The morning light streamed through the window, painting the room in soft gold. Min stirred awake slowly, his mind replaying the warmth of Kei's touch from the night before. For a fleeting moment, he wanted to stay wrapped in that memory forever.
But when he stepped into the shop, Kei was already busy arranging shelves, his expression calm, almost too calm. The envelope from last night was nowhere in sight.
Before Min could ask, Airi swooped in, linking her arm with his. "You," she said firmly, "are coming with me."
Min blinked. "Eh? Where?"
"Out," Airi declared, already pulling him toward the door. "You've been cooped up with gloomy Kei too long. Some fresh air will do you good."
Kei glanced up briefly, his eyes meeting Min's. There was no protest—just a quiet nod, as though silently agreeing that Min deserved the break.
The marketplace was lively, a stark contrast to the shop's quiet. Merchants called out their wares, children darted between stalls, and the smell of warm bread wafted through the air. Airi wasted no time dragging Min from stall to stall, chattering about everything from trinkets to sweets.
"You've been frowning too much lately," she said suddenly, stopping in front of a flower vendor. She plucked a small white blossom and tucked it into Min's hair with a grin. "Better."
Min laughed softly, the tension in his chest easing. "Do I really look that gloomy?"
"Not gloomy," Airi said thoughtfully, tilting her head. "More like… distracted. As if you're carrying someone else's weight."
Min's smile faltered. Airi noticed immediately, her playful expression softening.
"It's Kei, isn't it?" she asked gently. "I don't need to know the details. But… if he's dragging you into something dangerous, you have to tell me. Promise?"
Min hesitated. He wanted to reassure her, to say everything was fine. But he couldn't lie—not when her gaze was so steady, so full of concern.
"I promise," he said quietly.
Airi smiled, though there was a flicker of worry in her eyes. "Good. Because you're important too, Min. Don't forget that."
They spent the rest of the morning wandering through stalls, the laughter and bustle of the market wrapping around them like a shield from the shadows waiting back at the shop.
To be continued....