The morning light crept gently into the room, warming the air with its soft embrace, yet its brightness only seemed to accentuate the weight of the silence. Sera stirred, stretching sluggishly as the last remnants of sleep faded away. But even as her body woke, her mind felt heavy. The memory of Ryou's words from the previous night played on repeat: "I'll be back protecting you from the shadows."
She knew his intentions. He had explained it was for her safety, that the shadows were where he belonged. Yet the ache of his absence settled deep in her chest, a hollow space she couldn't quite ignore.
Dragging herself out of bed, Sera shuffled toward the window, her bare feet padding softly against the cool floor. As she reached to push aside the curtains, the sound of footsteps from below caught her attention.
Peering out cautiously, her heart skipped a beat. There was Ryou, his presence familiar yet distant, as if he were already part of the world she couldn't touch. But he wasn't alone.
A figure moved behind him—elegant, commanding, and effortlessly striking. The woman had short, jet-black hair and wore a sleek, tailored outfit that seemed more suited for an executive office than a morning stroll. Her posture exuded strength, every step deliberate. Sera's breath hitched as she watched the stranger pause briefly at the door before disappearing into the outside world, leaving only the faintest impression of her presence.
Confusion washed over Sera like a cold wave. Who is she? The question lingered in her mind, tangled with unease. Something about the woman felt... intimate, as though she belonged there, in Ryou's private sanctuary. But didn't Ryou say no one ever entered his private space? Her thoughts raced, each possibility only deepening her unease. Could she be someone special? Someone who holds a place in his heart?
Before she could untangle her thoughts, Ryou turned. His golden eyes met hers, their steady warmth a stark contrast to the storm brewing in her chest.
"I'm going back to the shadows," he said, his voice a low murmur that seemed to carry more than the words themselves. "But I'll still be protecting you. Always."
Sera nodded, offering a small, uncertain smile. But as Ryou disappeared through the door, her heart clenched. The unease remained, a quiet voice whispering questions she dared not ask aloud.
---
The day passed in a haze of unanswered thoughts, Sera's mind repeatedly drifting back to the mysterious woman. By the time she reached the restaurant for her shift, the comforting scent of stir-fried vegetables and sizzling rice barely registered.
"Ah, Sera!" Mrs. Zhang's voice called from behind the counter, jolting her from her thoughts. "Come meet our new delivery boy. Nathan! Come say hello!"
From the back kitchen emerged a tall, broad-shouldered figure, radiating a boyish charm that filled the room with an infectious energy. His sandy-blonde hair was a tousled mess, his grin wide and easy, and his eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint.
"Hey there!" he greeted, his voice warm and cheerful. "I'm Nathan, but everyone calls me Nate." He extended a hand with an almost exaggerated enthusiasm. "I'm the new delivery guy. Nice to meet you, Sera!"
Sera blinked, momentarily taken aback by his vibrant presence. His energy was a stark contrast to the quiet intensity she was used to. She accepted his handshake with a polite smile, her calm demeanor standing in sharp contrast to his bright exuberance.
As they exchanged introductions, Nathan couldn't help but notice her. There was something about Sera that drew his attention, something he couldn't quite place. She was small and delicate, but there was an undeniable strength in the way she carried herself. Her quiet confidence and composed aura seemed to create a stillness amidst the restaurant's chaos.
And then there were her eyes—deep and thoughtful, like a quiet storm brewing beneath their calm surface. He found himself stumbling over his words.
"You're really calm," he blurted out, his grin widening despite his nerves. "I mean, I've seen all kinds of people here, but you're... different. In a good way. It's like you've got your own little world or something. It's cool."
Sera blinked, caught off guard by the sudden compliment. A soft chuckle escaped her lips, and she smiled—genuinely this time. "Thanks, I guess?"
Their eyes locked for a brief moment, and Nathan froze. His cheeks flushed a deep pink, and he quickly looked away, stammering, "Uh—uh, sorry! I didn't mean to—uh, I just—"
Sera couldn't help but laugh softly, finding his awkwardness surprisingly charming. "It's okay," she reassured him, her voice calm and kind.
Later that afternoon, the restaurant bustled with its usual lunch rush. Nathan, ever the whirlwind of energy, moved quickly between tasks, but his enthusiasm got the better of him. In his haste, he bumped into a counter, sending a stack of plates crashing to the floor.
"Oh no!" Nathan exclaimed, crouching down to clean the mess. His hands fumbled as he tried to gather the shattered pieces, his flustered muttering only drawing more attention to the mishap.
Sera was at his side in an instant, her movements swift and composed. She knelt beside him, her gentle voice cutting through the tension. "It's okay, Nate. Just stay calm. Focus on one thing at a time."
Her words seemed to ground him. Nathan paused, taking a deep breath as she guided him through the cleanup. Her presence was steady, unshaken, and it felt like a lifeline in the midst of his self-made chaos.
Just as they finished gathering the pieces, Nathan reached for a stubborn shard and winced. "Ah, shoot!" he muttered, pulling his hand back. A small cut on his finger had begun to bleed.
Sera's eyes immediately caught the injury. Without hesitation, she grabbed the first aid kit from behind the counter and returned to his side. "Let me see," she said softly, holding out her hand.
Nathan hesitated for a moment, embarrassed, before offering her his hand. "It's nothing, really," he tried to downplay, though the sting in his voice betrayed him.
"It's not nothing," Sera replied, her tone gentle but firm. She took his hand carefully, inspecting the cut. "This might sting a little," she warned before dabbing it with an antiseptic wipe.
Nathan flinched, letting out a small hiss. "Ouch. That's sharp!"
Sera chuckled. "Big guy like you, afraid of a little sting?"
"I'm not afraid," Nathan shot back, his cheeks pink. "Just… wasn't ready for it."
She smiled as she applied a small bandage to the cut. "There. Good as new. Try not to hurt yourself again, okay?"
Nathan stared at the bandage for a moment, then at her, a quiet awe softening his usual energy. "Thanks, Sera. Really."
"Anytime," she said, standing up and offering him a reassuring smile before returning to her tasks.
The commotion lingered on him, and for the rest of the day, he couldn't stop thinking about her. There was a quiet grace to her actions, a steadiness that made the chaos around them seem insignificant. Nate couldn't help but stare after her. There was something almost ethereal about her presence. The name Seraphine suddenly took on a new meaning in his mind—she was like an angel, bringing calm to his clumsy, chaotic world.
And from that moment, Nathan couldn't help but feel a deep admiration for her, one that went beyond simple attraction. Nate found himself stealing glances at her whenever he could. Though he maintained his cheerful demeanor with everyone else, there was a new nervousness in his interactions with Sera, a quiet admiration that he couldn't quite put into words. She was more than just beautiful—she was someone who made the chaos of the world feel like a distant memory.