The sun spilled through the curtains like golden syrup, warming the room with a gentle glow.Lilia was sprawled on the couch, wearing Ren's oversized hoodie, one sock half-off and hair a total mess.She blinked up at Ren, who stood at the kitchen counter, grumpily sipping his bitter coffee like it had offended him.
"You're still wearing that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's warm," Lilia mumbled, hugging herself with a grin. "And smells like you."
Ren nearly spat his coffee. "Wha—Don't say stuff like that!"
Lilia laughed. "You're too easy to tease."
After a hasty breakfast, Ren grabbed his jacket and keys. "We're going out."
Lilia tilted her head. "Where?"
"You need stuff. Clothes, shoes, shampoo that doesn't smell like fruit candy. We're shopping."
Her eyes sparkled. "Really?! It's a date then!"
"It's not a date," Ren muttered, avoiding eye contact.
They took the bus into the city, walking side by side. Lilia clung to Ren's arm occasionally, especially when they passed busy intersections or loud noises startled her. She had a habit of pressing closer than necessary, flustering him.
"I want that one!" she exclaimed, pointing at a dress in a store window. "It's so cute!"
"Fine, just hurry. People are staring."
She leaned toward him and whispered, "They're staring because they think I'm your girlfriend."
Ren's face went red. "That's not helping."
After two hours and several bags later, Lilia skipped out of the last store holding an ice cream cone. "This day's perfect! Thank you, Ren!"
He sighed. "You spent all my money in one morning…"
"Consider it rent!" she giggled.
They turned a corner into a quieter street, cutting through an alley to save time. That's when they heard the sharp sound of footsteps behind them.
Ren's eyes narrowed.
A group of three shady men stepped out from behind a dumpster, blocking their path.
"Well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, eyes trailing up and down Lilia. "A pretty girl, all alone with her boyfriend."
Ren instinctively pushed Lilia behind him. "Keep walking," he said coldly.
But they didn't move. One of them smirked, pulling out a small pocket knife. "We just wanna talk. You got a problem with that?"
Lilia's grip tightened on Ren's sleeve. "Ren…"
He stepped forward.
"I said—" The thug didn't get to finish.
With one swift motion, Ren kicked the man's hand, sending the knife clattering to the ground. A punch followed, square to the jaw. The thug hit the ground, groaning.
The second lunged at him. Ren ducked and slammed his elbow into the attacker's ribs, then swept his legs. The guy fell like a sack of bricks.
The third froze. "Tch! Freak!" He ran off down the alley.
Ren turned, breathing heavily. "You okay?"
Lilia stared at him, wide-eyed, cheeks flushed. "That was… incredible…"
"…It was self-defense," Ren muttered, rubbing his neck.
"You were so cool!" she grabbed his arm tightly, looking up at him. "I didn't know you could fight like that…"
"I live alone," he said, turning away. "Gotta protect myself."
She fell silent as they slowly walked home. The tension lingered in the air.
That night, after dinner, they sat on the floor of the living room. The TV was on, playing some romantic drama they weren't really watching. Lilia was quiet, her gaze distant.
"…Are you really okay?" Ren asked.
She looked at him, surprised. "Oh. Yeah. I was just… thinking."
"About what?"
She took a deep breath. "Back home... I wasn't just a princess living in a golden cage. I had responsibilities. Enemies."
Ren looked at her, listening.
"One of the nobles… he wanted to marry me. For power. I refused. A few days later, my personal knight was ambushed. He told me to run while he held them off. I never saw him again."
Her voice cracked, and she hugged her knees.
Ren didn't say anything for a while. Then he looked away and said, "...My parents split when I was a kid. They fought all the time. One day, they both just left. I guess they were sick of each other... and me."
Her eyes widened.
"They gave me enough money to rent a place near school and just... vanished. Since then, I figured it's easier not to rely on anyone."
"…But you helped me," she whispered.
Ren shrugged. "You were in trouble. That's different."
She leaned on his shoulder. "I don't think it is."
Later that night, Ren came out of the bathroom drying his hair with a towel. Lilia was already on the futon, which had become their shared bed due to limited space.
She peeked at him from under the blanket. "It's cold. Hurry up."
"…You always steal the blanket," he muttered, lying down beside her, leaving as much space as possible.
But she immediately scooted closer, her chest pressing against his back.
"Lilia—"
"I feel safe when you're near."
He sighed but didn't move away.
"…Ren?" she whispered.
"Mm?"
"Thanks for today."
He hesitated, then gently said, "…You're welcome."
Their quiet breaths filled the room, two lonely souls finding peace in the warmth of each other.