Morning didn't arrive loudly.
It slipped in.
Quiet. Gentle.
A thin beam of golden sunlight pushed its way through the curtains, stretching slowly across the wooden floor until it reached the edge of the bed.
Renji stirred.
His fingers twitched slightly before his eyes opened halfway.
"…Mm…"
For a moment, he didn't move.
Just lay there.
Breathing.
Listening.
The world felt… different.
Calm.
No noise. No pressure. No strange dreams.
Just silence.
"…Weird," he muttered under his breath.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes.
"I actually slept well…"
That alone felt unnatural.
Usually, his body woke up tense. Restless. Like something inside him never fully settled.
But today—
Nothing.
Light.
His shoulders weren't heavy.
His chest didn't feel tight.
Even his mind… was quiet.
"…Did I die or something?"
"You did not."
Renji flinched slightly.
Mizuki stood near the window, her figure faintly illuminated by the sunlight. She wasn't fully physical—just slightly translucent, like always—but her presence was steady.
"You wake up and immediately assume death?" she asked calmly.
Renji stretched his arms over his head.
"Well, this level of peace feels suspicious."
"It is called proper rest."
"Feels illegal."
She ignored that.
"Get ready."
Renji glanced toward her.
"…For?"
"Breakfast."
He froze for half a second.
Then—
"Oh."
A slow grin spread across his face.
"Now that's something I can get behind."
The hotel café was already alive with quiet movement.
Soft clinking of plates.
Low conversations.
The smell of fresh bread and warm tea filled the air, blending with the faint sweetness of baked pastries.
Renji sat down quickly.
Too quickly.
"You are excited," Mizuki noted.
"I'm motivated."
"That is not motivation."
"It is. Food is motivation."
A server placed their breakfast in front of them.
Simple.
Bread. Eggs. A small portion of meat. Warm tea.
Renji picked up the bread immediately.
"Finally, a peaceful morning."
"Eat slower than yesterday."
"No promises."
"You will regret it."
"I regret nothing."
He took a bite.
Paused.
"…Okay, this is actually really good."
Mizuki watched him quietly.
This time, he didn't devour everything instantly.
Still fast—but controlled.
Progress.
Slight progress.
After finishing, they stepped outside.
The town had fully awakened.
People moved through the streets with purpose—merchants opening shops, adventurers heading toward the guild, children running past with careless laughter.
The sunlight now filled every corner, washing the town in a warm golden glow.
Renji took a deep breath.
"…Feels different in the morning."
"Everything does."
He glanced at Mizuki.
"So… what now?"
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she lifted her hand slightly.
A faint ripple of magic formed.
Then—
A small pouch appeared in her palm.
Gold coins.
Renji blinked.
"…That's a lot."
"Yes."
"How much is that?"
"Enough."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"It does."
He narrowed his eyes.
"…You're hiding something."
"I am not."
"You definitely are."
She ignored him.
"First, we will settle the hotel bill."
"…Okay."
"Then—"
A small pause.
Her lips curved slightly.
"We will buy a house."
Renji stopped walking.
Completely.
"…Wait."
Silence.
"…What?"
Mizuki continued walking.
"As I said. We will buy a house."
Renji didn't move.
"A house?"
"Yes."
"As in… an actual house?"
"Yes."
"For… living?"
"Yes."
"…You're serious?"
"Yes."
Renji stared at her back like she had just said something completely insane.
Then quickly caught up.
"Wait, wait—hold on—since when was this a plan?!"
"Since we obtained sufficient funds."
"That's not how normal people decide to buy a house!"
"We are not normal people."
"…That's not comforting."
They returned to the front desk.
The receptionist looked up.
This time—
Less suspicious.
More curious.
"You're checking out?"
Mizuki nodded.
"Yes."
Renji leaned casually against the counter.
"…We're leaving."
The receptionist tilted her head slightly.
"Where are you planning to go?"
Renji answered without thinking.
"We're buying a house."
Silence.
A long silence.
"…You're what?"
"Buying a house."
"…Today?"
"Yeah."
The receptionist stared at him.
Then at Mizuki.
Then back at him.
"…You two are… very unusual guests."
"That's one way to say it," Renji muttered.
She slowly pulled out the bill.
"Your total is ten silver coins."
Renji reached for his pocket—
But Mizuki was faster.
She placed a single gold coin on the counter.
Clink.
The sound was sharp.
Clear.
The receptionist's eyes widened slightly.
"…A gold coin?"
Mizuki said nothing.
The receptionist quickly composed herself and took the coin.
"I'll bring your change."
She disappeared briefly.
Renji leaned closer to Mizuki.
"…You didn't even hesitate."
"There was no reason to hesitate."
"That's a lot of money."
"It is an appropriate amount."
"…For a hotel bill?!"
She ignored him again.
The receptionist returned, placing a pouch on the counter.
"Nine hundred and ninety silver coins."
Mizuki took it calmly.
"Thank you."
As they turned to leave, the receptionist spoke again.
"…Be careful."
Renji glanced back.
"Why?"
She hesitated.
Then shook her head slightly.
"…Never mind."
Mizuki didn't respond.
But her eyes flickered for just a second.
They stepped back into the street.
The noise returned instantly.
Life. Movement. Energy.
Renji stretched again as they walked.
"…Alright, house buyer. Where do we even start?"
"Information."
"From who?"
Before she could answer—
A voice called out.
"Hey!"
Renji turned.
Mizuki didn't need to.
She already knew.
Rika was running toward them, her steps quick, her expression slightly annoyed.
"There you are!"
She stopped in front of them, hands on her hips.
"Do you have any idea how long I was waiting yesterday?"
Renji scratched his cheek.
"…A while?"
"A long while."
"We were at the hotel. "
Rika blinked.
"You could at least notify me. "
She let out a small sigh, then reached into her bag.
"Here."
She tossed something toward Renji.
He caught it instinctively.
"You found them!?"
"Yes."
"Thanks a lot."
He held them carefully, almost like they were something valuable.
Rika watched him for a moment.
Then smiled slightly.
"…You're weird."
"I get that a lot."
She crossed her arms.
"So. What are you two doing now?"
Mizuki answered.
"We are going to buy a house."
Rika froze.
"…You're what?"
Renji pointed at Mizuki.
"Her idea."
"It is a logical decision."
Rika stared at both of them.
Then—
Her expression changed.
Bright.
Excited.
"Ohhh, this is perfect."
Renji narrowed his eyes.
"…Why do I feel like that's not a good reaction?"
Rika stepped closer.
"I know exactly where you should go."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"You didn't even hear it yet."
"I don't trust that tone."
"You should."
"I shouldn't."
Rika grinned.
"Follow me, I know a perfect place where you can find houses for yourself."
And without waiting—
She started walking.
Renji sighed.
"…This feels like a bad decision."
Mizuki walked past him.
"It will be fine."
"…That's exactly what makes it worse."
He followed anyway.