Chapter 27 - 29

Chapter 27: Denser Than a Rock

Hiro and Kyoya walked alongside Renji, making their way toward the bakery. The air was crisp, the sun shining lazily over the streets. Hiro, still recovering from the embarrassment of getting kidnapped, sighed in relief.

"At least this day is turning out normal," he muttered.

"Normal? You mean after you surrendered the moment I got knocked out?" Kyoya teased.

Hiro shot him a glare. "I call that self-preservation."

Kyoya just laughed, but before he could say anything else, they both noticed someone up ahead—

A blonde girl with bright blue eyes, more American-looking than Japanese, standing on the other side of the street. She had a cheerful smile and was waving in their direction.

Hiro blinked. Was she waving at him?

Feeling polite, he hesitantly lifted his hand and waved back.

But then, she called out—

"RENJI!"

Hiro froze mid-wave, his face turning red.

Kyoya immediately burst into laughter, holding his stomach. "PFFT—SHE WASN'T EVEN WAVING AT YOU!"

Renji, meanwhile, gave a casual wave to the girl, completely missing Hiro’s embarrassment.

The blonde girl jogged over to them, stopping in front of Renji.

"Hey, Renji! I thought that was you," she greeted with a wide grin.

"Amelia," Renji acknowledged with a small nod. "Long time no see."

As the two started chatting, Hiro kept his head down, pretending to be deeply fascinated by the cracks on the sidewalk. Kyoya, of course, took full advantage of the situation.

"Hiro really thought she was waving at him—"

"Shut up."

Renji and Amelia continued their conversation, their tone casual, but Hiro started noticing something strange.

Amelia was dropping hints.

She touched Renji's arm when she laughed, leaned in slightly when he spoke, and even playfully flicked his forehead when he said something dumb. But the biggest sign?

Her eyes.

They lingered on Renji for just a second too long.

Hiro glanced at Kyoya, and Kyoya gave him a knowing look.

Does he not see it?

Apparently, no. Because Renji was as dense as a brick wall.

When Amelia linked her arms with his for a second, Renji just tilted his head slightly in confusion.

Hiro sighed. "Does he… not get it?"

Kyoya smirked. "Nope. Not at all."

The whole way to the bakery, Amelia continued her subtle (or not-so-subtle) attempts, but Renji remained blissfully unaware.

When they finally reached the bakery, Amelia waved goodbye.

"See you around, Renji! You too, Kyoya, Hiro!" she said, smiling.

"See you," Renji replied, while Kyoya and Hiro just gave weak waves, still dumbfounded by Renji’s obliviousness.

Once she was out of sight, Kyoya turned to his brother.

"So… what do you think about Amelia?"

Renji thought for a moment before nodding.

"She’s a nice lady."

Hiro and Kyoya facepalmed in unison.

Kyoya groaned. "No, I mean romantically!"

Renji blinked. "Romantically?"

"YES!"

Renji tilted his head. "I… don’t know? I’ve never thought about that."

Hiro sighed. "Are you serious?"

Kyoya looked at Hiro. "Damn. He’s actually denser than a rock."

Hiro nodded in agreement. "Like, this is next-level density."

Renji just shrugged. "I don’t see the big deal."

Both Hiro and Kyoya groaned.

Renji led them inside the bakery, where the smell of fresh bread and pastries filled the air.

"Alright, let’s go to the kitchen," Renji said.

Kyoya raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Renji smirked. "I’m going to teach you both how to bake a cake."

Kyoya frowned. "But you already have cakes on the counter."

Renji simply patted his head. "The ones you make yourself always taste better. The things you create are the ones you appreciate the most."

Kyoya crossed his arms, mumbling, "Philosophical baker, huh?"

With that, the three of them headed to the kitchen—unaware that this baking lesson would be a memory they'd treasure forever.



Chapter 28: Amelia and Renji

Renji stepped out of the bakery, stretching his arms as he took in the early morning air. The streets were already bustling with life, vendors setting up their stalls, and the scent of freshly cooked food filling the air.

He had a list of ingredients he needed—flour, eggs, sugar, and a few special items for a new recipe he was planning. As he made his way through the marketplace, he walked past a small food stall selling takoyaki.

"Renji!"

He stopped mid-step, turning toward the voice.

Amelia stood behind the counter, dressed in an apron, flipping the little golden takoyaki balls on the hot grill. Her blonde hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and she had a bright smile on her face.

"Morning," Renji said, nodding toward her.

