Ren woke slowly. For a moment he didn't move. The room was quiet, dim with the pale light of early morning slipping through the curtains. Everything felt still.
Then he felt it. A sudden tightening against him. Ren's eyes lowered. Aoi was pressed close to his chest, his fingers gripping the fabric of Ren's shirt like he was afraid it might disappear. His brows were drawn together, his breathing uneven. A faint crease had formed between his brows.
Ren watched him for a second longer.
Something was wrong. Aoi shifted restlessly, his grip tightening again as his head turned slightly against Ren's shoulder. A quiet sound slipped from him, barely more than a breath. "…Ren…"
The name came out strained, almost pleading.
Ren's chest tightened. "Aoi," he murmured softly.
He lifted a hand and gently touched Aoi's shoulder, giving him a small shake.
"Aoi. Wake up." Aoi stirred but didn't fully wake. His fingers only clutched tighter, like he was trying to hold onto something slipping away.
"Don't…" he murmured faintly. "Don't leave…" The words were quiet, half lost in sleep.
Ren stilled. For a moment he just looked at him.
Then he reached up, brushing a few strands of hair away from Aoi's face. "Aoi," he said again, a little firmer this time.
Aoi finally opened his eyes. They were unfocused at first, blinking slowly like he was still somewhere between sleep and whatever nightmare had pulled him under. "…Ren?" he whispered.
"I'm here."
Aoi stared at him for a moment, like he needed to make sure that was true. His grip on Ren loosened slightly, though he didn't let go completely.
Then Ren noticed something else.
Aoi's skin felt warm. Too warm. Ren frowned slightly.
He lifted his hand and pressed it gently against Aoi's forehead.
Heat met his palm immediately. Ren's expression shifted.
"Aoi," he said quietly. "You're burning up."
Aoi blinked slowly, clearly not fully aware yet. His head felt heavy against the pillow and his body sluggish, like it didn't want to cooperate. "…What?" he muttered weakly.
Ren kept his hand against his forehead for another second before pulling it away.
"You have a fever."
Aoi frowned faintly, like the words didn't quite make sense yet. His eyelids drooped again and he shifted closer without thinking, his forehead pressing against Ren's chest.
"…Probably nothing," he murmured hoarsely.
Ren didn't answer immediately.
He could still feel the heat radiating off him.
After everything that had happened yesterday—the fight, the injury, the night spent barely resting—it wasn't surprising.
But that didn't make him any less concerned.
Ren's arm moved instinctively, settling more securely around Aoi's shoulders as he adjusted the blanket over him.
"You're not getting up today," he said quietly.
Aoi made a soft sound of protest, though it lacked any real strength. Ren ignored it.
For a moment he just looked down at him.
Aoi had already started drifting again, exhaustion pulling him back under. His grip had loosened, but his hand still rested lightly against Ren's shirt like he needed the reassurance that Ren was still there.
Ren stayed still. He didn't move away.
Not this time.
Ren waited until Aoi's breathing evened out again.
For a while he didn't move. Aoi had settled back into sleep, though it was still restless. Every now and then his fingers would twitch against Ren's shirt, like he was making sure he was still there.
Ren knew the fever wouldn't go away on its own.
Carefully, he shifted. The moment he tried to move, Aoi's grip tightened again.
Ren paused. "…I'll be back," he murmured quietly, though Aoi was already half asleep again.
Slowly, he eased Aoi's hand away and slipped out from the bed.
Aoi stirred but didn't wake this time.
Ren pulled the blanket higher over him before leaving the room.
⸻
The hallway was quiet.
Morning light had started to fill the house, soft and pale.
Ren moved quietly toward the kitchen.
The moment he stepped inside, someone looked up.
Ms. Aiko stood near the counter, clearly in the middle of preparing something. For a second she simply stared at him.
Surprise crossed her face. "…Ren?"
Ren paused slightly but didn't look uncomfortable. "Yes." The answer was simple.
She blinked once, still processing it. It had been a long time since she had seen him here. "…You're back."
