"I finally retrieved my bag," Ren sighed. As a taxi descended from the sky, hovering gracefully, its doors opened in anticipation. The AI chimed, "You have reached your destination. Thank you for choosing our service."
Ren leaped down, watching as the taxi ascended back into the heavens. "So, this is the apartment," he mused, gazing up at the towering edifice before him. He tilted his head back slightly, straining to catch a glimpse of the top.
Just then, his phone buzzed—a translucent slab in his hand. "Oh, Mom!" Ren murmured.
"Ren! Did you make it to the apartment?" she exclaimed from the other end, her voice piercing enough to make his ears ring.
"Yes, yes, I just arrived," he replied, still lingering at the entrance, his backpack weighing heavily on his shoulders.
"But how could you forget the bag?" she questioned, a blend of confusion and concern lacing her tone.
"I was with a friend," Ren managed, though his voice wavered slightly. "You made a friend? He must be quite a boy to befriend you," she teased, putting the call on speaker so that his father and brother could hear from the sofa.
Ren stammered, "Um," pondering whether to clarify the misunderstanding. "Uh, it's a girl," he whispered.
At that moment, a palpable silence fell over the house. His mother froze mid-step, "A girl?" his brother echoed, his jaw dropping in astonishment, as did their father.
"A girl!" the family chorused in unison. "I knew this would happen," his mother sighed, though he quickly explained that she was just a friend.
"Hey Ren, tell me everything!" his brother Ryu exclaimed, eager for details.
"Just as I said, it's nothing. I have some work," Ren replied, abruptly ending the call. "I hope they don't misunderstand," he murmured to himself.
Meanwhile, back in their modest home on the streets of Hemsworth, a heated debate unfolded.
"Ren's got a girlfriend!" Ryu shouted. "No, he told you she's just a friend," their father countered. "My boy is growing up," their mother began to cry. "Not you too, Emerald," their father sighed.
***
In her little den of mechanical scraps, Elara lay flat on her back, staring at her own translucent slab. "I asked for his contact," she thought, her hair tousled and resting on her shoulders. Just then, her phone buzzed; it was her mother.
"Elara, did you eat?" she inquired. "Yes," Elara replied, "I can't possibly tell her I had Takiyoki with a boy!" she screamed internally.
"Did something happen?" her mother asked, out of the blue. "Why?" she replied quickly.
"No, it's just that your voice sounds more relaxed," her mother noted.
"Really?" Elara murmured, clutching her phone tightly, drawing her knees to her chest.
"How was your first day at university?" her mother asked. "Good," Elara answered, her voice trembling, her breath coming in quick bursts.
"Did you, by any chance, find a boyfriend?" her mother teased. "N-no, no, a b-boyfriend, he's not," she fumbled.
"He?! Hey Elara, did you—" her mother began to ask, but Elara swiftly interjected with a hasty, "Goodnight," before hanging up.
"Why does she always manage to get the truth out of me?" she pondered, her cheeks flushing crimson.
On the other end of the line, her mother simply smiled to herself.
***
The elevator doors slid open with a soft whoosh, revealing a boy burdened by a hefty backpack. "Room 309," he read from his phone, his eyes lighting up. "Ah, there it is," he murmured, standing before the door bearing the number he sought.
As he grasped the knob, the door opened automatically, responding to the scan of his fingerprint.
Ren stepped inside, his gaze flitting across the expanse of his new room. "It's enormous," he whispered, awestruck.
Before him lay a living room, a window framing a view that captivated him. The wooden floor was adorned with plush white tiles, radiating warmth against his feet. To his left, a sleek white sofa beckoned, harmoniously paired with a wide table.
Further left, another door piqued his curiosity. He strolled over, eager to uncover its secrets. It led to a bathroom, its design reminiscent of one he already knew.
Turning back to the living area, he couldn't help but murmur, "It's spacious." His attention was then drawn to a door on the opposite side. He approached it, resting his bag on the sofa as he did.
Pushing it open, he entered his bedroom—a modern sanctuary featuring a desk and a floating cushioned chair, the lighting adjustable to his mood. A little distance away stood his bed, invitingly soft.
He leaped onto the mattress, which responded with a gentle bounce. "It's so soft," he mumbled, lying back and staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.
"University rooms are quite nice; there's even a kitchen by the bathroom," he mused.
Just then, a loud bang echoed from the wall beside him. "What was that?" he wondered, glancing at the wall while still sprawled on the bed. "Must be from room 310," he concluded.
A sudden realization struck him. "What's that smell?" he exclaimed, "Oh no, it's me!" The fatigue of the day and all that running had left him in need of a shower.
"I should clean up," he sighed. After a quick, warm shower and a futile attempt to tame his fluffy, unruly hair, he bounded back into the bedroom.
"Much better," he whispered, gazing at the ceiling as memories of the day washed over him. "I hope tomorrow is just as good," he murmured.
He then held up a piece of paper covered in cryptic symbols. "Perhaps I'll find a clue in the room marked in black," he pondered.
As darkness enveloped him, he surrendered to sleep, drifting into a world of dreams.
***
Night surrendered to dawn, the moon retreating as the sun began its ascent. Morning rays streamed through the window, falling upon Ren, who lay deep in slumber.
He stirred, grappling to pry his eyes open, and glanced at the clock beside him. 8:21 a.m. it read.
"Wha—?" he exclaimed, leaping out of bed in a panic as he hurried to the shower.
"Can't be late on my first day of classes!" he muttered, dashing back to the sofa where his bag lay. He hastily donned whatever he could find, fastening the new band gifted by his father, before bursting out the door.
In his haste, he failed to watch where he was going and collided with a girl.
"S-sorry," he stuttered, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "Ren!" a familiar voice called out, and he recognized it instantly. He looked up to find he had bumped into Elara.
"Elara! What are you doing here?" he asked, bewildered.
"That should be my question," she replied, and he quickly extended a hand to help her up.
She met his gaze, a rosy flush creeping into her ears. "What's he doing here?" she wondered, taking his hand to rise.
"What's she doing here?" Ren echoed silently in his mind.
"I live in the room over there," Elara said, gesturing to the door marked 310. Ren's eyes widened in shock. "What? I'm in the room next door," he exclaimed, and her look of surprise mirrored his.
For a brief moment, they stared at each other, astonished, before laughter erupted between them. "So we're neighbors now," she said, a playful smile gracing her lips. "Looks like it," he chuckled in return.
As their laughter subsided, a blush crept over both their faces, prompting them to avert their gazes.
"We should hurry," Ren suggested, glancing at the time. Elara nodded, and they quickly made their way to the elevator.
"You forgot your bag yesterday and only returned to your room at night," she teased. "Yes," Ren admitted, his cheeks warming with embarrassment.
She looked at him, her laughter bubbling forth once more. "Is it funny?" he asked, a hint of annoyance in his tone. "Yes, it is," she replied, her smile infectious.
"Did you book a taxi?" Elara inquired. "Crap, I forgot," Ren fumbled.
"Then," she murmured, her gaze drifting away.
"We can share a taxi," she suggested. Ren turned his head in the opposite direction, avoiding eye contact. "If that's okay," he murmured.