The night breeze drifted softly as Ryuu's car stopped in front of Reina's apartment building. There was no sound except the faint hum of the car radio playing quietly. The streetlight cast half of Ryuu's face in a soft glow—calm, steady, and as always, impossible to read.
Reina didn't get out right away.
Her hand clutched the seatbelt, but she stayed frozen, as if trapped in a strange silence.
"I… I don't know what to say, Sir… or Madam?" she whispered, unsure of how to address Ryuu.
Ryuu turned, his gaze locking on hers. "About what? And just call me Ryuu—or Sir. I prefer that."
"Um… okay… Sir. It's about what you said earlier. About… you," Reina murmured, voice low.
The air inside the car seemed heavier, more charged. Reina drew a quiet breath and finally turned to face him. His eyes were dark, steady—not judgmental.
"I… I've never met anyone like you before. This is the first time I've realized intersex is real… I thought it was just some kind of theory…" she said softly.
Ryuu raised an eyebrow. "Is that good or bad?"
Reina gave a wry smile. "I don't know yet."
There was a pause between them—not awkward, but like a space left for understanding.
"I know it's a lot to take in, Reina," Ryuu said gently. "I don't expect you to accept it all right away. But one thing's certain—I will never hurt you."
The words were simple.
But to Reina—who had spent months suffocating under Daniel's possessive, manipulative love—they felt like an impossible dream. Daniel had always promised protection, but it always ended in pain. Meanwhile, the person beside her made no grand promises, only offered safety—and delivered it.
"Thank you… for tonight, Sir," Reina whispered, lowering her gaze.
Ryuu nodded. "You're strong, Reina. But you don't always have to carry everything alone."
Her throat tightened. She almost cried, but instead managed a small smile and stepped out of the car, though her heart lingered inside with him. Ryuu didn't hold her back, didn't demand anything.
The car only pulled away after Reina had safely entered the building—as if he wanted to make sure she was truly secure.
---
That night, Reina couldn't sleep. Hugging her stuffed doll, she stared at the ceiling, wide awake.
Not out of fear.
But because her mind wouldn't stop.
About Ryuu. About Daniel. About how messy everything had become.
Why did it feel like Ryuu had been more honest with her in a week than Daniel had been in a year?
She shut her eyes, trying to sleep—but the past broke in.
Daniel's yelling. His iron grip on her wrist. His suspicious eyes. His cruel words that cut deeper than any blade.
And afterward, the silent crying. In the bathroom corner. Under the shower. Behind loud music so no one would notice.
Only now did Reina realize how badly she'd been hurt by a toxic love she once thought she couldn't live without.
And maybe… Ryuu could feel it too.
---
The next morning, Reina woke up with swollen eyes. She tried to cover them with concealer before heading to campus.
The moment she stepped into class, Yuki gave her a suspicious look.
"What happened to you? Don't tell me you cried all night at a BTS concert?" Yuki teased.
Reina frowned. "Not funny."
"Seriously, Rein… you're starting to look like… I don't know… a cute zombie. But still, a zombie."
Reina chuckled bitterly and slumped onto her desk. "I'm just tired, Yuki…"
Yuki's tone softened, though her eyes narrowed. "Daniel again, isn't it? That idiot…"
Reina nodded faintly.
Yuki clicked her tongue, then sighed. "Rein… let's be real. You're like this smart girl stuck in a stupid relationship."
Reina gave a small, bitter laugh. "I know. But leaving a stupid relationship… it's not as easy as it sounds."
Yuki stared at her with a mix of empathy and frustration.
"You know what? Even the strongest person sometimes needs to be pulled out. Not because they're weak… but because they're too exhausted to walk away on their own."
The words hit Reina like a knife—yet also gave her strength. For the first time, she felt a push to finally let go of Daniel.
---
That night at the lounge, Reina kept busy behind the bar. She tried to focus, but her eyes wandered every so often to the VIP table. Empty.
Ryuu hadn't come.
A strange hollowness settled in her chest.
"Who are you looking for, Rein?" Leon's voice cut into her thoughts.
She jumped, embarrassed. "No one! I wasn't looking for anyone!"
"Mr. Ryuu's not here today," Leon said knowingly. "From what I know, if he skips a night, it means he's either drowning in work… or dealing with something serious."
Reina glanced at him. "You know him well, don't you?"
Leon shrugged. "Not really. But he's not the type who comes here just to flirt or stir things up. He just… looks like someone searching for air."
Reina lowered her gaze, feeling the truth of those words.
The lounge felt emptier that night, even as guests poured in. And later, when she walked home under the stars, she realized something she hadn't felt in a long time:
She wanted to see someone again. Not out of fear they'd leave.
But because with him—she felt at peace.
And maybe… that someone was Ryuu.
---
That night, in her apartment, Reina stood in front of the mirror, drying her long hair with a hairdryer. She wore nothing but a loose nightdress that hung open in places and tight right in certain parts, ready to crawl into bed soon.
"Um… It's strange. Mr. Ryuu didn't drop by the lounge tonight… Is he really that busy?" she muttered softly.
She glanced at her reflection in the full-body mirror, combing through her long, silky hair.
"Huh… Why am I even thinking about him?" Reina shook her head slightly.
After that, she went through her usual night routine—applying skincare, moisturizing her face, the same as every other evening. Yet tonight, an unusual thought slipped into her mind: Ryuu's body. The words he had once told her resurfaced.
"He said he's futa, right? I wonder… what does his… actually look like down there?" she whispered, her cheeks warming as indecent thoughts clouded her mind.
Biting her lower lip, Reina felt a strange heat stir inside her. Almost without realizing it, her hand began to wander over her body in slow, hesitant strokes.
"Why… why is my body reacting like this? It usually doesn't…" she murmured, her voice faint as her body grew tense and sensitive.
"Mphh… Ryuu…~" she breathed his name softly, a shy smile curving her lips as her hand cupped her breast with gentle pressure.
What she didn't know—was that she wasn't alone. Hidden cameras, discreetly planted in several corners of her apartment days ago, were quietly recording her every move. Cameras Ryuu himself had set up.