It was a night when only the sound of rain could be heard. The patter of raindrops striking the window echoed quietly through the living room. Mari sat on the sofa with both hands folded on her lap, her gaze fixed toward the entrance. How many days had it been since that night? she wondered. The night she'd seen Renji's face in the entryway. The night she'd glimpsed an expression that looked like pain itself, just for a moment. Since then, Renji had built his walls again, treating Mari as though she were nothing but air. But Mari couldn't get that face out of her head. It was the face of someone who had been hurt. If he only thought of her as a tool, he wouldn't have made that expression. Every time she thought this, she tried to stop herself. *You're overthinking it*, she'd tell herself. But she couldn't stop. The more she thought about it, the more Nao's face and that photograph kept circling endlessly through her mind. ——So tonight, she'd decided. If she left things unsaid, she'd stay here forever, spinning in circles alone. The sound of the front door unlocking came. It was just past nine in the evening. On a rare night when Renji came home early, Mari stood up immediately. Renji entered the living room. Raindrops clung to his black jacket. A single crimson streak ran through his jet-black hair, and it was now damp, clinging slightly to his forehead. His 185-centimeter frame stopped at the living room entrance. Mari was standing in that doorway, blocking his path. Renji's eyebrows moved slightly. His expression said *move*. But Mari didn't budge. "[serious]Renji. Please don't run away and listen to me," Her voice came out straighter than she'd expected. Though her hands were trembling. Renji said nothing. His silver eyes were fixed on Mari. "[serious]The photograph of Nao was edited," Renji's expression shifted, barely perceptibly. Mari continued. The dinner at La Rivière had been a business meal with a client. Nao had only attended as the PR company's representative—Renji hadn't invited her. The photograph had been manipulated with an app to make them look intimate. The general affairs department had taken action, and Nao could no longer access the main office building. She said it all in one breath. When she finished, her shoulders relaxed just slightly. "[gentle]So please tell me," Mari met Renji's eyes. She could feel tears gathering in her own. But she didn't look away. "[gentle]What do you think of me?" Silence came. A long silence. Ten seconds. Twenty seconds. Only the sound of rain continued. Outside the window, rain fell steadily on the Shibuura night view. Renji didn't move. His silver eyes were looking at something about Mari. His expression was unreadable—different even from his usual blankness. It was the face of someone searching for something, searching while lost. That kind of face. *(He might reject me.)* The moment she thought that, Renji opened his mouth. "[cold]……Don't be so noisy," Mari's face twisted. *So it was like that after all.* *He's pushing me away again.* But—— Renji's voice came again. So quiet it was almost inaudible. "[whispers]……Don't disappear," Mari couldn't move. She repeated it in her head once more. *Don't disappear. Don't disappear.* Tears spilled over. And as they fell, Mari was smiling. *So this is what it feels like to cry and laugh at the same time*, she thought. "[crying]……I won't disappear," Her voice was hoarse. But she said it clearly. Renji said nothing. But——his eyes wavered slightly. The depths of his silver irises seemed to melt, just a little. --- The next morning. Mari woke a bit earlier than usual and stood in the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator. Vegetables and tofu from yesterday's shopping. Dashi stock. She decided to make miso soup. While preparing the broth, she replayed last night in her mind over and over. That voice saying *don't disappear*. She wanted to confirm it wasn't a dream, but couldn't, yet she'd definitely heard it. When breakfast was ready, Renji emerged from the hallway. A black shirt. His hair neatly arranged. His usual expressionless face. When he saw the white rice, miso soup, and egg roll arranged on the table, his movements stopped for just a moment. He said nothing. He pulled out a chair and sat down. Mari sat across from him. It was the first time they'd sat at the table together since the contract began. Mari realized this and was so happy she could barely hold her chopsticks properly. Renji ate in silence. He picked up the miso soup bowl and took a sip. That was all. But for Mari, that was enough to fill her heart. *(We're at the same table.)* Why was something so simple making her this happy? she wondered. --- That night. Mari sat on the sofa with the television on. The laughter from a variety show flowed through the room. This was the time Renji usually retreated to his own room. Footsteps sounded, and Renji entered the living room. He sat down next to Mari. Closer than usual. The distance had shrunk by about one cushion. The invisible wall, the empty space that had existed until yesterday, was gone. Neither of them said anything. The television's light swayed gently in the quiet living room. Mari smiled slightly while watching the screen. Quietly, so he wouldn't notice. *(Don't disappear, huh.)* She repeated those words once more in her heart. After a while, Mari opened her mouth. Still watching the television, she spoke softly. "[gentle]……You know, Renji," Renji turned his face slightly toward her. "[gentle]Actually, I still have 1.8 million yen left in student loans," Renji said nothing. "[gentle]I was planning to pay it all back with the money from this contract. That was……the reason I accepted the contract in the first place," "[cold]……So that was the reason," His voice was low. Not accusatory. Just confirming, like he was checking something. Mari nodded. She continued. "[serious]That was the reason at first. But now, it's different," Renji looked at Mari. "[serious]I'm not here for the money. I'm here because I want to be here. Now," After saying it, she felt a little embarrassed. But it wasn't a lie. Renji was silent. He didn't look away immediately. Unusually, he kept his gaze on Mari's face for several seconds. Mari couldn't tell what he was thinking. But he didn't look displeased. Her heart raced. The distance between them seemed to have shrunk a little more than before. It might have been her imagination. But it didn't feel like imagination. Mari quietly turned her gaze back to the television. She could feel her face reddening, and she hoped the variety show's laughter would swallow it up. --- Around midnight. Renji's phone rang. The screen on the table lit up. Mari caught a glimpse of the name from the corner of her eye. Hikawa Koutarou. Renji's body stiffened slightly. After a beat, he answered the call. "……Yes," His voice was low. His responses were sparse. An old man's voice leaked faintly from the phone. Low, quiet, but carrying an undeniable weight. "Renji. Bring your wife to next month's board meeting. I'll see for myself whether she's real." The call ended. The living room fell silent. The television had been off for a while now. The rain was still falling. Renji's face had hardened for the first time that night. The softness from the night he'd said *don't disappear* was gone. It was the face he wore as the head of the strategy department in conference rooms. The face of someone accepting a burden. Mari asked quietly. "[gentle]……Your grandfather?" Renji didn't answer. But he didn't deny it either. He set his phone on the table and remained still for a moment. Mari looked at his profile. Jet-black hair with a single crimson streak. Sharp features. Outside the window, raindrops traced their way down the glass. The voice saying *don't disappear* was still echoing in her ears. The person who'd spoken those words was now carrying something alone. Mari couldn't say anything. But she was here beside him. That much was certain.