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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.
Content Warning: This chapter contains sensitive and potentially disturbing themes. Reader discretion is advised.
Chapter 28 — Taquirari and Gazes
28.1 When Hunger Breaks the Ice
Zayra felt strange. She couldn't understand why it bothered her that Ryu had overheard Yandé's confession.
Her mind was racing, as it always did when she was looking for solutions.
Even so, she couldn't find a way to ease the tension between them.
And then, suddenly...
"GRRRR..."
A low, almost comical sound broke all the tension.
Zayra's eyes widened in surprise.
She blinked, confused, and her face, already pale from so many emotions, turned as red as a ripe tomato.
Ryu, who was standing nearby, looked at her, surprised... and couldn't help but laugh.
He put his hand to his lips, trying to hide his laughter, but his eyes had already given him away.
"It's just... I forgot to give her last three meals."
Zayra said, laughing at the awkwardness.
But, on the other hand, she felt relieved.
The situation, though embarrassing, had lightened the mood.
"Three...?"
Ryu looked at her, amused.
"Lunch, dinner... and breakfast."
She raised a finger for each one, her cheeks slightly flushed.
***
Ryu stood up with a subtle smile.
"I'll see what I can do for you. I don't promise a feast, but... at least something that won't kill you."
Zayra laughed softly and nodded.
Ryu went to the kitchen and saw that there were ingredients in the drawers and the fridge, so he started to cook.
A little later, he set the table in the small cabin dining room.
It was something simple.
Hot rice, a little sautéed chicken with onions and tomato, and anise tea.
Zayra looked at him as if she had just seen a miracle in sandals.
"It's ready. If it's not gourmet, at least it's honest."
Ryu said, pulling out a chair for her.
***
"Thanks..."
Zayra replied, sitting down.
"Seriously. I didn't know you could cook."
"Neither did I. I just found out half an hour ago."
They both laughed. A little. Finally,
As they ate, the conversation slowed down.
Zayra fell silent, watching the steam rise from her tea.
Ryu glanced at her.
"There was something you were going to tell me... do you remember?"
28.2 An Unpleasant Memory
She looked up. She hesitated for a moment. Then she nodded.
"Is it about that politician...?"
Ryu asked carefully.
Zayra lowered her eyes, pressed her lips together, and then sighed deeply.
"That... that bastard took away my best friend from school."
Ryu looked up, his expression serious.
"When I was nine and she was ten, we were on the school volleyball team.
We had qualified for the national tournament and we won.
We were so happy... It was one of those moments you never think you'll forget."
"That Ivor Amaro came to give out the prizes.
Back then, he was already someone important.
My friend told me she was going to the lockers because she had forgotten something."
Zayra's voice cracked a little, but she didn't stop.
"I went to look for her. I found her crying on the floor.
Our coach came, she hugged her. My friend told her what happened."
"And do you know what the coach did? Nothing.
She just said
'There's not much we can do... he's the president.'"
Ryu felt a pang of rage shoot through his chest.
He rested his hands flat on the table, breathing through his nose so he wouldn't lose control.
He didn't know what to say, so he just listened.
Zayra continued her story.
"She didn't say anything and repeated, 'he's the president.'
No one listened to her or defended her.
The entire system failed her."
She clenched her fists in frustration and swallowed with difficulty.
"A month later... my friend was no longer with us.
And that... that's something I'll never forget."
The silence that followed was brutal.
Zayra wiped her eyes with the napkin and smiled sadly.
"Okay. I'm sorry for bringing down the mood. Let's talk about something else..."
Ryu didn't speak.
He just looked at her with wide eyes and a contained rage that was as visible as his pain.
The veins in his neck tensed, and he took a deep breath, holding back an insult.
28.3 The Taquirari and a Korean Flirtation
She noticed a wine bottle on the shelf and picked it up with a mischievous smile.
"Do you want wine?" she asked.
Ryu hesitated but ended up pouring two glasses.
Zayra held a glass in her left hand and said,
"Ryu, cheers. Thank you very much for everything you did today.
I really appreciate it."
He had always been fascinated by how easily she could talk.
