The sky was turning gray as Bada approached Saeles's house, her body still bruised from the last encounter. Every step sent jolts of pain through her ribs, but she ignored it. She couldn't stop herself. Her chest ached not from the blows, but from the emptiness she felt when Saeles wasn't around.
Hiding behind the lamppost, Bada peered through the window. Saeles was training, her fists moving with relentless precision, blood dripping from the knuckles, sweat matting her short dark hair to her forehead.
Bada's lips trembled. "I… I just want to help… I just… I care…" she whispered, tears streaming.
A sudden noise made her flinch. The door burst open. Saeles's eyes locked on her immediately.
"You again?" Saeles snarled, moving toward her like a predator. "Didn't I tell you to stay away? Didn't I tell you to never come back?"
Before Bada could react, Saeles grabbed her by the shirt and yanked her inside. Bada fell hard, hitting the wooden floor. Pain exploded in her ribs, in her arms, in her face.
"You don't belong here!" Saeles hissed, fists flying. Punches rained down on Bada's stomach and sides. Every strike made her scream, cry, and curl into herself.
"I… I… I just… care!" Bada sobbed, trembling. "I… I just want to see if you're okay!"
Saeles's face hardened. She yanked Bada up by her hair and slammed her against the wall. Every blow echoed in the small, dim room. Bada's sobs were soft and broken, but she refused to run. She refused to leave.
"I… I'll come back… I'll… I'll never leave…" she whispered, even through the pain.
Saeles finally stepped back, breathing heavily, chest heaving. She stared at Bada's small, trembling form on the floor. For a moment, something flickered in her eyes—confusion, irritation, maybe even something she didn't understand. But it vanished quickly, replaced by the same cold, detached expression she always wore.