Ren nodded once and moved toward the cabinets like it was the most natural thing in the world. "For now."
Ms. Aiko watched him for a moment longer but didn't question it further. Instead she glanced toward the hallway. "Aoi's still asleep?"
"He has a fever."
Her expression shifted immediately.
"Oh… that boy," she sighed softly.
Ren had already started gathering what he needed—water, a glass, and some medicine.
"I'll take care of it," he said calmly.
Ms. Aiko studied him for a moment, then simply nodded. "…Alright."
She stepped aside to give him space.
Within a few minutes Ren headed back down the hallway.
⸻
When he pushed the door open again, the room was no longer quiet.
Aoi had shifted across the bed, the blankets half tangled around him. His breathing had grown uneven again, and his hand was searching blindly across the mattress.
"…Ren…?" His voice was hoarse and strained.
Ren crossed the room immediately.
"I'm here."
The moment Aoi saw him again, the tension in his face eased slightly. He looked disoriented, feverish, and a little scared.
Ren set the glass down on the bedside table before sitting beside him.
"You shouldn't move around."
Aoi frowned faintly, his gaze still unfocused. "I thought…" he muttered weakly.
Ren didn't ask what he thought. Instead he placed a steady hand against Aoi's shoulder, guiding him back against the pillow.
"I said I wouldn't leave," Ren said quietly.
This time, Aoi didn't argue. He just let his eyes close again, his fingers slowly finding Ren's sleeve and holding onto it like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.
Ren stayed right where he was.
He didn't move away. Ren picked up the glass from the bedside table.
"Aoi," he said softly. Aoi's eyes opened again, though they looked heavy, unfocused from the fever. He shifted slightly but didn't let go of Ren's sleeve.
Ren held the medicine out to him.
"You need to take this."
Aoi looked at it for a moment like he was trying to understand what Ren was holding.
His brows knit faintly. "…Don't want it," he murmured hoarsely.
Ren didn't argue. "You still have to take it."
Aoi's eyes drifted closed again, his head sinking further into the pillow.
Ren waited a moment before speaking again. "Can you sit up?"
No response. Only the slow rise and fall of Aoi's breathing.
Ren watched him quietly, then set the glass down for a second and slid an arm behind Aoi's back. "Come on." He lifted him carefully.
Aoi made a weak sound of protest but didn't fight it. His head fell forward slightly, resting against Ren's shoulder as Ren helped him sit. The heat coming from him was even clearer now.
Ren picked up the medicine again and held it in front of him. "Can you take it yourself?"
Aoi barely looked at it. After a moment, he gave the smallest shake of his head.
Ren exhaled quietly. "…Alright."
He didn't make it into a big deal. Instead, he brought the medicine closer. "Open your mouth."
Aoi hesitated. Then, slowly, he did.
Ren guided the medicine in carefully before lifting the glass to his lips. "Drink."
Aoi swallowed the medicine reluctantly, taking a few slow sips of water before turning his head away slightly.
Ren set the glass aside again. For a moment he studied him. Aoi looked exhausted. His eyes were half-lidded again, his body leaning weakly against Ren like he didn't have the strength to hold himself up anymore.
Ren reached for the small bowl of food he had brought in earlier.
"You should eat something too."
Aoi didn't even look at it. "…No."
"You need to."
Aoi shook his head again, just as weakly as before. "Not hungry."
Ren was quiet for a second. Then he picked up the spoon anyway.
"Just a little."
Aoi didn't move. So Ren held the spoon near his lips.
Aoi frowned faintly, clearly stubborn even through the fever. "…Ren…"
"It's just a few bites."
Another small pause. Then, reluctantly, Aoi opened his mouth just enough. Ren fed him slowly, one small spoonful at a time. Aoi didn't protest again after that.
Between bites his eyes kept drifting closed, his head leaning more heavily against Ren's shoulder.
At some point his fingers tightened around Ren's sleeve again. Like he was afraid Ren might disappear the moment he stopped paying attention.
