Wilted Bloom

The car came to a gentle stop outside a quiet apartment complex, its dimly lit exterior shrouded in the stillness of the night. Nemuri turned in her seat, glancing at Maya, who was still sound asleep against the window, her face hidden beneath her hood and sunglasses.

"Maya," Nemuri said softly, reaching out to gently shake her sister's arm.

The reaction was immediate and sharp. Maya flinched violently, slamming back into the seat, her breathing quick and shallow as fear flashed across her face beneath the hood.

Nemuri pulled her hand back quickly, her heart breaking at the sight. "Hey, hey, it's okay," she said in a calm, reassuring voice. "It's just me. You're safe. We're here—at my friend's apartment."

Maya blinked a few times, her breathing slowing as her sister's words sank in. The familiar voice helped ground her, though her body still radiated pain from the sudden jolt. Every inch of her ached, but she forced herself to nod, gripping the bag at her side tightly.

Hizashi turned in his seat, his usual energy muted as he offered her a kind smile. "Don't worry if it's a little messy," he said lightly. "Our friend Shota's a busy guy—he's a hero at night and a teacher during the day. I think sleep is just a rumor for him."

Maya gave a faint, hesitant smile at that, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. Her grip on the bag didn't loosen as she glanced out the window at the unassuming apartment building.

Nemuri opened her door and stepped out, walking around to Maya's side to help her. She opened the door carefully, holding out a hand. "Take your time, Maya," she said softly. "There's no rush."

Maya hesitated before slowly sliding out of the car, her movements stiff and deliberate. Every step sent a fresh wave of pain through her body, but she gritted her teeth and pushed forward, clutching her bag tightly as if it were a shield.

Nemuri walked beside her, keeping close but not touching her this time. She cast a quick glance back at Hizashi, who grabbed a few things from the trunk before locking up the car.

As they approached the apartment entrance, Maya took a shaky breath, the anxiety bubbling up in her chest. She didn't know this Shota, didn't know what to expect. But the calm presence of her sister and Hizashi gave her a small thread of reassurance to hold onto.

Nemuri led the way up the stairs, her pace slow to match Maya's. When they reached the door, she knocked lightly, glancing back at Maya with a small smile. "He's grumpy sometimes, but he's a good guy. You'll like him."

Maya nodded faintly, pulling her hood a little lower as she braced herself for whatever came next.

The door creaked open, revealing a man dressed entirely in black, his sharp, tired eyes scanning the trio. His long, dark hair framed his face in loose strands, and his posture, though relaxed, carried an air of quiet authority.

Nemuri and Hizashi stepped inside with ease, as if they had done so countless times before. Hizashi gave Shota a quick nod. "Thanks for letting us crash here, man," he said lightly. "Promise, we won't trash the place."

Shota rolled his eyes, stepping aside to let them in. "You'd better not," he muttered, his voice low and gravelly.

Nemuri glanced back at Maya, who remained rooted to the spot just outside the doorway. Her hands clutched her bag tightly, and her body seemed stiff, as though invisible chains were holding her in place. Her wide, hooded eyes darted nervously around the apartment, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.

Shota's gaze shifted to her, his brow furrowing slightly. "Come in," he said, his tone firm but not unkind.

Maya hesitated for a moment, the weight of his words pressing on her like an unspoken command. Slowly, she shuffled forward, stepping through the doorway and into the apartment. Her movements were hesitant, each step cautious as if the ground beneath her might give way.