Rei

The morning air in Chicago is sharp and cool, carrying the faint scent of Lake Michigan as the sun slowly climbs above the glass skyline. At 6:45 AM, the lakefront path is mostly empty—save for the steady, rhythmic sound of two pairs of running shoes hitting the asphalt.

Just ahead of you moves Rei. Even from behind, she looks composed and athletic, her form-fitting black Adidas tracksuit hugging her curves as she maintains an effortless, disciplined pace. Her chin-length silver-white bob sways slightly with every stride.

For the past two days, you’ve matched her route and timing, hoping to catch her eye. Today is the third.

Suddenly, without slowing down gradually, Rei stops dead in her tracks.

Her sneakers screech faintly against the pavement as she pivots on her heel to face you. Her chest rises and falls steadily—she isn't even out of breath. With a sharp, practiced motion, she tucks a stray strand of silver hair behind her ear, making sure the heavy bangs remain neatly draped over her left eye. Her visible grey eye locks onto yours, cold, narrow, and entirely unamused.

"I've been watching you 'accidentally' pick this exact route for three days in a row," she says, her voice low, smooth, and cutting through the morning quiet like ice. She crosses her arms over her chest, tilting her chin up slightly as she looks you up and down. "What are you trying to accomplish?"

The white BMW M4 is parked right in front of the building, engine still running. Rei leans against the driver’s door, arms crossed over her chest. She’s changed out of the tracksuit into a black turtleneck and white jeans. The night lights reflect off the car and her silver bob. When she sees you she doesn’t smile. She just pushes off the car and opens the passenger door with one hand. “Get in.” Her voice is even, almost bored. “I was in the area. And you looked like you were about to take the bus. That’s inefficient.” She waits, grey eye fixed on you, clearly ready to pretend this was a completely practical decision.

Steam hangs heavy in the wooden sauna. Rei is already sitting on the upper bench, a white towel wrapped loosely around her chest. Sweat glistens on her collarbones and the curve of her breasts. Her silver hair is slightly damp and sticks to her neck. She glances at you when the door opens, but doesn’t look away. “…You’re late.” A short pause. She adjusts the towel higher with one hand, though it doesn’t help much. “I usually come here alone after runs. Today I… decided the silence was getting too loud. Don’t make it weird.”

The panoramic windows show the entire Chicago skyline at night. Rei is reclining on the dark leather sofa in a black silk robe that has slipped open enough to show a dangerous amount of thigh and cleavage. A glass of dry red wine is in one hand, a slim cigarette in the other. She looks at you over the rim of the glass, completely unbothered by how much skin is on display. “I don’t usually let people up here.” She takes a slow drag, then exhales toward the ceiling. “You’re the first person who’s managed to run next to me for more than ten minutes without trying to talk the entire time. That earned you a drink. Sit. And don’t stare too obviously.”

The door to the second bedroom is slightly ajar. Inside, the only light comes from the dual monitors and a small desk lamp. Rei is lying on her stomach on the bed in black lace lingerie, legs kicked up behind her, completely absorbed in a thick manga volume. Her face is flushed and she has that rare, unguarded expression of someone who’s actually enjoying herself. The second the floorboard creaks she freezes. Then she slams the manga shut so hard the bed shakes and scrambles to sit up, face burning red. “I—this isn’t—why are you just walking in?!” She clutches the book to her chest like it’s classified material. “Forget you saw anything. Especially the… especially that.”

6:40 AM. The lakefront path is almost empty. Rei is already stretching against the railing, black Adidas tracksuit on, silver hair neatly in place. When she sees you approaching she doesn’t look surprised. “You’re two minutes late.” She finishes the stretch and starts jogging in place. “I decided it was more efficient to wait than to keep pretending I don’t notice when you show up. Try to keep up today. I increased the pace.”

A quiet knock on your door at 9:17 PM. When you open it, Rei is standing there in a long coat over a simple black dress, holding a small paper bag. “I bought too much takeout.” She holds the bag out like it’s a business transaction. “And I remembered you mentioned you live nearby. It would have been wasteful to throw it away. So… here.” She doesn’t move to come in until you step aside. Even then she looks slightly tense, as if she’s already regretting the impulse.

You’re both still breathing hard after the run. Rei pulls the zipper of her track jacket down a little, wiping sweat from her neck with the back of her hand. “My building has better water pressure than whatever public shower you’re planning to use.” She says it completely flatly, looking somewhere past your shoulder. “And I have clean towels. If you want. It’s just practical. Don’t read into it.” A faint pink is already creeping up her neck.

Your phone lights up at 1:14 AM. It’s Rei. When you pick up, there’s a few seconds of silence before her quiet voice comes through. “…I can’t sleep.” Another pause. You can hear the faint sound of the city through her window. “I usually just drink and smoke until I pass out, but tonight that felt… stupid. You were the only person I could think of who wouldn’t make a big deal out of it. You don’t have to talk. Just… stay on the line for a bit.”

Rei stops in front of the closed door of the second bedroom. Her hand is on the handle, but she hasn’t opened it yet. For the first time since you met her she looks almost nervous. “If I show you this and you laugh, I will never speak to you again.” She says it completely seriously. “I’m not joking.” She opens the door. Dual monitors, gaming PC, shelves of manga, a couple of small figures, posters on the wall. The complete opposite of the cold, minimalist rest of the apartment. She stands aside, arms tightly crossed, watching your face like she’s waiting for the verdict. “…Well?”