My ankle throbbed from the fall earlier. The sleazy guy who had terrified me now lay passed out on the floor, probably knocked out cold from that hit to the head.
The man who saved me calmly ordered a few staff members to carry that creep out of the room. Meanwhile, I just sat there on the floor, still shaking, still trying to catch my breath.
"You okay, miss?" he asked gently as he stepped closer, holding out his hand to me.
Hic… hic…
Hearing that, I lowered my head and started crying.
"W-Wait, what's wrong? Did I say something?" he said, clearly worried now, crouching beside me.
"I-I'm not a girl…" I sobbed. "I'm a guy. Why does everyone treat me like this just because of how I look? Why do they keep acting like I'm… something to play with?"
The words spilled out with my tears. It felt like no matter which world I lived in—my old one or this one—I was always this pathetic thing people overlooked or used.
Then I felt it.
Fingers—warm, soft—brushed against my cheek. Wiping my tears.
"Huh…?" I looked up, and his face was so close, his expression hard to read. Concern? Kindness? Something else?
"Sorry, I didn't mean to assume anything," he said gently. "But… is your ankle okay?"
I glanced down at it. It was already swelling. He reached his hand out again, offering to help me up.
Hesitating for a second, I took it.
But the second I tried standing, a sharp pain shot up my leg. My balance slipped, and I almost crashed again—but he caught me, fast and steady.
"Easy now. Don't push yourself," he said, holding me with surprising care.
My body leaned against his chest. He was tall, warm, and smelled faintly of something clean and woody. My heart raced, my face burning up.
"I-I'm fine… I can do it myself…" I whispered, even though it was clearly a lie.
He chuckled softly. "Yeah, I bet you can. But it's okay to let someone help you, y'know?"
I bit my bottom lip, flustered and embarrassed.
He helped me sit down on the couch, then crouched again in front of me, carefully examining my swollen ankle.
"I'm Louise," he said out of nowhere. "I own this bar—and the hotel."
"…Airi," I mumbled.
He smiled. "Airi. That's a pretty name."
I looked away, my face heating up again.
"You don't need to worry, Airi," he added. "If anyone messes with you again, just let me know, alright?"
My chest tightened a little at how sincere his voice sounded.
"Thanks… I really thought tonight was gonna end horribly…"
He was silent for a moment. Then, suddenly, he leaned in—and pinched my cheek.
"Ow!" I yelped, startled.
"If you've still got enough energy to get grumpy, then you're doing better than you think," he teased with a crooked little smile.
I pouted, rubbing my cheek. "You're such a…"
"You eaten anything yet?" he cut me off casually.
I shook my head.
"Called it," he muttered, heading over to a side table and ringing a small bell. A moment later, a female staff member entered.
"Bring up something warm to eat and tea for two," he told her. Then he glanced at me. "You need something hot and sweet after a night like this."
I stared at him, speechless. Was he always this… kind?
After she left, he came back and sat next to me—not too close, just enough to make me feel safe.
"This place isn't just a bar," he said quietly. "A lot of people come here not to drink… but to hide. From the world. From their pain. Sometimes even from themselves."
I looked at him. "You… know what that feels like?"
He stared up at the ceiling for a moment. "Everyone's got a past, Airi. But sometimes, all it takes is one place… or one person… to help you start believing again."
His words… hit deep.
When the food came, we ate quietly. Only the clinking of cutlery and gentle sipping of tea filled the room. But the silence didn't feel awkward. It felt… peaceful.
As I sipped my tea, Louise turned to me.
"You can stay here for now," he said calmly. "No charge. Think of it as… an apology for what happened in my place."
I nearly choked. "W-What? No, it's okay, I don't need—"
"Ssh." He held a finger up—not to me, but to his own lips. Still… my heart skipped a beat.
"Sometimes," he said, "you just gotta accept kindness. No guilt. No strings."
I stared at him. And something in my chest… opened a little.
Maybe this night wasn't a tragic end after all.
Maybe… this was the beginning of something new.
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