Episode 16 – Secrets of the Heart
The air in Ryo's house was heavy with silence after the tense confrontation.
To break it, Ron leaned forward with his usual mischievous grin.
"Alright, guys… let's play a game. The loser has to confess who they like!"
Hina clapped her hands, laughing. "Sounds fun! Let's do it!"
Ryo narrowed his eyes, his voice sharp yet weary.
"…You're trying to trap me, aren't you?"
Ron winked shamelessly.
"Exactly."
Ryo sighed and turned his face away. But a faint tint of red touched his ears, betraying him.
---
The game began. Cards slapped onto the table, laughter echoing through the room.
The first to lose—Eris.
Everyone leaned closer, waiting.
Her cheeks flushed pink as she lowered her gaze.
"There's… someone I love," she whispered.
The room fell still. Even Ryo's usual calm cracked. His chest tightened, his eyes dropping to the floor. He forced his face into blankness, though the ache inside him lingered.
---
The next round shifted the tension even further.
This time… Ryo lost.
Ron shot up in excitement.
"Yes! Come on, Ryo, your turn! Say it!"
The others leaned closer, curious.
Ryo sat frozen. Seconds ticked by, silence pressing on him. Finally, he opened his mouth—
"…."
Nothing.
He closed it again, retreating behind his wall of silence.
The group burst into laughter, calling it a cheap escape. But deep down, Eris's eyes lingered on him longer than the rest.
---
Later, Eris stood, brushing her skirt nervously.
"Excuse me, I'll go to the bathroom."
But her steps led her to the wrong door. She opened it—Ryo's room.
Inside, her eyes widened.
Photos scattered neatly in an envelope on the desk. Photos of her, as a child, as a teenager, and one photo circled with a hand-drawn heart.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"…These are—"
---
The door slid open.
Ryo stood frozen, dishes still in his hands. His eyes locked on the photos in hers.
"Ryo…" she whispered, trembling. "Why do you have these?"
For a moment, he looked away, his usual armor rising. But then, his voice cracked, faint yet heavy with years of restraint.
"…Because I love you. I have… for a very long time."
Her eyes brimmed with tears. With a shaky smile, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
Ryo's body went stiff at first. Then slowly—hesitantly—his eyes closed, and his arms returned the embrace.
---
Downstairs, Ron, Hina, and Ouino sat wide-eyed, having heard everything from the hallway.
Ron's grin spread ear to ear.
"Finally… he said it."
---
When Ryo and Eris came back down, she clung softly to his arm. His face was flushed, but for the first time, warmth replaced his usual coldness.
The others exchanged knowing smiles.
The scene lingered on Eris's hand, holding Ryo's tightly as though she'd never let go.
---
End of Episode 16
Tarjuma
الحلقة 16: "أسرار القلوب"
المشهد 1 – (غرفة المعيشة)
بعد التوتر، الكل يجلس عند التلفاز.
رون بابتسامة مشاغبة: "خلينا نلعب لعبة… الخاسر لازم يعترف بحبه!"
هينا تضحك: "تمام! يلا نبدأ."
ريو ينظر لهم ببرود: "… أنتم تحاولون توريطي، صح؟"
رون يغمز: "بالضبط."
ريو يشيح بنظره لكن ملامحه فيها خجل خفي.
---
المشهد 2 – (اللعبة تبدأ)
الجميع يلعب (مثلاً لعبة ورق/حظ).
أول من تخسر: إيغرس.
الجميع ينظر لها بترقب.
إيغرس تتورد وجنتاها: "هناك… شخص أحبه."
الكل يفتح عيونه بدهشة.
ريو ينظر للأرض، قلبه يوجعه قليلًا لكنه يخفيه.
---
المشهد 3 – (خسارة ريو)
الجولة التالية يخسر فيها ريو.
الجو يصير متوتر.
رون بحماس: "يلا يا ريو، اعترف!"
ريو يسكت لثواني طويلة، ثم يهمس: "…" (لكن ما يكمل).
الجميع يضحك ويعتبره تهرّب.
---
المشهد 4 – (اللحظة الفاصلة)
إيغرس تقوم: "لحظة… بروح للحمام."
لكنها بالخطأ تدخل غرفة ريو.
تتفاجأ بالصور: صور لها وهي صغيرة، وأخرى كبيرة، وصورة عليها قلب مرسوم.
وجهها يتجمد.
---
المشهد 5 – (الاعتراف)
ريو يدخل فجأة، يتفاجأ بها تمسك الصور.
إيغرس ترفع عينيها نحوه: "ريو… هذه الصور… ليش؟"
ريو يتردد، يحاول يشيح بوجهه… ثم يتمتم:
ريو: "… لأنني أحبك، منذ زمن طويل."
عيون إيغرس تدمع، تبتسم بخجل وتندفع لتحضنه.
ريو يتجمد للحظة، ثم يغمض عينيه ويرد العناق بهدوء.
---
المشهد 6 – (المفاجأة)
في الأسفل، رون وهينا وأوينو يسمعون كل شيء.
الكل يفتح عيونه بدهشة، الجو مليان صدمة × فرحة.
رون يهمس: "أخيرًا… قالها."
---
المشهد 7 – (النهاية)
ريو ينزل مع إيغرس، وهي ما زالت ممسكة بذراعه.
وجهه خجلان، لكن لأول مرة ملامحه فيها دفء حقيقي.
الجميع ينظر لهم بابتسامة كبيرة.
الحلقة تنتهي بلقطة قريبة ليد إيغرس الممسكة بيد ريو بقوة.