"You passed by without even saying hello," Amelia pouted, puffing out her cheeks.

Renji blinked. "Oh. My bad. I was just focused on getting ingredients."

Amelia rolled her eyes but grinned. "Figures. Always serious about work. Anyway, since you're here, want some takoyaki?"

Renji rubbed his chin. "Hmm. I could use a snack."

"Great! On the house," she said, winking.

Renji watched as she skillfully flipped the takoyaki with practiced hands. He had always known Amelia was good at what she did, but seeing her so focused was impressive.

"You’re really fast," Renji commented.

"Of course! A master at work," Amelia said proudly. She plated up six steaming, golden-brown takoyaki and drizzled them with sauce before handing them over.

Renji took one and blew on it before taking a bite. His eyes widened slightly. "This is really good."

Amelia beamed. "Obviously! I wouldn’t be selling them if they weren’t."

Renji nodded. "Yeah, but I mean, the balance of flavor is really nice. The sauce isn't overpowering, and the batter is light."

For a moment, Amelia just stared at him.

"What?" Renji asked, confused.

"You really break things down like a professional chef," Amelia said, resting her chin in her palm. "It's kind of cute."

Renji paused mid-chew. "Cute?"

Amelia giggled. "Yeah. Most people would just say 'it tastes good' and leave it at that, but you actually analyze it."

Renji shrugged. "Guess it's a habit."

She leaned forward on the counter. "So? What are you buying today?"

"Ingredients for the bakery. Need to restock flour, eggs, and some other things."

"Oh, perfect! I was about to take a break anyway. I’ll walk with you," Amelia said, taking off her apron.

"You sure? What about your shop?"

"I have an assistant. Besides, the market's more fun with company."

Renji didn’t argue, and soon they were walking through the lively streets together. Amelia, as usual, was full of energy, chatting away while Renji listened.

"Have you ever thought about expanding your bakery?" she asked, glancing up at him.

"Not really. I like keeping it small. Feels more personal that way."

Amelia hummed. "That’s very you. But you know, if you ever did expand, I bet people would love your stuff. Maybe even open a café-style bakery?"

Renji thought about it for a second. "That… sounds like a lot of work."

Amelia laughed. "You sound like Kyoya."

Renji smirked. "I am his brother."

As they stopped at a vegetable stall, Renji picked up a bag of fresh strawberries. Amelia watched as he carefully examined each pack, making sure to get the best quality.

"You take your ingredients seriously," she noted.

Renji nodded. "Good ingredients make good food."

Amelia smiled. "I like that about you, you know?"

Renji turned to her. "Like what?"

She tilted her head. "The way you’re serious about your craft. It’s kinda charming."

Renji blinked, completely missing the hint. "Well, it’s important to do things right."

Amelia sighed. Dense as ever.

They continued through the market, stopping by different stalls. At one point, Amelia tried to sneak a bag of chocolates into his basket.

"I saw that," Renji said.

"What? You need sweets sometimes!" Amelia grinned.

Renji shook his head but didn’t put them back.

As they reached the last stall, Amelia clapped her hands together. "Okay! Since we’re done shopping, how about checking out that new restaurant that just opened?"

Renji thought for a moment. "Restaurant?"

"Yeah, the one near the shopping district. I heard they have really good food. Wanna go?"

Renji glanced at his bags, then back at her.

"I guess I have time."

Amelia smiled brightly. "Great! Let’s go!"

And with that, the two of them headed toward the restaurant, completely unaware of how much they looked like a couple to the people around them.


Chapter 29: An Unspoken Feeling

Renji and Amelia walked into the restaurant, the scent of freshly cooked meals filling the air. It was a modern yet cozy place, with warm lighting and neatly arranged wooden tables. Soft music played in the background, adding to the comfortable atmosphere.

A waiter approached them with a friendly smile. "Good evening! Table for two?"

Renji nodded, and the waiter guided them to a small table near the window. As they sat down, Amelia looked around, taking in the ambiance.

"Not bad," she commented.

Renji hummed in agreement. "Seems like a nice place."

As they settled in, the waiter returned, holding a small notepad. "So, are you two a couple?"

Amelia instantly turned bright red.

Renji, unfazed, shook his head. "No, we’re just friends."

The waiter chuckled. "Ah, my mistake. You two just look good together."

Amelia quickly looked away, focusing on the menu in her hands, but Renji caught the small change in her expression.

