They were brushing their teeth when the knock came.
Three fast raps on the door.
Ren spat foam. "We expecting anyone?"
Noa wiped her mouth. "Unless it's a pizza we didn't order, I'm scared."
She opened the door—and instantly wished she hadn't.
There she was. The inspector.
Blazer. Clipboard. Judgy smile.
The woman who caught them fake-kissing on the couch six weeks ago.
"Hi again!" she chirped. "Final verification visit. Just making sure all roommate pairings are going smoothly before the program closes."
Ren mouthed: *She's back?!*
Noa mouthed back: *You're shirtless again?!*
---
They scrambled to look presentable.
Ren grabbed a hoodie (Noa's), and Noa smoothed her hair (Ren's shirt still on her body underneath).
The inspector entered and looked around. "Still cozy. Still... shared."
She eyed the singular toothbrush cup, the twin mugs of half-finished tea, and a single blanket tossed on the couch.
"So," she said brightly, "how's the *relationship*?"
Noa and Ren looked at each other.
Then at the inspector.
Then back to each other.
---
This time, they didn't lie.
Ren stood first. "We applied as a joke."
Noa nodded. "We didn't think we'd get picked."
"We barely knew each other."
"We argued over fridge space. She hated my playlist."
"He shrunk my favorite hoodie in the dryer."
"But somewhere between splitting rent and accidental lap-sitting…"
"…it stopped being fake."
The inspector raised an eyebrow. "So now you're... what?"
They looked at each other again.
Ren smiled. "Whatever comes after fake."
Noa added, "Somewhere between roommates and... maybe-soulmates?"
Pause.
Then the inspector smiled.
"Well, that's the first honest answer I've heard all month."
She scribbled something. "I'm approving your renewal. You two are clearly a functional disaster."
Noa laughed. "That's our brand."
---
When the door closed, they stood in silence.
Noa tilted her head. "So."
Ren scratched his neck. "So."
She walked closer. "Renewal?"
He nodded. "Unless you're tired of me."
She smirked. "You wear my hoodie like it's lingerie."
"You stole my boxers *again* yesterday."
"They're comfortable!"
"You moan when you stretch on the couch."
"You groan when I touch your shoulder."
They paused.
Then kissed.
Soft. Real.
---
Later that night, they lay tangled in one blanket, half-watching a movie and fully not watching it.
Ren yawned. "So what are we now?"
Noa shrugged. "Same idiots. Slightly more naked."
"Official couple?"
"Unofficially official."
"Roommates with tension?"
"Lovers with rent receipts."
He laughed. "You're ridiculous."
She smiled. "You love it."
Pause.
"I do," he said.
She looked at him.
"Me too."
---
Outside, the rain started again.
But inside Apartment 3B, everything was warm.
And messy.
And absurd.
And perfect.
Because somehow, against all logic, all law, and all laundry disasters...
Two people who weren't supposed to fall for each other—
Did exactly that.
Right on schedule.