Shadows of the past

The train ride back to Tokyo was quieter than Emma expected. She sat beside Ren, their shoulders occasionally brushing, yet something felt… different. The kiss still lingered between them, yet instead of the giddy rush she had expected, there was a weight in Ren's silence.

She stole a glance at him. His gaze was fixed on the passing scenery, unreadable.

Was he regretting it?

The thought sent a sharp pang through her chest.

When the train pulled into the station, they stepped onto the platform, and Ren finally looked at her. "I'll walk you home."

Emma wanted to ask if he was okay, but something about the way he said it—the quiet certainty—made her nod instead.

The city was alive with its usual rhythm—cars speeding past, neon lights flickering, conversations blending into the hum of Tokyo's heartbeat. But between them, the silence stretched, heavy with something unspoken.

Then, just as they turned onto her street, a voice cut through the night.

"Ren?"

Emma froze.

A woman stood a few feet away, dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her red dress striking against the dimly lit street. She was beautiful, the kind of effortless beauty that made Emma's stomach twist.

Ren's entire body stiffened. His hands clenched at his sides.

The woman took a slow step forward, her eyes searching his face. "It's been a long time."

Emma's chest tightened. Who is she?

Ren exhaled sharply, his voice low. "Aiko."

Aiko. The way he said her name—it wasn't casual. It wasn't distant.

Emma suddenly felt like an outsider in a story she didn't belong to.

Aiko's gaze flickered to her, just for a second, before returning to Ren. "Can we talk?"

Ren hesitated.

Emma swallowed. "Ren, it's okay. You should—"

"No," he said quickly, his eyes snapping to hers. "I'll walk you home first."

Aiko's lips pressed together, but she didn't argue.

Emma forced a smile. "It's fine. Really."

Ren looked at her for a long moment, then finally nodded. "I'll call you later."

Emma nodded back, turning toward her apartment, but the moment she stepped inside, she let out a shaky breath.

She had been right.

Something had changed.

And she wasn't sure if she was ready for the answer to why.