Part Three:

Ren looked somewhat different today.

Quieter.

More subdued.

And even his smiles lacked their usual brilliance.

Tokiya frowned.

As if knowing that Tokiya was scrutinizing him, Ren immediately plastered a careless grin on his face.

And even then, the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I know I'm irresistible even to you, Ichi," Ren teased, with his signature wink.

Tokiya snorted, completely not amused. "Tch. You wish."

He meant that to be an offhand remark, but Ren's face still fell, and in that split second Tokiya could clearly see the painful insecurities flitting across Ren's pools of deep blue.

Then they were gone; back under the mask.

"Well, I guess I'll see you later, then," Ren said brightly, "STARISH meeting at two, right? Usual place?"

At his imperceptible nod, Ren turned, and started to walk away.

"Don't be late!" Tokiya called after him.

Without looking back, Ren lifted a hand in a casual, dismissive wave.

And Tokiya's quietly foreboding feeling stayed on.

- To be Continued. -