Ren didn't pull away. He just kept feeding him quietly.
After a while, the bowl was empty. Ren set the spoon down and placed the plate carefully on the bedside table.
Aoi looked completely drained now. The fever still flushed his cheeks faintly, and his eyes had that heavy, distant look that came with exhaustion.
Ren turned back toward him—
And suddenly, a sharp sound cut through the quiet room. Aoi's phone was ringing.
Both of them looked toward the bedside table.
The screen lit up. Ren reached for it first.
His gaze dropped to the name on the screen. Takeda. For a moment, Ren didn't move.
His fingers tightened slightly around the phone as his expression hardened almost imperceptibly.
Then he looked at Aoi. Aoi blinked slowly, still sluggish from the fever.
"…Who is it?" he asked weakly.
Ren held the phone out to him. "Takeda."
Aoi's brows drew together faintly. The phone was still ringing.
Before Aoi could press anything, Ren spoke again. "Put it on speaker."
Aoi glanced at him, confused by the tone, but he didn't argue. He took the phone and accepted the call. Then he tapped the speaker. A quiet click filled the room.
At the same moment, Ren shifted closer.
He leaned forward, placing both hands on the mattress beside Aoi's hips, caging him lightly between his arms. It looked natural enough—like he was just getting closer so he could hear the call. But the distance between them suddenly disappeared.
Aoi could feel the warmth of him behind his back. Ren's gaze stayed fixed on the phone.
Too focused. Too sharp. Maybe he wanted to hear better.
Or maybe something else had pulled him closer. Something tighter. Something that felt suspiciously like jealousy.
Then Takeda's voice came through the speaker.
"Well," he said smoothly, amusement clear in his tone. "Looks like you finally answered."
Aoi held the phone loosely in his hand, the speaker still on. For a moment he didn't answer.
Then he said quietly. "…Yeah."
His voice came out rough from the fever.
Without thinking, his eyes lifted to Ren.
They held each other's gaze for a brief second. Ren was still leaning over him, one hand planted on each side of Aoi's hips on the mattress, close enough that Aoi could feel the warmth of him behind his back.
Then Aoi looked back at the phone.
On the other end, Takeda hummed softly.
"What's wrong with your voice?" he asked. "You sound tired."
"It's nothing," Aoi replied. His tone was calm, but faintly strained. There was a short pause. Aoi didn't seem interested in dragging the conversation out. "…Is that all?" he asked.
For a moment there was only silence from the other side.
Then Takeda gave a small, amused breath.
"Not really."
Ren's expression didn't change, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
Takeda continued. "I was thinking about something."
Aoi didn't respond, waiting.
"The place you and Ms. Aiko are staying in," Takeda said smoothly, "I don't think it's very safe."
Ren's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
Takeda's voice remained calm, almost casual.
"There are still things moving around out there. Monsters, desperate people… all kinds of trouble."
Another short pause. "So I thought," he went on, "maybe you two should move somewhere safer."
Aoi frowned faintly.
"There's a place I know," Takeda added. "A shelter for survivors. Proper protection, better supplies. You wouldn't have to worry about anything there."
Aoi's fingers tightened slightly around the phone. For a second, his gaze shifted again.
He looked at Ren. Ren looked back at him immediately.
Their eyes met in silence.
Then Aoi looked away again. "…Thank you," he said slowly. There was a small pause before he continued. "But… it's okay."
Takeda didn't interrupt.
"We're fine here," Aoi finished quietly.
"There's no need for us to move."
For a moment, the line stayed quiet.
Then Takeda gave a soft chuckle.
"You're still stubborn, I see."
Aoi didn't respond. Takeda continued anyway. "I'm serious, Aoi. That place isn't secure. A house out there like that…" he paused slightly, "…it's only a matter of time before something finds it."
Ren's fingers pressed slightly harder into the mattress. Aoi noticed the small movement but kept his focus on the call. "We've been fine so far," Aoi replied.