After placing their orders, an awkward silence settled between them. Amelia played with the edge of her napkin, her usual bright energy noticeably dimmed.

Renji leaned forward slightly. "Something wrong?"

Amelia blinked, then forced a smile. "It’s nothing."

Renji didn’t buy it. He wasn’t the most perceptive when it came to emotions, but he could tell when someone was trying to hide something. And right now, Amelia was definitely hiding something.

Throughout the meal, Renji tried to lighten the mood—he pointed out funny details in the restaurant, made small jokes, even shared a story about a baking disaster Kyoya once had.

Nothing worked.

Amelia still laughed at the right moments, but it wasn’t real. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

By the time they finished eating and stepped out of the restaurant, Amelia still hadn’t spoken much. The lively girl who was always full of energy now felt distant.

Renji clenched his fists.

It didn’t feel right.

As they walked back, Amelia stayed quiet, her hands tucked into her jacket pockets. Renji glanced at her multiple times, debating whether to press her for answers, but in the end, he said nothing.

When they reached the bakery, Amelia finally looked up at him. "Thanks for today, Renji. I’ll see you around."

She gave him a small smile before walking off.

Renji stood by the door, watching her disappear into the distance.

His chest felt heavy.

The image of Amelia’s sad face was stuck in his mind, and no matter how much he tried to shake it off, it wouldn’t leave.

He sighed and stepped inside the bakery. The scent of bread and cakes greeted him, but for the first time, it didn’t bring him comfort.

He sat down, rubbing the back of his neck.

Why did seeing her sad make him feel this way?

And then, as if triggered by his thoughts, a memory surfaced.

A flashback.

The first time he met Amelia.

To be continued…


Chapter 30: The Brat Who Met an Angel

"I was a brat back then," Renji muttered as he leaned against his bed, staring at the ceiling.

His mind drifted back to the past—to the first time he met Amelia.


---

It was the third year of high school. Renji was seventeen, reckless, and had a reputation that made even teachers sigh in frustration. Fights were nothing new to him. He didn’t pick them, but he never backed down either.

That day, his gang got into a fight with another group. Fists flew, curses were exchanged, and Renji was in his usual zone—dodging, striking, making sure he didn’t go down first.

And then—

BAM!

Something hard struck the side of his head. He staggered, disoriented, before collapsing into a corner.

Everything blurred, and darkness took over.

When he opened his eyes, the blinding white of the infirmary greeted him. His head pounded, but the first thing he saw wasn’t the nurse.

It was her.

A blonde girl sitting by his bedside, arms crossed, eyes watching him with a mixture of irritation and concern.

Still groggy, Renji muttered, "Am I in heaven?"

The nurse scoffed. "Don’t be overdramatic."

Renji ignored her and looked at Amelia. "Then why’s an angel here?"

He swore—he swore—she blushed.

Before he could say anything else, the nurse smacked him hard on the back, making him sit up properly. "You’re awake enough to flirt, so get out of here."

Renji swung his legs off the bed, stretching. "Gladly."

But just as he made his way to the door, Amelia stepped in front of him, arms folded.

"Where do you think you’re going?"

Renji raised an eyebrow. "Why do you care?"

She sighed. "Because you owe the disciplinary office a visit."

"Tch. I don’t care about that."

She didn’t move.

Annoyed, Renji reached out and lightly pushed her aside. He glanced at her for just a second—long enough to see the brief flicker of hurt cross her face—but at that time, he didn’t care.

He left.

The fight had already ended by the time he returned. Frustrated, he kicked a trash can before heading back to class.

But guilt nagged at him.

It wasn’t until later that he heard Amelia had gotten injured.

A broken arm.

And she had been crying.

For the first time in his life, something bothered him more than a lost fight.

So the next day, he made up his mind.

He would be her bodyguard.


---

She didn’t return to school for a week.

But Renji waited.

When she finally showed up, she looked annoyed to see him standing by the entrance.

"You again?"

"Yeah."

She narrowed her eyes and marched past him. He followed.

"You don’t need to follow me," she huffed.

"I want to."

She glared. "I don’t need a bodyguard."

"Too bad."

It went on like that for weeks.

She threw things at him—her pencil case, her water bottle, even an eraser once. He took it all without complaint. He bought her snacks, carried her books, even shooed away other troublemakers.

Eventually, she stopped fighting it.

And then, one day, they finally talked.

At first, it was awkward.

She’d make some sarcastic comment, he’d grunt in response.

