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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 27 - Three Days
Ryu sat in the chair next to Zayra's bed.
His eyes, which had not rested well, remained fixed on her face.
"The doctor said she would wake up today..."
He thought, running a hand over the back of his neck.
"Why isn't she waking up yet?"
He couldn't help but look at her every five minutes,
as if the mere act of watching her could make her open her eyes.
There was something about her stillness that made him nervous.
A part of him said he should trust, but the other found no peace.
His pulse quickened for a moment.
He took a deep breath, releasing the tension for only a second before fixing his gaze back on her.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting golden lines on Zayra's face and highlighting her paleness.
***
A slight sigh caught his attention.
She stirred on the sheets.
Ryu immediately stood up.
"Zayra," he murmured.
She opened her eyes with difficulty,
blinking against the morning light that streamed through the curtains.
She put a hand to her forehead and asked, somewhat disoriented.
"Ryu...?" Her voice was hoarse and weak.
He tilted his head slightly, evaluating Zayra's every blink,
as if trying to decipher how strong her recovery was.
"You're awake."
He replied, moving closer right away.
"Were you here all night?"
she asked, her left hand resting on her forehead.
He nodded calmly.
"The doctor said you might wake up today, but it was getting late and you hadn't yet...
I stayed just in case."
Zayra immediately lowered her hand and stared at him for a few seconds, surprised.
A slight warmth ignited in her chest.
She tried to sit up, and Ryu offered her his arm.
His hand was firm, not shaking,
but the pressure was precise enough to support her without making her uncomfortable.
Her shoulders relaxed for just a moment as she saw that she could trust him.
"What happened?"
she asked, still disoriented.
"You fainted on the way out of the forum,"
Ryu said, lowering his voice slightly.
"It was after... he spoke."
Zayra understood everything in an instant.
The words, the memories, the contained anger.
She closed her eyes, and her throat tightened.
"Right..."
Ryu didn't pressure her. He just stayed by her side.
"That man..." she whispered.
"Yes?"
Ryu said simply.
The air seemed charged, almost electric.
Each silence weighed on their shoulders.
***
Ryu was silent for a few seconds, watching Zayra as she still tried to sort out her thoughts.
It was then that a soft knock on the door interrupted the calm.
"Who is it?" Ryu asked, opening the door.
It was Yandé, looking very worried.
This time, his sister wasn't with him.
"How is she? Can I talk to her?"
He asked respectfully but anxiously.
Zayra looked toward the door.
Then she looked at Ryu with a warm gaze and said.
"Please, can you give us a minute?"
Ryu nodded, although something in his chest didn't quite allow it.
For a second, his lips tightened slightly, and he looked away.
No one noticed. He felt a pressure that ran through his chest.
He took a deep breath, reminding himself to stay calm.
He left but didn't go far.
***
In the garden, Ryu noticed that the window to Zayra's room was open.
Although he knew he shouldn't, he stayed near it.
Something told him he had to listen.
He leaned slightly against the wall by the window, his hands crossed in front of him.
Every word from Yandé came through clearly.
Yandé, calmer now that he saw she was okay, walked over and sat in the chair next to Zayra's bed.
"How are you?" He asked softly.
"Much better," Zayra replied.
"I know what that man does to you... I've known for a long time."
Yandé said, moving a little closer.
"You're not alone, Zay. I've always been here for you."
He affirmed, taking her hand.
She looked at him with a mix of surprise and disbelief.
Yandé's eyes looked at her with a devotion she had never seen before.
"Zay, you know very well that I've always seen you..."
Yandé watched her, and after a silence, he added.
"And the truth is... I've always loved you."
Zayra laughed and said.
"Oh, Yandé, come on... Stop messing with me.
I've known you since we were three."
Yandé looked at her seriously and said.
"I'm not messing with you, Zayra Choi Yaritu."
Zayra felt a knot in her throat and a slight shiver run down her spine,
as if her body wanted to react but didn't know how.
She knew that look... knew that when he called her by her full name,
he was telling her something serious.
"Yandé..."
