The gentle evening breeze fluttered through the open window of the Kamihara estate, rustling the sheer white curtains as if nature itself was trying to soothe the heavy silence that had fallen between Marina and Izumi.
She sat on the edge of the chaise lounge, her hands clasped tightly together in her lap, nails digging faint crescents into her skin. Her eyes shimmered, not with tears, but with emotions she hadn't yet learned to name.
Izumi stood a few feet away, unsure whether to sit beside her or let her breathe. The room felt too big, yet too small for the two of them.
"You're awfully quiet," Marina said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm just... trying to figure out how to say the right thing," Izumi admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, what do you even say when someone you care about tells you something that painful?"
Marina looked down. "You could say nothing. Most people would. It's easier to pretend they never heard."
"Well, I'm not most people," Izumi replied.
She blinked and glanced up at him.
"So what if you're broken?" he said, stepping closer. "Who isn't? We're all a mess. Some of us just hide it better."
Marina gave a quiet laugh, half-broken, half-relieved. "You say that like you know everything about me."
"I don't. But I want to. And..." he sat down beside her now, gently placing his hand over hers, "I want to be the one who's still there even when you're at your worst."
She swallowed. "Why? Why me? You could have anyone. Someone normal. Someone without all this... history."
"Because it's you," he said, meeting her eyes. "Because you laugh like you're not supposed to, and cry like you've forgotten how, and fight even when you're exhausted. You're real, Marina. You're not perfect, but you're you."
Her lips trembled. "I don't know if I deserve someone like you."
"Then let me be the one who shows you that you do."
A long silence. Then Marina leaned into him, pressing her forehead to his shoulder. "...You're going to regret this someday."
"Never."
Outside the window, the first stars had begun to glimmer.
--
In the hallway, behind the half-closed door, a few bodyguards stood with crossed arms.
"They're talking. No crying yet. Good sign," one of them muttered.
"Should we tell Ashford-sama they're bonding?"
"No. Let the boss enjoy his wine. He needs this victory."
--
Later that night, Marina offered him a blanket and a guest room.
"You're staying over?"
Izumi blinked. "Eh? I thought I was just visiting."
She smirked, the first real smile in hours. "You heard too much. You can't escape now."
He chuckled. "Guess I better get used to Kamihara hospitality."
As she turned to leave, she paused at the door.
"Izumi?"
"Yeah?"
"...Thanks for not running away."
He smiled. "I'm not going anywhere."
The door clicked shut behind her, but the warmth lingered long after she left.
And in the moonlight, Izumi whispered to himself, "I think I might be falling in love for real."
To be continued...