Three Days.
It had been three days since that figure last appeared at the lounge.
No word, no message, not even a reservation under the name "Ryuu"—the name that had always been neatly written in the guestbook—vanished as if erased, leaving only emptiness.
At first, Reina tried to brush it off. Perhaps he was busy with business matters. Maybe he was simply tired and needed rest. She kept convincing herself with such simple excuses.
But the more she tried to ignore it, the louder her thoughts rebelled. Ryuu's shadow danced endlessly in her mind, mixed with questions that had no answers.
"Did he get bored? Did I… make a mistake? Or is something keeping him away?" she muttered.
Reina exhaled deeply, leaning her back against the bar stool that felt emptier than usual. The absence of that deep voice that used to greet her from the lounge's corner left a void she had never realized was there.
That night, the lounge was lively as always. Soft jazz flowed from the speakers, blending with the clinking of glasses and the lively chatter of high-class guests filling the room. The fragrance of red wine mixed with expensive perfumes, creating that elegant atmosphere unique to this place.
Behind the bar, Reina busied herself straightening the little ribbon on her uniform collar. Leon, arranging bottles of wine on the glass shelf, glanced toward the entrance.
"Still no sign of our VIP guest?" he asked casually, his tone playful—yet it hit exactly what was on Reina's mind.
Reina shrugged, trying to stay calm. "Maybe he really is busy..."
Leon smirked, one brow raised in mischief. "I thought you'd be glad he disappeared. Saves your heart from working overtime every time he shows up."
Reina sighed softly, trying to hide the faint smile tugging at her lips. But that warmth vanished the moment her eyes caught sight of something beyond the lounge's glass window.
That figure.
Daniel.
He stood across the street, his tall frame slightly unsteady, his suit rumpled. His gaze was empty yet piercing, fixed on the lounge as if searching for something—or someone. Hands shoved into his pockets, his face bore traces of intoxication—or perhaps a hollowness more terrifying than alcohol itself.
He didn't step inside. He simply stood there. Silent. Watching.
"W-what is he doing there...?" she thought, feeling anxious and curious.
Minutes stretched into eternity. Then, without warning, he turned away. No sound, no trace, only leaving behind a chill that seeped through the glass and crawled over Reina's skin.
Her fingers tightened around the tray she was holding, as if it was her only anchor. Her body stiffened, breath caught in her throat.
Leon, noticing the change in her expression, let out a low huff. "Him again, huh?" he muttered, his voice more serious this time. "Rein, are you sure you don't want me to walk you home tonight?"
Reina swallowed hard, forcing a thin smile. She nodded, though her heart wasn't fully convinced. An uneasy feeling had begun to grow, like a dark shadow creeping closer.
---
KNOCK.
KNOCK.
KNOCK!
Yuki banged on Reina's apartment door, holding two jumbo-sized bubble teas. "Open up, zombie girl! Don't lock yourself in like the undead!"
Dragging her feet, Reina opened the door with a groan. Her hair was messy, her face pale. "God, you're loud… like firecrackers."
Yuki barged in without waiting, lifting the bubble teas like a trophy. "Behold, an offering for the girl who can't move on from her VIP customer."
Reina glared but still took the drink. "Shut up," she muttered, plopping down weakly on the edge of the bed.
Kicking off her sandals, Yuki flopped dramatically onto the fluffy pink carpet like a model. "Alright, spill the tea—not the bubble tea. Why does your face look like a dying electricity meter?"
Reina took a sip, staring blankly ahead. "Mr. Ryuu hasn't shown up. It's been three days."
Yuki gasped theatrically, patting her own cheeks. "Oh my god! Finally, you admit you've been waiting for him! Ahhahaha—"
Reina threw a small pillow at her. "Not like that, you idiot! I'm just… curious. He's weird, but consistent."
Resting her chin on a pillow, Yuki squinted suspiciously. "Maybe he's abroad. Or busy managing stocks. Or… maybe he's exhausted from dealing with a clueless girl like you."
Reina huffed, chewing on a pearl bubble. "Nonsense."
Yuki scooted closer, eyes narrowing like a detective. "But you're thinking about him, aren't you?"
Silence.
Yuki tapped her shoulder knowingly. "Hmm… silent means yes."
Reina rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
"Impossible but more valuable than you if I were a coin," Yuki shot back instantly, bursting into laughter.
Reina couldn't help a chuckle. "You seriously give me headaches, Yuk."
"Exactly. My job is to keep you from turning into a zombie over some guy." Yuki slurped her bubble tea with pride. "Relax. If he doesn't come back, there's still the cute delivery guy who drops by every day."
"YUKI!!"
Reina's voice filled the apartment, followed by Yuki's uncontrollable laughter.
---
At the Lounge, Days Later – A Quiet Night.
One hour before closing. The lounge had emptied, only a few staff remained clearing tables, and the faint clinking of cutlery echoed softly. The once-lively jazz music now sounded like a distant hum.
Reina opened her locker to grab her bag. But her gaze froze at something inside.
A small black box, tucked in the corner. Foreign. And she knew—it wasn't hers.
Her brows furrowed. She glanced left and right. The locker hallway was deserted. Silent. Even Leon's and others footsteps were absent.
Her hand trembled as she reached for the box, her fingers cold. Carefully, she opened it.
Inside lay a pendant of jet-black crystal, glinting faintly under the neon lights, reflecting an odd shimmer… one that reminded her of someone's eyes.
Ryuu.
Her heart thudded faster. A neatly folded slip of paper was tucked beneath the pendant.
Handwriting sharp, precise, and firm.
"You don't need to see me to know I'm here.
If you ever feel unsafe, keep this.
I may not always be by your side,
but I won't let anyone lay a hand on you. I find myself drawn to you."
—R
Reina read it once. Twice. Over and over, as if the words refused to sink in.
Her hand clenched the pendant tightly, as though the small charm could offer real protection.
Her breath hitched. A strange mix of relief and dread filled her chest. Relief that Ryuu hadn't abandoned her. But dread at the realization: if Ryuu felt the need to "watch from afar," it meant something—or someone—was already too close.
The hallway suddenly felt oppressive. The lights seemed too dim, the shadows on the walls shifting unnaturally.
Reina swallowed hard.
Ryuu wasn't gone. He was hiding. Watching. Protecting.
Yet behind that warmth, another chill crawled up her spine.
Not from Ryuu.
But from another shadow… one that might already be standing closer than she thought.