The thread between us

Ji Ah was getting ready in her room, but her mind lingered on Ryu Hwan.

 "Why did his mood shift today? Was something bothering him?"

Just as she pinned her hair, a familiar flap echoed against her window.

Ember.

She walked over and opened it.

"Hey!" she scolded playfully, "Don't fly around so freely in the city. If someone sees you, you'll end up as a science experiment on a cold lab table. Got it, dragon?"

Ember puffed up in mock offense, tossing his head with drama.

Ji Ah raised a brow. "You watch me, don't you?"

Ember nodded proudly, his wings fluttering like a smug little bodyguard.

"So, you're here again to keep an eye on me, aren't you?"

Another proud nod.

She rolled her eyes, chuckling at his sass. "You're impossible."

Marching toward him, she waved a hand. "Fly now, before someone sees you."

Ember let out a tiny growl of disapproval but flew off with flair. Ji Ah shut the window and muttered under her breath,

"Dragons, huh."

—

A little later, Ji Ah stepped out, fully dressed. Ryu Hwan was waiting for her with the car, silent and unreadable.

They drove in silence, the road gradually shifting from city noise to forest whispers. Finally, the car slowed as they approached a mountain pass.

"You'll stay in the car until I open your door. Understood?" he said in a calm, deep voice.

Ji Ah gave him a questioning look but nodded. Ryu stepped out and came around to her side.

But when the door opened and Ji Ah stepped out…

The world shifted.

There was no road anymore. No mountain path.

Instead, she stood at the edge of a misty, still lake, surrounded by jagged cliffs and silver trees, the entire space humming with otherworldly energy.

Her eyes widened.

"W-What the hell…? We were just on the road—how did we suddenly get here?"

Ryu Hwan didn't answer.

He quietly took her hand and led her forward, their steps soft against the moist earth.

They stopped at the edge of the lake. The water shimmered under the faint moonlight, casting silver ripples across their faces.

Ji Ah looked at him, her voice softer now.

"This place… it's not ordinary, is it? It's close to your heart, isn't it?"

Ryu smirked faintly, still gazing at the water.

 "What, you think a psychopath like me can't have a favorite place?"

His teasing smile didn't quite reach his eyes. Ji Ah frowned, her chest tightening with a feeling she couldn't name.

"Why did you bring me here?"

Ryu turned to her.

"Can't I just take you somewhere without a reason? We're partners, aren't we?"

Ji Ah crossed her arms. "Only on missions... and for tracking down info about my parents."

He chuckled and sat down by the water's edge, motioning for her to do the same.

"You tell me, Ji Ah. Isn't it peaceful here?" he said, voice almost a whisper. "Doesn't this place feel like… a pause in your chaotic life? I thought maybe… you needed a little calm. So I brought you here."

Ji Ah stared at him, caught in a rare stillness. Their eyes met — a silence that said more than words. Then she looked away, her heart beating unevenly.

After a moment, Ryu inhaled deeply and stood.

"We're heading into N1N Zone tonight. An abandoned sector. We need to investigate, and if there's a core, you'll collect it."

He offered his hand. "And no — I'm not just helping you up. I'm offering friendship. So tell me, will you take it?"

Ji Ah hesitated.

Then, slowly, she took his hand.

—

On the drive back, Ji Ah sat quietly beside him, her thoughts spinning.

"I didn't even meet Shin Joo. So much happened, and I need to tell him… But how will I go now? We have a mission tonight..."

She thought about sending him a message, but Ryu Hwan was right beside her. She paused, holding the thought.

As they reached home, Ryu's eyes kept flickering toward her. Something inside him stirred every time he saw her face. His grip on the steering wheel tightened as if trying to silence his own emotions.

In the lift, silence lingered. Then Ryu said in his usual cold voice,

 "Whatever you need for the mission, pack it. I'll message you the time and location later. We'll enter together."

He paused… then added with a sharp glance,

 "The pendant… do you still have it? Or did you throw it away?"

Ji Ah scowled at his tone but said nothing. She simply pointed at her neck — the pendant was hidden beneath her collar, safe.

As the lift opened to her floor, she stepped out without a word. Ryu Hwa

n watched her go, his heart thudding with something he couldn't name.

 "She stayed…" he thought. "But for how long?"