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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 41 - An Uncomfortable Situation
41.1 A Pending Deadline.
The dining room was silent.
Only the clinking of spoons against cups broke the awkwardness.
Ryu discreetly tightened his grip on his mug, as if he needed to hold onto something.
Zayra looked down at her plate, distracted, a single thought spinning in her mind
. "He'll have to go back to his country soon.
Does Ryu not want to be with me anymore?"
On the other side of the table, he watched her in silence.
For Ryu, the words in his mind weighed like stones.
"How can I ask her to marry me without rushing her?
How can I do it without breaking the delicate balance between our cultures?"
The atmosphere grew even more tense when their hands brushed as they both reached for the same mug.
Ryu's eyelids lowered slowly, prolonging the contact, reluctant to let go.
"Oh… I'm sorry," she said, quickly pulling her hand away.
Ryu looked at her seriously, but then let out a short laugh.
The tension broke for a moment until Zayra's phone vibrated on the table.
A call from an unknown number appeared on the screen.
***
"Aren't you going to answer?" he asked, curious.
"I never answer numbers I don't know. If it's important, they'll send a message."
She replied without hesitation, taking a sip of her coffee.
Ryu watched her in silence.
"Interesting... why reject even a 'hello'?
What's behind that habit?"
He didn't press the issue.
He knew this was a closed door, one he would have to wait to open another time.
The phone vibrated again.
This time, it wasn't a call, but a voice message.
"See? I told you they'd send a message."
Zayra picked up her phone, unlocked it, and, without hiding anything, pressed play right in front of him.
This gesture of trust surprised him.
***
The voice that immediately emerged chilled the air.
It sounded completely desperate.
"I've been at the police station for over eight hours.
They say they can hold me until tomorrow without proof, and my parents aren't doing anything.
If you don't come soon, I might spend the night unjustly detained."
Silence took over the dining room.
Ryu clenched his jaw and the muscles in his temples tensed for a moment.
She and Ryu looked at each other, each processing the urgency and weight of the message.
They both knew the voice belonged to Sebastian, Zayra's ex.
Ryu's shoulders tensed slightly, and he couldn't help but think.
"What a shameless person, he cheated on her, abandoned her, and now he comes to ask for help."
Zayra, though troubled, felt an unavoidable duty.
"God, what am I supposed to do…"
41.2 When He Supports You
Minutes later, they walked through the forest,
the fresh air mixing with the scent of the Toborochi tree,
a tree that for Zayra always signified tranquility.
She gently touched the tree, took a deep breath, and finally spoke.
"Ryu, tell me what you think about the message you heard."
The silence became heavy.
Ryu pressed his lips together, barely moving his jaw as if chewing on something bitter.
He looked up at the sky for a second, seeking patience before responding.
His gaze hardened, and he finally said.
"What do you plan to do?"
His tone was colder than he intended.
Zayra lifted her head.
She didn't want to sound defensive, but she also couldn't hide what she felt.
"Look, Ryu… I know this is uncomfortable for both of us."
He crossed his arms for a moment, as if protecting himself.
But then let them fall as he saw Zayra's sincerity.
Her voice trembled slightly, though she remained firm and replied.
"I can't just sit by when someone asks for my help like that, with so much desperation."
Ryu looked away toward the trees.
An almost imperceptible twitch tightened the corner of his lip.
"You don't have to carry that burden." He murmured.
A silence fell between them, and Zayra added.
"I agree with you, but… I've always been taught not to ignore someone who asks for help.
And as a lawyer, I feel that obligation even more."
She sighed and continued.
"In our culture, even when someone has made mistakes,
helping them if they are in danger is something that's expected of us."
She took a step closer, trying to make him understand.
"I'll just get him out of the police station now.
I'm not going to handle his case or see him again more than necessary."
Ryu looked up and watched her in silence.
His shoulders relaxed a little and his eyes softened, showing respect for her conviction.
His eyes reflected contained annoyance but also respect for her sincerity.
She placed her hand on his, trying to mediate the situation.
Ryu instinctively pulled his hand away slightly, but then left it still beneath hers.
He swallowed, feeling the tension ease slightly.
She looked at him with her characteristic sincerity and said.
"Please understand… it's not that I want him in my life. It's just that as a Cruceña,
It's very difficult for me to turn a deaf ear to injustice."
A bird sang in the distance, breaking the tension for a moment.
She took a deep breath and concluded.
"If you want, come with me.
We'll do it quickly and it'll be over.
I promise I won't get involved in anything else."
Ryu was silent for a few seconds.
His brow was still furrowed, but a different glimmer appeared in his eyes.
He understood that this woman wasn't one to leave anyone stranded, even if it caused her discomfort.
He watched her in silence, trying to balance his distrust with his desire to support her.
"I can't decide for you."
He finally said, with the serenity of someone who weighs every word.
"But if you decide to do it, I want to be there.
I want to know everything that's happening."
Zayra smiled, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders.
She looked from side to side to make sure no one was watching and kissed him on the cheek.
Ryu was surprised, he hadn't expected that reaction.
His ears flushed instantly, and a warmth rose to his cheeks.
He held his breath for a second, then exhaled slowly to regain his composure.
She took his hand delicately and added.
"Amorcingui… I really appreciate your understanding."
Ryu blushed and thought.
"That word again. Zayra, what are you doing to me?
I was in a bad mood, but this made me relax just a little."
He looked at her as if she were a girl beyond help.
Together, they resumed their walk among the trees.
The tension didn't disappear, but something had been silently sealed.
Ryu had seen clearly the extent of Zayra's loyalty, even toward the person who had hurt her the most.
Deep down, that same loyalty made him uncomfortable…
Because he feared it could also become her most vulnerable point.
"Let's go," Zayra said. "We'll go get him together, okay?"
Ryu nodded, his gaze firm and protective.
He placed his hand on Zayra's back as they walked, a silent gesture of protection.
He glanced back for a moment, as if leaving something unspoken behind.
He knew the situation wasn't comfortable.
But he understood that the loyalty and sense of justice Zayra carried within her could not be ignored.
With synchronized steps, they ventured deeper into the forest,
ready to face the police station and get Sebastian out, fulfilling what Zayra felt she had to do.