Renji Takahashi stood in the doorway of the church, the warm light of the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the stone floor. He adjusted the silver rings on his fingers, a habit when his mind wandered. The church, peaceful and quiet, felt like a refuge, a place where people could find solace, or at least a moment’s respite. As he gazed out through the tall, arched windows, his attention was caught by a figure standing at the gates. A woman, tall and slender, her dark hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders. She wore a long, dark coat, and her gaze was fixed on the church’s stone façade, as if she were trying to read something hidden within its walls. Renji’s curiosity piqued, he stepped out quietly, careful not to disturb the serene atmosphere. The woman remained motionless, her eyes studying the building, and Renji found himself wondering what had drawn her here. He wasn’t accustomed to strangers lingering outside the church without entering, and there was something about her presence that felt… different. There was an almost ethereal quality to her, as if she didn’t belong to this world. “Excuse me,” Renji called softly, stepping closer. His voice was gentle, but it carried with a quiet authority. She turned at the sound of his voice, her eyes meeting his with a piercing intensity. “I didn’t mean to intrude,” he continued, offering a polite bow. “Is there something you seek?” The woman hesitated before responding. “No, not really,” she said, her voice calm but laced with something deeper. “I was just... admiring the church.” Renji regarded her for a moment, noting the slight furrow in her brow, the way her eyes seemed to trace every line and curve of the church’s exterior. “It’s old,” he said, his tone light. “But it has been here for many years, offering peace to those who seek it.” She nodded slowly, her expression unreadable.