A few hours after that chaotic incident passed, the atmosphere in the room never truly returned to normal.
The air felt… off. Too quiet for something that had nearly turned into a tragedy. In the middle of the room, the black-haired young man was now tied to a wooden chair.
The ropes binding his body weren't rough—
but they were firm enough to restrain every movement.
He sat upright—forced upright. Like a prisoner. Or more precisely… a suspect who had yet to be judged.
"Auntie…? Isn't this a bit too much?" Rurika asked softly.
Her voice wavered—gentle, yet filled with unease. Her eyes lingered on the young man, as if still searching for a reason to justify all of this.
"No." Sarona answered without hesitation.
Her tone was firm—cold, leaving no room for argument.
"This is normal." The pink-haired woman stood with her arms crossed. Her gaze was straight, sharp, and filled with suspicion she didn't even try to hide. "We don't know how rotten his mind is… his thoughts… or even his heart."
Each word sounded like a verdict.
Then, without taking her eyes off him, she continued—her voice dropping lower. More dangerous.
"You bastard…" She clicked her tongue softly. "I thought you were into men."
She paused for a moment. Then her lips curved slightly—a smile with no warmth in it. "Turns out… you're secretly interested in my little girl instead."
The words were blunt—harsh, direct, merciless. The young man's expression shifted instantly.
"You…?" Sarona muttered, slightly surprised at his reaction. Her eyes narrowed. "…you weren't aware?"
The change was too obvious to ignore. A second ago, he only looked irritated.
Now…there was something else. Something even he didn't seem to understand yet.
"Ck." Sarona clicked her tongue again—louder this time.
"Either way, I'm not handing her over to you." Her voice rose again. Her emotions flared without restraint.
"Even if that child is a little… unusual." She glanced briefly at Rurika—quick, but enough to show she was fully aware of her ward's nature.
"Still… I won't let you do whatever you want to her." She took a step forward.
Slow. Measured. Threatening.
"And if you dare ignore my warning…"
Her smile shifted—too thin to be called human. "I'll make sure… you won't have anything left to cut."
CRACK—
A sharp snapping sound echoed.
In her hand, a wooden ruler split cleanly into two pieces—as if it were nothing more than a demonstration..A small example of something far worse.
Silence. The room froze.
The black-haired young man broke into a cold sweat. His face slowly drained of color. He said nothing. Only gave a small nod. He had no intention of resisting.
"Good." Sarona murmured, satisfied.
Then, as if nothing had happened, she turned toward Rurika.
"Rurika, I've already given him a warning."
Her tone shifted—lighter, yet still carrying a trace of tension.
"If he starts acting strange—"
She raised one finger, as if giving a simple instruction. "Knock him out."
A second finger followed.
"Or electrocute him." She paused briefly, then added casually, "I've already prepared everything. It's in your pendant—inside that small box from yesterday."
As if it were normal. As if every girl carried tranquilizers and shock tools inside her necklace.
"Haaah…" Sarona let out a long sigh.
Her shoulders dropped slightly. Her expression changed—into a different kind of exhaustion.
Not anger.
Something heavier.
"I have to go back to work." This time, her voice truly sounded tired.
"I should just quit…" She muttered under her breath—almost like she was talking to herself.
"And I still have to see that old geezer's face again." Her irritation returned—this time not directed at the young man, but at something beyond this room.
Another world.
Another problem. Something completely unrelated to what was happening here.
"However…" Rurika's soft voice cut through her complaint.
Sarona stopped.
The girl looked at her aunt with a small smile—warm, sincere, untouched by the tension from before.
"Over there… there are many people who need your care, Auntie." She spoke gently, yet every word carried weight.
"And that's not something meaningless." Her smile widened slightly. "So… do your best, Aunt."
Silence followed.
The contrast felt strange.
On one side—threats and violence. On the other—kindness too pure for a world like this.
Sarona didn't answer immediately.
But her gaze… softened, just a little.
**
After the woman left, the door closed with a firm sound—leaving behind a faint echo hanging in the air.
Silence—
Not peaceful.
Something… off.
A few seconds passed.
Then, without a word, Rurika moved.
She crouched in front of the young man and began undoing the knots binding him, one by one.
Her hands were small—but there was no hesitation in them.
"You…" The young man's voice finally broke the silence and flat. But laced with unmistakable confusion. "…didn't you hear what your aunt said? Not to release me?"
His hand, now partially freed, twitched slightly—as if he still couldn't believe what was happening.
Rurika didn't stop.
She simply answered in the same innocent tone as before. "But… you're injured."
The last knot came undone.
"And besides… I need to change your bandages." There was no hesitation in her voice. No fear.
Only… simple, unfiltered sincerity.
[…Is she stupid… or just not afraid?] The young man stared at her for a moment. […Whatever. Not my problem.]
He let out a quiet breath—barely audible.
"Give me the bandages," he said at last.
His tone turned slightly firmer, as if trying to regain control of a situation that, for some reason, felt increasingly strange. "I can change them myself."
Rurika lifted her face, looking at him with a hint of uncertainty.
"But… I also need to check your condition."
Her voice softened at the end—not out of fear, but because… she genuinely didn't understand why she was being refused.
"No need." The answer came quickly.
"It won't make any difference." He paused for a moment, then added in a flat tone, "And I have no intention of turning myself… into the target of your aunt's anger again."
Silence followed.
His words lingered in the air—half serious, half… not.
"Okay… alright…" Rurika finally gave in.
She stood up, then carefully handed him the roll of bandages, followed by a small glass container filled with ointment.
"Here are the bandages…"
She placed them into his hands. "And don't forget… apply this ointment."
The young man accepted them without a word.
But…Rurika didn't leave. She remained standing there—silent, simply watching him.
"…"
"..."
Silence filled the room again—this time more awkward, more drawn out.
"I… can change it myself." The young man repeated himself, a little firmer now. A little more… hoping to be understood.
Rurika nodded. She stayed silent—just watching, without moving in the slightest.
As if "understanding" and "acting" were two entirely different things to her.
The young man finally let out a long sigh. The fatigue in it was unmistakable. Whether from the wounds on his body… or from this situation.
"Wait outside the curtain." He pointed toward the thin fabric dividing part of the room.
"I'll change it inside." He slowly got to his feet, holding back the lingering pain.
"I'll call you if I need help." His steps paused for a moment.
Then, without turning around, he added—
"You're not planning to peek, are you?"
His tone shifted slightly—lighter. Teasing or testing.
"Ah?" Rurika looked surprised at the question. She tilted her head, genuinely thinking.
"No?" Her head leaned slightly to the side. Innocent. No hidden intent.
A faint smile appeared on the young man's lips—brief, fleeting. Yet somehow… hard to ignore.
Rurika blinked, then went still. Her eyes widened slightly—fixed on him, confused.
"Good." he replied shortly.
The curtain was drawn shut, separating him from her gaze. The soft rustle of fabric marked the end of their exchange.
Outside the curtain—Rurika remained where she stood. Silent and unmoving. As if she truly intended to wait.
Or perhaps… she simply didn't know how to leave.