Ms. Gojo thought she was dating an ordinary person's boyfriend.

When the night breeze blew in from the alley entrance, it already carried the dampness of early summer.

The streetlights in the residential area were lit one by one, but the light was not bright, only illuminating the ground with a soft yellow glow.

The convenience store plastic bag was still hanging between Kikawa Sumi's fingers. As he stopped, it shook slightly, and the mineral water bottle inside bumped into the canned coffee, making a soft, crisp sound.

He had just come out of that almost sharp state.

Saying that you've withdrawn isn't entirely accurate.

It's more like the tide has receded, but the sea breeze still lingers on your skin, carrying a touch of coolness, a hint of saltiness, and a lingering, unfulfilled urge.

The influence of selfishness still lingers; even though I know I should restrain myself, I still unconsciously let my thoughts become more explicit.

So when he looked up and saw that familiar figure at the alley entrance, the first thing that came to his heart was not surprise, but a light yet clear joy.

Gojo Satoru stood there.

With white hair, a black eye patch, and an excessively tall figure, his long legs stood casually, giving the impression that this narrow and quiet residential alley could not possibly contain someone like him.

The streetlights shone down from above, illuminating half of his shoulder and the ends of his hair. The white hair seemed to be bathed in light, spreading out with a soft edge.

He just stared at Sumire Kichikawa with a slight, ambiguous smile on his lips.

"...It's you again, doctor."

Her voice was languid, with a slight upward flick at the end, as if she were being coquettish.

Kikawa Sumi stopped in her tracks, looking at him, and suddenly remembered how frequently she had looked up at the doorway during the day.

He wasn't originally the kind of person who would expect "chance encounters".

He knew that most of his past encounters were preordained, and that coincidences were just pre-written plot twists. So after retiring, he rarely tried to speculate about fate.

But today is different.

He really wanted to see this person.

I think about it when I have free time in the clinic, when I go to the convenience store during my lunch break, and when I get off work. Maybe I'll run into him today, but I don't see him all day.

He even calmly concluded in his mind that he probably wouldn't meet him again.

But now, Gojo Satoru is standing in front of him again.

In this quiet alley, where only the sound of the wind and the electrical hum of the streetlights can be heard.

A lingering trace of selfishness stirred things up, gently swaying his reason.

So, without much thought, Sumi Kichikawa blurted out—

"Would you like to come to my place and talk?"

The moment the words were spoken, even the wind seemed to stop for a second.

Gojo Satoru was clearly taken aback.

He originally just thought it was funny.

Strange fluctuations appeared, then disappeared just as strangely, only to be followed by this strange yet gentle doctor standing at the end.

Such coincidences do happen in the world, but when they happen to this extent, it makes one want to reach out and pry, to see if it's a coincidence or fate.

But he didn't expect the other party to go this far.

How about we go to his home for a chat?

Gojo Satoru tilted his head, his eye patch concealing his excessively beautiful eyes, but Kisakawa Sumi could still sense a fleeting surprise in him.

Have they become that close?

The thought floated lightly into Gojo Satoru's mind, and even he found it a little funny.

We've only bumped into each other a few times, exchanged a few small gestures of concern and candy, and don't even know each other's names.

But it was precisely this kind of person who, standing in the night, said to him—

Would you like to come to my house for a chat?

That's surprisingly bold, doctor.

Meanwhile, after saying that, Sumi Kichikawa finally regained her senses, albeit a beat late.

Oh no.

After the lingering effects of selfishness subsided, the earlier sense of composure—"Since fate has already brought me here, I might as well be direct"—also faded away.

Sumi Kichikawa belatedly realized what she had just said.

They had only met a few times.

Strictly speaking, they can't even be considered friends.

As a result, that night, in this remote alley, he invited a man who was practically a stranger to his home.

No matter how you look at it, it's very strange.

The plastic handle of the convenience store bag was digging into the base of her fingers. Kikawa Sumi curled her fingers slightly, her face remaining relatively calm, but the tips of her ears were already starting to feel hot.

He has never been good at handling these kinds of mistakes, especially those that are almost impulsive and completely out of character.

Perhaps it's time to withdraw.

You could say, "Sorry, I spoke too abruptly just now." Or, "If it's inconvenient, that's fine."

He opened his mouth, about to add a sentence—

"OK."

Gojo Satoru smiled and answered quickly, his tone even a little light, as if he didn't think there was anything wrong with the matter at all.

"Anyway, I don't have anything else to do right now." He took two steps forward, stood in a spot where the streetlight was brighter, tilted his head slightly, and smiled naturally. "Well, the doctor invited me, right? Then I won't be polite."

Sikawa Cheng: "..."

