Chapter 10: Between Distance and Warmth
The room was empty.
Ryugenn stood still for a moment, his hand still resting on the door.
"…Naomi?"
No answer.
The curtain moved gently with the breeze from the open window, as if the room itself was breathing. But everything else—
Still.
Too still.
Ryugenn stepped inside, his eyes scanning every corner again.
The bed hadn't been touched.
No bag.
No sign she had even rested here.
"…Where did she go?"
The question formed quietly, but it echoed louder in his mind.
His thoughts began moving faster.
Did she leave? Why? Without saying anything?
That wasn't like her.
At least—not from what he had seen so far.
He turned quickly and stepped out of the room.
The hallway outside felt unusually quiet.
He checked the kitchen again.
Nothing.
The main door—
Still locked from inside.
Which meant—
"She didn't leave through the front."
Ryugenn's gaze shifted toward the window again.
A possibility formed.
"…Terrace."
He moved immediately.
The stairs felt longer than usual.
Each step carried a faint urgency he didn't show on his face—but felt clearly inside.
He pushed open the terrace door.
The evening sky stretched wide above him, painted in soft blues fading into orange.
Wind brushed past him.
The terrace was empty.
No one.
"…Not here."
Ryugenn stood there for a second longer, scanning once more.
Nothing.
He exhaled slowly.
Thinking.
Where would she go?
Not far.
Not randomly.
Not without a reason.
His eyes shifted downward.
Toward the street.
Toward the small park just across the road.
Children.
Movement.
A place people go when they don't want to think too much.
"…There?"
He didn't waste time.
The park was alive.
Small children ran across the grass, their laughter filling the air. A couple sat on a bench nearby. An old man fed crumbs to pigeons.
And then—
He saw her.
Naomi sat quietly on a bench, her gaze fixed on the children playing in front of her.
Her posture was relaxed.
But her eyes—
Distant.
Ryugenn walked toward her.
Stopped just beside the bench.
"You could have told me if you were going somewhere."
His voice was calm.
But firmer than usual.
Naomi blinked, as if returning from somewhere far away.
Then looked up at him.
"…Sorry."
Her voice was soft.
"You were busy," she added. "I didn't want to disturb you."
A small pause.
"And I thought… maybe I could look for a room on the way."
Ryugenn watched her for a second.
Then asked,
"Did you find one?"
Naomi shook her head.
"…No."
The word was quiet.
Almost expected.
Ryugenn looked at the children playing.
Then back at her.
"Let's go," he said.
Naomi blinked.
"We'll find one," he added calmly.
There was no doubt in his voice.
Naomi stood up slowly.
"…Okay."
The search continued.
Street after street.
Building after building.
Doors knocked.
Questions asked.
Answers received.
"Not available."
"Already taken."
"No short-term rent."
The pattern repeated.
Again.
And again.
The sky darkened.
Streetlights turned on.
Their shadows stretched longer with every step.
Naomi's pace slowed.
Her voice became quieter.
Until finally—
"I don't think I'll get any room now."
She stopped walking.
Her eyes lowered slightly.
The words weren't dramatic.
But they carried a quiet defeat.
Ryugenn looked at her.
Then said,
"If that's the case…"
Naomi looked up.
"I have a solution."
A small pause.
"What kind of solution?"
Ryugenn spoke without hesitation.
"If you don't have any problem… you can stay at my place."
The words were simple.
Direct.
Naomi froze for a second.
"…At your place?"
Ryugenn nodded.
"Until your room is ready."
A brief silence passed between them.
Naomi's expression shifted.
"…I don't have a problem."
Her voice was softer now.
"But won't it be difficult for you?"
A small pause.
"You're already doing a lot for me."
Ryugenn shook his head slightly.
"Helping someone is the first rule of humanity."
He said it simply.
Like it wasn't something worth overthinking.
"Let's go."
Naomi looked at him.
For a moment—
Her expression softened.
Something warm flickered in her eyes.
Something she didn't say.
"…Okay."
But inside—
She was smiling.
The city lights glowed softly around them as they walked.
The tension from earlier had faded.
Replaced by something lighter.
Something calmer.
Naomi spoke again.
"…There's a café ahead."
Ryugenn glanced forward.
A small restaurant with warm lights spilling onto the street.
"Let's have coffee today," she said.
Ryugenn nodded.
"Okay."
The café was warm.
Quiet.
Soft music played in the background.
They sat across from each other.
Two cups of coffee placed between them.
Steam rising gently.
Naomi wrapped her fingers around her cup.
"…Today was tiring."
Ryugenn nodded.
"Yeah."
A small silence followed.
But not uncomfortable.
Just calm.
Then—
A couple approached their table.
"Excuse me," the girl said politely.
Ryugenn looked up.
"Yes?"
"Can we take a picture of you both?"
Ryugenn frowned slightly.
"…Why?"
The boy smiled.
"We're doing something fun," he said. "We're taking photos of couples in this café and seeing who matches best."
A small pause.
"We thought you two looked perfect together."
Ryugenn blinked.
"…We're not a couple."
He said it plainly.
"Just friends."
The couple froze.
"…Wait, seriously?"
They looked at each other.
Then back at them.
"That's surprising," the girl said. "Honestly, all the couples we've seen today…"
She shook her head slightly.
"They're nothing compared to you two."
The boy laughed awkwardly.
"We really thought you were a couple."
"Sorry for disturbing you."
Ryugenn nodded slightly.
"No problem."
The couple walked away.
Silence returned.
But this time—
It felt different.
Ryugenn glanced at Naomi.
And paused.
Her face—
Red.
A soft blush spread across her cheeks.
Her eyes slightly lowered.
"…Naomi?"
She didn't respond immediately.
"Are you cold?"
He asked.
Naomi shook her head quickly.
"No."
Ryugenn tilted his head slightly.
"Then why is your face red?"
Naomi froze.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the cup.
"…It's nothing."
She said quickly.
But her voice wasn't steady.
Ryugenn looked at her for a moment.
Something about her reaction—
Didn't match her usual self.
Before he could say anything—
Naomi suddenly stood up.
"I— I'll be back."
She walked away.
Fast.
Almost hurried.
Ryugenn watched her go.
Brows slightly furrowed.
"…What was that?"
He leaned back slightly.
Thinking.
Then—
His eyes shifted.
To Naomi's chair.
Something was there.
A small folded paper.
Ryugenn's expression changed.
Slowly.
He reached out.
Picked it up.
Unfolded it.
And read.
His eyes narrowed.
"…What is this?"
The words on the paper—
Just normal.
And suddenly—
Everything didn't feel normal anymore.
(End of Chapter 10)