The rain still poured heavily outside the apartment window. The damp scent of wet fabric filled the dark room. Reina sat slumped on the floor near the couch, her body still wet, half-damp hair clinging to her face. The dim light cast a fragile shadow of her across the floor.
Then suddenly, a soft knock came at the door.
Knock…
Knock…
Knock…
"Reina..?" Yuki's voice came from outside. "You in there? I need to borrow your Business Economics book. We've got a quiz tomorrow, remember?"
Hearing Yuki's voice, Reina quickly wiped her face with the back of her hand, trying to erase the traces of tears. She dragged her steps toward the door and opened it just a crack, peeking out.
There stood Yuki, wearing an oversized hoodie, her hair still damp from a shower. "Uh, book?"
The moment Yuki saw Reina's swollen face, her expression shifted instantly.
"Eh… Rein? What's wrong?" she asked. Her tone was light, but her eyes carried unmistakable concern.
Reina forced a faint smile. "I'm fine, Yuki... Just got drenched on my way home from work.."
Yuki snorted, narrowing her eyes. "Yeah, drenched, sure. But your eyes are flooding too. You been swimming in a pool of tears?" her gaze studied Reina's flushed, swollen face.
Her silly remark almost made Reina laugh, but what escaped was a broken sound in her throat instead. She quickly grabbed the notebook from the table and handed it over. "Here, take it. Just return it tomorrow, don't get it dirty."
Yuki accepted the book, but instead of leaving, she leaned against the doorframe, her eyes scanned her face. "Okay… but I'm not going anywhere until you talk. You think I don't notice you're a mess? Oh my, Reina, you don't have to pretend to be strong in front of me. I'm your best friend.."
At that, Reina fell silent. Her fists clenched at her sides, her lips trembling.
"I…" Her voice was barely audible. "I'm just so tired, Yuki. I feel so ashamed of myself. Like… I'm so small in his eyes. Like I'll never be enough." She lowered her head, biting her lip.
Yuki stayed quiet, listening intently, then slowly pushed the door wider and stepped inside. She set the notebook down on the table, then patted Reina's shoulder gently. "Sit down first. I don't need the details, Rein, that's your business. But remember this—no one gets to make you feel that small. If someone does, then the problem is with them, not with you."
Reina finally sank onto the couch. Her body trembled, and tears streamed down again. "Yuki…" Her voice was almost a whisper. "If I'm just a distraction… why does my heart hurt this much? Isn't it funny? I barely even know him…"
Yuki was silent for a moment, then tapped her head lightly. "Maybe 'cause you've watched too many K-dramas…" her playful grin returned, though her eyes stayed serious. "Rein, you're not anyone's distraction. If he makes you feel that way, then he doesn't deserve you. Don't belittle yourself like this."
Reina lowered her head, no longer holding back. Her sobs finally broke free, and Yuki simply sat beside her, letting her shoulder be Reina's support. Until eventually, amid her exhausted cries, Reina drifted to sleep, her face still damp with tears.
Yuki gazed at her with pity, then whispered, "You know what? You deserve happiness, Rein… One day, you'll find someone who truly sees you. I promise."
---
Meanwhile, across the city, the rain showed no signs of stopping. Ryuu Lancaster sat in his study chair, his suit still damp, his hair disheveled. The dim desk lamp only illuminated the untouched stack of documents before him.
His phone was clenched tightly in his hand. Again and again, he typed a message:
'I'm sorry… I was wrong.'
'Reina, please forgive me.'
'I can explain what happened…'
But every time his finger hovered over the send button, he erased it again. Over and over.
Ryuu shut his eyes, exhaling deeply. "I let Sayaka touch me, as if nothing had changed between us.. Did I hurt her?" he muttered, drowning in confusion and frustration.
His fist clenched tighter. The urge to run out and find Reina was overwhelming. But his steps faltered. That past—those secrets he kept hidden—weren't ready to be revealed.
The study door opened slowly. Haru stepped in, his expression calm yet firm. "Sir, you haven't changed clothes. If this continues, you'll fall ill.."
Ryuu didn't even turn his head, completely ignore him. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
Haru sighed quietly, knowing all too well how Ryuu was. He stood there for a moment before adding, "If you keep silent, she may leave. A girl like that… won't wait forever, she is rare, you know."
Finally, Ryuu turned. His eyes were dim, his expression unreadable. He said nothing, only staring blankly at the rain-streaked window.
Once Haru left, silence returned. Ryuu rose and walked to the balcony. The cold night air whipped against his face, rain falling hard in the distance.
His hands gripped the iron railing tightly. His lips moved, voice almost drowned by the storm.
"Reina… just wait for me. I won't let you feel alone."
But his eyes squeezed shut, as though carrying a weight far heavier than words. Because he knew: that promise could only be kept if he had the courage to face the shadows of his past.
"Why must I feel this way?" Ryuu muttered, rubbing his face.
In her modest apartment, Reina had finally fallen asleep, her cheeks still wet with tears. Meanwhile, in the grand Lancaster mansion, Ryuu remained awake, standing alone on his balcony.
Two restless hearts, bound by the same longing… yet separated by status, distance, wounds, and unspoken secrets.