courage dear heart | Yuki Ishikawa

47

Ishikawa's POV

I stood outside the room, my back pressed against the wall, trying to keep my anxiety in check as Nabi and Hanbin talked inside.

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

Suddenly, a piercing cry cut through the silence.

It was Nabi, and the sound of her anguish made my blood run cold.

Her scream was raw and desperate, a heartbreaking release of emotions I could only imagine.

I froze, unable to move, my ears straining to catch every sound from within.

Her sobs grew louder, more intense, echoing through the walls of the room.

The depth of her despair was palpable, each cry filled with the weight of unspoken pain.

I could hear her crying out questions, her voice breaking with every utterance, as if she were confronting the very core of her sorrow.

The intensity of her weeping was overwhelming.

It felt as though she cried for hours, her voice growing hoarse and fragile as she continued to sob. Each cry seemed to pierce through the walls, a testament to the depth of her grief and the struggle she was enduring.

I stood there, helpless, my own emotions roiling as I listened. I wished more than anything to be able to comfort her, to take away her pain, but all I could do was wait, hoping that Hanbin's presence would help her find some semblance of peace.

After several minutes of agonizing silence, I gathered the courage to open the door and step inside.

Nabi lay curled up in Hanbin's arms, utterly exhausted.

Her face was streaked with tears, her breathing steady but shallow. Hanbin was holding her gently, his own face etched with deep lines of sorrow and fatigue. It was clear he had also been crying; his eyes were red and swollen, his expression as distraught as hers.

I carefully approached, my heart heavy. Gently, I picked Nabi up.

The realization struck me just how much weight she had lost in such a short period.

Hanbin watched silently, his gaze filled with a mixture of concern and exhaustion. As I adjusted my hold on Nabi, I turned to him. "I'm going to take her to my room," I said softly, "You can stay in her room for now."

Hanbin nodded, his eyes reflecting a deep, somber understanding. He stood up slowly, his movements slow and deliberate as he followed me.

I carried Nabi carefully to my room, trying to be as gentle as possible. As I laid her down on the bed.

I gently covered Nabi with the blankets, ensuring she was warm and comfortable. Carefully, I arranged the pillows around her, propping them up on either side to create a cocoon of softness. I wanted to make sure she felt as secure as possible.

I quietly left my room, feeling the weight of the situation settle heavily on my shoulders. Hanbin was waiting just outside the door to Nabi's room. I led him down the dimly lit hallway, my steps slow as I guided him to Nabi's room.

When we reached the door, I paused, turning to face him. He looked at me with a mix of relief and appreciation.

"I'm really glad Nabi has someone like you by her side," he said softly, his voice carrying a note of genuine sincerity. "It reassures me to know she's with you.

I nodded, trying to convey the depth of my commitment without needing to say much.

We both understood the significance of the moment. Hanbin's expression was a blend of sadness and relief, as if he was entrusting me with something precious and fragile.