" 'So far' isn't very reassuring," Takeda said smoothly. "The shelter I mentioned has reinforced walls, guards, proper supplies. It's not just some temporary hiding spot."
Aoi sighed quietly, clearly tired. "…Takeda."
But Takeda kept going. "You and Ms. Aiko wouldn't have to worry about monsters wandering around at night," he said. "Food wouldn't be a problem either."
Ren's jaw tightened. From the outside he still looked calm, but the irritation was slowly creeping into his expression.
Takeda's voice softened slightly.
"I'm just saying it would be safer."
Aoi rubbed his temple faintly, the fever clearly not helping. "…I appreciate it," he said again. "But we're really fine here."
Another pause. Takeda hummed thoughtfully. "…Is that so?"
Ren's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then Takeda added, almost casually,
"Or is someone there with you now?"
The question hung in the air.
Aoi froze for a second. Ren didn't move at all, but the atmosphere around him shifted instantly.
Takeda's voice carried faint amusement now. "I thought I heard something earlier," he continued.
Ren's patience was wearing thin. His gaze dropped slightly toward the phone in Aoi's hand.
Then back to Aoi. Still silent. Still close.
But the annoyance was unmistakable now.
Aoi could feel the tension building beside him.
He lifted his eyes again. Ren was still leaning over him, close enough that Aoi could feel his breath near the side of his neck. But the calm expression he had earlier had shifted. His gaze was sharper now, his brows faintly drawn together.
Annoyed. Very clearly annoyed.
Aoi held his gaze for a second. Then he looked back at the phone.
"…Takeda," he said quietly.
"Hm?" Takeda answered.
Aoi hesitated briefly before speaking.
"Something came up," he said, his voice still hoarse from the fever. "I have to go."
There was a short pause on the other end of the line, like Takeda was about to say something else. But before he could—
Ren suddenly moved.
Without a word, he reached forward and took the phone straight from Aoi's hand.
The motion was quick and firm.
Aoi blinked in surprise.
Ren didn't even look at the screen.
He simply ended the call. The quiet click of the line disconnecting filled the room.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Ren lowered the phone and placed it on the bedside table like nothing unusual had happened.
Then he looked back at Aoi. The irritation hadn't completely left his eyes yet.
But now there was something else mixed in too. Something quieter. Something harder to name.
"…You shouldn't be talking that much when you have a fever," Ren said calmly.
As if that had been the reason the entire time.
Ren finally leaned back slightly.
The tension in his shoulders hadn't fully disappeared. He rested one hand against the mattress and let out a slow breath, his expression still faintly annoyed.
For a moment he said nothing.
Then he closed his eyes. Just for a second.
Like he was trying to push the irritation away.
Aoi watched him quietly. The room felt calm again, but something about Ren's silence made the distance between them suddenly feel strange. So Aoi moved.
Without warning, he shifted closer and wrapped his arms around Ren from the side, hugging him tightly. The movement was sudden but weak, his fever-warm small body pressing against Ren's arm and side.
Ren's eyes opened immediately. He looked down at him.
Aoi tilted his head up, meeting Ren's gaze.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Aoi lifted a hand. He reached up slowly and poked the tip of Ren's nose. Once.
Ren blinked. Before he could react, Aoi poked his cheek next.
"…Why are you like this?" Aoi murmured softly. His voice was still rough from the fever.
Ren stared at him, clearly not expecting that question.
Aoi studied his face with a quiet kind of curiosity. "I've never seen you smile," he added.
His finger rested lightly against Ren's cheek for a second before dropping back down.
The room went quiet again. Ren just looked at him.
Aoi lowered his hand.
For a moment he looked at the mattress instead of Ren. "…Sorry," he murmured.
His voice was small now, a little embarrassed.
"I shouldn't say weird things like that."
Ren watched him quietly. Then he spoke.
"Don't talk like it's your fault."
Aoi blinked and looked up again.
Ren's tone wasn't harsh. If anything, it sounded almost tired. "You didn't do anything wrong."
Aoi stayed quiet.
