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The next morning, Yunah stepped out of her room wearing the same clothes from the night before, her hair a soft, messy chaos. She yawned, rubbing her eyes as she shuffled towards the kitchen.
The scent of breakfast greeted her first.
When she reached the dining area, Noah was already there—setting plates on the table with quiet efficiency. Pancakes. Omelette. Milk poured neatly into a glass. When he noticed her, his face instantly softened into a warm smile.
"Good morning, Di," he said gently, pulling out a chair for her. "And happy Independence Day."
"Same to you…" Yunah replied sleepily as she sank into the chair and glanced around. "Did Yogesh already leave?"
"Yes," Noah said, placing the plate in front of her. "He left early as he is participating on parade."
"Oh…" She paused, then looked up at him curiously as he sat across from her. "Then how did I end up in my bed last night? Did Yogesh help you bring me in?"
"No," Noah replied calmly, taking a bite of his pancake. "I carried you." He added without any shyness and hesitation.
Yunah frozed by his directness for few seconds. Her cheeks warmed up instantly as she met his gaze—steady, unapologetic."O-oh…" she murmured, suddenly shy. "Sorry for troubling you again and again…"
"No need to be sorry, Di." Noah's voice softened. "I like taking care of you. And I'll keep doing it in the future too." He smiled faintly. "So feel free to trouble me as much as you want. I won't complain."
After hearing Noah's reply, her heart skipped—hard. For a moment, Yunah felt breathless. Her chest tightened, butterflies bursting in her stomach like she was sixteen again. Heat rushed to her face, turning her cheeks a deep crimson.
Noah noticed. Of course he did. He chuckled quietly. "Are you okay, Di?" he teased lightly. "Your face is really red. Are you feeling sick?"
"I'm fine," Yunah said quickly—and grabbed the glass of milk, drinking it in one go.
"No, wait—tha—"
Too late.
Yunah spat it out immediately. "Ah—hot! It's hot!" She fanned her tongue frantically, eyes watering.
Noah laughed and immediately handed her a glass of water. "Why are you so clumsy?" he said fondly. "At least check before drinking."
After she drank the water, he leaned closer. "Show me your tongue. Let me see if it's burned."
Yunah hesitated for half a second—then obeyed him taking out her tongue.
Noah examined her carefully, one hand gently lifting her chin so she looked up. Their eyes met first—too close, too intense—his focus shifted to her lips as he swallowed after seeing her pink plump lips. The urge hit him suddenly—dangerously—to close the distance completely.
Yunah noticed his stillness. "Are you done?" she asked softly.
No response came from Noah.
"Noah?" She brushed his hand away.
"Noah!"
He snapped back instantly. "Y-yeah." He stepped away, sitting down quickly and grabbing his pancake like it was a lifeline. "It's fine. Not burned."
Yunah frowned slightly, watching him. Something about his expression felt… guilty.
But she let it go.
"So," she asked casually, "are you going to the stadium today?"
"I… don't know," Noah replied, instantly slumping like an abandoned child. "I've got no one to go with."
She laughed. "What about that friend from yesterday?"
"He's playing football," Noah sighed dramatically. "Won't have time for me." Then he looked at her hopefully. "What about you, Di? Going out with friends?"
"No," she said, finishing her milk. "I usually go to my hometown to celebrate. I'm going today too. And on top of that, we're having school reunion today."
"Oh…" Noah's shoulders dropped.
Yunah caught the pout and laughed. "Do you want to come with me?"
His face lit up instantly. "Can I?"
She shook her head with a smile. "Yes. Get ready."
"Okay!" Noah stood up immediately, energized. "I'll wash the dishes first."
"I'll do it," Yunah said, reaching for the plates. "You cooked so let me do the dishes."
"No." He gently stopped her. "I've got this. You go get ready."
He carried the dishes to the sink, smiling to himself.Yunah stood there for a moment—watching him—completely dumbfounded.
And smiling.
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At Algarah Playground.
The black Brabus rolled to a quiet stop along the roadside. Noah stepped out first, then Yunah—both dressed simply, effortlessly. No flash, no pretense. Yunah wore a white inner beneath a sky-blue shirt, faded jeans, and clean white sneakers. Her hair flowed loose, framing her face, her makeup light—almost bare. Yet there was a glow about her that had nothing to do with cosmetics. This was not the Yunah who once moved like a ghost through her days. This Yunah was awake. Alive.
Noah matched her without trying—jeans, a loose white T-shirt, topped with a baggy denim jacket. Casual, but dangerous in the way only he could be. The moment he stepped away from the car, attention shifted. A few heads turned. Conversations paused. He didn't try to command the space—he simply did.
They looked like a power couple walking straight out of a scene, but the moment barely registered in the chaos of Independence Day celebrations.
The playground was overflowing. Flags fluttered everywhere, tied to poles, stalls, even bicycles. Children ran around with painted cheeks, and loudspeakers blared patriotic songs mixed with excited announcements. Students gathered near the field, rehearsing formations, while parents hovered anxiously on the sidelines.
A small town—but the whole town was there.
Noah's steps slowed suddenly. Almost instinctively, he shifted closer to Yunah, his jaw tightening as his eyes scanned the crowd. Too many people. Too many movements. Too many blind spots. He hated this—crowds made him feel exposed, vulnerable in a way no weapon ever could. As the leader of Shadow Veil, anonymity was survival.
Today, he had come anyway.
For her.
Yunah noticed immediately. She tilted her head, studying him for a second before speaking. "What happened?" Her voice was soft, but sharp with concern. Memories surfaced—his brother's words back at the hospital who told her about his anxiousness around too much crowdy place.
"…Are you nervous?" she asked quietly.
"No." Noah replied at once—too fast. His gaze stayed fixed ahead, expression carved from stone.
Yunah let out a small, knowing huff. "Like I'd believe that."
Before he could react, her fingers slid into his, warm and sure.
The world fell silent.
The noise, the crowd, the banners, the music—everything blurred into nothing. Noah's breath hitched as his focus snapped entirely to her. Her hand in his grounded him in a way nothing else ever had. The tension in his shoulders eased without him even realizing it.
His eyes found her face.
Time slowed.
Her smile—soft, unguarded—etched itself into him, deeper than any scar. His heartbeat quickened, not with fear, but with something far more dangerous. Peace.
"…Let's go," Yunah said, her voice bright as she tugged him forward.
Noah let her lead him wherever she wished. Even if she dragged him straight into hell, he would walk beside her without hesitation—without a single question, without a single complaint. As long as it was her, he was ready to go anywhere.
And while they remained lost in each other—unaware, unguarded—someone else moved quietly through the crowd.
Watching.
Following.
Tracking every step, every glance, every stolen moment.
A camera lens lifted.
The shutter clicked.
Once.
Then again.
Unseen eyes stayed fixed on them, capturing everything.