This is what tranquility feels like

While Ren kept hugging me, my tears slowly began to calm down, along with my breathing. That moment, so warm and unexpected, filled me with a peace that's hard to explain. When we finally parted from that strong embrace, I lowered my head and discreetly wiped my tears with the sleeve of my shirt. Before leaving to join the girls, Ren gently tousled my hair with a smile and said:
—You're a very sensitive boy... I like that.
That phrase caught me off guard. I didn't know how to respond, so I just stayed silent while she walked away with the others, and I remained in front of the costume rack, quietly gathering myself inside.
Then I heard a voice from the end of the hallway:
—Ready, girls! Here are your dresses.
It was Mister, who had returned with all the dresses elegantly packaged. The bags were beautiful, looking luxurious: bright white, with golden edges and a delicate illustration of his brand in the center. Without a doubt, a detail that made everything even more special.
Mister handed the bags to Ren, who took care of distributing them among the others. Just when I thought everything was set, Sakura asked curiously:
—Hey, Ren... what about that other package? Who's it for?
Ren closed her eyes with a slight smile and answered enigmatically:
—You'll find out in four days. Hehehe...
Sakura, persistent and full of her usual energy, joked:
—Tell me, Ren! Do you already have a boyfriend or someone who melted your cold heart?
Ren blushed noticeably and firmly replied:
—None of that, Sakura! It's just a surprise for Saturday.
Then, turning halfway to hide her embarrassed expression, Ren bowed before Mister and said:
—Thank you very much for helping us, as always.
The other girls did the same, bowing respectfully and thanking:
—Thank you, Mister.
Mister smiled kindly and returned the bow.
—On the contrary, thank you for always trusting me.
Right before we left, Mister came over to me and, with a calm expression, took my hands.
—Leo... you're a special and mysterious boy. As I mentioned, someone has talked a lot about you.
His words caught me by surprise. Someone had talked about me?
—And don't worry, your secret is safe —he added with a wink.
My mind filled with questions. What secret was he talking about? Did he know about the divine power inside me? I looked at him seriously but could only nod. Mister released my hands, gave me one last smile, and walked away.
The girls left the shop first, and I was the last to cross the door. Before leaving, we all bowed goodbye, and Mister returned the courtesy. We waved farewell and finally left the place.
Once in the elevator heading back down to the ground floor, Sakura was the first to speak with her characteristic enthusiasm:
—Hey! Since we're in Tokyo... why don't we go get something to eat? I'm starving!
—Honestly, I'm hungry too —added Masha with a shy laugh.
Ren sighed heavily, resigned:
—Aaaah... okay, let's go eat something.
—Yesss! —Sakura and Masha responded in unison, running out of the mall.
Ren followed behind them murmuring:
—Don't run! You look like little kids…
I stayed back with Kaori, and as we walked more calmly, I asked her with a smile:
—Hey, Kaori… did you like your dress?
She answered sweetly, smiling sincerely:
—Yes, I really loved it. Thank you for your help.
I nodded with a slight smile and gathered courage to take the next step:
—Kaori, we've been together for months… and if I think about it, we've only gone out alone once. So... would you like to go out with me tomorrow? Like... a date?
Kaori looked surprised but her expression softened almost immediately. She smiled tenderly and replied:
—Hehe… honestly, I was just waiting for you to ask. I've wanted to go out with you for a while. So yes, I accept the date.
Her answer made my heart race, and I couldn't help but smile like a lovesick fool. We left the mall together, and when we got outside, we saw Sakura, Masha, and Ren leaning against a wall waiting for us.
Sakura, as expected, complained:
—Why do you always take so long?! I'm starving!
—Sorry for keeping you waiting —I replied, scratching my cheek with a nervous smile.
—Well, well… —said Ren with a half-smile—. Let's go eat. I know a good restaurant nearby.
With that, we set off again, this time heading for a well-deserved meal after such an intense and special afternoon.
As we walked through the streets of Tokyo, among the lit-up storefronts and city bustle, I moved a bit closer to Kaori and asked with a smile:
—Hey, Kaori… want me to carry your dress bag?
