POV: Leith
I looked at Liyn anxiously, occasionally wiping the sweat that kept flowing down her forehead. I don't know when it started, but this feeling of worry was so real—deeper than I had ever felt for anyone else. Even though we had only just met.
Since childhood, I've lived in an orphanage, growing up without parental love, without siblings, without anyone who truly stayed in my life. But tonight... for some reason, Liyn feels different. Her presence shakes a part of my heart I didn't even realize was still alive.
My reverie is shattered by her scream.
"Liyn?" I rushed over. "Are you okay?!"
She didn't respond. Her breath was labored, her eyes vacant yet filled with fear. As if she were seeing something I couldn't see. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and her eyes were brimming with tears—she was struggling to hold them back.
"Senpai… I… I'm scared… don't… leave… me…"
Her words were stuttering. I quickly helped her sit down, leaning her gently against the bedframe so she could breathe more easily.
"Calm down, Liyn… Breathe in slowly… exhale… Yes, like that…" I adjusted my tone, trying to stay calm despite my racing heart. "You're not alone. Senpai is here."
But Liyn kept mumbling. Her eyes were vacant, her gaze not truly focused on me.
"I… I'm scared… please…"
Was she not fully conscious yet? Or was her mind still trapped in that nightmare?
"Liyn… Hey, look at me. Look at Senpai. I'm here."
Gently, I stroked her hair and back. Then, I slowly turned her face so she could look directly at me.
And when our eyes met, her body immediately moved to hug me tightly.
I returned her embrace, stroking her hair while continuing to whisper soothing words.
"Don't be afraid, Liyn. I'm here. I won't leave you…"
Slowly, her tears began to subside. Her breathing stabilized, though her body still trembled slightly. In a voice barely audible, she finally spoke.
"He came… when I was beside my mother's body…"
I fell silent. I didn't know what to say.
"It's just the two of us now, Liyn," I finally said softly. I knew those words wouldn't erase her fear—but tonight, I would stay here. To protect her. Until she truly felt safe.
POV: Liyn
I slowly came to in his embrace—warm, calm, and real. Leith-senpai… will he stay by my side? That question kept filling my mind as my tears began to subside. The fear from before felt distant, like a nightmare that had passed. And even though that nightmare was real, at least now I… wasn't alone.
After my tears subsided, Senpai gave me a bottle of mineral water. I took it, sipping a little to soothe my dry throat. As my breathing steadied, for some reason—maybe because of his warmth or because for the first time I felt safe—I began to open up. Sharing what I had kept to myself all this time.
"Thank you, Senpai…" I said softly, accompanied by a faint smile.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked gently.
"Yes. It's… thanks to Senpai," I replied softly, lowering my head while staring at the glass of water in my hand. My heart was still restless. But this time, I wanted to share. Maybe by sharing, the anxiety would lessen.
"Um… can I tell you about it?" I asked hesitantly.
"Of course," he replied without hesitation. He sat more comfortably on my bed, leaning his back against the wall. Then, with a gentle motion, he patted his shoulder.
"Lean back if it makes you more comfortable. But don't lie down yet, so your breathing stays steady."
I obeyed. Leaning on his shoulder made me feel warmer… safer. It didn't take long before I started telling my story.
"When I was little, my mother was close friends with Safina Kyra. A historian and writer. She often slipped history into children's stories—making them sound like bedtime fairy tales."
I glanced at Senpai, and I saw his expression change slightly when I mentioned that name. But he remained focused on listening.
"A tragedy occurred when my mother was pregnant with me. Safina's family was brutally killed. Their house was burned to the ground. There were rumors that Safina's child was still alive… but no one knew where."
I took a deep breath before continuing.
"Strangely, our house is full of Safina's books. Some have never been published. Most of them are historical predictions—not fiction. The content is too old, too unfamiliar, and many publishers reject them because... they say there is no historical evidence to support them. Including about... Syntara in a robe."
Senpai looked increasingly serious. "Do you still have those books?" he asked softly.
I answered with action. I rolled up my left sleeve, then bit my right finger until blood came out. I drew a small mark on my left wrist, and instantly an ancient symbol seal appeared. I added a little Veyra… and a book slowly appeared in my hand.
"This is my biggest secret, Senpai. Since my mother and I kept these books, many people have come—claiming to be their original owners. When I was five years old, my mother asked… if I wanted to be the heir to this legacy? I immediately answered yes. Because… from the beginning, books have been my best friends. That's also why I want to become a Scientist."
Leith seemed to process every word I spoke.
"So… you're the heir to Safina's history?"
"I guess… you could say that." I smiled faintly. "And the dream I had earlier… was a memory. When I was eight years old. I only remembered it again because of that dream."
"If you're not ready, you don't have to tell me now." He gently stroked my hair, his voice very careful.
But I knew this was the right moment. For the first time, I felt heard… and not alone.
"I'll tell you everything, Senpai…"
"He… that figure had long white hair—almost touching his ankles. He wore a dark robe and formal attire that covered his entire body," I said softly, my voice still trembling. "But what scared me the most… was his height."
I swallowed, trying to calm myself before continuing.
"He's almost two meters tall. He approached me when I was alone… staring at me from the darkness. Then he—he reached out his hand and choked me." I took a short breath. "That… that's what woke me up. My breath felt as though it were truly being squeezed out of me."
Leith nodded slowly, then gently stroked my head. "Are you still scared, Liyn?" he asked in a warm, soothing voice.
I didn't answer, just shook my head slowly. His presence was truly calming, like a light in the midst of a pitch-black night.
"You must be tired… rest," he said, standing up from the bed and sitting on the chair beside it.
"Alright… thank you, Senpai," I murmured. I felt like I'd said thank you countless times. I didn't even know how many times I'd bothered him tonight. But he was still here… still with me.
A few moments later, he gently helped me lie down.
"If you still feel short of breath, let me know. Don't force yourself to lie down if you're not ready," he said softly. He then pulled the blanket over me, covering me up to my shoulders, making sure I felt warm and safe.
Senpai's hand gently stroked my head again. That touch… warm, soothing. And slowly, in silence… I drifted back into sleep, this time with greater peace.