Ryenne sat in the bathtub, her arms loosely wrapped around her knees, her unfocused violet eyes staring at the water. The room was quiet, the kind of quiet that made her thoughts feel deafening.
She inhaled deeply and slowly slipped beneath the surface. Tiny bubbles escaped her lips, rising gently to the top.
What am I even doing…?
Her chest tightened—not just from holding her breath, but from something deeper. A hollowness she couldn't shake.
I don't want to die… not like this… Not while I'm still pretending I'm okay.
A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts. She jolted up from the water, gasping for air, heart pounding in her ears.
"Oui," came Kite's familiar voice from behind the door. "Don't fall asleep in there, idiot."
She froze. Of course it was him.
"…O-okay."
Ryenne stood up slowly, wrapping herself in a towel. She stared at her reflection in the fogged-up mirror. Her smile was gone, her eyes looked tired—too tired for someone her age.
She exhaled, then forced her lips into that familiar smirk. The one that told the world she was fine. The one that always lied for her.
When she stepped out, she leaned against the wall with mock confidence. "Were you waiting outside to catch a glimpse of me naked?"
Kite turned away, face scrunching in embarrassment.
She chuckled softly. "You're too innocent."
Maybe that's why you still look at me like I'm worth something…
---
At dinner, everyone was seated around the table.
Harley, Ryenne, and Audrey eagerly ate the freshly prepared great boar meat. Kite quietly stuck to his vegetables.
"You should try it sometime," Ryenne said casually, cutting into the meat. "Good protein. Builds strength."
"Thanks, but I'll pass."
"And why's that?" she pressed, raising an eyebrow.
Before Kite could answer, Audrey stepped in gently, "Ryenne, if he doesn't want it, let him be. No need to push."
Ryenne fell silent. "Tch, fine."
Across the table, Harley fed Chu-Chu almonds from her tiny palm, the two already the best of friends after only a few days. The warmth of the scene was almost enough to distract from the silence lingering over Kite and Ryenne.
---
Later, Kite and Ryenne stood side-by-side at the sink, washing dishes. Audrey had gone to rest, too tired after the long day.
The kitchen was filled only with the sound of running water and clinking plates. Neither spoke.
Then, Ryenne broke the silence—her voice hesitant, fragile.
"Um…"
Kite glanced at her. "What is it?"
"I… it's nothing. Forget it." She turned her head, refusing to meet his eyes.
Kite didn't press. He just nodded slowly and returned to the dishes, even though something in him wanted to ask again.
Maybe some things are too heavy to say out loud.
---
That night, Kite lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. His room was dim, save for the silver glow of the moon spilling through the window.
He could still hear faint echoes in his head—his parents' voices, distant laughter, things that weren't coming back.
Chu-Chu slept peacefully in a basket filled with fruits, tiny paws twitching. He turned on the bed.
The door creaked.
He didn't move. Then, he felt the mattress dip behind him. A soft presence curled up against his back, so close it felt like she was trying to disappear into him.
"If you turn around," she said in a whisper so faint it nearly broke, "I'll kill you."
He didn't move. He didn't speak.
She was trembling. Not from cold, but from everything she carried and never said.
"It's all your fault…" she whispered again.
He didn't ask what she meant. Maybe she didn't know either.
"Just for tonight…" Her voice cracked slightly. "Let me sleep here… with you."
Kite gave a small nod. It was all she needed.
She held onto his back just a little tighter. Not as a lover. Not even as a friend.
But as someone tired of pretending she was strong all the time.
And for the first time in a long time…
Ryenne Sherrington allowed herself to fall asleep without the weight of the world crushing her chest.