Chapter 50: The Silent House
The night air was cold as Ren walked down the familiar, narrow alley toward his apartment. Every muscle in his body ached, and his mind was still replaying the chaotic battle at the mansion.
If it wasn't for that potion and Adam's Thunder Mode, I wouldn't be breathing right now, Ren thought, a shiver running down his spine.
He reached his building and climbed the stairs. As he arrived at his floor, he stopped dead. The front door was slightly ajar.
The door is open? Ren's heart hammered against his ribs. Hana always locks it from the inside, especially when I'm late. Did someone break in?
He suddenly felt a pang of guilt. He had been delayed by nearly two hours because he stopped at a restaurant to eat, where he ran into Go. They had talked for a while, and the exhaustion had made Ren lose track of time.
He pushed the door open quietly and stepped inside. "Hana?" he called out, his voice low. "Hana, why was the door unlocked?"
He walked into the kitchen. Hana was standing by the counter, making coffee. Her hair was damp, as if she had just showered, and she was wrapped in a thick sweater. Ren noticed a faint, lingering redness on her cheek—the ghost of the slap she had received at school—but in the dim light of the kitchen, he didn't realize what it was.
"Hana, I'm talking to you. You forgot to lock the door," Ren said, trying to sound firm but gentle.
Hana didn't look up. She didn't say a word. The only sound was the clinking of the spoon against the ceramic cup. She poured the coffee, her movements stiff and robotic.
"Hana? Is everything okay? Do you need something?"
Still no answer. Hana picked up her cup and moved to walk past Ren, her eyes fixed on the floor. As she brushed past him, Ren reached out and gently grabbed her hand. "Hey, look at me. What's wrong?"
Hana reacted instantly. She yanked her hand back with a sharp jerk, nearly spilling her coffee. Without a single glance at him, she hurried to her room and slammed the door.
What is going on with her? Ren wondered, his fatigue replaced by a growing sense of worry. "Hana, stop! Talk to me!"
He walked to her door and turned the handle. It wasn't locked. He stepped inside and saw her sitting on the edge of the bed, her shoulders slumped. Ren sat down beside her, the bed creaking under his weight. He reached out, his fingers gently brushing her hair away from her face to get a better look at her.
"Hana, please. Did I do something wrong? Are you mad because I was late?"
As his hand touched her, Hana's eyes flared with a mix of pain and fury. She shoved him away with all her strength. "Get out! Just go!"
"Hana, I just want to—"
"I SAID GO!" Hana screamed, her voice breaking. "GET OUT OF MY ROOM! NOW!"
Ren stood up, stunned by the raw emotion in her voice. He had never seen her this broken. He backed away slowly, the image of her tear-filled eyes and that faint red mark on her cheek finally starting to click in his mind.