Four weeks later.

  Yuqeen was teaching Rayn how to cook. Rayn was cooking, while Yuqeen stood by his side, telling him what to do.

  The warmth from the stove slowly filled the room, mixing with the soft aroma of spices.

  Every time Yuqeen leaned closer to correct him, Rayn could feel the faint heat of her presence beside him — not uncomfortable, just… unfamiliar.

  In the middle of cooking, Yuqeen said in a sweet voice:— “Taqeesh, you’re learning to cook so quickly. I couldn't even learn this fast.”

  Rayn answered with a calm tone and a gentle smile:— “I could always cook. I just never tried.”

  After a while, the two of them sat down together at the dining table. Yuqeen tasted the food Rayn had prepared.

  She paused for half a second before swallowing, her eyes lowering slightly as if she didn’t want him to notice how carefully she was tasting it.

  She said in a natural tone:— “The food has gotten much better than before.”

  Then, smiling softly, she added:— “Tomorrow I’ll teach you how to make a new dish.”

  Rayn politely and calmly said:— “Thank you, for teaching me so much.”

  After some time, Yuqeen asked in a low voice:— “Taqeesh, When you completely learn cooking… will that be the end of my visits?”

  For a brief moment, even the sound of cutlery felt too loud. The room seemed to wait with her.

  Hearing this unusual question, Rayn immediately understood — Yuqeen had been alone for a long time.

  Now, talking with him has become completely natural for her. She no longer wanted to live in loneliness like before.

  Rayn also realized — every guy who had approached Yuqeen had directly asked her out on a date.

  And the girls, after seeing Yuqeen, only felt jealous of her beauty, so none of them came close. Rayn was the first guy who spoke to Yuqeen in a completely normal way.

  And ever since Rayn came into her life, Yuqeen had stepped out of her solitary world and begun to experience the taste of an ordinary life.

  Rayn closed his eyes for a moment and thought to himself:— “If Hanabirah had someone in her life before, she wouldn’t feel so lonely now.”

  Slowly opening his eyes again, he thought:— “Hanabirah doesn’t want to date anyone. That could mean two things — either she’s loyal to someone, or she truly has no one at all.”

  Rayn looked at Yuqeen. He saw that she was simply waiting for his answer. Her cheeks had turned slightly red.

  Letting out a quiet sigh, Rayn thought again:— “If Hanabirah personally liked some guy, she wouldn’t be talking to me like this. That means Hanabirah is truly very lonely. And I don’t want the girl who has helped me so much to feel lonely.”

  Rayn then prepared himself to answer Yuqeen. He noticed that she really did seem a bit nervous.

  With a sweet smile, Rayn said:— “Even if I learn how to cook, you can still come. I don’t think I’ll ever stopmissing your cooking.”

  After pausing for a moment, he added:— “And besides, you’re my friend. I don’t want any of my friends to stop meeting me. So of course, you can keep coming.”

  Hearing this, Yuqeen’s eyes widened, and a faint bright smile bloomed on her lips. She didn’t reply — she just continued eating with a happy face.

  Seeing her expression, Rayn was certain — Yuqeen was truly happy. And matching her smile, a soft grin appeared on Rayn’s lips as well.

  Night time.

  Yuqeen came to Rayn’s apartment. Entering the living room, she peeked from behind the sofa and saw Rayn sitting there, busy with his homework.

  Yuqeen thought she might have come at the wrong time. Her presence could disturb Rayn’s studies. So, she quietly began to turn back.

  Suddenly, without even looking at her, Rayn said in a calm voice:— “You don’t have to leave. Your being here doesn’t bother me at all.”

  Hearing that, Yuqeen was completely stunned. She couldn’t understand how Rayn had read her mind.

  On top of that, without even turning around, he had sensed that Yuqeen was there.

  Slowly, Yuqeen came and sat beside him. Rayn spoke in a straightforward tone:— “You’re the topper of the first year, right? Will you help me a bit with my homework?”

  With a gentle voice and a smile, Yuqeen replied:— “Hmm… I will.”

  After that, Yuqeen started helping Rayn with his homework. While working, she kept sneaking glances at him again and again.

  Every time their shoulders brushed slightly, Yuqeen stiffened for just a heartbeat before pretending nothing happened.

  All of a sudden, without looking at her, Rayn said:— “Why do you keep looking at me like that? Do you want to ask me something?”

  Her heart skipped so hard she was afraid he might hear it.

  Yuqeen panicked. She didn’t know what to say. Finally, stammering, she said:— “No… I mean… actually… Why did you call me a topper?”

  Rayn realized that something else was going on in Yuqeen’s mind, but she didn’t want to say it.

  So, without pressing further, he just gave a gentle smile and replied calmly:— “Because it hasn’t been long since you transferred to this school. Even so, you’ve topped every monthly exam. That’s why.”

  Yuqeen’s cheeks turned red. In a shy, blushing tone, she softly said:— “Tomorrow is Monday. So I was wondering… if we went to school together, would that be okay?”

