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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 15 – Coffee Without Sugar
They sat on the side porch of the dining room.
The sun wasn't yet directly on the tiles, and the cool shade was perfect for that early hour.
From the nearby trees, intermittent songs could be heard. The playful squawking of a group of parrots,
the sharper trill of some wild bird, and, further in the distance, the rhythmic clatter of the kitchen beginning to stir.
Two steaming cups of Bolivian coffee rested on the table.
Familiar and tempting aromas drifted from the main kitchen.
The warm scent of sonso and the melted cheese of cuñapé filled the air.
She stirred her coffee slowly.
Ryu, as was his custom, took his black, without sugar.
A quiet silence settled between them.
***
Until Zayra asked, bluntly but with a calm voice:
"Yesterday... did you apologize to me?"
Ryu turned his head slightly toward her.
He blinked just a little slower than normal,
as if he needed an extra second to process that she was confronting him so calmly.
"Yes, I did. But I don't think you were in a state to hear me,"
he said softly.
Without sarcasm. Just stating a fact.
Zayra looked down at her cup. She toyed with the spoon, deep in thought.
"Damn. Camila was right."
And in her mind, like a firm, ancient echo, Mariano's voice appeared.
'Morals over pride, sis.'
She sighed, tucked her hair behind her ear, and murmured.
"Please excuse me. It's a bad habit I have. When I get angry, I don't listen to anyone.
I'd rather leave than say things I'll regret later. At work, I'm a different person.
But when it comes to personal matters, I tend to close myself off. I guess it's because of things from the past."
She was silent for a moment, and then she added.
"I also apologize for what I said to you that day at the airport,"
said, embarrassed.
It wasn't a formal apology, but her tone was genuine.
Ryu barely tilted his head. His jaw tightened for a second before he relaxed it.
He didn't know what to say. His eyes scanned her face as if to confirm she was serious.
That straightforwardness... it wasn't common. And yet, it didn't sound malicious.
***
Just then, a small parrot landed near the table with a slice of bread in its beak.
It walked clumsily and, without much thought, flicked a crumb directly into Ryu's cup.
A few drops splashed over the rim.
Zayra covered her mouth with her hand to keep from laughing out loud.
"It looks like he doesn't like coffee without sugar," she said, holding back her laughter.
Ryu looked at his cup, then at the parrot, which was already hopping away.
"I don't like it anymore either," he replied.
They both laughed. It was a light, simple laugh. As if an invisible wall had crumbled a bit.
A nearly imperceptible line softened on his brow. Laughing with her came easier than he would have imagined.
***
Zayra watched him for a moment. Then, without beating around the bush, she asked.
"Do you have someone waiting for you in Korea? Someone you're dating, or... in love with?"
Ryu blinked. His fingers tightened against the cup, just for an instant.
He didn't let it show on his face, but inside something stirred as if he had been struck a blow. 'So direct?'
He didn't show it in his expression, but inside he felt a jolt.
The question didn't sound like jealousy or hidden interest. It was simple, honest. Raw, even.
As if it were the most natural thing in the world.
And before he could answer, Zayra covered half her face with her hand.
"No! No, no, no!" she said, a nervous laugh mixed with a rush.
"I forgot you're not from here, I'm sorry."
She shrunk into her chair, laughing through her fingers.
"It's not that I want to interrogate you.
It's just that here, in Santa Cruz, we're like that.
If we want to know something, we ask directly.
It's not to make you uncomfortable. It's just a custom."
Ryu didn't say anything, he just watched her, his gaze lingered a little longer than necessary.
There was a frankness in it, a naturalness that disarmed his defenses, he was attentive.
Studying that spontaneous gesture, that way of speaking without mincing words.
Zayra slowly lowered her hand. She took a breath and spoke more calmly.
"I don't want you to think I'm forcing anything.
I only asked because... our parents are super excited about all this.
I'm not ready to marry a stranger, but I also don't want to disappoint them without at least trying,
so... if you're okay with it, we could start as friends.
See how we get along. And then, we'll see what happens."
There was a brief pause. His shoulders dropped slightly, as if he had been freed from an invisible weight.
'Friends... that sounds strangely good.'
He looked at Zayra and replied.
"Friends sounds like a good start."
Zayra smiled, by reflex, she slightly raised her hand as if to touch his shoulder.
It was a natural, almost automatic gesture, like someone wanting to seal a truce.
But before she did, she hesitated.
She lowered her hand gently and didn't make contact.
Ryu noticed this. He felt a faint warmth in his chest, a strange echo he couldn't classify.
Respect could be as moving as affection and in his mind the following words appeared.
'She was going to touch me. And she held back. She's considering me.
She knows I'm not from here. How curious...'
And for the first time since he arrived, something moved him a little.
What would he do if this girl managed to get past the barriers he himself had set?