𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓

chapter thirty-eight.

"You've finally awoken, my darling."

Crimson eyes fluttered open and closed at the bright light. There was a tall figure standing across from her, wearing a pleased smile. She could only blink up at him.

"Do you remember my name?" he asked cheerfully. At the shake of her head, he chuckled. He reached out a hand and fondly ruffled her hair. "That's alright. I'm Raiden."

Nervously gulping, she politely bowed her head. "Nice to meet you," she softly greeted.

Raiden's smile brightened at her answer. He took the seat across from her bed. "Now that we've gotten that out of the way," he began. "Tell me, do you remember what happened?"

She shook her head again.

Sympathetically frowning, Raiden spoke again. "In your hometown, there was a great fire. Many people died. Unfortunately, your parents passed away, but you were saved."

She furrowed her eyebrows. A handful of unfamiliar memories filled her brain. Two elder, unfamiliar people, and a gleaming fire. The memories seemed...unnatural.

"The doctor said that you lost some of your memory, from the trauma," Raiden explained. He tilted his head. "Do you remember your name, at least?"

"I...don't," she admitted, her face flushing in embarrassment.

Raiden waved a reassuring hand. "Your name is Sumire. Does that ring a bell?"

For some reason, it did. Sumire could only nod. What else could she do besides trust this man's words? "It does..."

He chuckled. "For the time being, I'll be your caretaker and guardian, until you've fully recovered," he smiled. "Until then, we'll be like family."

Sumire returned his smile. From what she'd seen, Raiden seemed like a kind man. "Thank you," she softly said. "I will do my best not to trouble you."

"No, please do," Raiden grinned. Raiden ran a hand through his charmingly touseled hair, and Sumire could only look at him in awe. She'd only just realized how handsome the man was. "I'd feel much more relieved if you did trouble me."

Sumire giggled lightly at his words. "Then, I hope we get along well, Raiden-san."

"Just Raiden is alright," he smiled. Raiden outstretched a hand. "Come, I'm sure you're hungry."

To confirm his words, Sumire's stomach grumbled. Her face flushed in embarrassment as she took his hand. "It would seem so," she shyly answered. Sumire hopped off the bed. Raiden didn't let go of her hand.

"You were in bed for quite a while," Raiden smiled. He helped her sit at a table at the other end of the room. There was a steaming bowl of soup. Sumire gulped at the delicious aroma radiating off of it. Raiden chuckled at gestured to it. "Eat."

Sumire was quick to place a spoonful into her mouth. Her eyes lit up at the taste. "Did you make this, Raiden?" she questioned.

Raiden took the seat across from her. "I did," he chuckled. "Is it good?"

"It is," Sumire eagerly said. She shoveled spoonfuls after spoonfuls into her mouth. It felt as though she hadn't eaten in days.

He laughed at her eagerness. "Careful, don't choke."

They stayed in a comfortable silence for a few moments as Sumire at. She felt his heavy gaze on her for a while, and she could only timidly avoid his gaze.

"Hey, Sumire?"

Sumire almost flinched at the sudden call of her name. "Y-Yes?" she quickly answered. Sumire looked up to find Raiden gazing at her with a heavy gaze.