Chapter 17
The gunshot still echoed in Yumi's ears.
The assassin lay unconscious on the marble floor of the penthouse hallway, zip-tied and surrounded by broken glass.
Security had finally arrived.
But the damage had already been done.
The message was clear.
Someone had found her.
And they were getting closer.
Thirty minutes later, the penthouse was quiet again.
The guards had taken the attacker away.
The shattered window in the guest room had been temporarily sealed.
But the cold night air still crept inside.
Yumi stood in the hallway, arms crossed.
"This is ridiculous."
Across from her, Ryuji Takeda was speaking calmly with his security chief.
"Double the guards downstairs," he said.
"Yes, boss."
"And check the building cameras again."
"Yes, boss."
The guard left quickly.
Now the hallway was silent again.
Yumi gestured toward her room.
"Well?"
Ryuji glanced at the broken window.
"You can't sleep there tonight."
"I'll survive."
"You'll freeze."
She sighed.
"I've slept in worse places."
"I know."
That response caught her off guard.
She frowned slightly.
"How?"
Ryuji looked at her.
For a brief moment, something unreadable crossed his eyes.
"Just a guess."
Then he turned and started walking down the hallway.
Yumi blinked.
"Where are you going?"
He stopped at the end of the hall and opened a door.
His bedroom.
He looked back at her.
"You're sleeping here tonight."
Yumi stared.
"…No."
"Yes."
"I'm not sleeping in your room."
Ryuji leaned casually against the doorframe.
"Why not?"
"Because that's weird."
"You slept with me once already."
Her face instantly flushed.
"That was different!"
"How?"
"It was a one-night stand!"
Ryuji shrugged.
"Technically this would be less intimate."
Yumi groaned.
"You're impossible."
He waited.
Patient.
Unmoving.
After a moment, Yumi sighed heavily.
"Fine."
She walked toward the room.
"But if you try anything—"
"You'll shoot me."
"Yes."
"You've mentioned that."
Ryuji's bedroom was even larger than the guest room.
Dark wood floors.
Minimal furniture.
And another massive window overlooking the glowing city.
Yumi looked around.
"You really like big windows."
"I like seeing my enemies coming."
She rolled her eyes.
"You're dramatic."
Ryuji removed his jacket and tossed it over a chair.
"Bed's yours."
Yumi frowned.
"You're not sleeping here?"
He walked toward the door.
"I'll take the couch."
She hesitated.
That wasn't what she expected.
"Wait."
Ryuji stopped.
"What?"
Yumi shifted awkwardly.
"You don't have to do that."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You prefer sharing the bed?"
Her eyes widened.
"No!"
He smirked faintly.
"Then I'll take the couch."
She hesitated again.
Then sighed.
"This is stupid."
"What is?"
"The couch is small. The bed is huge."
Ryuji looked mildly curious.
"Your point?"
Yumi gestured at the bed.
"…We can both sleep here."
Silence filled the room.
Ryuji stared at her.
Then slowly said,
"You're the one who threatened to shoot me."
"I meant if you try something."
"And if I roll over in my sleep?"
"Then you'll wake up with a gun in your face."
Ryuji chuckled quietly.
"Fair enough."
Later that night…
The room was dark.
Only the soft glow of Tokyo's neon lights filtered through the window.
Yumi lay on one side of the massive bed.
Ryuji on the other.
A careful distance between them.
Neither of them was sleeping.
Yumi stared at the ceiling.
"This is awkward."
"Yes."
"Are you awake?"
"Yes."
"Stop answering so quickly."
Silence returned.
Then Yumi muttered,
"I can hear you breathing."
"That's generally how humans survive."
She turned slightly.
"Why are you so calm about everything?"
Ryuji turned his head slightly toward her.
"About what?"
"Someone just tried to kill me."
"That happens."
"To normal people?"
"No."
She exhaled slowly.
Then said something quieter.
"You came really fast tonight."
Ryuji didn't respond immediately.
Finally he said,
"I was already on my way back."
"That's not what I meant."
Silence stretched again.
Then Yumi suddenly felt something unexpected.
Ryuji's hand lightly touching her wrist.
Not grabbing.
Just resting there.
Her heart skipped.
"Ryuji…"
His voice was low in the darkness.
"Sleep."
His thumb brushed lightly against her pulse.
Checking it.
Her racing heartbeat.
"You're still shaking," he murmured.
Yumi hadn't even realized it.
She swallowed.
"I'm fine."
"I know."
But he didn't move his hand.
And somehow…
That simple contact made the room feel warmer.
Safer.
More dangerous.
All at the same time.
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them spoke.
But the distance between them…
Didn't feel quite as big anymore.