Chapter 53

Kaida's expression is distant, her thoughts a million miles away as she stares blankly at the wall, lost in her own mind. Ryu, sitting on the other side of the bed, watches her for a long moment before speaking.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice soft, almost hesitant.

Kaida doesn't respond right away, her eyes still fixed on the wall. Then, slowly, she turns her head to look at Ryu, her expression one of profound sadness.

"I'm scared, Ryu," she whispers, her voice trembling slightly.

"I feel like I might die any minute now, Ryu," Kaida says, her voice low and shaky. "I've never been one to fear death, but with this...this revelation, I don't know what to do."

Ryu reaches out a hand, placing it on Kaida's shoulder in a gesture of comfort. "I know," he murmurs, his voice gentle. "It's a lot to take in. But we'll find a way through this, Kaida. We'll find a way."

Kaida sighs, the weight of her fear pressing down on her. "But what if there is no way?" she asks, her voice a whisper. "What if we're destined to become one of those things?"

Ryu squeezes her shoulder gently, his gaze unwavering. "Then we'll find a way to make sure that doesn't happen," he says, his voice firm with resolve. "We'll find a way to stop it. We won't let that happen."

Kaida's expression softens slightly, a glimmer of hope lighting her eyes.

Kaida raises an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "Why are you trying so hard to be brave, Ryu?" she asks, her gaze penetrating. "I can see the fear in your eyes. It's not just me who's scared, is it?"

Ryu's expression is pained, his eyes dropping to the floor. "I can't afford to break down right now," he says, his voice quiet. "If I do, we'll both lose it. We need to stay strong, for each other."

Kaida reaches out, her hand closing around Ryu's.

Ryu lets out a long sigh, his brow furrowed in thought. "What if Maria was just messing with us?" he asks, his voice a murmur. "What if it was just one of her stupid pranks?"

Kaida shakes her head, her expression certain. "No, Ryu," she says, her voice unwavering. "I knew Maria. I knew how she was when she was playing a prank. This wasn't that. She was serious."

Ryu's jaw clenches, the weight of the situation crashing down on him.

Kaida squeezes his hand, her eyes fixed on Ryu's face. "We'll get through this," she says, her voice stronger now. "Together. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

Ryu nods, the weight of the situation still heavy on his shoulders. "Together," he echoes, his voice laden with emotion.

The two sit in silence for a while, the quiet of the room a stark contrast to the chaos outside. But, in that moment, in the intimacy of their shared fear, they find a measure of comfort.

Ryu lets out a humorless chuckle, his gaze turned inward. "It's funny," he says, a rueful smile on his lips. "Just moments ago, I was trying to be the strong one, the encourager. Now you're the one doing it for me."

Kaida smiles, the expression soft and sad. "It's what we do for each other," she says, her voice quiet but sure. "When one of us falls, the other is there to pick them up."

Ryu nods, the gesture a silent acknowledgement of their bond.

Kaida's lips brush against Ryu's cheek, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Why didn't you kiss me back?" she teases, her voice light and playful. "Is it because you prefer Maria's boobs?"

Ryu's face flushes red, his eyes wide with shock and embarrassment. "What? No!" he stammers, his words tripping over each other in his haste to deny the suggestion. "It's not like that! I just...I was..."

Kaida pushes him away playfully, her laughter a low, melodic sound.

Kaida leans back against the pillows, her smile still playing on her lips. "I was just messing with you," she says, her voice a purr of amusement.

Ryu lets out a nervous chuckle, his embarrassment fading as he relaxes. "You're a pain in the ass," he says, his tone teasing.

Kaida tilts her head, a knowing glint in her eye. "And you love me for it," she replies, her voice as warm as honey.

Ryu's smile widens, his eyes softening. "Yeah," he murmurs.

Ryu settles down beside Kaida, his body still and relaxed. But his mind is racing, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and fear.

He stares up at the ceiling, the room silent except for the soft sound of Kaida's breathing. What if Maria was telling the truth? What if they really are infected with the yomigaeri virus? What does that mean for their future, for their lives?

He turns his head to look at Kaida, her eyes closed, her face peaceful in sleep. He wants to protect her, to keep her safe from whatever dangers lie ahead.

Ryu watches Kaida for a long moment, his heart full of love and fear in equal measure. He thinks back to their first meeting, how they had fought for their lives against the yomigaeri, their bond forged in blood and survival.

He'd promised to keep her safe, to protect her with his life. And yet, here they were, facing a threat even more insidious, one they couldn't even see.

Ryu's jaw clenches, his resolve hardening. He won't let anything happen to Kaida, not the yomigaeri, not the virus, not even fate itself.