Yuna:
Yuna lay still for what felt like hours, the quiet of the room wrapping around her like a fragile shield. Sleep had taken her, but it wasn't deep, not peaceful—just enough to dull the edges of exhaustion. Then suddenly, her stomach twisted again, sharper this time, forcing her eyes open. The feeling rose too quickly to ignore. She barely had time to register it before she pushed herself off the bed, her legs unsteady as she rushed toward the bathroom. The cold tiles met her feet as she reached the sink, gripping its edge just in time as the nausea overtook her again. Her body tensed, her breathing uneven as she threw up, the lingering taste bitter and uncomfortable. When it passed, she stayed there for a moment, her hands still braced against the sink, her reflection staring back at her—pale, tired, unfamiliar. Slowly, she rinsed her mouth, splashing water on her face as if it might bring her back to herself. But the heaviness didn't leave. It lingered, deep inside.
When she stepped out of the bathroom, the room felt different somehow—too quiet, too empty. She walked back toward the bed, but something strange stopped her. A sudden craving hit her—unexpected, almost confusing. Something sweet. The thought alone made her frown slightly. She had never liked sweet things much; she always preferred spicy food, something bold, something that matched her usual sharp energy. But now… the idea of something sugary, something soft and comforting, lingered in her mind stubbornly. It didn't make sense. She tried to ignore it, sitting down on the edge of the bed, but the feeling didn't fade. Instead, it grew stronger, mixing with the discomfort in her stomach and the restlessness in her chest.
She hesitated for a moment, then reached for her phone.
Her fingers hovered briefly before dialing.
Elena picked up after a couple of rings, her voice coming through, light but alert. "Yuna? Are you okay?"
"I… don't know," Yuna admitted quietly, her voice softer than usual. "Are you free right now?"
There was a short pause on the other end, then Elena responded without hesitation. "Yeah. I'm at the base. Do you need me?"
"Can you come over?" Yuna asked, her tone almost hesitant, like she wasn't used to asking for something like this. "I just… don't feel right."
"I'm coming," Elena said immediately. "Stay there."
The call ended, and Yuna let the phone drop lightly onto the bed beside her. She leaned back slowly, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts scattered. Something about tonight still clung to her—not just the fight, not just the exhaustion, but something deeper she couldn't quite explain. Her hand rested lightly over her stomach without thinking, as if trying to calm the strange unease there.
—
Back at the base, Elena moved quickly, grabbing her things without wasting time. The moment she stepped toward the exit, though, a voice stopped her.
"Where are you going?"
She turned to see Ethan standing a few steps behind her, his gaze steady, questioning.
"I'm going to see Yuna," Elena answered honestly, adjusting her bag slightly on her shoulder.
Ethan's expression shifted just a little. "She said she wanted to be alone."
Elena frowned slightly at that. "She just called me," she replied. "She asked me to come over. She doesn't sound okay."
That caught his attention more clearly.
"She asked you?" he repeated, a hint of disbelief slipping into his tone.
"Yes," Elena said, nodding. "She wouldn't call me for no reason."
Ethan exhaled slowly, running a hand briefly through his hair as if trying to process it. "What's gotten into her…" he muttered under his breath. "Why is she acting like this?"
It wasn't frustration exactly—more confusion, more concern hidden beneath the surface.
For a moment, he didn't say anything else.
Then finally, he stepped aside.
"Go," he said.
Elena didn't waste time questioning it. She gave a quick nod and headed out, her footsteps quick as she left the base.
Ethan remained where he was for a second longer, his thoughts clearly not settled. Something about this didn't sit right with him. Yuna had insisted on being alone. She had looked like she could barely stand. And now suddenly—she was calling someone over?
His jaw tightened slightly.
Without another word, he turned and walked out as well.
Minutes later, the sound of a car engine broke the quiet of the base once again as Ethan drove out, his movements more controlled than rushed—but there was no doubt he wasn't entirely at ease.
—
Back at the penthouse, Yuna shifted slightly on the bed again, her body still restless despite the exhaustion. The craving hadn't gone away, and neither had the lingering discomfort. She let out a slow breath, closing her eyes briefly, trying to calm herself.
But the quiet didn't feel comforting anymore.
It felt too heavy.
Too loud in its own way.
And for the first time that night—
She didn't want to be alone.
The silence stretched further, pressing in around Yuna like something tangible. She shifted again, unable to stay still, her fingers gripping the edge of the bedsheet before releasing it just as quickly. The craving hadn't faded—in fact, it had become more insistent, almost distracting. Something sweet. The thought circled in her mind again and again, strange and unfamiliar. She let out a quiet, frustrated breath, pushing herself up slowly from the bed.
Her legs still felt weak, but they held.
Barely.
She walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen area, the soft lights casting a dim glow across the polished surfaces. Everything was neat, untouched—too clean, almost cold. She opened a cabinet, scanning through what was inside, but nothing caught her attention. Snacks, packaged food, things she would normally ignore anyway. Her stomach twisted again, not in nausea this time, but in a strange mix of hunger and discomfort.
"This is weird…" she muttered under her breath.
She closed the cabinet and leaned lightly against the counter, pressing her fingers to her temple. Her body didn't feel like her own right now. First the dizziness, then the vomiting, and now this sudden craving—it didn't make sense. She had been through injuries before, stress before, even worse nights than this… but this felt different.
Unfamiliar.
Her hand drifted again, almost unconsciously, resting over her stomach. The gesture lingered longer this time, her brows knitting slightly as if trying to understand something just out of reach.
A soft sound broke the quiet.
Footsteps outside.
Yuna straightened slightly, her senses sharpening despite her exhaustion. A few seconds later, the doorbell rang.
Relief flickered through her.
Elena.
She moved quickly—too quickly—and immediately felt the slight dizziness return, forcing her to slow down as she reached the door. When she opened it, Elena stood there, her expression shifting instantly from neutral to concerned the moment she saw Yuna's face.
"Hey… you look terrible," Elena said bluntly, stepping inside without waiting.
Yuna gave a faint, tired smile. "Yeah, I figured."
Elena set her things aside and turned back to her, eyes scanning her carefully. "What happened? Is it just from tonight?"
"I thought so," Yuna replied, walking back inside slowly. "But it's not going away."
Elena followed her, her concern growing. "You threw up?"
"Twice."
"And you're still dizzy?" Elena pressed.
Yuna nodded slightly. "And… something else."
Elena raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Yuna hesitated, almost embarrassed. "I'm craving sweets."
There was a pause.
Then Elena blinked. "You? The same person who complains when anything is too sugary?"
Yuna gave a small nod, clearly just as confused. "Exactly."
Elena crossed her arms, thinking for a moment, her usual playful attitude replaced with something more observant. "That is… weird," she admitted.
Yuna exhaled slowly, leaning back against the couch now. "I don't know what's wrong with me."
Before Elena could respond, the faint sound of another car pulling up outside reached them.
Both of them paused.
Yuna's eyes shifted toward the door instinctively.
Elena noticed immediately. "…You didn't call anyone else, right?"
Yuna shook her head slowly.
A second later—
Footsteps approached.
Heavier. Familiar.
And then the door opened.
Ethan stepped inside, his presence filling the room instantly, his gaze landing on Yuna first—and then shifting briefly to Elena.
For a moment, no one spoke.
But the tension in the room changed.
Because he wasn't supposed to be here.
And yet—
He came anyway.