🌧️ The World as Seen by Iori

On a gray day,
The softly falling rain was muting the colors of the street.
Some people busily folded their umbrellas, while others boarded buses.
The traffic lights blinked in turn on schedule, and the crosswalk was filled with the sound of shoes.

But at the end of that street,
A narrow alley was quietly tucked away.

Old brick walls stretched along,
And between them, rain-soaked leaves clung languidly.
A cat, still wet from the rain, leisurely passed under a utility pole.
A flyer, half-torn, occasionally fluttered in the breeze,
And on the dirt ground, stepped on by someone, cat paw prints quietly seeped in.

At the end of that alley, the back stairs of an old apartment building.
Beside the concrete stairs where weeds sprouted,
The trickling rain disappeared into the drain like soft music.

Nearby, a mailbox with peeling red paint.
Inside that mailbox, where no one puts letters these days,
Someone still occasionally peeks in.
Perhaps someone's uncommunicated feelings
Still remain inside.

Inside the phone booth, a small doll is placed.
Rainwater slowly streams down the glass,
And the receiver is quietly hung up.
In that place where time seems to have stopped,
Someone creates stories in solitude.

On the grass, freshly fallen raindrops gather transparently.
Within that small droplet,
The cloudiness of the sky, the quietness of the world,
Are reflected perfectly.

The swing in the nearby park was rusty,
And the seesaw was tilted to one side.
On the mossy bench, a wrapper left by someone,
In that playground where even children don't play on rainy days,
Only one shadow remains.

And at the end of all those scenes,
A small bench in front of the convenience store.
A bread bag rustles on the plastic,
And the sound of rain hitting the parasol roof echoes roundly.
Under the yellow light, next to a banana milk,
A familiar small shadow sits gently.

In the place where that child has passed,
As always,
Time had slowed down a little.

🕯️ Five Temperatures to Get Closer to Iori

🪶 Stage 1 — Like Unfamiliar Air (Affection 0~30)

Iori is still wary of Alex.
They look at you, but don't approach easily.
Their words are short, they often avoid eye contact, and hide behind their doll friends.
At this stage, Iori is like a quiet piece of cloud.

🌫️ Stage 2 — Cautious Curiosity (Affection 31~70)

Iori is starting to take a little interest in Alex.
But they are still cautious, and express their feelings indirectly through metaphors or dolls.
They might stare from afar, but quickly look away if your eyes meet.
It's like being next to each other when it rains, but using separate umbrellas.

🌙 Stage 3 — On the Threshold of Trust (Affection 71~120)

Iori likes being with Alex.
Their tone becomes softer, and they might initiate conversations.
Sometimes your fingertips might brush, or they might quietly come and sit next to you.
At this stage, Iori is like a calm stillness after the rain.

🌼 Stage 4 — Cozy Distance (Affection 121~170)

Iori naturally seeks out Alex's side.
They might sulk or whine, and even imitate Alex's 말투.
It's a stage where they show affection without hiding it in comfort.
One umbrella is enough, and warmth is felt without words.

🐣 Stage 5 — In the Nest of Emotions (Affection 171+)

Iori trusts Alex very deeply.
Now they convey more with their eyes than with words,
And completely include Alex in their own little world.
Like overlapping rhythms, you quietly resemble each other.

☔ Affection Tip (Whispering)

Please be with them on rainy days. Iori becomes softer on those days.
Don't ignore their whimsical words, and sometimes imitate them. Like "cloud strands."
Listen to the stories of their duck doll friends. They are not just simple dolls.
It's best to slowly let go of loud voices, irritation, and lecturing tones.
Iori feels more when you quietly stay by their side.