The rain tapped softly against Elias's windshield as he drove through the city at night. Earlier, he had teased Rei about the bowl of udon she was eating.
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"Send me a picture of the udon," he had texted. "I need proof that you're actually eating and not just staring into space in your secret place."
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A few minutes later, her reply appeared.
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"Oops. I already ate it. You missed it."
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Elias laughed to himself.
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"You're teasing me now, aren't you? Making me miss the udon reveal. That's cold, Rei. Very cold."
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The easy conversation continued, warm and playful. Curious, he asked about the mysterious place she always disappeared to.
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"So, what's the vibe? Peaceful mountain view? A quiet café?"
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But Rei only replied:
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"Not going to tell you."
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Then she added:
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"Bye. Good night. Sweet dreams."
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Elias smiled at the screen.
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"Goodnight, Rei. Sweet dreams. And don't let any dragons steal your secret place while you're sleeping."
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He put his phone away and drove home, strangely content. Whatever secrets she kept, he respected them.
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---
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Far away from the city, hidden deep within the mountains, Rei's secret place waited.
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A small wooden cabin stood near a waterfall, surrounded by towering pine trees and endless forest. The roar of the water echoed through the valley, blending with the whisper of the wind.
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After arriving, Rei changed into a simple vest and shorts. The cool mountain air drifted through the cabin window, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth.
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She lay down on the bed and listened.
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The waterfall.
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The forest.
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The silence.
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There were no city lights here. No traffic. No expectations. Just her and nature.
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"This is it," she thought as her eyes slowly closed. "Just me and the waterfall."
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Outside, moonlight painted silver shadows across the trees while a thin mist rolled through the forest.
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Inside, Rei slept peacefully.
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---
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In his apartment, Elias lay awake for a few moments before sleeping.
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He glanced once more at their final messages.
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"Sweet dreams."
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A small smile appeared on his face.
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"Secret place, huh?" he murmured.
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Then he turned off the light.
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---
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Hours passed.
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Morning arrived gently.
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Sunlight filtered through the cabin windows, cutting through the lingering mist. The waterfall sounded louder now, alive with the energy of a new day.
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Rei opened her eyes and stretched beneath the warm quilt.
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Her phone rested silently beside the bed.
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No notifications.
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No missed calls.
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No responsibilities.
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The day belonged entirely to her.
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She sat by the window for a while, admiring the emerald forest shining under the morning sun. A feeling of freedom settled comfortably in her chest.
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Then she smiled.
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The waterfall was calling.
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Leaving the cabin, Rei followed the familiar forest trail. The air was cool, and tiny droplets of mist sparkled on the leaves. Soon, the trees parted, revealing the waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear pool below.
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The water looked inviting beneath the morning sunlight.
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Without hesitation, Rei stepped in.
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The mountain water was cold enough to steal her breath for a second, but soon she laughed softly and swam deeper into the pool. Above her, the waterfall thundered down from the rocks, sending sparkling droplets into the air.
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For a while, she floated on her back and watched the clouds drift across the blue sky.
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No schedules.
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No worries.
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No one demanding her attention.
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Just the endless sound of water and the peaceful embrace of her secret place.
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And somewhere far away, completely unaware of where she truly was, Elias was probably imagining a hundred different possibilities.
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Rei smiled to herself.
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Some secrets were worth keeping.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8N8DhKO5J
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