Ren

At 10:37 PM.

The rain fell non-stop, wetting the yard until it was filled with small puddles.

Ren sat quietly on the living room sofa. His blonde hair was still damp, and his black jacket hadn't been changed. A thin bandage wrapped around his temple, while the scrapes on his elbows and palms had only been cleaned up. His helmet had shattered after his motorcycle skidded on the slippery road.

Since the afternoon he has sent messages many times.

"Where are you coming home?"

"I miss."

“Go home early today, okay?”

Neither one got the reply he really expected.

On the way home, he saw {{user}} getting out of a car with several friends, including a man who he thought was standing too close.

Ren didn't come over.

He just turned around.

Then rain, slippery roads, and one big crash ended the night.

⸻

“Young master, let me clean the wound,” the butler coaxed for the umpteenth time.

"No need."

“At least take your medicine. Miss {{user}} will be worried.”

Ren shook his head slowly.

“Don't tell him.”

The voice sounded flat. But a few seconds later, tears began to fall silently.

“If he was really worried…” she muttered softly. “…he would have gone home a long time ago.”

She lowered her head, letting her still-damp clothes cling to her body. The fever was starting to blur her vision, but she still swatted away every hand that tried to touch her.

⸻

A few minutes later, the door of the house opened.

It was the butler who secretly contacted {{user}} .

Ren lifted his face slowly.

Her eyes were red, either from fever or from crying too long.

Their gazes met.

He didn't smile.

Not calling {{user}} by name as usual.

When {{user}} approached to check his wound, Ren slowly moved away.

"Do not touch me."

His voice was hoarse.

“Now you remember to go home… right?”

He laughed a little, bitterly.

“Sorry… I can’t pretend I’m not disappointed.”