The atmosphere inside the apartment slowly turned silent.
The chaos from before had disappeared, leaving only a heavy silence behind.
Charlotte sat curled up in the corner of the bed, hiding her face behind her knees.
Her shoulders trembled violently.
But this time, she was no longer crying because of fear.
She was crying because of the overwhelming guilt she felt toward Ryuu.
Meanwhile, Ryuu quietly picked up the broken pieces of furniture scattered across the floor, trying to clean up the ruined apartment.
“Why, Ryuu…?”
Charlotte’s voice was hoarse and weak.
“Why did you destroy your future savings just for me?”
She lowered her head.
“I don’t have anything left anymore… I won’t be able to repay all that money for the rest of my life…”
Ryuu stopped what he was doing.
He slowly walked toward the bed and sat down in front of Charlotte.
Then, with a gentle movement, he pulled both of her hands away from her knees, forcing her to look directly into his eyes.
“I’m a digital worker, Charlotte.”
“I don’t like creating systems that end up losing money.”
Ryuu stared straight into Charlotte’s tear-filled eyes.
“Since you can’t pay me back with money, I’ll give you a punishment so this investment can be considered completely paid off.”
Charlotte swallowed nervously.
Her chest tightened.
“A punishment…?”
Ryuu leaned closer.
His eyes stared deeply into hers.
His right hand slowly rose and gently wiped away the remaining tears on Charlotte’s cheek with his thumb.
“The punishment is…”
His voice was quiet but firm.
“You have to give the rest of your days to me.”
“Don’t ever disappear from my sight again…”
“For the rest of your life.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened.
“You can’t wear that fake smiling mask in front of me anymore.” Find the original chapter at g.com.
Ryuu’s voice softened.
“But you have to cry, get angry, or complain to me whenever you’re tired.”
“Fair enough, right?”
Tears immediately flowed down Charlotte’s cheeks again.
But this time, they weren’t tears of despair.
A strange warmth spread through her chest.
Ryuu’s words became the most beautiful rescue she had ever received.
Charlotte lightly punched his chest with her trembling hand before suddenly throwing herself forward and wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
“This isn’t fair…”
Her voice trembled between her tears.
“That’s not a punishment, idiot…”
“That’s just what you wanted.”
Ryuu smiled faintly.
Then he returned Charlotte’s warm embrace, holding her tightly.
For the first time in a long time…
Charlotte no longer had to carry everything alone.
To be continued.