Back inside the shop, Min sat on the stool by the counter, his hands clasped tightly together. His heart had begun to settle, but the memory of the man's words lingered stubbornly.
Kei placed a cup of warm tea in front of him. "Drink," he said gently.
Min looked up, startled by the softness in Kei's tone. "...Thank you." He wrapped his hands around the cup, letting the heat seep into his skin.
Kei leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "What did he say before I came out?"
Min hesitated. The man's voice replayed in his mind—*I came for you.* His throat tightened. "…He just… said I was interesting."
Kei's jaw clenched, but he stayed quiet for a moment. Finally, he said, "Don't let his words get to you. He's trying to unsettle you."
Min lowered his gaze. "It worked."
There was a pause before Kei moved closer. He crouched slightly so that he was at Min's eye level, his dark gaze steady. "Then let me remind you of something. He doesn't get to decide who you are, Min. He doesn't know you."
Min blinked, caught off guard by the quiet intensity in Kei's voice. "And you do?"
Kei's lips curved faintly, almost a smile. "I know enough."
The words hung in the air, filling the small shop with a warmth that contrasted the earlier chill. Min felt his cheeks grow warm, and he quickly sipped his tea to hide it.
Still, the knot in his chest loosened just a little. Kei's presence had a way of steadying him, of making the shadows seem less overwhelming.
Airi entered then, balancing a stack of books in her arms. "What's with the gloomy faces?" she asked lightly. "Did I miss something?"
Min shook his head quickly. "No, nothing."
Kei glanced at her, then at Min, and said nothing more.
But later, when Airi was busy in the back room, Kei leaned close enough for Min to hear. "He'll come back. But when he does—I'll be ready."
The promise was quiet, but in that moment, Min believed him completely.
To be continued....