But as the days passed, their conversations became longer.

They laughed.

They shared things.

And somehow, without realizing it, Amelia became the reason he actually cared about finishing high school.

Not college, though.

The gang drama dragged him back in, and he made some bad choices.

By the time he got out of it, Amelia had already moved forward in life.

But here she was again.

And for the first time in years, he saw her sad.

He didn’t want to see her like that ever again.


---

Renji sat up in bed, shaking the memories from his mind.

He needed advice.

Which meant talking to his parents.


---

The next morning, he found his parents in the living room. His father was reading the newspaper, and his mother was sipping coffee.

"Morning," Renji said, sitting down across from them.

His mother raised an eyebrow. "You’re up early. Something on your mind?"

Renji exhaled. "Yeah… I need some advice."

His father put down the newspaper. "Advice? From us?"

Renji nodded.

His parents exchanged a glance—one of those silent parental conversations he could never quite decipher.

His mother smirked. "Alright, let’s hear it."

Renji leaned back. "So… I went to a restaurant with a friend yesterday. Amelia."

His mother’s expression shifted slightly. "Oh?"

Renji continued, explaining everything—the waiter mistaking them for a couple, his denial, Amelia’s sudden change in mood, and the heavy feeling in his chest when he saw her sad.

When he finished, his parents looked at each other again.

His mother sighed. "Are you really that dense?"

Renji frowned. "Me? Dense? Why?"

His father chuckled. "Oh, son. This is painful to watch."

Renji scowled. "What do you mean?"

His mother set down her coffee. "Poor Amelia."

"Why?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"That’s why I’m here, isn’t it?"

She leaned forward, eyes sharp. "Renji, Amelia likes you."

Silence.

Renji blinked.

Then—

"What? No, no, no, we’re just friends. She even said I’m her best friend."

His mother shook her head. "Does she hold your hand and blush?"

Renji thought back. "Yeah…"

His mother smirked. "Did you know Amelia doesn’t like spicy foods?"

Renji waved a hand. "No, she does! We used to eat spicy food all the time at my favorite restaurant."

His father chuckled. "Even when your mom and I argued every day, I noticed she doesn’t like spicy food."

Renji frowned, gears turning in his head.

Oh… that’s why…

His parents facepalmed at the same time.

His mother muttered, "This boy is denser than a black hole."

His father added, "Even gravity isn’t pulling sense into his head."

Renji scowled. "Oi."

His mother sighed. "That’s why she was upset, Renji. She was happy at first when the waiter mistook you for a couple. But the moment you denied it, you probably crushed her a little."

Renji stared at the table, stunned.

Could that really be true?

Amelia… liked him?

His heart pounded.

For the first time, Renji found himself questioning something he had never thought about before.

Does she really like me?

And, more importantly—

What do I feel about her?

To be continued…

Chapter 27: Denser Than a Rock

Hiro and Kyoya walked alongside Renji, making their way toward the bakery. The air was crisp, the sun shining lazily over the streets. Hiro, still recovering from the embarrassment of getting kidnapped, sighed in relief.

"At least this day is turning out normal," he muttered.

"Normal? You mean after you surrendered the moment I got knocked out?" Kyoya teased.

Hiro shot him a glare. "I call that self-preservation."

Kyoya just laughed, but before he could say anything else, they both noticed someone up ahead—

A blonde girl with bright blue eyes, more American-looking than Japanese, standing on the other side of the street. She had a cheerful smile and was waving in their direction.

Hiro blinked. Was she waving at him?

Feeling polite, he hesitantly lifted his hand and waved back.

But then, she called out—

"RENJI!"

Hiro froze mid-wave, his face turning red.

Kyoya immediately burst into laughter, holding his stomach. "PFFT—SHE WASN'T EVEN WAVING AT YOU!"

Renji, meanwhile, gave a casual wave to the girl, completely missing Hiro’s embarrassment.

The blonde girl jogged over to them, stopping in front of Renji.

"Hey, Renji! I thought that was you," she greeted with a wide grin.

"Amelia," Renji acknowledged with a small nod. "Long time no see."

As the two started chatting, Hiro kept his head down, pretending to be deeply fascinated by the cracks on the sidewalk. Kyoya, of course, took full advantage of the situation.

"Hiro really thought she was waving at him—"

"Shut up."

Renji and Amelia continued their conversation, their tone casual, but Hiro started noticing something strange.

Amelia was dropping hints.

