The summer festival was in full swing, the streets alive with colorful lights and the sweet scent of fried food filling the air. The energy was infectious, and Sera felt a small smile tug at her lips as she walked alongside Nathan, who had, after some shy hesitation, finally asked her to go with him after work.
"Uh, Sera," Nathan began, his voice a little nervous as they walked through the crowded streets. "I was wondering… maybe, if you're not too busy… would you like to, um, go to the summer festival with me?"
Sera blinked, caught off guard by his sudden shyness. He was usually so confident and full of energy. "I—yeah, sure," she said, smiling gently. "I'd like that."
Nathan's eyes lit up at her response, and his usual carefree demeanor returned as he practically bounced ahead of her. "Awesome! There's this stall with the best grilled skewers. You'll love it!"
Sera chuckled at his enthusiasm, letting herself relax into the evening, enjoying the atmosphere. The vibrant lights overhead, the laughter of the festival-goers, the soft melodies of street musicians—it was a welcome distraction from the unease she'd been feeling.
As they wandered through the stalls, Nathan kept up a steady stream of conversation, cracking jokes and making Sera laugh. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had so much fun, feeling a lightness in her chest that she hadn't realized she'd been missing.
But even in the middle of the festival, there was a part of her that couldn't quite shake the feeling that something was off. It was the quiet sensation of being watched—her instincts prickling at the back of her mind.
Ryou, hidden in the shadows of a nearby alley, watched them from a distance. His golden eyes followed every movement, every exchange between Nathan and Sera. The jealousy simmering in his chest was a quiet storm, and he fought to suppress it. Nathan was harmless, after all. He was just a nice, normal guy, and probably a better match for Sera than someone like him.
She deserves a good, normal life, Ryou reminded himself, pressing down the ache in his chest. He can give her that. He's a good guy.
Yet, no matter how many times he tried to convince himself, the ache didn't go away. His fingers tightened, the shadows around him deepening as he stayed out of sight, watching over her.
---
As they wandered through the festival, Nathan's eyes narrowed as he spotted two men tailing them. They were keeping their distance, but their eyes never left Sera. Nathan's protective instincts kicked in, and he subtly grabbed Sera's arm, gently pulling her to the side. His pulse quickened as he noted the way they were moving—slow, deliberate, and focused on Sera.
"Stay close," Nathan murmured under his breath, his hand gently guiding Sera away from the busy stalls. "I think we're being followed."
Sera's heart skipped a beat, but she nodded, instinctively stepping closer to him. "What do you mean?"
"There's two guys. They've been tailing us for a while now." Nathan kept walking, but his gaze remained sharp, watching the men as they subtly adjusted their path. "I'm gonna lead us out of here."
They ducked into a narrow alleyway, away from the crowds. Nathan kept his pace steady, but there was a quiet urgency to his movements now, his hand still resting lightly on Sera's arm as he steered her through the winding streets.
Behind them, Ryou, watching from the shadows, narrowed his eyes as he saw the two men draw closer. They were getting too close for comfort. Without a second thought, he moved swiftly, stepping silently between the men and Sera.
His movements were fluid, precise, and before they knew what was happening, the men were knocked out and dragged into the dark corners of the alley. The air shifted, and the danger that had been stalking them vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
---
Nathan felt the danger pass, his breath coming in short, relieved gasps. He turned to Sera, his face flushed with adrenaline. "We're clear," he said, still breathing heavily. "But I'm still not sure what those guys were after."
Sera nodded, her heart still racing. "Thank you," she said quietly, looking up at him with gratitude. "I—"
Nathan interrupted her, his voice steady but urgent. "I'm taking you home," he said firmly. "You shouldn't walk alone tonight. Especially not after that."
Sera hesitated. She wasn't sure why, but the idea of Nathan walking her home felt... different tonight. He was a good guy, and she trusted him. But something about the way he looked at her—his protectiveness, the way he'd stepped in to keep her safe—tugged at her heart. She nodded, her voice soft. "Okay."
As they reached the entrance to Sera's building, Nathan slowed his pace, looking up at the sleek, modern façade. His eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Wait, you live here?"
Sera glanced at him, her heart giving a small jolt. "It's only temporary," she said quickly. "Someone lent it to me while I find a place to settle."
Nathan didn't hide his surprise. "This building is... incredible."
Sera shifted uncomfortably, her gaze flicking to the entrance. "I didn't expect it either. But it's only for a little while."
Nathan frowned, his protective instincts flaring up again. "That's... You sure this place is safe? After what happened tonight, I'm starting to think maybe you're caught up in something bigger than you know. Those guys—" He paused, his expression darkening. "Maybe the owner's not as innocent as it seems."
Sera frowned, unsure on how to respond. She knew Ryou was involved in something dangerous, but she also knew that she shouldn't share that with Nathan. She shouldn't tell anyone about Ryou's existence at all.
Nathan's expression softened looking at her conflicted reaction. "Look, I just want you to be safe. You can always count on me for that."
---
The next day, after her shift, Nathan found Sera again, pulling her aside for a quiet conversation. "I found an apartment just below mine," he said, his usual cheerful demeanor now replaced with something more serious. "It's empty, and the rent isn't too high. I think it'd be a good fit for you. Want to check it out?"
Sera hesitated, unsure. "Are you sure? I mean, that's very kind of you."
Nathan smiled, unknown to Sera, there's no cheap apartment around this area, he pulled some strings to make it cheaper for her. "It's no problem. I just want you to be safe, Sera."
Sera studied him for a moment, a strange warmth filling her chest. She was drawn to his kindness, to the way he wanted to take care of her. "Okay," she said finally, her voice quiet but firm. "I'll check it out."
Later that night, after checking out the vacant apartment with Nathan, Sera felt a strange mix of relief and unease. She had agreed to move into Nathan's suggested apartment, partly because it felt like a better fit, but also because she always felt she was so out of place in this luxurious mansion.
Although she was still a little scared after last night's encounter, she knew Ryou had always been there, watching over her, keeping her safe. She just didn't want to complicate things for him. She was scared of accidentally revealing something she shouldn't or making a mistake that could drag him further into danger.
"Ryou," she called softly, sitting on the couch in the living room, her gaze fixed on the city's night view through the glass wall. She knew he was nearby—unseen, but always close.
Ryou stood just outside the mansion's front door. His golden eyes, hazy with thoughts, flickered when she called his name.
"Ryou, can I talk to you for a bit?" she asked softly. Part of her just wanted to see his face again, to feel his presence with her own senses, even if just for a little while.
Ryou hesitated for a moment, knowing exactly what she wanted to talk about. He had already heard the conversation with Nathan.
His hand rested against the cold door. The thought of her moving away, especially to a place near Nathan—a boy who clearly had a crush on her—twisted like a knife in his chest. He knew it was the right choice for her, that she would be safer, but it didn't make the pain any easier to bear. His heart ached too much.
She deserves better, he told himself, opening the door.