Chapter 9: A Place to Stay
The door stood half open.
Naomi was still there.
But something about her felt… different.
Her usual calm expression was gone. In its place was hesitation—like she had been standing outside for a while, gathering the courage to knock.
"Ryugenn…"
Her voice was softer than usual.
"Will you help me?"
Ryugenn looked at her for a moment.
There was no surprise in his expression.
No hesitation either.
"You have helped me lot before ," she added quickly, almost as if she was afraid he might refuse. "But… can you do it one more time?"
Ryugenn stepped slightly aside, opening the door wider.
"Why not?"
His tone was simple.
Direct.
"Tell me what the problem is."
Naomi exhaled quietly.
Then stepped inside.
The room felt quieter than usual.
Or maybe it was just her.
Naomi stood near the desk, fingers lightly gripping the edge of her sleeve.
"The room I'm staying in…" she began, "…it needs maintenance."
Ryugenn listened.
"The owner said I can leave it for a few months if I want."
A small pause.
"She even suggested I could stay at her house until the work is done."
Ryugenn nodded slightly.
"That sounds reasonable."
Naomi shook her head.
"I refused."
He looked at her.
"I don't feel comfortable staying in someone else's house," she said. "Especially with their family."
Her voice was calm, but there was something firm beneath it.
Ryugenn understood.
"…Then we can find another place," he said.
Naomi blinked.
"For a few months," he continued, "you just need something temporary."
She nodded.
"Yes…"
But something about her expression didn't change.
It still felt like—
She wanted to say something more.
But couldn't.
Ryugenn noticed.
But didn't ask.
"Let's go," he said instead.
The afternoon passed quietly.
They walked through streets.
Checked buildings.
Spoke to landlords.
"Already occupied."
"No short-term rent."
"Come back next month."
"Not available."
Answer after answer.
Same result.
Nothing.
Naomi's steps slowed slightly.
Not dramatically.
Just enough for Ryugenn to notice.
"You're tired," he said.
She shook her head.
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
A brief silence.
Naomi let out a small breath.
"…Maybe a little."
Ryugenn looked at the sky.
The sun had already started lowering.
"We'll continue in the evening," he said.
Naomi glanced at him.
"Let's eat something first."
A pause.
"…At my place."
Naomi blinked.
"I have two beds," he added calmly. "In different rooms."
Her expression shifted slightly.
"You can rest there if you want."
There was no awkwardness in his tone.
No hidden meaning.
Just a practical suggestion.
Naomi looked at him for a second.
Then nodded.
"…Okay."
Room 404 felt different with someone else inside.
Not crowded.
Not uncomfortable.
Just…
Different.
Ryugenn placed his bag aside and walked straight to the kitchen.
"I'll make something simple," he said.
Naomi sat quietly on the chair, watching him.
The way he moved.
The way he worked.
Everything was efficient.
No wasted motion.
No unnecessary noise.
Within minutes, the room filled with the soft aroma of food.
Nothing fancy.
But warm.
Comforting.
They sat across from each other.
Eating.
Naomi spoke.
A lot.
"…I didn't realize finding a room would be this hard."
"…I thought there would be at least one place."
"…Maybe I should have agreed to the owner's offer…"
Ryugenn listened.
Occasionally responding.
Short answers.
Simple words.
But he didn't interrupt.
Didn't dismiss anything she said.
And somehow—
That made it easier for Naomi to keep talking.
Her voice softened.
Her thoughts flowed more naturally.
Without hesitation.
Without restraint.
Ryugenn just ate quietly.
Listening.
Like always.
After finishing, Ryugenn stood up.
"I'll clean later."
Naomi looked at him.
"You can rest now."
He pointed toward the other room.
"I have some work to do."
A small pause.
"If you need anything, just call me."
Naomi nodded.
"…Okay."
Ryugenn walked toward the other room.
Closed the door gently.
The room fell silent.
Naomi sat there for a moment.
Looking around.
Everything was neat.
Organized.
Calm.
Just like him.
She stood slowly.
Walked toward the kitchen.
Then stopped.
Thinking.
"…Why didn't I say it?"
The words slipped out quietly.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
There had been a moment earlier.
A chance.
To say something more.
But she hadn't.
She exhaled.
Then—
Moved.
Time passed.
Maybe ten minutes.
Maybe more.
Ryugenn remained focused on his work.
The soft clicking of the keyboard filled the room.
Until—
He stopped.
Something felt…
Different.
Too quiet.
He stood up.
Walked out of the room.
And paused.
The kitchen.
Clean.
Spotless.
Every utensil washed.
Every plate placed neatly back.
Everything exactly where it should be.
Ryugenn frowned slightly.
"…She did this?"
He hadn't even asked.
For a moment, he just stood there.
Then turned.
Walked toward the other room.
The one Naomi was resting in.
He knocked lightly.
"Naomi?"
No response.
A small pause.
He knocked again.
Still nothing.
Ryugenn's brows narrowed slightly.
"…Naomi?"
He slowly turned the handle.
The door opened.
The room was empty.
The bed—
Untouched.
The window—
Slightly open.
Curtains moving gently with the breeze.
Ryugenn stood there.
Silent.
Still.
"…What?"
The word came out quietly.
He stepped inside.
Looked around.
No bag.
No sign of her.
Nothing.
Just—
Absence.
And the faint sound of wind passing through the open window.
Ryugenn walked closer.
His gaze fixed on the empty space.
Something didn't feel right.
Not at all.
The room felt—
Wrong.
He turned slightly.
Eyes narrowing.
"…Naomi?"
No answer.
Only silence.
And this time—
It didn't feel calm.
(End of Chapter 9)