The dinner had slowly faded into calm.
So Ri was half asleep, her head resting on the table, cheeks puffed out in satisfaction. Mira's uncle, now half tipsy and humming a low, nostalgic tune, was wiping down the counter when Ares joined him in the quiet bar.
"She's upstairs," the uncle said, glancing toward the staircase. "Fell asleep, I think."
He smiled, but there was something wistful behind it. "That room is like a time capsule.... her old comfort zone. Or maybe her cage."
He rinsed his rag in the sink, his voice softening. "She always sleeps better there, even when she pretends not to."
Then he turned slightly and called out, "Jae Min, could you go and bring her down?"
Jae Min gave a quiet nod and moved toward the stairs without a word.
The staircase creaked beneath his steps. The hallway was dim, lit only by a soft glow from the bar's terrace windows. Everything felt still.
He stopped outside the room.
Knocked once.
"....Mira?"
No reply.
Another knock.
Still nothing.
He slowly turned the knob and pushed the door open.
The room was bathed in a soft amber light from the lamp by the bedside. The air smelled faintly of lavender and old wood. Mira lay curled up on the bed, small and peaceful. One arm was wrapped around a unicorn plushie, its pastel horn slightly bent, worn with time.
Her long hair had fallen across her face, strands fluttering lightly with each exhale.
She looked like a teenager again.
So different from the composed, mysterious woman the world saw.
Jae Min stood still.
And then, slowly, he lowered himself onto the wooden floor beside the bed, knees pulled to his chest. He didn't speak, didn't try to wake her.
He just looked.
At the way she clutched the toy.
At how soft her expression was when no one was watching.
He reached forward, hesitating then brushed her hair gently away from her face.
Mira mumbled something incoherent and hugged the unicorn tighter.
And that's when the door opened again.
Ares stepped in. His voice was calm, but cold.
"I told you to stay away from her."
Jae Min didn't look up immediately.
But when he did, his expression wasn't defensive. It was quiet. Heavy.
"I wasn't doing anything," he said softly.
"That's the problem," Ares murmured. "You always wait until it's too late."
Silence stretched.
Jae Min stood slowly. He glanced at Mira one last time, then gently pulled the blanket up over her shoulder, tucking her in.
"I'll wait downstairs," he said, voice low.
He walked past Ares without another word.
Ares lingered in the doorway. Mira shifted slightly in her sleep, her fingers loosening around the unicorn, lips parting like she was caught in a dream.
Ares's expression softened.
He stepped closer, gently patted her head, then tucked her hand under the blanket so she wouldn't get cold.
Then, quietly, he turned off the lamp and closed the door behind him.
Downstairs, Jae Min had already told Mira's uncle that she was sleeping soundly.
"Tell her she can take a day off," he said. "She should rest properly before coming back to work."
The uncle nodded slowly, a hint of gratitude in his eyes.
So Ri stirred from the table, yawning. "I'm staying here too. No way I'm walking home now."
She rubbed her eyes and dragged herself up the stairs.
They said their goodbyes to the uncle, who clapped both boys on the shoulder with an affectionate laugh.
"Take care of my Mira," he said. "But not too close, you hear me?"
Ares gave a small smile. Jae Min just nodded.
Then the two men stepped out into the cool night, the scent of lavender drifting faintly behind them.
And the bar returned to silence.
Upstairs, Mira slept on, unaware of everything that had just unfolded quietly around her.
And the night passed like that.
Full of things left unsaid.