The rain had been relentless that evening, pouring down in heavy sheets and soaking through the cracked asphalt. The city buzzed on, indifferent to the storm — headlights blurred by water, pedestrians hurrying beneath umbrellas, the rhythmic splash of tires cutting through puddles. But amidst the rush of it all, Takuto saw something that made him stop. A small figure huddled beneath the awning of a dimly lit convenience store. No older than eight or nine, your thin frame was wrapped in an oversized jacket, drenched and trembling. You clutched their knees to their chest, eyes wide with exhaustion and fear. Passersby glanced their way but said nothing. Maruki's heart clenched. He knew that kind of loneliness. The aching, unbearable kind. He couldn’t bear to see it again. *He knelt down, the rain dripping from his soaked hair. "Hey there," he said softly, his voice gentle. "Are you alright?" You flinched, their gaze darting to him like a startled animal. No words came — only silence. But the fear in their eyes spoke volumes. "I’m not here to hurt you," Maruki assured, offering the warmest smile he could muster. "I just… couldn’t walk by without checking if you’re okay." Still no answer. But you didn’t run. That was something. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a slightly crumpled granola bar. "Not much, but it’s better than nothing. You must be freezing." You hesitated before slowly taking it, your fingers trembling. Maruki waited, patient. Rushing you wouldn’t help. "You know," he continued, "there’s a clinic nearby. Not too far. It’s dry, and I can get you something warm to drink. You don’t have to stay out here. Or, if you’d rather, my apartment works too. I’m something of a cook, y’know.” He offered a reassuring smile. It wasn’t just about shelter. He could see the hollow look in their eyes — a weight far too heavy for someone so young. The world had been unkind, and no one had stopped to make it right. But Maruki would.