Ethan:
Breakfast ended in silence.
Ethan finished the last bite and placed the fork down calmly. Across the table, Yuna was collecting the plates, trying not to look at him too much. Luca, however, was watching everything.
Every glance.
Every small movement.
He leaned back in his chair and wiped his hands with a napkin.
"Ethan," he said casually, "come to the study room. We need to talk."
Ethan already knew what that meant.
He stood up without arguing.
As he walked past Yuna, she glanced at him for a brief second. Their eyes met, but neither of them said anything.
Then Ethan followed Luca down the hallway.
The study room door closed with a quiet click.
The room smelled faintly of old wood and coffee. Luca walked to the desk while Ethan leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Luca finally turned toward him.
"You look better," he said.
Ethan shrugged slightly. "It's just a shoulder wound."
Luca stared at him for a moment before letting out a small scoff.
"Exactly."
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Luca crossed his arms.
"Your wounds are healed enough. Stop pretending like you're dying."
Ethan didn't respond.
Luca's voice became more serious.
"And stop playing weak in front of her."
Silence filled the room.
Ethan slowly straightened from the wall.
"I'm not playing anything."
Luca looked at him sharply.
"Don't lie to me."
He stepped closer.
"I've known you for years, Ethan."
"You're not weak."
"You never were."
His eyes hardened slightly.
"So stop pretending to be weak in front of Yuna."
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"That's not what this is about."
"Oh really?" Luca said coldly.
"You think I didn't see the way she was looking at you this morning?"
Ethan didn't answer.
Luca continued,
"She's already involved emotionally."
His voice dropped lower.
"And you're letting it happen."
Ethan's eyes darkened.
"I told her to stay away."
Luca laughed quietly.
"You told her you don't love her."
Ethan remained silent.
"But you still kissed her i have seen everything ethan," Luca added.
That made Ethan look at him.
"So don't act like you're trying to protect her."
The room went quiet again.
Luca stepped closer to him, his tone now serious.
"Listen to me carefully."
"If enemies find out she matters to you… they will use her."
"You know that."
Ethan did know.
He had seen it happen before.
People in his world didn't fight fair.
Luca looked straight into his eyes.
"You are not weak, Ethan."
"Stop pretending to be weak in front of her."
Then he added firmly,
"And stop playing with her feelings."
Ethan's expression didn't change.
But something in his chest tightened slightly.
Luca sighed and rubbed his temples.
"I'm saying this as your friend."
"If you don't love her…"
"Then stay away from her."
Silence stretched between them.
For a long moment Ethan didn't move.
Then he finally spoke, his voice calm but heavy.
"…And if I can't?"
Luca's eyes narrowed slightly.
Because that answer told him everything.