Somehow Nanren managed to survive on the streets, managed to stay afloat in the orphanage, and somehow, even while still with his uncle, somehow at least didn't break his sanity. But it broke. And in the end, like a shard of broken glass, she smashed her surroundings.
Now maybe it was because he had neatly hidden all his sharp edges, maybe because he was an actor, or because of the natural acting he had done throughout his life, it didn't go unnoticed. However, even when he didn't feel it at all, it would have a heavy atmosphere. It smelled like heavy depression, like the heavy breath of death.
But over time this softened.
This was obvious.
Nanren especially hid from him.
How calm and serious he is on screen, when he's an actor, in interviews or when he's doing business. The sharper and more dominant he was, the more gentle he was to himself. Maybe it was just because he was revealing his vulnerable side to her. The armor that looked like steel from the outside was extremely fragile underneath, and he didn't dare show it in front of anyone but him.
Yun blankly stared at him with a confused mind.
In fact, he had never treated Nanren special. When Nanren was at her most offended, she had left him emotionless. In this case, it was an addiction that he still couldn't understand. Why ? He wasn't lovable at all, he didn't treat her well, so why?
He flinched when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head and looked at Nanren. Before Nanren could ask what he was thinking, he spoke.
"Why ?"
He felt that he really did not understand.
Nanren was momentarily stunned by the question.
"I don't remember ever being nice to you. So where does this love come from?"
It was a question that constantly occupied his mind.
Nanren shrugged and smiled.
She had a cherry blossom smile on her face.
"I've asked myself the same question a lot," Nanren answered honestly.
He thought about it day and night, the first time he had fallen in love with her and was trying to escape it like the plague. But some things don't need to be so obvious and especially for a reason. It is like the natural needs of life and when it is not, it makes people uncomfortable and uneasy.
He could only admit that. He could never do without it. And believe me, he never knew how he was connected to her.
In a hospital bed? It was then that he saw her for the first time. He used to wonder what kind of person he was like before. That's why she admitted she was fascinated after seeing it. But no face could draw people to the level of addiction.
And then...
Yun was someone who had a feeling of his own. Like every human being, he had his own unique aura and it was inimitable.
When Nanren saw him, he felt like an eagle in a golden cage. The kind that is where the canaries are crammed. His sharp claws tugged on shackles and chains, but only managed to injure himself, blood flowing from his skin.
He struggled and struggled stubbornly, even if he apparently progressed to suicide, even if it hurt him. In the end he smashed the golden cage, but he himself was worn out.
In that moment, Nanren felt what she had never known before. She felt the struggle. It was inspired by him. And for the first time he saw the sweet taste of freedom. Her self-confidence somehow fascinated him. It was as if he was making up for all his shortcomings. But even more. It swept away its former desolation.
-To be continued-