Zayra moved away a little, unable to hold his gaze.
"This doesn't seem like a joke... This can't be happening. He's like a brother to me,"
she thought, unable to believe it.
***
Ryu stayed outside, pressing himself against the wall,
holding his breath, making sure neither Zayra nor Yandé suspected his presence.
He listened to Yandé's every word.
He slightly raised his shoulders and held back a sigh, as a quick thought ran through his mind.
"This can't be happening... I have to do something before it's too late!"
His chest tightened with every syllable, and a thread of jealousy ran down his back.
He tried to get a little closer, stealthily moving to see Zayra's reaction.
However, a small parrot perched on the ledge and decided to intervene.
"Hurry up! Or you'll lose her!"
It screeched, tilting its head as if it were looking directly at him.
Every word from Yandé was like a dart that Ryu felt piercing his chest...
And the parrot, without knowing it, was just reminding him that time was running out.
Ryu was startled, took a step back, and raised his hands, muttering.
"What the hell...?"
The parrot hopped onto his left shoulder and pecked him gently as if to emphasize the message.
"Seriously now? A heart-trainer parrot!"
Ryu thought, holding back a sigh as the bird pecked him.
He clenched his teeth and muttered to himself.
"Okay, I'm listening... and acting..."
The parrot hopped off his shoulder and disappeared.
Ryu composed himself instantly and refocused on Yandé,
without either he or Zayra suspecting that a small feathered ally had just reminded him that time was running out.
***
Zayra looked down. She didn't know how to react to such a confession.
Her hands were trembling slightly.
She wanted to speak, but no words came out.
Yandé, noticing that she wasn't looking at him, took her chin so she could see the sincerity in his eyes as he spoke.
He continued.
"Since I saw you grow up, I never said anything because I know you had someone else in your heart.
And I didn't want to get in the way or force you."
Feeling Yandé's fingers, Zayra felt an uncomfortable shiver run down her back.
Yandé noticed her reaction but still didn't plan to leave without at least saying what he felt and wanted at that moment.
He cleared his throat and continued.
"I found out about Sebastian.
And that's why it's important that you know how I feel and that I want a chance with you."
Zayra was about to reply, but Yandé interrupted her gently.
"I know. That you see me as a brother.
I know that. But I'm telling you this because I needed you to know.
And I don't expect an answer now."
He took a deep breath, looking at her seriously.
"I just want you to think about it and give me an honest answer in three days.
So that I can know how to move on too."
Zayra looked at him, not knowing what to say.
She felt her heart beating so fast it seemed to fill the room, and a sudden warmth rushed to her cheeks.
She was in a state of shock that she didn't even understand herself.
"I don't want to make you more uncomfortable,"
he added, smiling in a charming way.
"Rest, Zay. In three days, I hope your answer is yes."
He leaned in, gave her a soft kiss on her head, and without looking back, he left.
She was left alone, staring into space.
"Since when? Why did I never see it coming?"
He was her friend, her soul brother... but not her love.
She lay back on the pillow, her hands clasped over her chest, trying to sort out her thoughts.
***
The room was silent for a few minutes, except for Zayra's ragged breathing.
Until Ryu appeared at the door.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Zayra looked up, still a little dazed. And suddenly she wondered.
"Oh God, don't tell me he heard everything. What am I supposed to do now?"
She took a deep breath and said.
"Yes... yes, I'm fine, thanks."
Ryu didn't say anything. But inside, his world was not calm.
"Three days..."
The phrase echoed in his mind like a clock that couldn't be stopped.
Every second seemed to carry an impossible weight.
He frowned slightly, and his breathing became more measured.
A part of him wanted to intervene immediately; another forced him to stay still.
His entire body tensed, ready for any eventuality.
It wasn't just worry he was feeling...
It was something more.
Something that rose from his chest like an impossible-to-ignore command.
"What if I lose her? What if I don't react in time? How long will I stay silent?"
He closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply as if trying to organize his thoughts and emotions.
Then he lowered his gaze to Zayra, breathing with apparent calm, although his chest burned with the need to act.