She glanced at me sideways and let out a small laugh.
—Thanks, Leo —she said sweetly, handing me the elegant white bag with her dress inside.
I gladly took the bag. It was just a bag, but that simple gesture made me happy. Carrying it made me feel useful, like I was taking care of her in a simple but special way. I smiled to myself, thinking sometimes the little things are the most important.
But that peace didn't last long.
Sakura, who was a few steps ahead, suddenly stopped dead, turned around, and said firmly:
—Hey, Leo!
I stopped too, somewhat puzzled, and answered:
—Yes? What's up?
With a look both serious and sly, she said:
—Will you carry my bag?
I frowned, confused.
—B-but why?
She squinted, fixing me with a look that could probably make any powerful creature I'd faced before retreat. Then, with a theatrically offended tone, she said:
—Would you let a lady like me carry her own bag while you help your... girlfriend?
She barely finished the sentence before dropping her bag into my hands without giving me a chance to reply and turned around to continue walking as calmly as always.
—Hey, Sakura! Come back here! —I protested, but she didn't even flinch.
I looked at Kaori for support and all I got was her stifled laughter. She covered her mouth, trying not to burst out laughing.
—Really, Kaori? —I said, half annoyed, half amused.
—Sorry, sorry... —she said through laughs—, but that was a good one.
At that moment, Masha approached with her usual calm tone and soft voice.
—Leo... would you help me carry my bag too?
I sighed, resigned but honestly not bothered. I knew Masha wasn't trying to annoy me, so I replied with a smile:
—Sure, no problem, Masha.
—Thanks, Leo —she said with a slight smile as she carefully handed me her bag.
Just when I thought my role as official shopping assistant was over, Ren appeared beside me with a calm but determined expression.
—Thanks for everything, Leo.
Without another word, she also gave me her bag, which I held as if I was already carrying a whole collection of dresses in my arms.
—You too, Ren? —I asked with a resigned smile.
—Hehe… —she simply replied with a mischievous grin.
Now I was carrying four elegant white bags with golden bows, walking behind them like their personal escort. But deep down, although I pretended to be overwhelmed, a warm feeling filled my chest. It wasn't the physical weight, but the symbolic value of that moment. We were together, sharing something simple but meaningful.
And as we walked toward the restaurant, I thought: I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world.
As we continued walking through Tokyo's streets, with the noise and lights surrounding us, I walked behind the girls carrying all their bags. Although I'm used to physical effort, this was different: not because of the weight, but because of the looks.
People passing by looked at me curiously, as if I were some strange spectacle. I felt a bit uncomfortable. What? Have they never seen a guy carrying the bags of four girls? I thought, pressing my lips. Though I tried to stay serious, I couldn't help but feel a little out of place.
In front of me, the girls laughed, chatted, and enjoyed themselves as if nothing was wrong. It was impossible not to smile seeing them so happy. I liked seeing them happy, even if I was the "pack mule" of the afternoon.
Then I heard Ren's firm voice say:
—We're here.
I stopped with the others and looked up. In front of us was a ramen restaurant. Its facade was completely traditional: sliding wooden doors, hanging lanterns with kanji painted with a brush, and a roof mimicking old Japanese architecture. It looked cozy, like one of those places only locals know.
—Wow… —I whispered to myself, admiring the place.
One by one we entered, and the sound of a hanging bell marked our arrival. An elderly lady greeted us with a kind smile and showed us to a large table by a window.
The five of us sat down. The girls carefully placed their bags aside, and I finally set mine at my feet with a relieved sigh. I took the menu and opened it with curiosity.
There were all kinds of ramen: miso, shoyu, tonkotsu, shio, and even some more modern versions with uncommon ingredients. Though I wasn't an expert in Japanese, I had learned enough to understand the basics. I could distinguish the main flavors, the toppings, and of course, tell which ones were spicy and which weren't.
—What will you order? —Kaori asked while flipping through the menu.
