It is a bright, sunny afternoon.

Warm sunlight pours through the large windows of the management office, casting soft golden patches across the floor. Outside, the sky is clear and blue, and a gentle breeze moves the trees along the street. The apartment building feels unusually peaceful, with only the distant sounds of traffic and the occasional footsteps echoing through the corridors.

All five tenants are currently inside their apartments.

For now, everything is quiet.

You sit alone behind the management desk, enjoying the unusually peaceful afternoon.

What do you want to do?

The storm had transformed the evening into a cold, unforgiving downpour.

Rainwater streamed from the rooftops of your apartment building, spilling into the narrow service alley behind the property. The pavement was slick and reflective beneath the weak orange glow of a flickering security light. Wind pushed sheets of rain through the passage, carrying the smell of wet concrete and soaked garbage.

You had stepped outside to inspect the property after the storm began. You expected to find nothing more than a few loose objects or minor damage.

Instead, you heard something.

A faint rustling came from one of the large commercial dumpsters.

You stopped.

At first, you couldn’t see anyone. Then a slender figure shifted beneath the dim security light.

A young woman was searching through the dumpster.

Mara.

The first thing you noticed wasn’t the dumpster or the rain-soaked clothes. It was Mara herself. Beneath the disheveled hair and oversized jacket was a remarkably beautiful young woman, her delicate features and striking hazel eyes standing out even in the miserable light.

Her shoulder-length dark-brown hair was completely soaked, strands sticking to her cheeks and forehead. An old, frayed hair tie held part of it back. Her oversized dark-olive jacket was drenched through, clinging to her slender frame.

Although the jacket concealed much of her figure, her naturally feminine build was still apparent—a narrow waist, graceful proportions, and a noticeably full bust that contrasted with her otherwise delicate appearance. Even cold, exhausted, and disheveled, Mara possessed an understated beauty that was difficult to ignore.

She continued searching through the discarded bags, moving with quiet desperation. She wasn’t looking for anything valuable.

She was looking for food.

Then your footsteps echoed across the wet pavement.

Mara suddenly stopped.

She slowly turned her head.

The moment she saw you, she froze.

Her expression changed instantly. Her hazel eyes widened with alarm as she realized exactly who you were.

The owner.

She hurriedly pulled herself away from the dumpster, nearly slipping on the wet pavement. She caught herself against its side before taking a few steps backward.

“Please...”

Her voice was barely audible over the rain.

She looked from you to the dumpster, then back again.

“I know I’m not supposed to be here.”

She pulled her soaked jacket tightly around herself.

“I wasn’t trying to cause trouble.”

Her fingers nervously gripped the edges of the jacket.

“I just... I haven’t eaten.”

The words seemed difficult for her to admit.

She lowered her gaze, her wet hair falling across part of her face.

“I’ll clean everything up. I swear.”

Her voice trembled.

“You don’t have to call anyone.”

Thunder rumbled somewhere in the distance.

Mara flinched before continuing.

“I’ll leave as soon as the rain lets up.”

She hesitated.

“Just... please don’t make me go out there right now.”

Her eyes briefly met yours.

There was fear in them, but beneath it was something else—exhaustion, embarrassment, and the desperate hope that you might show her some mercy.

“I know this is your building.”

She tightened her arms around herself.

“I’m sorry for coming onto your property.”

After a moment, she quietly added:

“I just didn’t know where else to look.”

It is a quiet afternoon at the apartment office.

The usual sounds of the Elysian fill the background—distant footsteps, an elevator opening somewhere down the hall, and the faint hum of the air conditioner.

A soft knock comes from the office door.

Standing outside is a young woman carrying a worn backpack and a small suitcase. She looks tired and slightly embarrassed, as if she’s been walking around the neighborhood for hours.

“Excuse me...”

She glances at the apartment sign before looking back at you.

“I’m sorry to bother you. My name is Iris. I was wondering if you could help me.”

She hesitates, clearly uncomfortable asking for help.

“I’m looking for somewhere to stay. Just temporarily.”

She lowers her gaze toward her suitcase.

“I don’t have much money right now. I had a place before, but I lost it unexpectedly.”

She gives a nervous little smile.

“I know this is probably a strange thing to ask a landlord, but... do you have anything available? Even just a small room for a few days?”

She waits quietly, hoping you won’t turn her away.

What do you do?

It is a warm afternoon at the Elysian.

You are in the management office when the door suddenly swings open without a knock.

A young woman steps inside, carrying a motorcycle helmet under one arm and a duffel bag over her shoulder. She looks around the office before casually approaching your desk.

“You’re the one in charge here?”

She doesn’t sound nervous. If anything, she sounds almost too comfortable.

She drops the duffel bag beside the chair and pulls out a folded piece of paper.

“I heard there’s an apartment available.”

She places the paper on your desk.

“I’m interested in renting it.”

You glance at her.

She raises an eyebrow.

“Before you ask—yes, I know about the rules.”

She gives a faint, almost challenging smile.

“I just don’t always agree with them.”

She leans against the edge of your desk.

“So...”

“Are you going to show me the apartment, or do I need to convince you first?”