The fever still made his face warm, his thoughts a little slower than usual.
Maybe that was why he didn't move away.
Maybe that was why Ren didn't either.
They were still close on the bed. Too close, really.
Aoi's head rested lightly against Ren's shoulder again without him even noticing.
Ren looked down at him.
"…You should lie back down," he said quietly.
Aoi didn't move. Instead, he looked up again.
Their faces were closer now. Closer than either of them had realized.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Ren's gaze flickered briefly to Aoi's lips. Then back to his eyes.
Aoi noticed the movement. His breathing slowed."…Ren?"
Ren didn't answer. Something in his expression had changed—something quieter, more conflicted.
Like he was thinking about doing something he shouldn't.
Aoi didn't pull away. Maybe because of the fever. Maybe because he trusted him. Or maybe because he didn't want to move either.
The silence stretched between them.
Then Ren finally moved. It was slow. Careful.
He reached up and lightly touched Aoi's chin, tilting his face just a little.
Aoi's breath caught.
For a moment it looked like Ren might stop there.
Like he was giving himself one last chance to pull away. But he didn't.
Instead, he leaned down. The kiss was soft. Barely more than a brief touch of lips.
Hesitant. Almost uncertain.
As if Ren himself wasn't sure when he had decided to do it.
It lasted only a second. Maybe two. Then Ren pulled back slightly.
For the first time since morning—
He looked just as surprised as Aoi. The room fell completely silent.
Aoi stared at him. His mind felt slow from the fever, but that didn't stop the warmth spreading across his face now.
"…Ren," he whispered.
Ren seemed to realize what he had done.
His hand loosened slightly where it had been near Aoi's chin. "I—"
But before he could finish—
Aoi moved. His fingers suddenly caught the front of Ren's shirt. The grip was weak, but enough to stop him from pulling away any further.
Ren froze.
Aoi looked up at him again. His eyes were half-lidded from the fever, slightly unfocused… yet there was something clear in them too. Like he had made a decision.
"…Wait," Aoi murmured. Then he tugged him a little closer.
Ren didn't resist. Their faces were already close enough that the distance disappeared almost instantly.
This time, Aoi leaned forward and kissed him first.
The kiss was still soft, but less uncertain than the first one. Brief. Warm.
And when it ended, Aoi stayed close for a moment longer than before.
His forehead almost brushed Ren's.
His grip on Ren's shirt loosened slowly.
"…You look less angry now," Aoi murmured quietly.
His voice was faint, but there was a small hint of teasing in it.
Then his head tilted slightly, resting against Ren again like he had used up the last of his energy.
Ren could feel the heat of Aoi's fever against his shoulder.
And for a moment—
He didn't move at all.
Ren stayed still for a moment after Aoi's head rested against him again.
Aoi's breathing had slowed. The warmth of his fever was still there, but his body had relaxed, the tension fading as sleep slowly pulled him under.
Ren glanced down at him.
"…Idiot," he muttered quietly, though there was no real irritation in his voice now.
Carefully, he shifted. He guided Aoi back against the pillow so he wouldn't wake him. Aoi stirred slightly but didn't open his eyes.
Ren pulled the blanket up over him, making sure it covered him properly.
For a second, he just stood there beside the bed. Silent.
His gaze lingered on Aoi's sleeping face.
Then, almost absentmindedly, Ren lifted a hand and brushed his thumb lightly across his own lips. Like he was confirming that the moment earlier had actually happened.
His expression grew thoughtful.
After a moment, he turned and quietly left the room.
⸻
The house was calm. Ren walked down the short hallway toward the kitchen.
When he stepped inside, he saw Ms. Aiko standing near the counter.
She wasn't cooking this time. She was simply drinking a glass of water. She looked up when she noticed him. "Oh," she said, a little surprised. "You're here."
Ren gave a small nod.
"How is Aoi?" she asked.
"He took the medicine," Ren replied. "He's sleeping now." Ms. Aiko sighed softly in relief. "That's good… his fever worried me."
