Closer Than Expected

The deeper they drove into the mountains, the quieter the world became.

By the time they reached the upper area, the last traces of city life had vanished completely. The car headlights carved a path through the trees, illuminating the mist and patches of frost paved into the road. The air outside looked so cold that it seemed to shimmer.

Jun pulled into a gravel parking area beside a traditional inn tucked at the edge of the forest. A carved wooden sign hung above the entrance, lit by a single lantern:

Higure Ryokan 

"We're here." Jun said softly, gently shaking Akari's shoulder.

Akari stirred awake after having fallen asleep during the long drive. Her chair slightly reclined, and a blanket draped over her - not at all how she remembered herself. 

She blinked herself awake, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Is this where we're staying?"

"It's quiet here and hard to find unless you know about it." Jun stepped out of the car, breath visible in the cold. "But it should be safe here." He said as he opened the car door for her.

Akari stepped out, the cold immediately wrapped itself around her. Her breath fogged. The scent of wet earth, trees, and sulfur from nearby springs wafted faintly in the air. A small cluster of warm orange lantern lights glowed ahead, illuminating the path. She hugged her arms around herself instinctively.

Jun noticed as he grabbed the bags. "Come on. Let's get inside."

As they stepped inside, a wave of warmth washed over them. The faint scent of tatami mats and tea floating in the air.

An older woman in a kimono stood before them. "You must be Jun and Akari, we've been expecting you."

Akari blinked. Expecting them? She glanced at Jun for answers, but he was already following the older woman deeper inside.

Warm lantern lights glowed along the walls, shining on the elegant paper screens painted with mountains and mist. The ryokan felt old but well cared for.

The older woman opened a door at the end of the corridor. "Here's the room for you both."

Jun paused in the doorway, his brow raising slightly. "Both? What about our other room?"

The older woman tilted her head. "Other room? Michi called saying to only prepare one room for the both of you."

Akari felt her heart pound, unsure of what to make of this situation.

Jun's expression flickered - surprise, slight panic, then a defeated sigh. Michi... What are you trying to do...? 

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry, but would it be possible to prepare another room?"

"Of course." The older woman replied with a kind smile. "It may take some time though, so please make yourselves comfortable here until it's ready."

Akari stepped into the room. Tatami mats stretched neatly along the floor. A small table with a prepared tea set near the window, where frost covered branches hovered near the glass. A futon already laid out - one, perfectly arranged.

Jun lingered in the doorway behind her, flustered but trying to hide it. 

She turned towards him, smiling at his behavior. "You don't have to stand over there. We're just waiting."

"Right..."

Jun slid the door shut, leaving the two of them alone in the quiet warmth of the room, with nothing but the faint scent of tea, the mountain wind outside, and the unspoken realization that Michi may have done this on purpose.

He placed the bags down, concealing a wince under his breath. Akari noticed his shoulders were tense, too tense for just awkwardness. "Jun, are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He said a little too quickly. "Just a long day." He rolled his shoulder subtly, just enough for her to notice the strain in the movement and the way he tried to hide it.

Akari stepped closer. "You're hurt, aren't you?"

"It's nothing." He said quieter than usual. "Just a slight cut."

Her concern deepened. She knew there was an attack today, but she didn't see the extent of it. "Sit." She said gently, but firm. "Please."

He glanced at her, taken aback by the shift in her tone - still gentle but impossible to refute.

He hesitated at first, then slowly lowered himself onto the tatami floor, exhaling shallowly as the movement tugged at his injury.

Akari started to rummage through one of the bags. "You packed something didn't you? You're always prepared."

"Other bag." He admitted.

She found the prepared first aid kit Jun had packed and knelt beside him. "You don't have to pretend you're okay... Not with me."

"It's really not that serious."

"Show me."

Jun hesitated, eyes turning away, unsure if this counted as crossing a line. Slowly, he lifted his shirt to reveal his wound.

Akari's eyes widened.

A deep purple bruise spread across his ribs, a fresh gash marking its center. A blade meant for her had been taken by him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Her voice barely louder than a whisper.

"Because it didn't matter. I had more important things to worry about."

"Of course it matters." She reached for a cloth, dipped it in the warm water from the tea kettle, and wrung it out. "Can't believe you're stubborn about this sort of thing." She said as she pressed the cloth against his wound. 

Jun inhaled sharply through his teeth.

"Sorry." She adjusted her touch.

She worked carefully; her fingers brushed his skin occasionally. The silence between them was warm, fragile, filled with things neither of them knew how to say.

Akari reached for some medicine, cautiously applying it to the wound. "Hold still."

"I am holding still."

"You're flinching."

Jun huffed out a faint laugh. "You're poking an open wound."

She paused, taken aback by the joking tone, a small smile tugged at her lips.

Akari grabbed the bandages and gently began to wrap them around his side.

A knock came at the door. 

Jun jumped - not from fear but readiness.

He straightened immediately, instinct overriding pain. His sudden movement startled Akari and threw her off balance, her hand grabbing onto his shoulder. He reacted quickly and steadied her with his arm, holding her upright. For a heartbeat they were close - closer than either of them ever expected to be. Her hands on his shoulders, his fingers brushing her waist.

"It's just me, the hostess." The door slid open and the older woman peeked inside. "Oh my. I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

"No." He said a little too quickly. 

Akari pulled away quickly, cheeks warming.

The hostess chuckled under her breath. "Your room will be ready shortly, but I wanted to see if you needed anything while you waited."

Akari glanced at Jun - shirt still lifted, bandage half wrapped, cheeks slightly flushed. 

Jun cleared his throat. "We're fine. Thank you."

The older woman's kind eyes danced between Jun's bandaged side to Akari shyly beside him, and a bright smile of understanding filled her face. "I see. Well, I'll prepare some more tea and snacks for you two and be back in a moment."

The hostess bowed and slid the door shut, leaving them alone in a silence that suddenly felt awkwardly thick.

Akari slowly turned back towards Jun, who was trying, and failing, to not look embarrassed.

"You didn't have to jump like that..." She said shyly.

Jun rubbed the back of his neck. "I know... Sorry. Force of habit"

Akari knelt beside him again and grabbed the bandages to finish her work. "You said we're safe here. You should try to relax too. You don't need to protect me all the time."

"I know..." He murmured. "But I can't stop myself from wanting to."

Her breath caught, unsure how to interpret his words.

Akari finished wrapping Jun's wound, her fingers lingered for a second longer than necessary. "Better?"

Jun met her eyes - something soft, vulnerable, unguarded in his expression. "Yeah... Better."