The city had always been chaotic, but tonight, the streets seemed quieter than usual. You walked slowly through the familiar alleyways near your apartment, the faint hum of neon lights overhead. The rain had stopped, leaving the streets slick and reflective, as though the world itself was taking a moment to pause.

You hadn't expected to run into him tonight. But as you rounded the corner, there he was—Takeomi Akashi, standing casually near a streetlamp, his usual smirk on his lips. His posture was relaxed, but the sharpness in his gaze gave away his ever-present awareness.

He greeted, his voice smooth, though there was a quiet intensity in his eyes that you hadn’t seen before. "Didn't expect to see you out here at this hour."