The villa Alexander had given to Akshat stood on the edge of the city like a quiet secret.
Tall glass windows reflected the pale evening sky, and soft lights glowed from inside the spacious living room. Compared to the chaotic dormitories and cold concrete halls of the hostels, the place felt unreal—too peaceful, too warm.
Inside one of the guest rooms, Ryuki slowly opened her eyes.
For a moment she didn't remember where she was.
White curtains swayed gently near the window, letting in a soft breeze. The scent of cooked food drifted faintly through the hallway. Somewhere in the house, dishes clinked lightly.
Her mind slowly caught up with reality.
The fight.
The hospital.
Akshat carrying her here.
Ryuki sat up slowly.
Her body still ached from the injuries she had taken during their duel. The bandages wrapped around her torso pulled slightly when she moved, reminding her of how brutally the fight had ended.
Yet the pain wasn't the heaviest thing in her chest.
That belonged to her sister.
Her expression softened.
Even now, the thought of failing to save her sister's life pressed down on her like a mountain. The guilt had nearly pushed her off the rooftop days ago.
But tonight… the weight felt slightly lighter.
She didn't know why.
Maybe it was the silence of the villa.
Maybe it was the strange feeling that, for the first time in months, she wasn't completely alone.
She stepped out into the hallway.
Downstairs, Aavya was standing in the kitchen wearing a loose apron, carefully stirring something in a pot.
The smell of soup filled the room.
Aavya noticed her almost immediately.
"Oh—Ryuki! You're awake."
Ryuki gave a small nod.
"You should rest more," Aavya said gently. "Your injuries aren't fully healed yet."
"I'm fine," Ryuki replied quietly.
Her voice was calmer than usual. The sharp edge it normally carried had dulled.
Aavya studied her face for a moment but didn't push the topic.
"Well… dinner will be ready soon," she said with a small smile.
Ryuki nodded again.
Then she turned and walked further down the hallway.
At the end of it was a door slightly ajar.
Without thinking much, she pushed it open.
The sound of running water echoed inside.
Ryuki froze.
Inside the bathroom, steam filled the air.
And standing under the shower was Akshat.
For half a second, both of them simply stared at each other.
Then Ryuki's brain finally caught up with what she had just walked into.
Her face instantly turned red. "—!"
She spun around so fast she nearly slipped on the floor.
"S-sorry!"
The door slammed shut behind her.
Outside in the hallway, Ryuki pressed her back against the wall, covering her face with both hands.
Her heart pounded violently.
"The hell was that, is that an average? It can't be!" she muttered to herself.
Inside the bathroom, Akshat stood under the running water completely unfazed.
He blinked once.
Then he continued washing his hair like nothing had happened.
A few minutes later, the bathroom door opened.
Akshat stepped out wearing a loose black shirt and sweatpants, his hair still damp.
He immediately noticed Ryuki standing awkwardly near the hallway corner.
Her face was still slightly red.
Akshat raised an eyebrow.
"You planning to guard the bathroom all night?"
Ryuki glared at him.
"You could've said something!"
"You opened the door."
"Still!"
Akshat shrugged.
"You've seen a human body before, haven't you?"
Ryuki's face flushed again.
"That's not the point!"
Akshat walked past her calmly.
"Relax," he said casually. "You reacted like you just discovered a new species."
Ryuki clenched her fists.
"I did not!"
Akshat stopped and glanced back at her with a faint teasing smile.
"If you want to see again, you could just knock next time."
Ryuki grabbed the nearest cushion from the sofa and threw it at his head.
Akshat caught it easily.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
For a brief moment, the heavy atmosphere that usually surrounded Ryuki cracked.
And something lighter slipped through.
A little later, the three of them sat around the dining table.
The table was simple but neatly arranged. Aavya had prepared soup, rice, vegetables, and grilled fish.
Compared to hostel food, it looked like a feast.
They began eating quietly.
For a few minutes, only the sound of chopsticks and plates filled the room.
Then Aavya finally spoke.
"Akshat…"
He looked up.
"Is it really okay for me to live here?"
Her tone carried hesitation.
"This villa… it's huge. And expensive."
Akshat continued eating calmly.
"You were uncomfortable in the hostel," he replied simply.
Aavya lowered her gaze slightly.
"...Yeah."
"Then you move here," he said.
The answer was that straightforward.
Aavya hesitated for another moment before nodding.
"Alright."
Akshat then turned his attention toward Ryuki.
His expression became slightly more serious.
"About your sister."
Ryuki instantly looked up.
Akshat continued.
"I reviewed her medical records."
Ryuki's hands tightened around her chopsticks.
Akshat spoke calmly.
"Her red blood cells are rapidly turning black. It's related to a hormonal imbalance that is damaging her blood structure."
Ryuki's eyes widened slightly.
"I spoke with Alexander about it," Akshat continued.
"He'll handle the treatment expenses."
The words hung in the air.
For a moment, Ryuki didn't move.
Her eyes slowly began to glisten.
"...Why?" she asked quietly.
Akshat didn't answer immediately.
Ryuki looked down at the table.
"...I couldn't even save her myself."
Her voice trembled slightly.
After a few seconds, she lifted her head again.
Her eyes were wet, but determined.
"What do you want from me?"
Akshat blinked.
Ryuki continued.
"Why would you do this for someone like me?"
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she forced the next words out.
"And just so you know…"
She crossed her arms defensively.
"I'm not the type of girl who sleeps with someone just because they spend money on me."
Silence filled the room.
Aavya nearly choked on her soup.
Akshat stared at Ryuki for two seconds.
Then he smiled.
Not mockingly.
Not seriously.
Just… amused.
"You think way too highly of yourself."
Ryuki blinked.
Akshat leaned back in his chair.
"If I wanted something like that," he said calmly, "I wouldn't need to negotiate."
Ryuki's face turned bright red again.
Akshat continued eating.
"I helped because it was necessary."
"Necessary?" Ryuki repeated.
Akshat glanced at her.
"You still owe me a fight."
Ryuki froze.
His eyes held that same dangerous calm she had seen during their battle.
"And next time," Akshat added lightly, "try not to lose."
Ryuki stared at him.
Then slowly—
The corner of her lips lifted.
Just a little.
For the first time since her sister fell sick…
Ryuki smiled.
And somewhere in the quiet warmth of that villa—
Three very different lives had just begun to intertwine.
End of ch 42
To be continue...
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