Afternoon sunlight filtered through the window, casting golden rays across the wooden floor.
Ryker's eyes fluttered open, a dull pain throbbing behind them. He winced.
"...Tch. It hurts..." he muttered, voice hoarse as he slowly sat up, his muscles screaming in protest. The bed creaked beneath him.
His body felt like it was stitched together with fire. Every breath, every movement—it all hurt.
"My body... is aching..." he groaned, clutching his side. "I feel... so damn weak."
The room was quiet. Empty.
Until the door creaked open.
Aisa stepped in, her eyes immediately locking onto him.
"Ah... you're awake," she said softly, walking over.
Ryker opened his mouth to respond—but his stomach betrayed him, growling loud and sharp.
Aisa blinked, then smiled. "Aha... looks like someone's hungry."
Before he could say anything, she turned and walked back out of the room. Within minutes, she returned with a small tray—steam rising from a bowl of hot miso soup.
She sat beside him, placing the tray carefully on the side table.
"Here," she said warmly. "Let's get you some food."
Ryker tried. He really tried. But his arm trembled, then dropped uselessly back to the bed.
"Tch... I can't move my hand," he said, frustrated.
Aisa gently took the spoon in her hand. "It's okay. I'll feed you."
Ryker blinked, surprised.
With a calm smile, she scooped a spoonful of soup and brought it gently to his lips.
"Say 'ah,'" she whispered.
Ryker sighed in defeat... and opened his mouth.
Warmth filled him—not just from the soup, but from the small kindness in her touch.
For the first time in days, he felt something close to peace.
A faint sigh escaped Ryker's lips as he leaned back against the pillows.
"I'm full," he said, though his voice lacked its usual strength.
Aisa raised an eyebrow and smiled knowingly.
"You call that full?" she teased, holding another warm bowl in her hands. "You've barely eaten anything. You're our leader—you need strength. So…" she held up the spoon again, "open up."
Ryker chuckled weakly, shaking his head. "You're persistent."
"You're stubborn," she replied, smirking.
A moment of quiet passed as Aisa blew gently on the soup before bringing the spoon to his lips once more. He accepted it without protest this time.
"I thought I told you all to run," Ryker said after swallowing, his eyes glancing away. "I didn't want you to see me like that."
"We did run," Aisa replied gently, setting the spoon down for a moment. "But just because we ran doesn't mean we left you behind. We were worried, Ryker. I was worried."
Ryker closed his eyes for a moment. "I could've died. If Taro had gone all out…"
"But you didn't," she cut in. "You fought. You survived. And… you saved everyone."
He opened his eyes slowly, meeting hers. There was silence between them again, heavy but not uncomfortable.
"You always act like you have to carry everything alone," Aisa said quietly, her tone more serious now. "But you don't. We're here. I'm here."
Ryker let the words sink in. They struck deeper than any wound he'd received in battle.
He looked down at the bowl. "I'll eat it," he muttered.
Aisa blinked. "Huh?"
"The second bowl," he said, eyes narrowing slightly with mock irritation. "Before you scold me again."
Aisa smiled. She picked up the spoon. "Now that's the Ryker I know."
As she fed him the rest of the soup, the room filled with a peaceful stillness. Outside, the world was still chaotic. But in that small, sunlit room, there was only the quiet sound of healing—and the bond between two hearts slowly growing stronger.
Ryker leaned back against the pillow, his breath finally steadying after finishing the second bowl of soup. His body still ached, but the warmth in his chest wasn't from the food—it was from Aisa.
He glanced toward the quiet room and then turned to her.
"…Where is everyone?" Ryker asked, his voice softer now.
Aisa placed the empty bowl on the nearby table. "Everyone went to the church," she said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "They're helping with the girls we rescued. Sol, Jasmine, and the others… they're keeping things calm."
Ryker nodded slowly, processing her words. Then another question surfaced in his mind.
"…And Taro?"
Aisa's expression darkened for a moment. "He's in prison," she said. "We kept him in the island jail first, then moved him to the local station. Don't worry. He won't hurt anyone again."
Ryker exhaled, a small measure of relief passing through him.
There was a long pause. The sunlight coming through the window stretched across the wooden floor, casting long shadows. Aisa moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I thought I lost you," she whispered.
"…You didn't," Ryker said, turning his head to look at her. "I'm still here."
Aisa smiled faintly, but her eyes shimmered. "Don't make that a habit, okay?"
Ryker chuckled, then winced. "I'll try not to. Can't promise."
She leaned forward and rested her forehead lightly against his.
"You better promise," she murmured. "Because next time, I won't let you go alone."
The breeze outside brushed against the curtains, carrying the distant echo of the church bells. Inside the room, time felt still.
Ryker stared at Aisa, her face softened by the golden afternoon light. Despite everything—Taro, the fight, the blood—this moment felt safe.
"…You stayed with me?" he asked quietly.
Aisa gave a small nod. "From the moment you collapsed," she said. "I didn't move an inch."
He turned his gaze to the ceiling, a strange mix of guilt and gratitude swelling in his chest. "I thought… I thought I'd die."
"You almost did," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "If Celica hadn't used instant healing, we might've lost you."
Ryker clenched his fists weakly over the blanket. "I was careless."
"No," Aisa said, reaching for his hand. "You were protecting everyone. You fought because no one else could."
He looked at their hands—hers warm and steady, his trembling. For a long moment, he didn't say anything.
Then, his voice cracked slightly.
"…Were you scared?"
Aisa smiled faintly, tears gathering in her eyes. "Terrified. But not for me—for you."
Ryker shifted slightly, pain still pulling at his ribs. "I'm sorry I made you feel that way."
"Don't apologize," Aisa said, brushing his cheek with her fingers. "Just promise me… if you ever go through something like this again, don't shut me out."
Ryker nodded slowly. "I promise."
Aisa leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder, careful of his injuries. Ryker closed his eyes.
"…Thank you," he whispered.
"For what?"
"For staying. For feeding me miso soup," he smirked faintly, "and for reminding me that I'm not alone."
She chuckled softly, the sound full of relief and warmth.
"You're never alone, Ryker. You never were."