The Heart of Zero

After dinner, Shingin's mother smiled warmly as she cleared the dishes. "Shingin," she teased, "why don't you walk Riyugi home? And make sure you take your time!"

Shingin scratched his head, his expression a mix of helplessness and resignation. Seeing the playful yet earnest look in his mother's eyes, he nodded reluctantly, accepting the unexpected "assignment."

Riyugi stood off to the side, her head slightly bowed, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt as a faint blush spread across her cheeks. She felt a little flustered. While she harbored a budding fondness for Shingin, the sudden arrangement left her unsure how to respond.

The two of them stepped outside, the night enveloping them in its stillness. A faint orange glow from the streetlamps stretched their shadows long against the pavement, intertwining them like some quiet secret.

They walked side by side under the dim lights, the warm glow casting their figures into sharp relief. The silence was palpable, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind or the echo of their measured footsteps. Shingin glanced at Riyugi from time to time, lips parting as if to speak, only to fall silent again, unsure of what to say. Riyugi clutched the straps of her bag, her pace unhurried, as if waiting for him to speak first.

Eventually, she reached into her bag, pulling out her phone and a pair of earphones. She slipped them into her ears, hoping the music might help ease the awkwardness.

Shingin noticed her familiar habit, a faint frown tugging at his brow. Always with the earphones. She must really love music, he thought. Still, he hesitated to ask, choosing instead to walk quietly by her side.

Minutes passed in companionable silence. Finally, Riyugi summoned the courage to break it. She looked up at him, her voice tentative but filled with a hint of playfulness. "How about we... share our earphones? You know, so we can hear each other's music."

Shingin blinked, caught off guard. Share earphones? That's... new, he thought, but her hopeful expression made it hard to refuse. Almost instinctively, he nodded, agreeing to her suggestion. Riyugi's face lit up with a bright smile as she handed him one of her earbuds and took one of his.

They moved a little closer as their earphone wires tangled together, a small but meaningful connection forming in the quiet night.

As the music began to play, both of them froze. The melody was achingly familiar, weaving through the silence with gentle, resonant notes.

It was the same song.

They exchanged surprised glances, their eyes reflecting mutual astonishment and delight. Riyugi spoke first, her voice soft and tinged with amazement. "You... like this song too?"

Shingin scratched the back of his head, his tone a little sheepish. "Yeah… it's pretty good."

Riyugi chuckled lightly, a warmth blossoming in her eyes. "What are the odds? I didn't think we'd have the same taste in music."

They walked on, the shared melody filling the spaces between their words. The silence that followed wasn't awkward anymore; it was comforting, a shared understanding that transcended the need for conversation.

Shingin stole a glance at Riyugi, her smile faint but radiant under the glow of the streetlights. The night breeze lifted strands of her hair, framing her delicate features. She's not just some unreachable "princess," he realized, she's a girl with feelings as real and nuanced as anyone else's.

Unknowingly, their steps began to align, a rhythm forming between them. The music, like a thread, wove their hearts closer together, a subtle yet undeniable connection growing with each note.

Before long, they arrived at Riyugi's home. Shingin looked up at the grand residence—a stark contrast to his own modest apartment. The sprawling gardens, blooming with vibrant flowers, exuded elegance under the soft glow of the house's exterior lights. He couldn't help but feel the distance between their worlds.

Riyugi stopped at the gate and turned to face him. Her cheeks carried a faint blush as she lowered her head slightly. "Thank you... for walking me home," she said softly, her voice tinged with a shy warmth.

Shingin nodded, replying with a simple, "It's no problem." His tone was calm, though his heart held a mix of emotions he couldn't quite name. Their gazes met briefly, unspoken words lingering in the air before Riyugi finally broke the silence with a small smile.

"Well… goodnight," she murmured, waving as she turned to head inside.

Shingin stood there, watching as she disappeared behind the large, ornate doors. The weight of something unspoken lingered in the air, but he remained silent, unsure of what he wanted to say—or even if he should.

Alone on the empty street, Shingin sighed, his thoughts drifting to the day's events. In Riyugi's eyes, he had seen traces of loneliness, far deeper than he had ever imagined. She's not as carefree as she seems, he thought, a subtle pang of sympathy settling in his chest.

As he turned and began the walk back home, the cool night air brushed against his face. The faint rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets accompanied his footsteps. A memory surfaced, unbidden: a boy's mocking voice, harsh and cold, echoing in his mind.

"How does it feel? That creeping fear?"

Shingin froze mid-step, his surroundings suddenly oppressive in their silence. His eyes darted into the shadows, an inexplicable unease washing over him. It felt as though someone was watching, hidden in the night's embrace.

But the street was empty, save for the soft glow of the streetlamps and the occasional flicker of a stray cat's shadow. Shingin took a deep breath, shaking off the discomfort as he resumed his walk. Yet the unease lingered, a faint reminder that something—someone—might be lurking just out of sight.