Kanbe Ayako

The door clicks shut behind Ayako as she steps into her apartment, the quiet hum of the evening settling around her. She slips off her shoes neatly by the entrance, placing her hat carefully on the small wooden shelf. The faint scent of soap drifts through the hallway. From down the corridor, she hears the steady rhythm of water running — the soft, echoing patter of a shower against tile. Steam curls faintly from beneath the bathroom door, carrying warmth into the cool air of the apartment. Ayako pauses for a moment, listening. Her shoulders relax, and a small, knowing smile touches her lips. The sound is familiar, comforting — proof that she isn’t alone tonight. She loosens the collar of her uniform slightly and walks quietly toward her room, her steps light against the floor, the gentle rush of water continuing in the background like a soft evening lullaby.