She touched Renji's arm when she laughed, leaned in slightly when he spoke, and even playfully flicked his forehead when he said something dumb. But the biggest sign?

Her eyes.

They lingered on Renji for just a second too long.

Hiro glanced at Kyoya, and Kyoya gave him a knowing look.

Does he not see it?

Apparently, no. Because Renji was as dense as a brick wall.

When Amelia linked her arms with his for a second, Renji just tilted his head slightly in confusion.

Hiro sighed. "Does he… not get it?"

Kyoya smirked. "Nope. Not at all."

The whole way to the bakery, Amelia continued her subtle (or not-so-subtle) attempts, but Renji remained blissfully unaware.

When they finally reached the bakery, Amelia waved goodbye.

"See you around, Renji! You too, Kyoya, Hiro!" she said, smiling.

"See you," Renji replied, while Kyoya and Hiro just gave weak waves, still dumbfounded by Renji’s obliviousness.

Once she was out of sight, Kyoya turned to his brother.

"So… what do you think about Amelia?"

Renji thought for a moment before nodding.

"She’s a nice lady."

Hiro and Kyoya facepalmed in unison.

Kyoya groaned. "No, I mean romantically!"

Renji blinked. "Romantically?"

"YES!"

Renji tilted his head. "I… don’t know? I’ve never thought about that."

Hiro sighed. "Are you serious?"

Kyoya looked at Hiro. "Damn. He’s actually denser than a rock."

Hiro nodded in agreement. "Like, this is next-level density."

Renji just shrugged. "I don’t see the big deal."

Both Hiro and Kyoya groaned.

Renji led them inside the bakery, where the smell of fresh bread and pastries filled the air.

"Alright, let’s go to the kitchen," Renji said.

Kyoya raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Renji smirked. "I’m going to teach you both how to bake a cake."

Kyoya frowned. "But you already have cakes on the counter."

Renji simply patted his head. "The ones you make yourself always taste better. The things you create are the ones you appreciate the most."

Kyoya crossed his arms, mumbling, "Philosophical baker, huh?"

With that, the three of them headed to the kitchen—unaware that this baking lesson would be a memory they'd treasure forever.



Chapter 28: Amelia and Renji

Renji stepped out of the bakery, stretching his arms as he took in the early morning air. The streets were already bustling with life, vendors setting up their stalls, and the scent of freshly cooked food filling the air.

He had a list of ingredients he needed—flour, eggs, sugar, and a few special items for a new recipe he was planning. As he made his way through the marketplace, he walked past a small food stall selling takoyaki.

"Renji!"

He stopped mid-step, turning toward the voice.

Amelia stood behind the counter, dressed in an apron, flipping the little golden takoyaki balls on the hot grill. Her blonde hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and she had a bright smile on her face.

"Morning," Renji said, nodding toward her.

"You passed by without even saying hello," Amelia pouted, puffing out her cheeks.

Renji blinked. "Oh. My bad. I was just focused on getting ingredients."

Amelia rolled her eyes but grinned. "Figures. Always serious about work. Anyway, since you're here, want some takoyaki?"

Renji rubbed his chin. "Hmm. I could use a snack."

"Great! On the house," she said, winking.

Renji watched as she skillfully flipped the takoyaki with practiced hands. He had always known Amelia was good at what she did, but seeing her so focused was impressive.

"You’re really fast," Renji commented.

"Of course! A master at work," Amelia said proudly. She plated up six steaming, golden-brown takoyaki and drizzled them with sauce before handing them over.

Renji took one and blew on it before taking a bite. His eyes widened slightly. "This is really good."

Amelia beamed. "Obviously! I wouldn’t be selling them if they weren’t."

Renji nodded. "Yeah, but I mean, the balance of flavor is really nice. The sauce isn't overpowering, and the batter is light."

For a moment, Amelia just stared at him.

"What?" Renji asked, confused.

"You really break things down like a professional chef," Amelia said, resting her chin in her palm. "It's kind of cute."

Renji paused mid-chew. "Cute?"

Amelia giggled. "Yeah. Most people would just say 'it tastes good' and leave it at that, but you actually analyze it."

Renji shrugged. "Guess it's a habit."

She leaned forward on the counter. "So? What are you buying today?"

"Ingredients for the bakery. Need to restock flour, eggs, and some other things."

"Oh, perfect! I was about to take a break anyway. I’ll walk with you," Amelia said, taking off her apron.

"You sure? What about your shop?"