She took another small sip of water before setting the glass down on the counter.
"You've been taking care of him all day," she added gently. "Thank you."
Ren shrugged slightly. "It's nothing."
For a moment the kitchen was quiet again.
Meanwhile, back in the bedroom, Aoi stirred.
His eyes slowly opened. The room felt quiet.
Too quiet.
He blinked sleepily and turned his head.
The space beside him on the bed was empty.
Ren was gone. Aoi frowned faintly. "…Ren?"
No answer. With a quiet sigh, he pushed himself up.
His body still felt weak, but the medicine had taken the edge off the fever.
He swung his legs off the bed and stood up carefully. Then he walked toward the door and stepped into the hallway.
Soft voices drifted from the kitchen.
Aoi followed the sound. When he reached the doorway, he saw them. Ren was standing near the counter. Ms. Aiko stood across from him. They were talking quietly. For a moment, Aoi simply watched. Then he stepped inside. Ms. Aiko noticed him first.
Her eyes widened slightly. "Aoi!"
Ren turned immediately. Both of them looked at him.
"You should still be in bed," Ms. Aiko said.
"Exactly," Ren added at the same time.
Aoi looked between the two of them. Then he sighed. "I am not staying in bed the whole day," he said, his voice still a little hoarse.
Even if he looked like he might fall back asleep at any moment.
Aoi stayed near the kitchen doorway for a moment, leaning slightly against the frame.
Ms. Aiko gave him a look that clearly said she wasn't convinced he should be out of bed. "You should really sit down," she said.
"I'm fine," Aoi replied. His voice was still rough, but he pushed himself further into the kitchen anyway.
Ren watched him quietly for a second.
"You don't look fine," he said.
Aoi frowned faintly. "I said I'm—"
Before he could finish, Ren pulled out one of the chairs at the small table. "Sit."
Aoi stared at him. "…You sound like her," he muttered, glancing briefly at Ms. Aiko.
Ms. Aiko smiled a little.
"That's because he's right."
Aoi sighed like he had already lost the argument. Still, he walked over and dropped into the chair. "Happy now?" he asked.
Ren didn't answer. He simply moved toward the counter and prepared something simple—just warm tea and a small plate with some bread. When he placed it in front of Aoi, Aoi looked at it for a moment. "You're serious?" he said.
"Yes."
Aoi sighed again but picked up the cup anyway.
Ms. Aiko watched the two of them for a moment before speaking.
"I'll step outside for a bit," she said. "Call me if you need anything."
Neither of them protested. She left the kitchen quietly, leaving the two of them alone. The room suddenly felt quieter.
Aoi took a small sip of the tea. Ren leaned lightly against the counter across from him. For a while, neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable exactly.
Just… strange. Aoi glanced at Ren once.
Then quickly looked back at the table. Ren noticed but didn't say anything. A few seconds passed.
Then Aoi's phone buzzed on the table. The sound broke the quiet instantly. Aoi picked it up. His eyes scanned the screen.
For a moment his expression changed slightly. "…It's my dad," he said.
Ren looked up.
Aoi read the message again before speaking. "He said he heard from Takeda."
Ren's gaze sharpened slightly. Aoi continued, his voice calm but thoughtful.
"He told him about that place Takeda mentioned." He lowered the phone a little.
"…He wants to see me and talk about it."
Aoi looked at Ren, still holding the phone in his hand. "…Should I go?" he asked.
Ren didn't hesitate. "If you will," he said calmly, "I'm coming with you."
Aoi blinked. The answer had come so quickly that it caught him off guard.
"You don't have to," he said after a moment.
Ren's expression didn't change. "I know."
That was all he said. But the meaning was clear enough. Aoi looked at him for another second before letting out a quiet breath.
"…Alright."
At that moment, Ms. Aiko stepped back into the kitchen. She glanced between the two of them. "You both look serious," she said. "What happened?"
Aoi lifted his phone slightly. "My dad sent me a message," he explained. "He wants to meet and talk about the place Takeda suggested."
