Later, when she finally stepped outside, his sleek black car was already there.
"Hufft…" she exhaled in relief and slid inside his car.
The drive was quiet, but strangely comforting. For a moment, she felt safe.
Until she glanced out the car window because she feels bored.
At a darkened street corner, a hooded figure stood watching.
Even from a distance, she recognized the build.
Daniel.
Reina's heart nearly stopped.
Did he see her? Did he know she was in Ryuu's car?
Her lips trembled as she forced herself to look away, hiding her panic from Ryuu.
But no matter how hard she tried to ignore it, one truth lingered in her mind the entire ride. Daniel was watching her. And that meant—new trouble was on its way.
---
The night air was still cold when Ryuu dropped Reina off at her apartment and soon excused himself to leave.
Reina tossed and turned on her bed, unable to sleep. Her body was exhausted, yet her mind remained restless—haunted by the shadow of the man in the black hoodie standing at the roadside. The image lingered in her eyes like a wound that refused to heal.
Daniel.
Her thoughts couldn't stop racing: Was he following her? Did he know everything? And why would he do that?
She pulled the blanket tighter around her body, as if shielding herself from the fear that clung to her. But it wasn't only Daniel's presence that unsettled her—it was also the realization that she had begun to feel safer, more at ease, in the company of someone else.
Ryuu.
Reina closed her eyes. His calm, expressionless face appeared in her mind. The way he looked at her, the way he spoke—it was unlike anyone she had ever met. And for a fleeting moment, guilt struck her heart. Because part of her seemed to long for someone other than Daniel.
---
Morning came at last, with gray clouds hanging in the sky as if mirroring Reina's mood.
At campus, Yuki appeared with her usual bright smile, handing Reina a canned coffee.
"Bought this so you won't look like a zombie today," she teased.
Reina accepted it with a faint smile. "Thanks, Ki."
Yuki studied her face more closely. "Hmm, you look like someone who just saw a ghost."
"Huh, almost," Reina muttered, twisting the cap. "Or maybe… being chased by one."
Yuki raised her brows, curiosity gleaming. "Don't tell me Daniel's been following you again?"
Reina only gave a small nod.
Yuki clicked her tongue in frustration. "Seriously, if he's stalking you like that, you should start thinking about reporting him."
Reina lowered her gaze. "I know. But… part of me still isn't ready."
Yuki touched her arm gently. "If you're not ready to leave a guy who makes you scared every night, then be ready to be consumed by your own feelings."
Reina fell silent.
---
That night, the lounge where Reina worked was busier than usual. A socialite event had brought in a wave of high-profile guests, and the atmosphere was lively.
Reina hurried back and forth serving orders, trying to stay professional. But the moment she saw Ryuu enter—dressed in his usual dark suit with that mysterious aura—her concentration began to falter.
He took his usual VIP table, this time without work papers and documents, just a glass of wine and his piercing gaze that followed her every move.
From behind the bar, Leon teased, "If his stare gets any deeper, don't blame him when you melt."
Reina hissed softly. "You always twist things, Senior."
Leon chuckled. "That's my job—to lighten your night. Especially tonight, it's crazy busy."
Moments later, Ryuu called for her. Taking a deep breath, Reina walked over with professional composure.
"The red wine's still good as always, Sir?" she asked, jotting notes.
Ryuu studied her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You seem restless tonight."
Reina nearly faltered. "Ah, it's nothing, Sir.."
He didn't press further. He swirled his glass slowly, then said in a calm voice, "If you ever need a safe place to talk, I'll listen. No strings do you care so much about me, Sir?"
Ryuu's gaze held hers. "Because I know what it feels like… to be trapped with no choices, Reina."
---
Hours passed, and the crowd began to thin. Reina stepped out onto the balcony for fresh air when that deep voice reached her again.
"Reina."
She turned. This time, Ryuu didn't just speak—he followed her onto the balcony, standing under the pale moonlight, his eyes lifted to the clouded sky.
"Tonight feels different," he murmured.
Reina stood beside him. "Because it's cloudy?"
He gave a slight nod, then turned toward her. "Or maybe because… some things are about to come to light."
Reina frowned. "What do you mean, Sir? Your words always confuse me."
Ryuu was silent for a moment before exhaling. "You once asked why I always choose the corner, away from the crowd."
Reina nodded quietly. "Yes…"
"Because I've been hiding something. Not something evil… but something unusual."
Her body tensed, curiosity warring with unease. Her heart pounded erratically.
Ryuu continued, "I know this may seem too soon for you. But I also know… you need to understand who I really am."
Reina's eyes wavered with a mix of fear and intrigue.
"Reina," Ryuu called softly, though his voice carried the weight of years. "I'm not a man. But I'm also… not an ordinary woman."
The world seemed to freeze for Reina.
"I'm… intersex—or perhaps you're more familiar with the word… futanari." His tone was calm, though his eyes stayed sharp, watching her reaction closely.
A thunderclap inside her mind.
Reina froze, her lips parted, but no words came out. It took several seconds for the truth to sink in.
"W-why… are you only telling me this now, Sir?" Her voice was faint, almost trembling.
Ryuu's gaze softened with honesty. "Because I know most people would run if they knew right away. But you… you seemed like someone who could see beyond appearances."
Reina lowered her head, her breath catching. She didn't know what to say—not because of disgust or fear, but because her heart felt even more tangled.
Her hands gripped the balcony rail, her fingers cold despite the mild night. The muffled music from inside had faded, leaving behind a silence that pressed on her chest.
Ryuu stood beside her, tall and still, blending with the night. The moonlight barely illuminated his face, but his eyes shone with a raw honesty rarely seen in fleeting encounters.
"I… don't know what to do," Reina whispered, laying bare her turmoil. "Too many things are happening all at once."
Ryuu nodded, as if expecting her answer. "I don't expect you to accept it right away. I just want you to hear it from me… not from anyone else."
His voice carried a bitter edge, like someone long misunderstood.
Reina looked at him, studying his face longer this time. She realized how calm he was, confessing something that could easily destroy their connection before it even began. No panic, no begging—only truth.
And somehow, that honesty made her chest ache.
"So… no one here knows?" Reina asked softly.
Ryuu shook his head. "Only a few close to me. The business world is harsh enough without adding fuel for gossip."
She bit her lower lip, overwhelmed by a swirl of emotions—shock, confusion, but also… curiosity. A part of her wanted to run far away. Yet another part was drawn closer, unable to resist the pull of this enigmatic figure.
"I can't promise to understand right away…" Reina admitted. "But I… I don't feel disgusted. I'm just scared—scared I'll disappoint myself if I can't fully understand you, Sir."
Ryuu watched her for a long moment. Then, for the first time that night, he gave her a faint smile—not formal, not forced, but genuine. "That's already more than enough for me, Reina."
Silence settled again on the balcony. Only the wind carried the faint scent of rain in the distance. Reina's heart still raced, but not from panic. Something warm crept beneath her confusion.
Something dangerous.