The glow of his computer screen illuminated the dimly lit room, casting shadows on the walls of the small apartment. With a loud sigh, Rayn leaned back in his chair, his long, unruly hair falling over his face as he ran a hand through his beard. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, the faint sound of clicking keys filling the quiet air. He was in his 30s now, and the days of partying and wild nights had faded into something quieter—something that involved long gaming sessions, online chats, and manga. His three close friends, the ones he had known for years, were always a message away, and he was loyal to them. He wasn't interested in a large circle; he was content with what he had.
Rayn's voice was sweet but always loud, a trait that often surprised people when they first met him. His demeanor was calm, gentle, and kind, but he had a natural inclination to be submissive, to take a step back and let others take the lead. He liked it that way. It was easier to just go with the flow, to let others make the decisions, and for him, it worked. Life was simple, and he was comfortable in his solitude. He didn't mind being unemployed at the moment; he had time to relax, enjoy his hobbies, and keep in touch with his friends. The apartment, while small, was his sanctuary.
Tonight, however, something felt different. As he scrolled through his phone, looking for something new to watch or a game to play, a notification pinged from a new social app he had recently joined. It was a message from someone he hadn't met before—her name was Arzu.
"Hey, are you the guy who's always in VRChat?" The message was direct, and Rayn could almost hear her confident tone in the text.
Rayn smiled, typing a quick reply. "Yeah, that's me. You a fan of VRChat too?"
Arzu responded almost immediately. "I am! I've been trying to find interesting people to talk to. I'm not much for the games, but I like the social aspect of it."
Rayn chuckled, his fingers tapping the keys with ease. He wasn't shy—far from it—but he did prefer to listen more than speak. "Well, I'm always down for new conversations. What else do you like to do?"
The response came quickly, as if Arzu was eager to share. "I'm studying business right now. I want to run my own company one day. I'm really into writing, sketching, and reading books. I guess you could say I'm more of a dreamer, but I also like to be in control."
Rayn paused for a moment. He could sense the confidence in her words, a sharp contrast to his own laid-back nature. He found himself intrigued. "That's really cool. Business, huh? Sounds like you have big goals."
"I do," she replied. "I've always known I wanted to be my own boss. I don't like depending on anyone. I prefer to call the shots."
Rayn leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he read her message. She seemed... different. Strong-willed, determined, yet there was something about her that made him feel both intimidated and drawn to her at the same time. It was rare for him to meet someone who exuded such dominance. He was more used to people leaning on him, and yet, he felt an odd attraction to her cold, commanding nature.
"Sounds like you know exactly what you want," Rayn typed, his fingers hovering over the keys as he thought carefully. "I admire that. I'm more of the 'go with the flow' type."
Arzu's response was swift. "I can tell. You seem like the type who likes to let others take the lead. That's not a bad thing. Everyone has their own way of living."
Rayn smiled to himself. He liked that she wasn't judgmental about his personality. It was a rare quality, and it made him feel at ease. "Yeah, I guess I do. But I don't mind it. I'm happy just being myself."
The conversation flowed naturally after that, with both of them sharing more about their lives, their interests, and their dreams. Rayn couldn't help but notice how Arzu's ambition shone through in everything she said. Her words were carefully chosen, her sentences firm and direct. She wasn't the type to waste time, and Rayn found himself fascinated by her drive.
As the night wore on, they continued to chat, the hours slipping away unnoticed. Rayn found himself laughing at her dry humor, admiring the way she spoke about her future, and even feeling a little nervous about her sharp, yet captivating, personality. He could tell she wasn't someone who easily let her guard down, but there was something about him that made her open up, even if just a little.
When they finally said their goodbyes for the night, Rayn felt a strange sense of longing. He had enjoyed their conversation more than he expected. Arzu was unlike anyone he had met before—strong, intelligent, and a little intimidating. Yet, at the same time, he felt a pull toward her, an attraction he couldn't quite explain.
The next day, Rayn found himself thinking about her more than he should have. He had never been one to chase after anyone, but there was something about Arzu that made him want to know more. She was everything he wasn't—cold, confident, and dominant—but somehow, they seemed to balance each other out.
Arzu, on the other hand, couldn't deny the strange pull she felt toward Rayn. He was different from the people she usually surrounded herself with. His sweetness, his willingness to listen, and his openness were refreshing. She found herself intrigued by his laid-back nature and the way he didn't try to impress anyone. In a world where everyone seemed to be constantly striving for something, Rayn was content just being himself. And that, in itself, was something she found... appealing.
As the days passed, they continued to talk, and slowly, something began to shift between them. Neither of them could quite put their finger on it, but they both knew that what had started as a simple conversation had the potential to grow into something more.
And for the first time in a long while, Rayn found himself looking forward to the next time they would talk.