Ms. Aiko frowned faintly. "Now?"
Aoi nodded. Ren spoke before she could say anything else. "We'll go and come back."
Ms. Aiko looked at Aoi for a moment, clearly still thinking about his fever. "You're still sick."
"I'm better," Aoi replied.
She sighed softly.
"Fine. But don't stay out too long."
Aoi gave a small nod and pushed his chair back.
A few minutes later, they were getting ready to leave. Aoi grabbed a jacket from near the door and slipped it on. Ren stood nearby, waiting.
"You sure you're okay?" Ren asked quietly.
Aoi rolled his eyes a little. "I told you already."
Ren didn't look convinced. Still, he opened the door. "Let's go."
⸻
The trip was quiet. Aoi followed the location his father had sent on his phone.
Eventually, the streets grew unfamiliar.
The buildings became larger. More secure.
When they finally arrived, Aoi slowed down.
In front of them stood a large building. Tall.
Cold-looking. The area around it was heavily guarded. Several men stood near the entrance, watching everything carefully.
Aoi stared at it.
"…This is the place Takeda mentioned," he said quietly. Ren's gaze moved across the guards, the doors, the structure itself. He didn't say anything, but his posture grew slightly more alert.
Aoi walked toward the entrance. Ren stayed beside him. As they approached, one of the guards stepped forward. "Name?"
"Aoi," he replied. "I'm here to see my father."
The guard checked something on a small device. After a moment, he nodded. "Follow me."
The doors opened. Inside, the building felt even bigger. The hallways were wide and almost too clean. Their footsteps echoed slightly as they walked.
The guard led them through several corridors before stopping in front of a large door.
He opened it. Inside was a spacious room.
Almost empty.
Just a few chairs and a table placed near the center. And standing near it—Was Aoi's father. He looked up when they entered. Aoi's father is the first to speak. "You came faster than I expected."
Aoi doesn't answer immediately.
Then— his gaze drifts briefly toward the guards near the walls. Then back to his father. "You said it was urgent."
His father nods slowly. "It is."
For a while, the conversation remained calm. They talked about the building. About the place Takeda had suggested. About why his father thought it might be useful.
Ren mostly stayed quiet, watching and listening.
A quiet pause stretches across the room.
Then Aoi asks the question that's been sitting in his chest since the message arrived.
"So who are these people you mentioned?"
Before his father can answer—
The door behind them opens. Footsteps echo against the floor. Takeda walks in.
His expression is calm, almost unreadable.
Aoi's father glances at him briefly.
"Good. You're here."
Ren's posture shifts slightly. He clearly doesn't trust the situation now.
Takeda stops a few steps away from them.
Then he looks directly at Aoi. "There's an organization that's been watching the progress of the virus… very closely."
Aoi frowns. "Watching?"
Takeda nods once. "They're interested in the cure."
Aoi crosses his arms. "Everyone is."
Takeda's voice stays level. "Not like this."
The room grows quieter. Aoi's father finally continues. "They believe the cure shouldn't belong to the public."
Aoi's brows knit together.
"What does that even mean?"
His father exhales slowly. "It means they want control over it."
The words hang heavy in the air.
Ren finally speaks. "And what does that have to do with him?"
Takeda answers that one. "Because you're one of the few scientists close to finishing the research."
Aoi's stomach twists slightly. He hadn't realized his work had been noticed that widely.
Takeda continues. "If they can control the cure… they can control the world after the virus."
Aoi stares at him. "So what? They want me to work for them?"
Another pause. Then his father says quietly:
"They want you." The words settle in the room like something heavy.
Aoi doesn't move.
For a second it almost feels like the air itself has gone still. Then Ren's voice cuts through the silence. Low. Controlled. But there's a clear edge to it. "What do you mean, they want him?"
Ren steps slightly closer to Aoi, not in front of him—but close enough that it's obvious where he stands.
His eyes move between Takeda and Aoi's father. The protective shift in his posture doesn't go unnoticed.