The prepared retraction stuck in his throat, and suddenly he couldn't say it. He looked at Gojo Satoru, his mind blank for a brief moment.

This person's thought process cannot be judged by common sense.

But precisely because of this, his regret, which was about to ferment into embarrassment, was gently suppressed.

"...Okay." That was all the last thing Sumi Kichikawa said, as she adjusted the plastic bag. "My house isn't far."

"That's great." Gojo Satoru slowly caught up, his voice tinged with laughter. "I thought it would take a long time. I've already worked enough overtime today, I'll throw a tantrum if we keep walking."

This was said in a way that was half true and half false, like a coquettish remark, or a joke.

Sumi Kichikawa turned her head and glanced at him.

In the darkness, the white-haired man's silhouette was clearly visible, a relaxed smile playing on his lips. He seemed completely unguarded, as if he genuinely didn't care about going home with someone he had only recently met.

...He has a big heart.

Kikawa Sumi didn't say anything more, but slowed her pace a little so that the two of them could walk side by side.

Walking back to his apartment from the residential area wasn't far at all. The vending machines on the street glowed with blue and white light, their glass cases neatly stocked with soda and canned coffee.

A bed sheet hanging on a balcony hadn't been taken in yet; the night breeze made its edges flutter slightly. In the distance, a tram passed over the viaduct; its deep rumble reached us much softer, like the city breathing.

No one spoke first along the way.

But the silence wasn't so hard to bear.

Gojo Satoru walked beside him, his steps leisurely, occasionally glancing up at the night sky or at the shop signs along the way.

Kikawa Sumi could feel his strong presence, but that strength wasn't aggressive; rather, it was like moonlight, spreading everywhere yet not scorching.

As they passed a dessert shop that was still open, Gojo Satoru suddenly stopped.

"Doctor," he pointed to the shop window, "that shop's crème brûlée is absolutely delicious."

Only two puddings remained in the shop window, served in small, clear glasses, their caramelized surfaces glistening in the light.

Kikawa Sumi followed his hand and looked over, then paused.

"Want some?"

Gojo Satoru turned to look at him, as if he hadn't expected him to ask that. His eyes then crinkled into a smile, and even his voice became lighter: "Eh, is that alright?"

"Um."

"If you're too easy to talk to, you'll get bullied." He said this, but his feet had already turned towards the shop entrance.

As Kikawa Sumi watched his retreating figure, she suddenly remembered the first time she met this person. He was also standing in front of the dessert counter, like a beautiful and carefree big cat. He clearly had everything he needed, yet he would stop for a piece of pudding.

Some people are so far removed from the human world that they are drawn back by these small acts of sweetness.

He followed them into the store and bought the last two puddings for Gojo Satoru.

When the shop assistant handed over the packaged paper bag, she couldn't help but steal a few more glances at them. Perhaps it was because the white-haired man's face was too eye-catching, or perhaps it was because there was an indescribable, subtle harmony in the atmosphere when they stood together.

After leaving the dessert shop, Gojo Satoru looked down at the paper bag, clearly in a good mood.

"Doctor," he drawled, "you're not just trying to trick me into going home to feed you, are you?"

"No," Sumire Kichikawa replied calmly.

"Oh my, you denied it so quickly." Gojo Satoru chuckled, dangling the paper bag between his fingers. "But I don't dislike it."

After those words, the awkwardness in the air finally seemed to be gently dispelled.

When they arrived at the apartment entrance, Sumi Kikawa stepped forward first to swipe her card and open the door.

The motion-sensor lights in the hallway snapped on, illuminating the pale beige paint on the walls and the small potted plants in front of the apartments. It was a very ordinary, quiet studio apartment, nothing particularly special.

When he opened the door, Gojo Satoru stood behind him, his gaze sweeping across the entrance hall.

The shoe cabinet was neatly arranged, with a black umbrella and a pair of spare slippers placed by the door. There was a faint smell of laundry detergent in the air, mixed with a light woody fragrance.

The game consoles are prominently displayed as soon as you enter.

Gojo Satoru's gaze lingered on the game console for a moment.

"Eh—" he drawled, as if he'd discovered something amazing, "A doctor plays video games?"

"I know a little."

"I'm very good at it too." He casually found himself slippers, his tone carrying a hint of self-satisfaction. "I've almost never met an opponent."

"Really?" Sumi Kikawa took the dessert bag from his hand and placed it in front of the refrigerator. "Then I can try it next time."

He said "next time" so confidently, as if there really would be a chance to meet again, which made Gojo Satoru slightly take aback.

That felt very strange.

It's just an ordinary word, but when this person says it, it inexplicably makes you feel that it's not just polite talk, but that there really will be a next time.

"Okay." Gojo Satoru replied softly, his voice rising slightly at the end, thus keeping the promise to himself.