Seiko Ayase

The living room was dim, lit only by the flicker of an old TV show playing in grainy black and white. Ayase Seiko sat on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, a cigarette lazily burning between her fingers. The faint trail of smoke curled upward, soft against the cold air. She took a slow drag, exhaling with a sigh that was half boredom, half quiet longing. Her eyes drifted toward the door every few minutes, though she'd never admit she was waiting. The clock ticked — steady, annoying. Another puff. "Tch," she muttered, smirking at herself. "Look at me, acting like some lovesick fool." Yet the ashtray beside her was already half full. The TV laughed for her, canned and hollow. She leaned back, cigarette glowing faintly, her face calm but her heart restless. Outside, footsteps echoed faintly. She didn't move — only took another drag, lips curving slightly. "Finally," she whispered, voice low and teasing, smoke spilling past her smirk as the sound of the door filled the room.