“Home”

The air was numbing, and the tension was thick. Ren’s lips were as dry as a desert, her whole body ached, and her eyes looked empty. She limped ahead of Kichi. Behind her, Kichi stared at the ground, her eyes dilated; she held herself tightly, her breath heavy and ragged. It felt as if the world were closing in on her, squeezing the life out of her. Ren noticed, but she was too tired to care.

Both of their breaths came in heavy, short bursts, creating fog in the cold air. Ren rubbed her temple, wincing. When she opened her eyes again, the sun was rising. It illuminated the sky in a beautiful ombré of pink, orange, and yellow—a sight so stunning that, for a mere second, it made them forget the dark, horrid landscape they were standing in. Kichi looked up, the weight in her mind lifting for a fleeting moment before she grounded herself back to reality.

Finally, they reached the end of their path. They approached a city filled with large, colorful houses and grand stores—a sanctuary for aristocrats and the wealthy, people who could ignore the world outside and pretend it didn't exist. What a horrible place, Ren thought.

They arrived at the golden gate that shielded the city from the outside world. The gate was magnificent, adorned with silver and gold, featuring carvings of five god-like figures—each eternal and beautiful in their own right. Ren tapped a specific rhythm on the door, and the gate began to slowly creak open, revealing a bustling city. The streets were clean and bright. There were people everywhere, all well-dressed, possessing the posture and attitude of those who had never had to worry about anything in their lives.

Ren and Kichi walked in, each step feeling heavier than the last. Despite this being the safest place they could possibly be, they knew someone was watching. Someone was always watching. They knew they could do nothing about it. They walked past rows of shops displaying handmade dresses, watches, and suits; the extravagance made Ren sick to her stomach.

Eventually, they arrived at a giant mansion. Kichi knocked, and the door was opened by two well-dressed maids. They bowed in unison, “Welcome back, Miss Ren and Miss Kichi.”

The maids helped them out of their cloaks and ushered Ren to a chair to patch her up. They wrapped bandages around her injuries with a skill born of long experience. Ren groaned in pain while Kichi watched, exhausted from the journey. Once they were finished, Ren thanked them and dismissed them.

Ren stood up and walked to a corner where a door stood. She twisted the golden knob and entered a well-decorated living area. Two men were inside, and both of their eyes lit up when they saw them.

The first to approach was a lean, handsome young man with white skin and long, thick black hair pulled into a high ponytail with messy curtain bangs. His eyes were sharp, monochrome, and hidden behind glasses with round lenses. He completely ignored Kichi and tried to embrace Ren, but she quickly backed away, causing him to fall face-first onto the floor. He groaned, looked up, and spoke in a voice as smooth as silk but laced with a pouty tone.

“Not this time either, my dear? How so very cruel! But nevertheless, it’s always a delight to see your stunning face,” he cooed, standing up and rubbing his head with a sly smirk.

Ren looked at him flatly. “It’s nice to see you too, Sato.”

Kichi rubbed the back of her neck, feeling awkward. She wasn’t used to being ignored so blatantly. “H-hey Sato, how are you?”

Sato chuckled awkwardly and waved. “Sorry, Kichi, that was quite rude of me, wasn't it? I’m good, thank you for asking. How are you doing?”

“I’m doing just fine!” Kichi smiled back.

Ren looked at them before being suddenly tackled by a taller man who hugged her tightly. He was young, tall, and well-built, with messy, coral-colored hair and dark teal eyes. He spun her around, and to everyone’s surprise, she hugged him back. His smile was as bright as the sun, lighting up the room.

“I missed you too, Juun…” Ren whispered.

When he finally let her go, Juun approached Kichi. Sato, clearly displeased, made his opinion vocal in a teasing manner. “My dear, you give him a hug and not me? Even if we’ve known each other longer? I’m hurt—oh, so very hurt!” He let out a fake sob and threw himself onto the couch, though nobody paid him any mind.

Juun approached Kichi and smiled shyly, a deep blush spreading across his face. “It’s very good to see you. I’m glad you aren’t hurt, Miss Kichi.”

Kichi smiled with equal warmth. “I’m glad to see you too, Mister Juun, and glad to see you’re safe as well.”

They exchanged nervous laughter before effectively running away from each other. Meanwhile, Sato tried to reach out to touch Ren’s hair as if it were a rare treasure, but his hand was slapped away repeatedly. Kichi cleared her throat, directing a question to Sato. “How did your mission go?”

Sato glanced at her. “Actually… something… you know what? Never mind.”

Sato brushed her question aside. Ren and Kichi exchanged a look, their eyes narrowing slightly, but they didn’t push him. Suddenly, the door opened, and Kichi held her breath.