—I'm still deciding… —I replied, studying each photo carefully.
I took my time. The aroma of the broth was already spreading throughout the restaurant, and my stomach growled in protest. Between laughs, Sakura said:
—Leo, if you take longer to decide, I'm ordering a really spicy one for you.
—No, please! —I replied immediately, with a mix of laughter and real fear—. Don't do that to me again!
The girls laughed as we continued deciding. The atmosphere was warm, the light soft, and everything had that traditional air that made me forget the outside world for a moment. It was just us, a summer afternoon in Tokyo, sharing a lunch that would surely stay in memory.
Ren, with her usual calm but firm tone, asked while looking over everyone at the table:
—So, have you decided what to order?
I still had the menu in my hands, torn between two options, but after thinking a few seconds, I decided.
—Mmm... I want a tonkotsu —I answered with a smile, already imagining the rich pork bone broth flavor.
Ren nodded, pulled out a small sheet from her pocket, and started writing down our choices as if organizing an important mission. Then she turned her attention to the girls:
—Sakura, what will you pick?
—I want a miso! —she said enthusiastically, waving the menu like she had just won something.
—And you, Masha?
—I'll have a shoyu —Masha answered calmly, with a small smile.
—Kaori?
—I want a tantanmen —she said confidently, closing her menu gracefully.
Ren slightly frowned and looked at her with a mix of disbelief and resignation.
—Ah... I don't understand how you can eat something so spicy —she sighed.
I looked at Kaori and noticed her face: a mix of pride and challenge, as if eating spicy food was an Olympic-worthy skill. She crossed her arms and lifted her chin like saying "that's my style."
—Alright, then it's settled: Leo, a tonkotsu; Sakura, a miso; Masha, a shoyu; Kaori, a tantanmen... and I'll have a shio —Ren said, reviewing the list one last time before standing up—. I'm going to order them.
She walked calmly and confidently toward the restaurant's counter. I let out a small sigh of relief. Thank heavens Kaori didn't make me order something spicy, I thought as I leaned slightly back against the chair.
Not even five minutes passed when Ren returned to the table looking triumphant.
—Done. Our order will arrive in ten minutes.
No sooner had she finished speaking than Sakura dropped onto the table with a dramatic groan.
—Aaaaah ten minutes! That will be an eternity!
Ren, without another word, gave her a gentle but firm palm strike on the head, like an older sister disciplining a younger one.
—Calm down, please. You're acting like a little kid, Sakura —she said half-laughing but serious.
—Ouch! Okay, okay! It hurts! —Sakura complained, rubbing her head with fake tears in her eyes.
Masha, sitting next to her, just watched the scene calmly and sighed lightly. I stayed quiet but couldn't help but smile watching them all. That's how they were, a little perfectly balanced chaos.
Outside, the noise of Tokyo continued, but inside that traditional restaurant, surrounded by the aroma of broth, wood, and steam, the moment was perfect.
While waiting for the food, Sakura broke the silence with one of her typical unexpected remarks.
—So, Leo, Kaori… when's the wedding? —she asked with a mischievous smile, stretching every word as if savoring the awkwardness she was causing.
I automatically turned my head to Kaori, looking for her reaction. To my surprise, she said nothing at first, just looked away, serious and completely flushed. I was about to say something when Kaori took a breath and answered softly:
—Mmm… it's not time yet, hehe —she scratched her cheek, clearly uncomfortable but trying to keep composure.
Sakura wasted no time and dropped another bomb.
—Hehe… and also… have you already done it? —she said maliciously, crossing her arms and raising her eyebrows, her mischievous smile growing even wider.
I felt heat rushing to my ears. My face completely blushed, and when I looked back at Kaori, I noticed she had her head fully down, hiding her red face like a tomato.
Just when I thought it couldn't get any more tense, the expected blow came. BAM! Ren, with her usual reaction, gave Sakura a sharp hit on the head that sounded like a drum.
—Are you stupid or what? Why do you ask such silly questions, you fool? —Ren said, a mix of annoyance and secondhand embarrassment in her voice.
