You are quite like a wilted flower,
neglected,
dried out,
and crumbled into pieces.
But, why did you still catch my attention with that beyond-belief beauty of yours?
All you need is a little love to bloom,
a little care to grow colorful,
and a litt...
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XXIV: Wilted Flower
Crimson Reflections | Deep emotional pain and hidden truths waiting to be uncovered.
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"Riki, was Iris a bit strange to you when she came back?" Minho asked suddenly, his voice steady but laced with concern.
Riki glanced at him, catching the intensity in Minho's gaze. "Yeah... a little."
"What do you mean by 'a little'? Did she say something?" Minho leaned in, his curiosity piqued.
Riki hesitated, his brow furrowing. "She was acting differently around you. It felt like she was... I don't know, avoiding you? But she seemed almost clingy with me."
"Clingy?" Minho's heart sank.
"Not in a bad way. Just... closer. I couldn't figure it out. She'd laugh at my jokes, lean in when I spoke. It felt off, like she was trying to forget something." Riki shrugged, uncertainty washing over him. "But with you? It's like she built a wall."
Minho swallowed hard, unease churning in his stomach. "You think she's hiding something from me?"
"I don't know. She just feels different. Like she's wearing a mask." Riki scratched his head, searching for the right words. "When I tried to ask her about it, she just smiled and changed the subject."
"Did she mention anything about her time away?" Minho pressed, leaning closer.
"No," Riki replied, shaking his head. "She avoided it completely. It's like whatever happened is locked away somewhere deep. I didn't want to push her; I thought maybe she just needed time."
Minho felt the weight of those words settle in the air between them. "But why is she closer to you? She used to confide in me."
"Honestly? I have no clue. It's like she's trying to keep you at arm's length while I'm just... here." Riki frowned, frustration creeping into his voice. "It's weird."
A tense silence enveloped them, thick with unspoken fears and questions. Just then, a sudden crash shattered the stillness, glass exploding from Riki's kitchen.
"What was that?" Minho asked, his heart racing.
"I don't know! Let's check it out!" Riki's eyes widened in alarm.
"What if it's connected to Iris?" Minho nodded, anxiety swirling in his gut.
Riki didn't answer. Instead, he moved toward the kitchen, adrenaline surging through him. Minho followed closely, dread hanging over them like a storm cloud.
They stepped into the kitchen, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. What truth lingered ahead?
