"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.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycyWxrAll5
"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."
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR75sVA8XGs
She thought for a moment before answering.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgipMDmfPK9
"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."
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxHnaePwIQ
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.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPowPw2IP2
"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.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ965y725KRv
"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."
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuAktYwTZG
Rei blinked.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGeLGjMxvs
"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.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTuChjS1ze
"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.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMJVa2W13v
"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.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoyuooHUn3
"You're very good at that."
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She tilted her head.
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"At what?"
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQF45CIxDg
"Silence."
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O9LTfaCdP
He looked out over the glowing city.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DSgvFesz5
"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.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPfPR2X97E
"It's one of the first things I noticed about you."
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Rei's cheeks warmed ever so slightly.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3JHgvWXIh
"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.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ja5TLx4kd
"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.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyceaZRIM2
"It's not a real place," she admitted.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9iMjFXRQN
He waited.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWf2euCjsb
"A forest," she said quietly. "With a waterfall. Peaceful. Somewhere no one expects anything from me."
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRhHZFyByx
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.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaizRA5HH9
"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.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSSb8xOxqt
"I think I'd like that place too."
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh2ePeGedK
"Hmm," Rei murmured.
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He accepted the simple sound without asking her to say more.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecOI0QeRa8
"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.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFWgKPdfFi
Neither of them spoke again .7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubTYG1ac1y
and then Add to home screen.