Waking up, my eyes were still half-asleep when I sensed someone sitting quietly on my bed. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming again, the kind of dream that felt too real to ignore. I rubbed my eyes slowly, my lashes heavy, my body still warm from sleep. When my vision finally cleared, my breath caught in my throat.
Raven.
He sat there as if he had always belonged there, silent, still, his presence filling the room without effort. He didn't say a word, didn't move, only watched me with those unreadable eyes of his. I slowly sat up on the bed, pulling the blanket closer to myself. He stood up immediately, dragged a chair closer, and sat down opposite me, still not breaking his gaze.
He wore a long, dark sweater that covered almost his entire body. Only his face was visible, pale and calm, like nothing in the world could disturb him.
"Raven," I called softly, my voice rough from sleep. "Why are you dressed like this? And where have you been?"
He didn't answer right away. His eyes stayed on me, cold and distant, like he was trying to read something written deep inside me. The silence stretched, thick and uncomfortable.
"Raven," I said again, standing up suddenly and lightly hitting his shoulder in frustration. Before my hand could even land properly, he dodged it with ease and stood up, his movements sharp and alert.
"Raven, where have you been?" I demanded, my voice louder now.
"I… I went home," he said at last. "I took a break. I needed some rest."
He stared at me as he spoke, then slowly lowered his gaze to my hands. His eyes lingered there longer than necessary before lifting back to my face.
"I can see you're fine," he said quietly.
I followed his gaze and instinctively raised my hand. "Oh, this?" I said, showing him the place where the wound had once been. "I guess Yoon told you about it."
He nodded slightly. "Yes. I can see you're healed."
"All thanks to Minho," I added casually, not even realizing how easily the name slipped out of my mouth.
The change in Raven's expression was instant.
"Minho?" he repeated, his voice sharper now, his eyes narrowing. "What happened?"
"Nothing," I replied quickly, forcing a smile. "Seriously. I don't even know why I mentioned his name." But deep inside, I did know. His name had been lingering in my thoughts lately, appearing without invitation, refusing to leave.
Raven watched me closely, anxiety flickering across his face despite his effort to hide it.
"Jina," he said slowly, "is there something you want to tell me?"
"No, Raven," I replied, smiling softly. "Nothing."
He let out a quiet, humorless breath. "Oh," he said. "A few weeks away, and you've stopped trusting me, I guess."
He turned, his hand reaching for the door.
Something inside me reacted before my mind could catch up. I grabbed his hand.
He flinched instantly, twisting his hand away as if I had touched an open wound.
"Are you okay?" I asked, panic flashing through me. "Did I hurt you?"
"Y-yes," he stammered. "I'm fine. Sorry for the way I reacted."
But his voice betrayed him.
"Raven," I said firmly, pushing him back onto the chair. "Sit."
He hesitated but obeyed, his eyes fixed on me.
"It's not that I wanted to hide anything from you," I began, my voice softer now. "The mask person I once told Yoon about… the one who always saves me when I'm in danger. I guess she told you about him?"
Raven nodded slowly, still silent.
"Raven," I continued, taking a deep breath, "that person is Minho."
The moment I said his name, it was as if I had spoken something forbidden. Raven's face changed completely. His jaw tightened, his eyes darkened, and he stared at me as if I had just shattered something fragile
He didn't speak. He just looked at me, long and hard.
"He saved me again last night," I went on, unable to stop myself now. "I begged him to show me his face, and he did. Raven, I was so overwhelmed… I didn't even know how to hide it."
Raven's gaze shifted, no longer calm, no longer neutral. There was something close to disgust in the way he looked at me now, something sharp and painful.
"Raven," I whispered, hurt creeping into my voice. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
He shook his head slowly and stood up.
"Jina," he said, his tone flat, distant. "I came to check on you. I wanted to know if you were okay. Now I can see that you are."
"I'm going."
"Raven, wait," I said quickly.
"Going?" I asked, my voice trembling. "Like going back to hiding again? Or just back to your room?"
"Anywhere," he replied without turning back. "I can see you don't need my services anymore."
He opened the door and left, closing it behind him with a finality that echoed loudly in the room.
I stood there, frozen, staring at the door long after he was gone.
"My services?" I whispered to myself, confusion and pain twisting together in my chest.
And just like that, he was gone again.