Days after Ru Shi’s grandmother’s visit, the atmosphere between Yura and Ru Shi remained somewhat tense, yet there was a noticeable change. They didn’t speak much, but there was an unspoken understanding between them. The small gestures Ru Shi had shown during her difficult night lingered in Yura’s mind, and even though she kept telling herself that she hated him, there was something about his kindness that made her heart soften.
One quiet afternoon, Yura was sitting in the garden behind their house, reading a book. The gentle breeze played with her hair as she absentmindedly turned the pages. She was trying to focus on the words, but her mind kept drifting back to the little moments she shared with Ru Shi—his quiet acts of care, the ramen he made, the way he had gone out in the middle of the night just to make sure she was comfortable.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. She didn’t need to turn around to know it was Ru Shi. He had a habit of approaching quietly, as if he didn’t want to disturb her. She kept her eyes on her book, trying to ignore the flutter in her heart.
“Yura,” he called softly, his voice calm.
She glanced up from her book, noticing that he had something in his hands. He walked over to her, sitting down on the bench beside her, placing a small wooden box on her lap.
“What’s this?” she asked, confused.
Ru Shi scratched the back of his head, looking a little embarrassed. “It’s... well, I noticed you’ve been reading a lot lately. So, I thought maybe this could help.”
Yura opened the box slowly, revealing a set of elegant bookmarks—each one hand-painted with beautiful flowers and landscapes. She stared at them, touched by the thoughtfulness behind the gift.
“They’re beautiful,” she whispered, running her fingers over the delicate designs. “Thank you.”
Ru Shi gave a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I know things between us aren’t... perfect. But I just want you to know, I’m trying.”
Yura looked at him, and for the first time in a while, she didn’t feel the need to push him away. She didn’t know how to respond, so instead, she simply nodded, her eyes softening as she carefully placed the bookmarks back in the box.
For a moment, they sat in silence, the soft rustling of the leaves around them filling the quiet space. But there was something calming about the moment—something that made Yura feel, just for a second, like maybe things didn’t have to be as complicated as they were.
Later that evening, as Yura prepared for bed, she heard a light knock on her door. She opened it to find Ru Shi standing there, looking a little awkward. In his hand, he held a cup of warm tea.
“I, uh, thought this might help you sleep better,” he said, offering the cup to her.
Yura stared at him, surprised by the gesture. She hadn’t expected him to go out of his way like this. She took the cup from him, feeling the warmth in her hands, and for a brief moment, their fingers brushed against each other.
“Thank you,” she said softly, her heart skipping a beat.
Ru Shi gave a small nod, then turned to leave, but just as he reached the door, Yura called out, “Wait.”
He stopped, turning back to her with a curious look.
“Why are you being so... kind?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ru Shi looked at her, his eyes full of quiet emotion. He opened his mouth to say something but then closed it, as if unsure of how to express what he felt. After a long pause, he sighed softly. “Because I don’t know how else to show you that I care,” he admitted quietly.
Yura felt her chest tighten at his words. She hadn’t expected such honesty from him. She stood there, holding the warm cup of tea, feeling a strange mix of emotions swirling inside her.
Ru Shi gave her one last look before leaving the room, and as the door closed behind him, Yura found herself staring at the spot where he had stood, her mind racing.
---
The next day, Ru Shi had to attend a meeting, and Yura found herself alone at home. She was cleaning the living room when she heard a soft whimper. Confused, she followed the sound and discovered the little puppy that Ru Shi’s aunt had brought a few days ago.
The puppy, a small golden fluffball, was sitting by the window, looking up at her with wide, curious eyes. Yura couldn’t help but smile. The puppy reminded her of the innocence and simplicity that she so often craved amidst the complicated emotions of her life.
She crouched down, gently patting the puppy’s head. “Hey there,” she cooed softly.
As if understanding her, the puppy wagged its tail excitedly, nuzzling into her hand. Yura laughed lightly, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. She picked up the puppy, cradling it in her arms as it snuggled against her.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Ru Shi entered, fresh from his meeting. His eyes immediately fell on the sight before him—Yura sitting on the floor, holding the puppy, her face lit up with a smile he hadn’t seen in so long.
He stopped in his tracks, mesmerized by the scene. The way the light from the window caught her hair, the way her laughter filled the room—it was a side of her that he hadn’t seen in what felt like ages.
For a moment, Ru Shi forgot everything—the tension between them, the pain of the past—and all he could think about was how beautiful she looked when she smiled.
His aunt, who had come to visit, walked in behind him and noticed the way Ru Shi was staring at Yura. With a knowing smile, she nudged him playfully. “You adore her, don’t you?”
Ru Shi blinked, his face turning a slight shade of pink as he quickly looked away. “I... well, it’s not...”
But his aunt just laughed softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “You don’t have to say it. It’s written all over your face.”
Ru Shi watched as Yura continued to play with the puppy, her laughter filling the room. And for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to hope—hope that maybe, just maybe, things could change between them.