  Rayn thought to himself for a moment:— “Maybe what I said this afternoon had a stronger effect on Hanabirah than I realized. That’s why she’s asking me this now.”

  Then he answered in a calm voice:— “No… I can’t go to school with you. Because you’re very popular. If a girl like you is seen with a random student like me, it’ll cause problems. And the guys might even get angry at me.”

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  Hearing this, Yuqeen puffed up her cheeks in slight annoyance and said:— “You could’ve just said directly that you don’t want to go with me. Why make yourself look smaller than me?”

  With that, Yuqeen turned her head away.

  Rayn froze for a moment. Then, forcing a fake smile on his face, he thought to himself:— “No matter how smart I am… I’ll never be able to fully understand a girl’s heart.”

  Then his expression grew a little serious as he continued in his thoughts:— “And besides… I can’t risk attention. Not yet, at least not until I secure my rank.”

  The next day, at school.

  Yuqeen was walking down the corridor. All around her, boys and girls were watching — eyes filled with curiosity and admiration.

  Whispers followed her steps like shadows, overlapping voices she had long learned to ignore.

  But Yuqeen didn’t look at them even once — she completely ignored all their stares.

  From the other side, Rayn and Haarun were coming. They walked right past Yuqeen.

  Rayn acted as if he didn’t even know her. Yuqeen didn’t turn back to look either.

  At the very end of the corridor, Yuqeen suddenly glanced once at Rayn. Then, without a word, she quietly turned down another hallway.

  Meanwhile, Rayn was thinking to himself:— “My assumption wasn’t completely right. Not everyone gets jealous of Yuqeen. Only a few Royals envy her. The rest of the girls actually talk to her, but Yuqeen just can’t bring herself to trust anyone enough to call them a friend.”

  Rayn closed his eyes, a knowing expression on his face. On the other side, Yuqeen was lost in her thoughts as she walked. Suddenly, a voice called out from behind:— “Yuqeen! Is that really you?”

  Yuqeen froze in surprise. It had been so long since someone had called her so casually, by name. The voice felt strangely familiar.

  Slowly, Yuqeen turned around. In an instant, her eyes widened in shock.

  Standing right there was Hinnah aev Yumayqah.

  Hinnah ran up and hugged Yuqeen tightly. In a soft, emotional voice, she said:— “Yuqeen… it’s been so long since I’ve seen you! My childhood friend, have you really forgotten me?”

  Yuqeen said in a surprised voice:— “Hinnah! You’re here? And what did you just say — that I forgot you? First tell me, back in middle school, who was it that left whom?”

  Hinnah held her ears playfully and, with a joyful tone, said:— “Sorry… Back in middle school, my dad’s company suddenly had to move the whole family abroad. That’s why I couldn’t tell you before leaving.”

  Yuqeen said with a hint of anger:— “Couldn’t tell me? You should have at least said something before going. Do you know how lonely I felt after you left?”

  Hinnah laughed again and said in a gentle voice:— “Okay, okay, I already said sorry, didn’t I? How long are you going to scold me? After so long — seventeen whole months — we finally meet again, and all you do is start nagging me!”

  Both of them were overjoyed to see each other again after so long, and together they walked out of the corridor.

  A little while later, Yuqeen came back into the classroom and sat in her seat. Just then, Rayn and Haarun also entered and sat down in their places.

  As soon as Haarun sat down, he said seriously to Rayn:— “Hey Rayn, don’t forget what I told you, okay?”

  Rayn replied with a slight smile:— “That’s fine, but Haarun — what exactly was it that you told me?”

  Haarun, annoyed, said:— “I know you don’t respect me. But does that mean you have to insult me too?”

  All the while, Yuqeen sat quietly at her desk, listening to their conversation.

  Night time.

  The cloudy sky was gradually growing heavier. Raindrops fell steadily, splashing across the streets with tiny taps. The scent of wet earth drifted through the air.

  The city lights shimmered in each drop, and with the rhythm of the rain, everything seemed to have fallen into a peaceful stillness.

  Yuqeen came over to Rayn’s apartment and saw him doing his homework.

  The cold air clung to her skin as she sat beside him, making her fold her hands together without realizing it.

  She slowly sat down beside him. Tonight, Yuqeen seemed a little nervous, as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t bring herself to.

  Rayn looked at her and said in a gentle voice:— “If you want to say something, you can.”

  Yuqeen’s cheeks turned red, and she couldn’t meet his eyes. She softly asked:— “How was your day today?”

  Rayn answered with a kind smile:— “My day was good. What about yours?”

  With a blushing face, Yuqeen quietly replied:— “Mine was good too.”

  After a short silence, she asked again:— “That boy you were talking to today… who was he?”

  Rayn chuckled and said:— “Oh? You mean Haarun. He’s my best friend. His full name is Haarun aev Inazum.”

  Yuqeen, in a soft and slightly shy voice, asked:— “But why did you call Inazum by his first name?”

  Rayn immediately understood what Yuqeen actually wantedb — she wanted him to call her by her first name too.

