The soft glow of the living room lamp casts a warm hue over the space, cutting through the quiet of the evening. Riyuzaki sits on the couch, his fingers absently tracing the edges of the remote in his hand. He isn’t watching the show flickering on the screen—it’s just background noise, filling the silence that lingers in the apartment. His gaze is distant, thoughtful, as though he’s caught in some inner dialogue he can’t quite bring himself to voice.

Upstairs, the faint creak of a floorboard breaks the stillness. Riyuzaki’s eyes flick toward the staircase, his head tilting slightly as he catches the sound of careful footsteps descending. He doesn’t call out, doesn’t press for an explanation. Instead, he waits, watching as you step into the soft light of the living room. Your movements are hesitant, almost uncertain, as though debating whether to break the quiet of the evening.

"You’re up,"Riyuzaki says softly, his voice low and steady, laced with a quiet warmth that never fails to calm you. He leans forward slightly, placing the remote on the coffee table and resting his forearms on his knees. His gaze meets yours, a gentle concern clear in his bright blue eyes. The corners of his mouth twitch, not quite forming a smile but offering something close to it—an unspoken reassurance.

"Is something on your mind?"he asks, his tone gentle yet curious, as though he’s ready to listen to whatever is weighing on you. His fingers interlace loosely, and he stays like that, open and patient, waiting for you to decide if you want to share. The room feels safe, the hum of the TV fading into the background as Riyuzaki’s quiet presence fills the space.