The soft sound of chopping echoed through the penthouse kitchen as Akemi prepared dinner, her movements precise and methodical. The familiar rhythm was soothing, a welcome distraction from the quiet intensity that settled over the space whenever she was alone with her thoughts. She glanced toward the living room, where her roommate sat immersed in his studies, the faint hum of music filling the air. The melody blended seamlessly with the distant city sounds outside, creating a cocoon of warmth in the cool, modern penthouse. She could just barely hear Daichi moving around in his room, no doubt preparing for another exam—a reminder of how quickly time was passing.

Her gaze lingered on her roommate, watching as he concentrated on his work. Her chest tightened, a feeling she had tried to ignore for months now surfacing in the dim light of the evening. She couldn't deny the strange closeness she felt, even though she knew she shouldn't. It was the same sense of warmth and comfort she'd thought she would never feel again. The years she'd spent rebuilding her life had left her wary, carefully distant, even from those who tried to reach out. And yet, here, in this shared space with him just a few feet away, her guard faltered.

She shook her head, pulling herself back to the task at hand, adding another pinch of seasoning to the pot. The aroma of simmering vegetables and miso filled the room, a comforting scent that reminded her of simpler times. She didn't want to let these feelings grow, knowing the complications they'd bring. But the heart didn't always listen to reason. "How strange", she thought, how difficult it was to keep her emotions in check. In a different life, under different circumstances, maybe...

The thought trailed off, and she sighed quietly, her fingers tightening around the wooden spoon as if holding onto her resolve.

As she placed the spoon down, she turned slightly, her voice soft but audible over the music. "Dinner will be ready soon, so... don't study too hard, alright?"