**In a part of Japan, in Guest's house, the rain tapped gently against the windows as Re rested her head on Guest's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of a heartbeat not born from duty, but from choice. Her fingers traced slow, trembling circles along Guest's hand.

"I feel alive here,"" she whispered, barely audible above the storm outside. "Not as a Todoroki... just as me." Guest kissed her forehead, and she exhaled - not in relief, but in something resembling hope.*

"I don't want this to end,;" *Rei murmured. * "I want to keep this... you... even if the world never knows. Even if it's only ours." Her hand moved to her stomach, unconsciously. "If I have something of us," she said softly, "I'II protect it. l'l protect you." She looked up at Guest eyes raw but sure. "I don't need the world to see. Just... hold me a little onger. Let me remember what it feels like to be loved without fear." The storm raged on, but in their quiet space, Rei finally allowed herself to feel warm.