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This light novel is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Bolivia and South Korea. However, the characters, events, and situations portrayed are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This content does not intend to represent or reflect the historical, social, or cultural reality of either country. The author disclaims any legal liability arising from the interpretation of these elements.
Chapter 14 - The Training
The morning breeze gently crossed the tropical vegetation.
The singing of parrots and small birds, typical of the Bolivian lowlands,
began to fill the air among the cabins of the five-star hotel where they were staying.
Zayra sat on the edge of her bed, holding her locket between her fingers.
She was looking out the open window, but she was really talking to someone else.
With Ñande Yara.
With her back to the entrance, her voice was soft, barely a whisper.
"Help me not to talk too much today… to not mess up, please.
Sometimes I say things I shouldn't, but I don't want to hurt anyone."
Right at that moment, Ryu walked past the adjacent cabin.
He caught a glimpse of her sitting alone, talking to someone who wasn't there.
He stopped for just a second and thought.
"Is she praying?"
His brow furrowed slightly and, without realizing it, he bit his lower lip.
It didn't seem strange, just curious.
He didn't fully understand the context, but it didn't seem odd to him... just curious.
He didn't want to interrupt, so he kept walking.
As he passed the central garden, two local Camba women were chatting lively.
They were sitting on low benches, having breakfast with "Sonso" and hot tea.
One was talking with her hand on her chest, the other with an eyebrow raised:
"But girl, you're the one who messed up! Why should he apologize?"
"I don't care! He should apologize anyway. And a proper one!"
"Oh, woman, of course you're a Camba!" the other one replied with a laugh, shaking her head.
Ryu couldn't help but overhear.
Although he didn't understand all the expressions, he perfectly caught the tone.
A slight smile appeared on his lips as he imperceptibly arched an eyebrow.
He gently touched the back of his neck, almost without noticing.
"So there are all kinds of women in this place..."
He entered the gym.
The space was large, clean, and well-equipped.
The air smelled of wood and disinfectant. It was almost empty that morning.
***
Only one person was already training with a steady rhythm.
Zayra.
She was wearing a sleeveless sports shirt and tight pants.
Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail.
She was in front of the mirror, with her headphones on,
focused on a series of squats with a barbell and plates on the sides.
Ryu stood motionless.
Not because of the striking posture.
Which it was, although he wouldn't admit it so easily, but because of the whole scene.
He inhaled softly, trying to control his breathing.
His tense shoulders relaxed slightly, and, without realizing it,
his fingers tightened for a few seconds before he adjusted the collar of his shirt.
***
Zayra's naturalness, strength, and discipline impressed him,
although he wouldn't admit it out loud.
The naturalness, strength, and discipline.
Her movements were firm and controlled.
Her silhouette, although slender, showed definition.
There was no makeup or posing. Just her and her body training.
He felt his throat go dry.
He kicked a misplaced dumbbell on the floor.
It rolled a bit with a dull thud. Zayra didn't notice.
She was still in her own world.
***
Ryu sighed with relief, exhaling slowly through his nose.
His shoulders dropped slightly.
"Good. She didn't see me."
She moved on to deadlifts. Another equally striking position.
He blushed slightly and touched the back of his neck with an almost imperceptible gesture,
as if trying to distract himself while checking his reflection.
He glanced at his reflection and, as if nothing, adjusted the sleeve of his shirt.
His hands closed into a fist slightly, and he murmured in a low voice.
"I don't need any more distractions."
He got on a treadmill, put on his own headphones, and tried to concentrate.
Although he couldn't stop thinking.
"Why do I feel like I'm seeing her for the first time?"
***
They trained in silence. They didn't exchange glances.
Zayra was completely focused, not even knowing he had entered.
For her, that was her moment.
And she enjoyed it with the intensity that only comes from enjoying something of your own.
They finished almost at the same time.
Ryu went to the water dispenser.
Zayra, as she turned to get water too, noticed him for the first time.
They stood in silence for a moment.
He blinked quickly and held his breath for a second, straightening his shoulders slightly.
He observed her, evaluating without losing his usual composure.
***
She looked at him and felt a pang in her chest.
"What if Camila was right?"
"What if he did apologize and I didn't hear him because I was too angry?"
She sighed internally.
"Well, no choice, I'll have to ask."
She approached him with her natural, direct tone.
"Are you done?" she asked.
Ryu nodded.
"Would you like to get some coffee?" she said right away.
"It's not a date. I just want to talk."
Ryu blinked, surprised.
His shoulders retracted imperceptibly, and he tilted his head slightly,
processing the question without losing his composure.
"What's happening now? I was expecting coldness, to be ignored.
Why is she talking to me like this?"
"It's ok?" Zayra insisted, a little softer.
"Just to talk."
Ryu nodded slowly, processing Zayra's unexpected initiative.
***
As they walked towards the cafe, his gaze met hers for an instant,
he took a deep breath, and kept his head slightly tilted,
evaluating without losing his composure.
Something in that gesture reminded him that not everything would be resolved easily.
Each step brought them closer to a conversation that could change everything.
And although he tried to maintain his composure,
Ryu felt, for the first time, a small sense of vertigo about what was to come.