A chance encounter

The moment Ren's hand let go of hers, Emma felt an odd sense of loss. He was a stranger—just a fleeting moment in her first night in Tokyo—but something about him lingered. Maybe it was the way his voice carried a quiet steadiness, or how his presence felt at ease in the chaos of the city.

"You take photos?" she asked, nodding at the vintage camera hanging from his neck.

Ren glanced down as if he had forgotten it was there. "Yes."

"For work?"

He hesitated, then shook his head. "Just... for myself."

Emma studied him, intrigued. "Do you have a favorite subject?"

Instead of answering, he lifted the camera and snapped a photo—of her.

Emma's mouth parted in surprise. "Did you just—"

"You looked like a question," he said simply, lowering the camera.

She blinked. "A question?"

Ren didn't explain. Instead, he nodded toward the street. "Are you lost?"

Emma sighed. "A little."

"Where were you going?"

"A bookstore," she admitted. "I read online about a hidden one nearby, but I think I took a wrong turn."

Ren's expression flickered with something unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned and started walking.

Emma hesitated. "Wait—are you taking me there?"

"You were looking for it," he said over his shoulder.

That was apparently his way of saying yes.

Emma fell into step beside him, her curiosity growing. He didn't talk much, but she noticed the way his eyes took in the world around them—like every flickering light, every passing stranger, every shifting shadow was worth noticing.

After a few quiet minutes, they arrived at a narrow alleyway tucked between two tall buildings. A small wooden sign hung above the entrance, its kanji painted in delicate strokes. Soft yellow light spilled from the windows, illuminating shelves stacked high with books.

Emma's breath caught.

"This is it?"

Ren nodded. "It's called Hoshino Books. They have a rare collection."

She turned to him, a genuine smile breaking across her face. "Thank you."

For the first time, she saw him hesitate—as if he wasn't used to being thanked. He gave a small nod before stepping back. "Enjoy your books, Emma."

She watched as he disappeared into the night, his silhouette blending into the city.

And for reasons she couldn't explain, she had the strangest feeling she hadn't seen the last of him.