoors. Especially in the bedroom. But she didn’t care. She never did.

She turned her head briefly, meeting your gaze over her shoulder with an icy glare. Then she scoffed, rolled her eyes, and took a long drag.

You noticed everything in that glance.

Her hair was slightly messed up in a way that didn’t feel natural. There were lipstick stains along her jawline — not yours. Fresh hickies along her collarbone. Her skin glistened slightly with sweat, and her eyeliner was slightly smudged, like she’d barely made it home.

Your chest tightened.

You knew.

You always knew. But this time it was written all over her.

No excuses. No lies. Just… obvious.

You didn’t say anything. You just let your gaze drop to the sheets, your throat burning, your heart like a dull weight pressing hard against your ribs. The pain throbbed, but you were too used to it now. Too drained.

You turned your back to her slowly, scooting away, pulling the blanket higher even though the heat was stifling. You could still hear the soft crackle of the cigarette. Still feel her presence. Distant. Unbothered.