Masha joined the scolding with her usual calm but firm tone:
—Hey, Sakura, why would you ask something like that? This isn't a romantic comedy...
Sakura, still rubbing her head, laughed nervously:
—Hehe… I just wanted to pass the time while waiting for the food. Oh… Ren, that hit hurt more than the last one...
—Well, next time I'll knock you out, got it? —Ren said through gritted teeth, crossing her arms.
—O-okay… —Sakura replied with a trembling voice, still rubbing the bump that was forming on her head.
Then, as if that chaos wasn't enough, Ren suddenly dropped another question that completely threw me off:
—But seriously now... haven't you done it?
I swallowed hard and looked at her as if she had just summoned a demon.
—No! No, no, and no. I'm not giving any explanations, and we haven't done anything like that, okay? —I said with a trembling but firm voice, feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment.
To my surprise, Kaori looked up with a calm expression, more confident than I expected.
—Not yet —she said calmly—. But as for the wedding… that can wait. We're in no hurry. —She finished with a soft smile that completely melted me.
I just turned my head toward the window, trying to escape the intensity of the moment with my gaze. My face was still so red I could almost feel steam coming out of my ears.
Then Masha, who had been quiet until then, said with a sweet smile:
—Awww… it's adorable to hear you say that. I want to be the one to give you the rings at your wedding, okay?
At that moment, all I could do was scream inside: "What!? Getting married is adorable? How can you say that so calmly, Masha? I want to cry from the shock!"
Laughter filled the table as I slowly sank into my seat, wishing the food would arrive soon to quiet everyone… although inside, part of me was smiling too.
And just when I thought I might faint from embarrassment, as if some deity had heard my prayers, the food arrived!
Ren, as always, took the lead and started distributing the dishes with almost military efficiency. Each bowl of ramen was placed perfectly in front of its owner, and in my case, with impeccable precision. Seeing the steam rising gently from my bowl, my appetite grew even more. It was as if all the noise of the restaurant disappeared.
Before taking a bite, we all joined our hands and, as was our custom, quietly said thanks:
—Itadakimasu —we said almost in unison, bowing slightly.
With chopsticks between my fingers, I took the first bite. As soon as the broth touched my tongue, I closed my eyes.
Incredible…
It was a perfect blend of flavors: the umami of the tonkotsu, the tenderness of the meat that melted at just a glance, and the balance of the noodles that caught the broth's flavor with every sip. For a moment, I disconnected from the world. Only that moment existed between me and my ramen.
I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the girls. They all wore the same expression of pure enjoyment. Masha had her eyes half-closed, savoring every spoonful. Ren ate with elegance and serenity, concentrating. Sakura slurped noisily, happy like a child. And Kaori… Kaori's cheeks were completely red.
I kept eating, feeling complete satisfaction, and when I noticed, only one last bite remained in my bowl. I glanced at the girls' plates and saw they were also about to finish. It was as if we had unconsciously synced our pace.
I took the last bite, savored it calmly, and put my chopsticks on the empty bowl. I leaned back slightly, relaxed. One by one, the girls finished. First Masha, then Ren, followed by Sakura. Only Kaori took a bit longer… and not for lack of appetite.
—Kaori, are you okay? —I asked with a teasing smile as I watched her sweat with her cheeks fully flushed—. You look all red.
She looked at me, visibly warm, and replied with a slightly embarrassed tone:
—Haha… yes, I'm fine. It's just… this ramen is really good —she said, wiping her forehead with a napkin, trying to hide the spiciness with a forced smile.
I couldn't help but chuckle softly, trying not to tease her too much. I just put my hand over my mouth and exhaled sharply through my nose, like someone trying to hold back a laugh.
Ren then broke the moment with a clear voice:—Well, since we've all finished… let's give thanks.
We all straightened up, joined our hands once again, and respectfully said in unison:—Gochisousama deshita.
The atmosphere was filled with that feeling of fulfillment that only good ramen, good company, and a relaxed afternoon can bring.