A few weeks had passed since Aizen's first day at school, and he was starting to settle into his new life. He had found a routine that worked for him—school during the day, a few rounds of gaming in the afternoon, and occasionally, badminton practice with Violet. Despite his introverted nature, the unexpected friendships he had formed with Ryuen, Kei, and Violet made his days a bit brighter.
But tonight, he was restless. His current apartment, though quiet, felt too empty. Aizen had been considering moving to a place that felt more like home, but the thought of packing up and relocating again was daunting.
With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Aizen decided to take a late-night trip to the nearby supermarket. Stocking up on essentials seemed like a good distraction, and the quiet of the late hour was comforting.
As he walked down the dimly lit aisles, Aizen tossed a few items into his basket—instant noodles, a few snacks, and some essentials for the week. Just as he reached for a bottle of juice, he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Couldn't sleep either, huh?"
Aizen turned around to see Ryuen standing there, holding a carton of milk and a box of cereal. His hair was slightly tousled, and he looked a little surprised to see Aizen. "What're you doing here this late?"
Aizen smiled faintly. "Same as you, I guess. Couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd get some groceries."
Ryuen chuckled, tossing the milk into his basket. "Small world. Didn't know you lived around here."
Aizen nodded. "Yeah, not too far. I'm actually thinking about moving soon, though. This place doesn't really feel like home."
Ryuen's expression softened a bit. "I get that. I've lived in the same house my whole life, but I can imagine it's tough being on your own in a new place."
Aizen shrugged, though he appreciated the empathy. "It's not so bad, but… yeah, it can get a little lonely sometimes."
Ryuen grinned, nudging Aizen with his elbow. "Well, you've got us now. We'll keep you busy enough so you don't feel too lonely."
Aizen couldn't help but smile at that. Ryuen had a way of making things seem less daunting. "Thanks. I might take you up on that."
As they continued down the aisles, Ryuen chatted casually about his day, sharing funny stories about Kei's latest antics and the new baseball game he was obsessed with. Aizen found himself relaxing, enjoying the easy conversation.
After they finished their shopping, they walked back together, bags in hand. The night was cool, and the streets were quiet, save for the occasional car passing by. As they reached the corner where their paths split, Ryuen stopped and turned to Aizen.
"Hey, if you ever need help with the move or just want to hang out, don't hesitate to hit me up. We're practically neighbours, after all."
Aizen felt a warmth spread through him, realizing that Ryuen genuinely meant it. "I will. Thanks, Ryuen."
Ryuen gave him a friendly pat on the back. "No problem. See you tomorrow?"
"Yeah, see you tomorrow," Aizen replied, feeling a little lighter as they parted ways.
As he walked back to his apartment, Aizen thought about how different things had become since he arrived. Meeting Ryuen at the supermarket might have been a coincidence, but it reminded him that he wasn't as alone as he sometimes felt.
Maybe this place could start feeling like home after all.