After weeks of searching and considering, Aizen finally found a new apartment that felt like the right fit. It was a cozy place, just a 10-minute walk from his old one, but in the opposite direction. The best part was the neighborhood—quiet, surrounded by trees, and close to a small park where he could take his nature walks.
As he unpacked the last of his boxes, Aizen felt a sense of accomplishment. This place already felt more like home. The layout was better, and the view from his window overlooked a peaceful garden. He was sure he'd enjoy living here.
On his first evening in the new apartment, Aizen decided to take a short walk to clear his head. As he stepped out of his door, he noticed someone else leaving the apartment next to his. To his surprise, it was Violet.
She looked just as surprised to see him. "Aizen? You live here?"
Aizen smiled, slightly amused by the coincidence. "Yeah, I just moved in. Looks like we're neighbours now."
Violet's usual calm demeanour softened into a small smile. "That's… nice. It's good to know someone close by."
"Yeah, it is," Aizen agreed. "I didn't realize you lived here. How long have you been in this building?"
"A few years," Violet replied as they started walking together down the hallway. "It's quiet, and the location's convenient. I like it."
They walked in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the tranquillity of the evening. Aizen felt a sense of ease being around Violet. Their shared introversion meant they didn't need to fill the silence with unnecessary chatter, which he appreciated.
As they reached the small park near the apartment complex, Violet glanced at Aizen. "Do you want to walk together?"
"Sure," Aizen agreed, feeling pleasantly surprised by the invitation.
They strolled through the park, the soft glow of streetlights casting gentle shadows around them. Violet talked a little about the area, mentioning her favourite spots for badminton practice and quiet places to sit and think. Aizen listened, appreciating her insights and making mental notes.
When they returned to the building, Aizen felt a bit more settled, not just in his new apartment but in his new life as well. Having Violet as a neighbour was an unexpected bonus, and he found himself looking forward to the possibility of spending more time with her.
As they said goodnight and went into their respective apartments, Aizen couldn't help but smile. This move had turned out better than he could have imagined. Living next to Violet, with Ryuen and Kei nearby, made the idea of being alone much less daunting.
Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to fall into place.