"We don't have to do anything grand. No promises forever. Just tonight. Just this conversation."
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Then, with quiet patience, he extended his hand toward her—not demanding, only offering.
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After a moment, he asked,
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"So... tell me something about yourself that isn't on your résumé. Something that has nothing to do with this party."
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Rei blinked.
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"Like what?"
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He chuckled softly.
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"Anything. A song you listen to when you're alone. A place you go when you want to disappear. Something you're secretly good at that would surprise everyone in that ballroom."
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She thought for a moment before answering.
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"I don't really have a favorite song. It depends on my mood. If a song matches how I'm feeling, I'll listen to it. If it doesn't... I move on."
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Elias listened without interrupting, giving her his full attention.
The conversation drifted naturally, unhurried, as though neither of them was eager to let the night end.
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Rei hesitated, searching for something to say.
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"Uh... do you watch anime?" she asked, almost under her breath.
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For a moment, Elias simply stared at her. Then a genuine laugh escaped him—not the polite laugh reserved for crowded parties, but something warm and real.
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"Anime?" he repeated with a grin. "That's what you came up with after thinking that hard?"
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Rei looked away, slightly embarrassed.
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He chuckled again, shaking his head.
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"Honestly? No. I've never really been into it. My childhood was mostly books, long walks, and being outdoors. I missed that whole wave without cartoon."
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He paused thoughtfully.
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"But I've seen clips here and there. The animation is beautiful. And some of the older stories... they're surprisingly deep."
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His gaze lingered on her.
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"I had a feeling you'd be someone who watches anime."
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Rei blinked.
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"Oh..."
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A quiet smile curved on his lips.
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"Don't sound so surprised," he said. "I told you—I pay attention."
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He took a slow sip from his glass before setting it aside.
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"So," he said, folding his arms loosely across his chest, "I've been asking all the questions. Your turn."
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He looked at her expectantly.
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"Ask me anything. I promise I won't be offended."
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Rei frowned in concentration.
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"Uhh..."
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Nothing came to mind.
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The silence stretched between them, but Elias didn't rush to fill it. He simply stood beside her, comfortable with the quiet.
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Finally, he smiled.
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"You're very good at that."
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She tilted her head.
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"At what?"
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"Silence."
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He looked out over the glowing city.
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"Most people can't stand it. They keep talking until the quiet disappears."
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His eyes found hers again.
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"But you... you make silence feel natural."
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A small, private smile touched his face.
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"It's one of the first things I noticed about you."
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Rei's cheeks warmed ever so slightly.
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"Oh..."
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The silence returned, softer than before.
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After a while, Elias laughed quietly.
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"Since you refuse to interrogate me, let me ask one last question."
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He raised his glass in mock surrender.
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"Tell me about a place you go when you want to be completely alone. Not somewhere impressive. Just... somewhere that feels like yours."
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Rei thought carefully.
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"It's not a real place," she admitted.
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He waited.
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"A forest," she said quietly. "With a waterfall. Peaceful. Somewhere no one expects anything from me."
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Elias closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if he could picture it perfectly.
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"A forest with a waterfall," he repeated softly.
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"That sounds like enough peace for one lifetime."
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He leaned back against the railing and looked up at the stars.
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"I understand why you'd choose that place. Trees don't ask questions. Water doesn't care who you are. You don't have to explain yourself there."
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Then he smiled.
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"I think I'd like that place too."
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"Hmm," Rei murmured.
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He accepted the simple sound without asking her to say more.
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"You know," he said after a while, "I've spent a lot of time in places like that. Whenever life becomes too loud, I go somewhere quiet to remind myself that the world is much bigger than whatever problem I'm carrying."
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He looked over the endless city lights.
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"It's funny."
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"We spend our entire lives building walls—careers, reputations, expectations—just so we have somewhere to hide."
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The breeze carried his words into the night.
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Neither of them spoke again .15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe76TvtAHI
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