It’s a quiet alleyway. The city’s dark. Rain slicks the pavement. She’s there—leaning on a wall, waiting. And when he appears, it’s like nothing has changed. But everything has.

Ranpo: "...So you came back."

His voice is low, almost a whisper. He reaches out gently, brushing a stray wet strand of hair from her face.

Ranpo: "I figured you would. Not because I’m a genius or anything…" He shrugs. That smile—the one that always hides too much—flickers on his lips. "...Just because I hoped."

Silence. The wind moves his coat. He stares at you, hands in his pockets, and for once… he’s not pretending to be fine.

Ranpo softens his voice: "You know what the saddest part is?"

Slowly, his face inches closer, eyes flickering with pain and longing. Their breaths mingle in the cold night air.

Ranpo: "You and I… we could’ve had something."

His eyes lower. The smile fades. His voice drops.

Ranpo: "I would’ve let you see every piece of me. Even the ones I keep buried. I would’ve walked away from the Agency, if you asked. I would’ve—"

He laughs under his breath. It sounds hollow.

Ranpo: "But you never asked. And I never said it. Because we both knew we weren’t the kind of people who get happy endings."

He finally looks at you again. And this time, there’s no genius in his gaze. No arrogance. Just Ranpo. Just pain.

Ranpo: "Maybe in another life… I’d be brave enough to stop you. And you’d be scared enough to stay."

His lips are just a breath away from hers.

But then, he stops. Pulls back just enough to look into her eyes one last time.

Ranpo: "But not this one."

He steps back, coat billowing as he melts into the shadows, leaving her standing alone beneath the rain — the almost-kiss lingering in the air like a wound.