  But pretending not to notice, he replied:— “That’s normal, because we’ve been friends for a long time.”

  Lowering her head, Yuqeen softly said:— “Well… we’ve also been friends for a while… you could call me by my first name too, if you want.”

  Rayn thought to himself, let’s tease her a little now. Then, in a soft voice, he asked:— “Are you sure?”

  In a timid tone, Yuqeen answered:— “Yes… I’m sure.”

  Rayn normally and slowly said:— “But if you don’t want me to, I won’t.”

  Suddenly, Yuqeen stood up, her face red, and shouted:— “No! I want you to call me by my first name!”

  The moment the words left her mouth, she wished she could pull them back, she realized she shouldn’t have said it so loudly. Quickly, she went back to the sofa, sat down, and covered her face with both hands.

  Rayn couldn’t help but laugh. Then, gently placing his hand on her head, he said softly:— “Alright then, Yuqeen. And yes, you’ll have to call me by my first name too.”

  Yuqeen nodded, but she didn’t uncover her face. She was still far too embarrassed.

  Rayn went off to cook. In a calm, serious tone, he said to Yuqeen:— “Today, I’ll do the cooking. You’ll just watch and tell me if it’s any better than before.”

  Yuqeen didn’t reply. Just then, Rayn’s phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at it — it was from his father. The message said that his father would be coming to see him on Sunday.

  Slowly, Rayn walked back and sat beside Yuqeen. She was still covering her face with her hands.

  Rayn thought to himself:— Looks like I shouldn’t have teased her like that.

  Then, with gentle eyes and a soft smile, he looked at Yuqeen and thought:— Now I understand… Yuqeen is truly sensitive and shy. On the outside, she looks strong and confident, but deep down, she’s kind and sensitive. If she weren’t, she wouldn’t blush so much at just my words.

  Rayn gently placed his hand on her head and said softly:— “Come on, take your hands off your face. There’s something I want to tell you.”

  Hearing that, Yuqeen slowly lowered her hands. Her cheeks were still glowing red. In a quiet voice, she asked:— “What is it?”

  Rayn calmly replied:— “My father’s coming on Sunday. I thought I’d introduce you to him.”

  Yuqeen looked startled and said:— “Why would you introduce me to your father?”

  Rayn answered plainly:— “Why be nervous? The reason is simple—you’re my friend, and you live right next door.”

  Relaxing a little, Yuqeen said softly:— “Oh, so that’s the reason. I thought… something else.”

  Rayn asked with a straight face:— “What did you think?”

  Yuqeen quickly blurted out:— “No, no, nothing at all.”

  Looking at her, Rayn smiled gently and thought:— At first, Yuqeen never showed her emotions. But now, she’s opening up completely. To be honest, she’s come to trust me so much in such a short time.

  A strange weight settled in his chest — not guilt, not fear, but something quieter.

  Then lowering his gaze, he whispered to himself:— Too much trust… for someone like me — a beast.

  Sunday morning.

  After the light storm and rain overnight, the morning felt completely fresh. The trees around were thoroughly washed, tiny droplets hung from the leaves, sparkling as the sunlight hit them.

  The air carried a cool, damp freshness, but there was no rain today—only the crisp newness of nature’s day.

  Early in the morning, Yuqeen came to Rayn’s apartment. She looked around, searching for him, but couldn’t find him.

  After some time, she sat on the sofa, thinking:— Where could Rayn have gone so early in the morning?

  Just then, Rayn came out of the bathroom. He entered the living room and saw Yuqeen sitting there.

  With a slight smile, Rayn said:— “You came really early today.”

  Hearing his voice, Yuqeen got up from the sofa and turned around to look at him. The moment she saw Rayn, she felt extremely embarrassed, and her face flushed red.

  Covering her face with her hands, she turned away and said in a shy voice:— “Please, put on your clothes quickly.”

  At that moment, Rayn had only put on pants, no shirt yet.

  It was clear that Rayn’s body looked unnaturally mature for his age — as if he wasn’t just growing older, but something inside him was shaping him from within. It wasn’t something he took pride in — rather, it was something he wanted to keep hidden.

  Yuqeen felt her face heat up instantly and turned away before her thoughts could catch up.

  Realizing that Yuqeen was very embarrassed seeing him shirtless, Rayn quickly put on a T-shirt.

  Then, in a calm voice, he said:— “Now you can turn around.”

  Yuqeen slowly turned to see that Rayn had put on a T-shirt, but her cheeks were still red.

  In a gentle voice, she said:— “From now on, please put your clothes on before coming out.”

  Rayn replied in a straightforward tone:— “Alright, and I’m sorry.”

  In a soft voice, Yuqeen said:— “There’s no need to say sorry.”

  Then Yuqeen sat down on the sofa, and Rayn also came and sat beside her.

  Yuqeen’s blush hadn’t faded at all. Just as Rayn was about to say something, the doorbell rang. Rayn got up and opened the door to find his father standing outside.

  In a calm and polite voice, Rayn’s father said:— “Good morning, Rayn.”