Kala woke up to the sound of a branch being carried by the wind and hitting the window. Moonlight seeped through the curtains, faintly illuminating the pitch-dark room.
She rubbed her eyes, then fixed her clothes that had shifted out of place. Maybe it was just her feeling… or maybe the night really did feel more unsettling than usual?
The owl that usually accompanied the night was nowhere to be heard. Even the atmosphere felt quieter than ever before.
Kala was about to pull the blanket that had nearly fallen off the bed—when her body suddenly stiffened.
From the corner of her eye, she saw something leap into the corner of the room.
The darkness didn't blur her vision.
She knew exactly what it was.
Her blood rushed, heat spreading throughout her body. A scream tore out of her throat. In a flash, her hands grabbed the blanket, wrapping it tightly around herself.
For the love of anything—Kala hated frogs.
And right there, the creature stared at her, crouched as if ready to jump again.
Kala shrieked hysterically.
The longer she looked at it, the more violently she trembled.
Not long after, Raken burst in, pushing the door open without knocking.
Kala quickly moved closer, seeking the safety he always gave. His warm embrace wrapped around her, easing the trembling that had taken over her body.
"What's wrong, Kala? What happened?"
"Th-that, Ken…"
Raken followed the direction of her finger.
There, in the corner near the door—
A frog.
The very thing that had made Kala scream like she'd lost her mind… was nothing more than that ugly little amphibian.
The fear that had gripped Raken instantly melted away. The frantic pounding in his chest slowly returned to normal.
He stepped away from Kala, releasing her from his arms, then walked calmly toward the corner.
But beneath that calm, veins of anger surfaced.
His restrained emotions were ready to snap.
"Get lost, you damn frog!"
Thin smoke began to rise from his hand. Irritation took over him.
Just this tiny creature was enough to make him lose control. He, who was always composed—now reduced to this.
He had been afraid.
Afraid that something dangerous had come for his lady.
"Damn bastard." Raken hissed after burning the creature to a crisp.
Honestly, he felt played.
Humiliated.
To have been scared over something so insignificant.
Remembering Kala was still behind him, he held back from unleashing his full power. He didn't want his anger to harm her. So he restrained himself, even though it wasn't easy.
After tossing the frog's remains outside, Raken returned to her.
"Why was that thing here? I have a phobia, Ken."
Raken pulled down the blanket that still covered most of her body. "I'm sorry, Kala. I wasn't careful enough when preparing this room."
"What if it has a family? What if this room is full of frogs? Its kids? Its grandkids? Its great-grandkids? No, Ken! I can't sleep here anymore!" Kala wrapped her arms around Raken's neck and climbed onto his lap.
"Kala, are you trying to kill me?" Raken tried to loosen her grip.
"I'll be the one who dies if I stay here!"
Useless. Kala only tightened her hold.
"Alright, we'll go out. But loosen your grip."
Once he could breathe properly again, Raken carried Kala—who clung to him like a koala—downstairs.
When they reached the living room, Kala still refused to let go. She remained comfortably in his arms even as he tried to set her down on the sofa.
Raken gave up and instead carried her into the kitchen to get her something to drink.
"Drink."
Kala took the glass without changing her position.
"Do you want to sit on the table?" Raken guided her toward the table in front of him.
She shook her head.
"Still scared?"
"You know it yourself, Ken. I have a really bad phobia of that thing. I'm even scared just remembering its name."
True.
Even now, her grip tightened again, pressing against his neck and waist.
"I know. I'm sorry."
Kala relaxed again when she felt his gentle hand stroking her back.
Only with Raken did she feel like this.
She wasn't afraid of anything—as long as he was touching her.
"Ken… can we sleep together?"
"Don't make it sound wrong."
"I mean I sleep, you sleep. Together. Me and you."
"You're an adult, Kala."
"But I'm a coward. I can't feel calm going back there."
"Then sleep in the living room." Raken stepped out of the kitchen.
"But with you, right?"
No answer. Raken kept walking.
"Yaaayaya?" Kala swung her legs back and forth.
"Stay still, Kala, or I'll throw you right now." Raken briefly closed his eyes, trying to ignore her movements that were starting to bother him.
After much persuasion, Kala finally allowed herself to be put down.
On the sofa, she rested her head against Raken's chest. Her body remained on his lap, legs stretched out. Raken held her waist to keep her from slipping to the floor. He leaned back against the sofa to support her comfortably.
Minutes passed.
Silence filled the space, neither of them trying to speak.
Kala simply enjoyed the comfort she found.
Meanwhile, Raken stayed still, making sure she could calm down.
Until her breathing steadied.
Relief washed over him.
He tilted his head back, resting it against the sofa. His right hand covered his eyes, while his other hand remained on Kala's waist.
"This kid is afraid of too many things," Raken murmured into the quiet.
"How is she supposed to live a normal life?"
No answer came.
Only silence.
In the stillness of that night, something began to stir within Raken.
His breathing grew heavier.
Invisible pain pierced through him.
Every inch of his body felt like it was being stabbed by countless thorns. His blood, once calm, now burned painfully. Heat spread through his pores.
He wanted to groan—but held it back, remembering Kala was still in his arms.
"Is it because I used my power earlier… after so long?"
Raken remembered.
Tonight was the night of the red full moon—the time his body would pay the price for any power used.
It had been a long time since he felt this.
Because this was the first time in a while he had used it.
Black flames.
For a frog.
Just a frog.
Now he hated that creature just as much as Kala did.
"Damn it."
Morning came.
Sunlight slipped through the window, illuminating the room.
Kala was still asleep on the sofa.
Meanwhile, Raken was already in the kitchen, preparing food—letting her stay in her dreams a little longer.
After enduring the pain throughout the night, Raken hadn't been able to sleep. He had only watched Kala as she slept.
That mischievous little girl from before… now lived such a tragic life.
Who would've thought someone once surrounded by love would end up carrying so much pain?
It was as if the universe was taking revenge—replacing the safety and affection she once knew with endless sorrow.
Time had been cruel.
It had nurtured darkness during her years of growth.
Raken thought nothing would ever change in Ningtyas. That there would be no tragedy for him to witness.
He had underestimated the world.
He had believed too much that everything would be fine.
That what he protected would remain safe.
That what he guarded would stay.
But reality proved otherwise.
Even the most perfect plans had flaws.
And in a single moment—
he lost everything.
Ningtyas, the place he once used as his refuge, had fallen apart.
So where else could he go now… if not to Kala?
His escape led him to one person.
Kalaya Ningtyas.
If the place that once sheltered him was gone—
then he would stay by the ruins.
No matter what, Kala would always come first.
"You're awake? Wash your face, then eat."
"Ken…" Kala stretched her arms toward him.
Understanding immediately, Raken walked over and lifted her, carrying her to the bathroom.
"If you want to shower, I'll prepare your clothes."
"Can you bathe me too?"
"I still like women, Kala."
"You like me?"
"I'm not that desperate."
"Am I ugly?"
"Yes."
A towel flew straight at Raken's face—landing perfectly.