The party buzzed with energy long after Ryu's arrival, the room filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. The girls had gravitated around him, teasing him, trying to pull him into the jovial chaos of the night. But Ryu remained calm, detached in a way that made him seem both distant and magnetic. It was hard to ignore how effortlessly he stood apart from everyone else, as though he was watching them with quiet amusement but never quite participating.
Sarah couldn't stop watching him. The way he carried himself, how his eyes flickered from one person to the next, how he smiled just enough to make everyone feel like they were in on a secret, even though he wasn't giving much away.
"Hey, Sarah, you're quiet tonight," Emily said, nudging her friend as they stood by the snack table. "What's going on? You've barely said two words since Ryu walked in."
Sarah forced a smile, trying to look casual. "I'm fine. Just enjoying the party."
Emily raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. You sure? Because you've been staring at Ryu more than you've been staring at the snacks."
"I'm not staring," Sarah replied, her voice tight. She didn't even realize how much her gaze had been fixed on Ryu until Emily pointed it out. She wasn't sure what it was. There was just something about the way he stood there, so effortlessly intriguing, that made it impossible to look away. But she didn't want to admit that to Emily—she wasn't even sure she understood it herself.
"Right," Emily said, her tone dripping with teasing sarcasm. "It's just... you know, the way he's so... mysterious and all."
Sarah bit her lip, trying not to blush. "He's not that mysterious."
"Sure he's not," Emily said with a wink, before turning back to the crowd, leaving Sarah standing there with a racing heart and a head full of thoughts.
Ryu was still holding court by the bar, surrounded by several of the other guests. He hadn't drunk much more, his glass nearly untouched despite the casual manner in which he held it. It was clear to Sarah now that drinking, at least for Ryu, was just an accessory to the evening, not something to be indulged in. He wasn't here for the party. He was here for something else. But what?
As she tried to shake the thoughts away, Emily reappeared beside her, a mischievous grin on her face. "I think I've had enough of these drinks," she said, winking at Sarah. "What do you say we make this a little more interesting?"
Before Sarah could ask what she meant, Emily was already making her way over to Ryu, a confident stride in her step. Sarah's heart thudded in her chest as she watched her friend approach him. She could see Emily's voice rising above the chatter, her words playful and teasing. And Ryu? He simply watched her, an unreadable look in his eyes, as if he was waiting for the next move.
It didn't take long before Ryu's eyes flickered toward Sarah, catching her gaze across the room. For a second, she swore she saw the smallest hint of something in his eyes—a glimmer, something hidden beneath that ever-present calm. But then he quickly turned back to Emily, responding with that same easy, casual demeanor.
It was hard to put into words, but in that moment, Sarah felt a strange knot of jealousy form in her stomach. Emily was laughing, and Ryu was leaning in, his posture relaxed as he continued the conversation. There was no reason for Sarah to feel this way, but she couldn't help it. The thought of Emily teasing him, so close to him, made something tighten in her chest. Why was she feeling this? It was just a party, after all. Just friends.
She turned away, trying to breathe through the sensation, but the knot didn't loosen. Ryu had always been a mystery, but now that he was here, surrounded by her friends, she realized just how much she still didn't know about him—and how much that bothered her.
"Everything okay?" Emily's voice broke through her thoughts, and Sarah quickly looked up to see her standing beside her. Emily's expression had softened, the teasing smile replaced by genuine concern. "You look like you just saw a ghost."
"Yeah, I'm fine," Sarah replied quickly, forcing a smile. "Just... tired, I guess."
Emily wasn't convinced. She studied Sarah for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly, but she didn't push. Instead, she glanced over at Ryu. "You know, if you want, I can make sure he comes your way."
Sarah's breath caught in her throat. "What?" She wasn't sure whether to laugh or run in the other direction. "No, Emily, don't—"
But Emily was already heading in Ryu's direction, a wicked grin on her face. "You need to take a chance, Sarah. You're just letting him slip right by."
Before Sarah could stop her, Emily was at Ryu's side again, speaking to him in low tones. Sarah tried to ignore the growing tension inside her as she watched them exchange words. There was a lightness to their interaction, a natural flow, as if Ryu was actually engaging—something Sarah had never quite seen before.
Moments later, Emily returned, her expression one of mischief and triumph. "I invited him to join us for some late-night snacks," she said, her voice almost sing-song. "You know, if you're too shy to ask him yourself."
Sarah couldn't help but laugh, but the unease in her chest was still there. She wasn't sure whether to be relieved or annoyed at Emily's interference. Before she could even answer, she felt Ryu's presence beside her. He had quietly moved to stand next to the table, his figure looming in the background like he always did, but this time, there was something different. He wasn't standing in the shadows, no longer the distant observer.
"Is it too late for snacks?" Ryu asked, his tone casual, but his eyes—his eyes were searching hers.
Sarah blinked, taken aback by how close he was. Her heart skipped, but she forced herself to speak.
"Of course not," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "Help yourself."
Ryu nodded, a flicker of a smile tugging at his lips. It was brief, but it was there.
The party continued around them, the music pulsing and the chatter growing louder, but for Sarah, everything else faded into the background. She was left standing in front of Ryu, caught somewhere between confusion and excitement, wondering if this night—this party—would be the moment everything shifted.