The night deepened, and the shop slowly quieted into calm. Kei and Min lingered by the counter, the faint glow of a single lantern painting their shadows against the wooden floor. Neither spoke for a while; sometimes silence between them felt like its own kind of conversation.
But Min's thoughts wouldn't rest. His mind circled back to the hooded stranger, to the trembling hand that left behind the folded paper. Curiosity itched at him like an unhealed wound.
Finally, he blurted, "You trust me, right?"
Kei's gaze shifted to him instantly. "Of course I do."
"Then let me share the weight," Min insisted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Even if I can't fix it… I don't want to be left behind."
Kei's lips parted as if to argue, but before he could, a knock echoed softly at the shop's front door.
Min jumped.
Kei's expression hardened. He moved silently, placing a hand on Min's shoulder to keep him behind. The knock came again—gentle, deliberate, not the frantic kind of someone in danger.
Airi's voice called faintly from upstairs, "Did someone forget something?"
Kei opened the door halfway. On the step stood a young boy, no older than fifteen, clutching a small basket. His clothes were patched, his shoes muddy, but his eyes were clear and steady.
"Excuse me," the boy said politely, "I was told to deliver this here." He held out the basket. Inside were bundles of herbs and a small sealed envelope.
Kei accepted it with calm precision. "Who sent you?"
The boy shook his head. "I don't know. A lady gave me a coin and asked me to bring it to this shop."
"Did she say anything else?" Kei pressed.
The boy hesitated, then nodded once. "Only… that the person inside would understand."
Min's stomach flipped.
Kei thanked the boy, slipping a coin into his hand before closing the door. He set the basket on the counter, staring at the envelope without opening it.
Min glanced between him and the sealed letter. His heart raced. "Kei…"
"Later," Kei murmured, just as before. But this time, Min saw the tiniest flicker of worry in his eyes.
The night was far from over.
To be continued...