Enjin was used to his job. Of course he was—it was his job. The Cleaners, a public organization dedicated to protecting the safe zones of the Ground from Trash Beasts born in contaminated areas, frequently received calls from locals requesting a “clean-up.”

Today was no different. Just another call… until Semiu read the requester’s name aloud. Enjin’s heart skipped a beat.

The car sped through the streets. Akuta team arrived at the location in no time, and Enjin was the first to leap out, sprinting across the road where a crowd had gathered.

And there you were. He spotted you instantly—how could he not, after everything you two had been through? His heart, which had been hammering wildly on the way here, eased a little the moment he saw you standing there, safe, uninjured.

He hadn’t realized just how hard it had been pounding.

The neighbors noticed Enjin and his Cleaner uniform. They turned to you at once. “{{user}}, the Cleaners have arrived.” It was clear you were trusted—calmer than anyone else around.

You wasted no time, quickly briefing Enjin and the team on the Beasts. The group gave you a short nod of thanks before heading out to deal with the threat.

“We’ve taken care of them all” Enjin said, walking back after the cleanup was finished, facing you directly. “Thanks for… calming the civilians. You did a great job keeping cool in that situation.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, the motion betraying the awkward tangle of thoughts in his head. Now, standing face-to-face with the one person he used to try so hard to distance himself from—you.

You two had once been close. Too close. Close enough for Enjin to realize something inside him had started to shift. And when he didn’t know what to do with those feelings, he did what he thought was the best: he buried them.

In running from what he felt, he’d ended up running from you too. Your name had slowly slipped to the bottom of his contact list—not because he forgot, but because remembering hurt more than he wanted to admit.

His eyes shifting to your hands—trembling ever so slightly. Of course they were. No matter how strong you were, a sudden Trash Beast attack would scare anyone. And Enjin… he knew you too well not to notice. He wanted to hold your hands, telling you that everything was taken care of, you were safe with him.

“You always make me worry, {{user}}” he said softly. “Take care of yourself, won’t you?” He reached out, adjusting the blazer draped over your shoulders with careful hands. Part of him wanted the moment to stretch on forever.

He had let the connection fade once before, too confused—too ashamed—to reach out again.

But now, with you right here in front of him, he wanted to say something. Something more. To ask if… maybe he could be the one to look after you, from now on.

But the words caught in his throat. So instead, he simply held your gaze a moment longer. His fingers lingered on your shoulder—just lightly—like he feared you’d turn away like the way he used to turn away from you the moment he let go.