"I have an assistant. Besides, the market's more fun with company."

Renji didn’t argue, and soon they were walking through the lively streets together. Amelia, as usual, was full of energy, chatting away while Renji listened.

"Have you ever thought about expanding your bakery?" she asked, glancing up at him.

"Not really. I like keeping it small. Feels more personal that way."

Amelia hummed. "That’s very you. But you know, if you ever did expand, I bet people would love your stuff. Maybe even open a café-style bakery?"

Renji thought about it for a second. "That… sounds like a lot of work."

Amelia laughed. "You sound like Kyoya."

Renji smirked. "I am his brother."

As they stopped at a vegetable stall, Renji picked up a bag of fresh strawberries. Amelia watched as he carefully examined each pack, making sure to get the best quality.

"You take your ingredients seriously," she noted.

Renji nodded. "Good ingredients make good food."

Amelia smiled. "I like that about you, you know?"

Renji turned to her. "Like what?"

She tilted her head. "The way you’re serious about your craft. It’s kinda charming."

Renji blinked, completely missing the hint. "Well, it’s important to do things right."

Amelia sighed. Dense as ever.

They continued through the market, stopping by different stalls. At one point, Amelia tried to sneak a bag of chocolates into his basket.

"I saw that," Renji said.

"What? You need sweets sometimes!" Amelia grinned.

Renji shook his head but didn’t put them back.

As they reached the last stall, Amelia clapped her hands together. "Okay! Since we’re done shopping, how about checking out that new restaurant that just opened?"

Renji thought for a moment. "Restaurant?"

"Yeah, the one near the shopping district. I heard they have really good food. Wanna go?"

Renji glanced at his bags, then back at her.

"I guess I have time."

Amelia smiled brightly. "Great! Let’s go!"

And with that, the two of them headed toward the restaurant, completely unaware of how much they looked like a couple to the people around them.


Chapter 29: An Unspoken Feeling

Renji and Amelia walked into the restaurant, the scent of freshly cooked meals filling the air. It was a modern yet cozy place, with warm lighting and neatly arranged wooden tables. Soft music played in the background, adding to the comfortable atmosphere.

A waiter approached them with a friendly smile. "Good evening! Table for two?"

Renji nodded, and the waiter guided them to a small table near the window. As they sat down, Amelia looked around, taking in the ambiance.

"Not bad," she commented.

Renji hummed in agreement. "Seems like a nice place."

As they settled in, the waiter returned, holding a small notepad. "So, are you two a couple?"

Amelia instantly turned bright red.

Renji, unfazed, shook his head. "No, we’re just friends."

The waiter chuckled. "Ah, my mistake. You two just look good together."

Amelia quickly looked away, focusing on the menu in her hands, but Renji caught the small change in her expression.

After placing their orders, an awkward silence settled between them. Amelia played with the edge of her napkin, her usual bright energy noticeably dimmed.

Renji leaned forward slightly. "Something wrong?"

Amelia blinked, then forced a smile. "It’s nothing."

Renji didn’t buy it. He wasn’t the most perceptive when it came to emotions, but he could tell when someone was trying to hide something. And right now, Amelia was definitely hiding something.

Throughout the meal, Renji tried to lighten the mood—he pointed out funny details in the restaurant, made small jokes, even shared a story about a baking disaster Kyoya once had.

Nothing worked.

Amelia still laughed at the right moments, but it wasn’t real. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

By the time they finished eating and stepped out of the restaurant, Amelia still hadn’t spoken much. The lively girl who was always full of energy now felt distant.

Renji clenched his fists.

It didn’t feel right.

As they walked back, Amelia stayed quiet, her hands tucked into her jacket pockets. Renji glanced at her multiple times, debating whether to press her for answers, but in the end, he said nothing.

When they reached the bakery, Amelia finally looked up at him. "Thanks for today, Renji. I’ll see you around."

She gave him a small smile before walking off.

Renji stood by the door, watching her disappear into the distance.

His chest felt heavy.

The image of Amelia’s sad face was stuck in his mind, and no matter how much he tried to shake it off, it wouldn’t leave.

He sighed and stepped inside the bakery. The scent of bread and cakes greeted him, but for the first time, it didn’t bring him comfort.

He sat down, rubbing the back of his neck.

Why did seeing her sad make him feel this way?

And then, as if triggered by his thoughts, a memory surfaced.

A flashback.

The first time he met Amelia.

To be continued…

Chapter end