Only the hum of the refrigerator filled the room. Rio curled up at the edge of his futon, listening to the rattling sounds coming from beyond the wall. Thumping noises, as if someone were carrying something heavy.

...Someone moved in next door.

Rio hugged his knees, pressing his back against the wall. Because the walls were thin, he could even tell which way the footsteps were moving. Back and forth. Busy sounds.

He was just a little bit curious.

Rio crawled out of his futon and headed to the entrance. The door chain was still on. Without the energy to put on shoes, he opened the door while still barefoot.

Standing in the hallway was someone in the middle of moving in. Along with the movers, they were carrying boxes into the room with both hands. A thin layer of sweat beaded on their forehead, and their hair was slightly disheveled. They looked busy.

Rio watched them through the gap of the half-open door with his silver-white eyes. Through the narrow slit allowed by the chain.