Takeda tilts his head slightly.
"It means exactly what it sounds like."
Aoi finally speaks. "You're saying someone is trying to recruit me?"
His father hesitates. That hesitation says more than his words. "Not recruit."
Aoi's expression hardens. "Then what?"
Another brief silence. Takeda answers this time. Calm. Too calm. "They don't like uncertainty."
Ren's brows knit together. "Stop speaking in riddles."
Takeda's gaze flickers toward him for a moment.
Then back to Aoi. "Your research is progressing faster than expected."
Aoi crosses his arms slightly. "So?"
Takeda's voice lowers. "So if they can't control the research… they'll control the person doing it."
The meaning behind the sentence becomes clear instantly.
Ren lets out a quiet breath through his nose.
Not fear. Annoyance. "Let me get this straight," he says.
"A group of people thinks they can just take him and force him to work for them?"
Takeda doesn't deny it.
Aoi's father finally steps in again.
"That's why I asked you to come here."
Aoi looks at him sharply. "You brought me here because someone wants to kidnap me?"
His father's voice stays steady. "I brought you here because it's safer."
Ren glances around the large empty room.
Then at the guards near the walls. His eyes narrow slightly. "Is it?"
Ren's words linger in the room for a moment.
No one answers his question. Not immediately.
Aoi watches the silence stretch between them, and something about it makes his chest tighten. Finally he exhales quietly and looks straight at Takeda.
"Why are they so sure I'm the one who can finish the cure?"
The question lands heavier than the others.
For the first time since they started talking, Takeda doesn't answer right away.
Instead, Aoi's father looks at him.
Then back at Aoi. His expression softens just slightly.
"Because your work hasn't gone unnoticed."
Aoi's brows pull together. "What does that mean?"
Takeda folds his hands behind his back.
"Your research reports, your lab results… the progress you've made in the last two months."
He pauses briefly. "It's far ahead of what most teams have managed."
Aoi feels a flicker of unease. He had known his research was important.
But not that important.
Takeda continues. "Some of the world's leading labs are still struggling with early-stage trials."
His eyes settle on Aoi again.
"You're already approaching a viable formula."
Ren glances at Aoi. A mix of surprise and concern flashes across his face.
"You didn't mention that part."
Aoi shrugs slightly, uncomfortable with the attention. "Because it's not finished."
Takeda gives a small, almost amused breath.
"That's exactly why they're interested."
The room goes quiet again. Then Aoi's father says quietly, "They believe that if anyone can complete the vaccine soon… it's you."
Ren's jaw tightens. Now the situation makes sense. Too much sense.
"So they're watching him," Ren says flatly.
Takeda doesn't deny it. "Yes."
Aoi's eyes narrow slightly. "Since when?"
Another pause. This one feels heavier.
Takeda answers calmly. "Long enough."
The silence that follows feels heavier than before.
Aoi looks between the three men, unease slowly creeping into his chest.
Something about this entire situation doesn't feel right. Ren seems to feel it too.
His eyes move around the room again—toward the guards standing near the walls. Too many of them. Too quiet.
Then he looks back at Takeda.
"And you only decided to warn him now?"
Takeda doesn't answer immediately. Instead, he watches Ren for a moment.
Almost like he's studying him. Then he speaks calmly. "We didn't 'just' decide."
Aoi's father shifts slightly. "Takeda—"
But Takeda raises a hand, stopping him.
Aoi's brows knit together. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Takeda finally looks directly at him. His expression hasn't changed. But something in his eyes feels… colder.
"It means we needed to be certain."
Ren's posture stiffens instantly. "Certain about what?"
Takeda doesn't look at him this time.
His gaze stays locked on Aoi. Then, without raising his voice, he says:
"That you'd come willingly."
The words send a sharp chill through the room. Aoi's stomach drops.
Ren steps forward slightly.
"What the hell is that supposed to—"
Takeda turns his head toward the guards.
His voice stays calm. Almost casual.
"Get him."
For half a second, the room freezes.
Then the guards move.