The Heart of Zero

The coffee shop was quiet, with Shingin and Riyugi sitting across from each other. The silence between them was filled with an unspoken tension, the kind that lingered after an emotional storm.

Riyugi sat by the window, the city's night lights sparkling outside like a sea of stars. Her fingers played absently with the edge of her coffee cup. Though her body screamed for rest after the life-and-death ordeal they had just faced, she knew this wasn't the time to let her guard down.

Shingin sat across from her, his expression contemplative. He wanted to ask how she was holding up, but the words caught in his throat every time he tried to speak.

Riyugi broke the silence first, her voice hoarse but steady. "Do you think I was too reckless back there, Shingin?"

He hesitated for a moment before answering, his tone low but sincere. "Riyugi, you were brave. But you're exhausted. You need to rest."

A faint, bitter smile crossed her lips. "Rest? I don't even have a change of clothes, no way to go home, and I avoided the family driver just to stay under the radar. Right now, I feel like a runaway criminal."

Shingin was about to respond when Riyugi's phone buzzed on the table, lighting up with a series of missed call notifications. Her heart sank as she realized who had been calling—Myouka. Dozens of missed calls told her just how worried her friend must have been.

After a moment's hesitation, she hit the callback button. The line barely rang before Myouka's voice burst through, frantic and emotional.

"Riyugi! Finally! Do you have any idea how worried I've been? Why didn't you pick up?!"

Riyugi took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice calm. "I'm sorry, Myouka. Something happened. I can't explain it all right now, but I'm with Shingin. I'm safe."

There was a brief silence on the other end before Myouka's voice grew even more insistent. "What happened? Are you in danger? Don't lie to me, Riyugi!"

Hearing the genuine concern in her friend's voice, Riyugi felt a pang of guilt. "I'm okay, I promise. But... I don't have anything with me. Not even spare clothes."

There was a pause as Myouka processed her words. Then, in a determined tone, she said, "Tell me where you are. I'm bringing you what you need."

"Myouka, you don't have to—"

"Enough! Just tell me where you are. I'm on my way."

Riyugi knew better than to argue when Myouka used that tone. She sighed and relayed the coffee shop's location before ending the call.

Shingin watched her with a faint smirk. "She's coming, isn't she?"

Riyugi nodded, smiling despite herself. "Yeah, she's worried."

A short while later, Myouka arrived at the coffee shop, a small travel bag slung over her shoulder and worry etched across her face. She spotted Riyugi immediately and strode over, her expression a mix of relief and frustration.

Grabbing Riyugi by the shoulders, Myouka scolded her without hesitation. "What were you thinking?! Why didn't you answer your phone? Do you know how scared I was?"

Riyugi smiled sheepishly and took the bag from Myouka. "I know, I know. I'm sorry."

Myouka huffed, crossing her arms. "You always do this—keeping everything to yourself until it's too late."

Riyugi chuckled softly, her voice full of gratitude. "Thank you, Myouka."

Myouka's expression softened as she sighed. "Well, someone has to look out for you." She glanced at Shingin, who stood quietly nearby, and gave him a pointed look. "And you—what are your plans for her now?"

Shingin met her gaze evenly. "We'll keep moving. It's not safe to stay in one place for too long."

Myouka narrowed her eyes but seemed to accept his answer. "Fine. Then I'm coming with you."

Riyugi blinked in surprise. "Myouka, you don't have to—"

"Don't even try to argue," Myouka interrupted, her tone leaving no room for debate. "Wherever you go, I'm coming too. End of discussion."

Riyugi glanced at Shingin, who simply shrugged. The three of them shared a moment of understanding before Myouka added with a teasing grin, "Unless, of course, you two are eloping. In that case, I'll just get out of your way."

Riyugi froze, her cheeks turning pink. Shingin, however, chuckled lightly. "You're overthinking things, Myouka."

"Am I?" Myouka quipped, her playful smile lingering as she patted Riyugi's shoulder. "Anyway, since I'm here, you're stuck with me now."

Shingin sighed, gesturing toward the door. "Let's get going. It's getting late."

The trio stepped out into the night, the cool breeze carrying the faint scent of grass. Riyugi clutched the bag Myouka had brought, a sense of calm settling over her. Despite the chaos ahead, she felt grounded knowing she wasn't alone.

Walking under the starlit sky, she realized that with Shingin and Myouka by her side, she could face whatever challenges awaited. For the first time in a long while, the darkness didn't feel quite so overwhelming.