He returned the gesture, and they both began to drink.
They were calmer now, laughing and having a great time.
Zayra looked at Ryu and said.
"Tell me, had you cooked before?"
"Besides instant ramen? Hmm... probably not. But you see, my talent was hidden."
"Hidden or running away?"
They both laughed.
***
The conversation flowed like a calm river.
They talked about food, Bolivian quirks, cultural differences,
silly songs that got stuck in their heads, and whether to have tea with or without sugar.
About everything and nothing.
A silence settled between them.
Zayra grabbed her phone and put on some music to lighten the mood.
Suddenly, a song Ryu didn't know came on.
He was surprised, he had never heard that kind of music before.
Zayra noticed his surprise, smiled, and said.
"This is a song from here. The music made here is called Taquirari.
This song is called "Paica en Carnaval.""
"Wow, what's it about?"
Ryu asked, because while the song was in Spanish, there were many words he didn't understand.
Zayra looked at him, amused, took his hand, and led him to the sofa.
"Close your eyes, imagine you're at a carnival..."
Ryu looked at her with distrust but did as he was told.
In front of him, streets filled with dancing and partying appeared.
It made him uncomfortable, but he kept his eyes closed.
Zayra laughed softly and continued.
"Suddenly you see a playful and flirtatious young woman who is self-assured.
You think you've captivated her attention."
Ryu, without knowing why, sees Zayra with her characteristic smile.
He feels a shiver down his spine but continues listening to Zayra.
"However, you maintain an indifferent posture..."
"There's a flirtation between you two, but then the carnival ends, and with it, that game of seduction...
And that's what the song is about."
Ryu frowned for a moment.
The song spoke of stories that lead to nothing... and he couldn't let his be one of them.
***
Zayra leaned back on the sofa with her face toward the ceiling, feeling the effects of the wine.
Ryu, on the other hand, had had very little, so he was calm, glancing at Zayra.
A silence slipped between them; it wasn't awkward.
However, for Ryu, it was a sign that he had to do something.
"Zayra..."
He said, measuring each word.
"Show me your hand."
Zayra looked at him, half-dazed by the wine.
She held out her hand, examining it as if looking for something.
Ryu laughed.
"Not like that... place it on top of mine."
Her left hand rested on his right. His long fingers brushed against hers.
She didn't know if it was the effect of the wine, but she didn't understand anything.
Ryu lowered his gaze, swallowing as if that contact weighed more than any promise.
He smiled slightly, tilted his head, and murmured.
"You have such small hands..."
Zayra looked at him, puzzled, and shrugged.
"Small?"
She asked, not understanding what was happening.
He smiled, a slight blush showing on his cheeks.
"Yes... small"
He whispered to himself, enjoying the moment more than he would like to admit.
Ryu let her hand remain in his, not rushing, feeling that this simple gesture was worth more than any words.
Zayra yawned lightly, raised her head toward the window,
and as if her drunkenness had passed, she asked in astonishment.
"Is it already night? "she asked.
Ryu looked at his watch. It was.
"We were... quite a while."
"We spent the whole afternoon talking!"
She was surprised.
"It wasn't bad"
He said, looking at her in a way he no longer tried to hide.
Zayra lowered her gaze.
For a moment, she didn't know what to do with the tenderness that was creeping into her heart.
"I think I should go rest."
She murmured.
"Yes, of course. Me too... I'm leaving."
Zayra moved her hand away from his, and they both went to the door.
Ryu lingered for a moment in the doorway.
He was going to say goodbye, but he said nothing.
He just looked at her.
She smiled at him. One of those soft, almost involuntary smiles.
They both felt so comfortable that they would have wanted time to stand still.
However, Zayra sighed and finally said,
"Thanks for staying."
"Thanks for waking up." he replied.
He pressed his lips together, holding back the urge to say something more.
They said goodbye, and she gently closed the door.
As Ryu walked down the dirt path lit by garden lanterns, he couldn't stop thinking.
"What will I do...? What if she chooses someone else...? What if I regret it for the rest of my life...?"
As he walked away, only one thought followed him.
Three more days.