AROHA 

It had been a week since I moved into Cassie's home. 

Everything here felt... different. Warm. Inviting. Nothing like I thought it would be. 

Everyone here was kind, and I never felt like I was a burden—a feeling I'd grown all too used to carrying.

Yejin, had become my constant companion. Her tiny hands would guide me through, leading me to her room with giggles. 

It was like she believed I could see every treasure she described. The way her favorite doll had sparkly hair, or how the light shone through her crystal set, scattering rainbows. 

I couldn't see it, but the happiness in her voice painted pictures clearer than anything my eyes ever had.

And then there was Lucie. She was more than just someone who helped me with practical things—she was quickly becoming a friend. 

If I dropped something, she'd pick it up without a word of frustration. If I hesitated while walking, she'd take my hand and describe the path ahead.

"You're doing great, Miss Aroha." she'd say, even if all I'd managed was to make my way down the hall without bumping into a doorframe.

But more than anything, she listened. She let me talk about the little things I missed, the memories of seeing, and the fear of being a shadow in someone else's life. 

She never once tried to pity me, and somehow, that made me feel whole.

Today, Yejin and I were sitting on the floor of her room. She'd handed me one of her favorite plush toys—a bunny with soft ears like she described, even if I couldn't see its cheerful face.

"Do you think it's pretty?" she asked, her tiny voice full of hope.

I smiled, running my fingers over the soft fabric. "It feels beautiful." I said honestly.

Yejin had just went out, she called out about getting juice while we played. 

I stayed seated on the soft carpet of her room, my fingers absentmindedly stroking the plush toy's velvety ears. It was comforting—something to hold onto as my mind wandered.

And then, I froze.

A faint warmth brushed against the back of my neck, like the ghost of a breath. 

My muscles tensed, and my hands tightening around the plushie. My heart began to pound in my chest, the sound of it loud in the quiet room. 

Someone was there.

I didn't move. I didn't speak. I just stayed there, still as stone, listening.

No footsteps. No sound of shifting weight. Just the faint sensation of presence—close, too close. The kind of closeness that sends a chill racing down your spine even when the room isn't cold.

Whoever—or whatever—it was didn't move either. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.

My lips parted as if to say something, but no words came. My throat felt dry, my voice trapped behind the mounting tension. 

My mind raced. Was it Cassie? Lucie? Surely, someone I know. But why weren't they saying anything?

And then it hit me—a faint, familiar scent that carried a warmth I couldn't ignore. Sandalwood, with a hint of something rich and earthy. 

I hesitated, swallowing the lump in my throat. My fingers curled tighter against the soft carpet as I softly called out.

"Taehyung-ssi?"

For a moment, there was nothing. Just the faint sound of my own breathing. Then, a quiet shuffle broke the stillness, followed by his voice, deep and resonant.

"How did you know?"

The sound of it sent a ripple through me. His tone was calm but carried a weight, an intensity that made the room feel smaller.

I let out a slow breath, steadying myself. 

"Your scent." I admitted quietly. 

Another silence followed, but this one was different charged, like the pause before a storm.

"So, you remember my scent now?"

His question caught me off guard, and warmth rushed to my cheeks. I ducked my head slightly, embarrassed.

If he was going to tease, I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of flustering me too much.

With a small nod, I responded softly, "I can tell people by their scent... or their voices."

There was a pause, followed by a low hum of approval. "That's quite impressive." he said, his voice tinged with amusement.

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying not to let his tone get to me. "It's not really..." I murmured. "I just... had to get good at it."

"Had to?" he asked.

I nodded again, though this time I hesitated before speaking. "When you lose something important, you learn to lean on the things you have left. Sounds, scents... they help me navigate."

For a moment, he said nothing, and I wondered if I'd said too much. But then his voice came again, softer this time. "I see."

The air between us shifted, no longer teasing but contemplative. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that his presence was overwhelming, even without sight. 

Something about the way his presence, so quiet yet undeniably there, was enough to make me catch my breath.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice steady.

For a moment, there was no reply, just the faint sound of his breathing, calm. Then, his voice came.

"I was passing by." he said, a touch of nonchalance in his tone. "And I heard you... playing with Yejin."

I tilted my head slightly, trying to read between his words. "So, you decided to come silently and scare me?"

A soft chuckle escaped him, deep and warm and I had to face the other way. He felt too vicious. 

"I didn't mean to scare you." he said, though the amusement in his voice suggested otherwise. "I was curious... watching you interact with her."

That made me pause. "Watching me?"

"Hmm," he hummed in confirmation. "You're different when you're with her."

His words caught me off guard, and I fidgeted slightly, my fingers brushing against the plush toy on the floor. "Different how?"

"More relaxed," he said simply. "At ease."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that. Instead, I turned my head toward the direction of his voice, my expression softening. "Well, Yejin makes it easy to forget... things." I admitted.

"Things?" he echoed, his tone curious but not pushing.

I nodded, not elaborating further. His presence was still heavy in the room, but it didn't feel as unsettling anymore. It felt... thoughtful.

"Do you want to go out?"

The question hung in the air, and my eyes widened in surprise. I quickly schooled my expression, trying not to let the shock seep into my voice.

"Where?" I asked, my tone cautious yet curious.

There was a moment of quiet, and I can bet he was smiling.

"Somewhere you will like... I think." he replied, his voice carrying confidence that made me wonder if he had something specific in mind.

I hesitated, my fingers idly twisting the hem of my dress. "Somewhere I'll like?" I echoed, uncertain. "You do realize I can't see wherever I go, right?"

He chuckled softly, the sound rich and unbothered. "I know. But I think you'll feel it."

"I'll ask Cassie." I said firmly, sitting up straighter.

A soft chuckle came from him, but I caught the hint of amusement in it. "Why?" he asked, his tone teasing.

"Because..." I replied, gripping the plush toy again, "I can't just leave without telling her. Especially if it's you taking me somewhere." 

His laughter deepened, and I could almost feel the grin in his voice. "Scared of me?"

I shook my head, though the thought of Cassie's intimidating husband—this calm yet commanding presence—taking me out did feel a little unnerving. 

"No!" I said, though it sounded more like I was convincing myself. "But she'll want to know. And besides..." I hesitated, biting my lip before adding softly, "She'll worry."

There was a pause before he answered, his voice softer this time. "Fair enough. Go ahead, then."

For a moment, I wondered if he was mocking me, but something about his tone told me he understood.

"I'll wait." he said simply, his voice laced with quiet assurance.

I made my way out of Yejin's room, my hands brushing lightly against the walls to guide me.

Every step was methodical, like a dance I'd practiced a thousand times, even if the world I moved through was shrouded in darkness.

I knew this path well—the one from Yejin's room to my own.

It was the only one I truly felt comfortable navigating without hesitation. The rest of the house, though warm and welcoming, was still unfamiliar to me.

When I reached the door of my room, I turned the handle and stepped inside.

"Miss Aroha, is everything all right?"

Lucie was there, just as I expected. 

"I need to find Cassie." I said, the words coming out clearer than I felt. "Could you ask her to come to my room?"

Lucie's voice softened with understanding. "Of course, Miss Aroha. I'll find her right away."

I nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. While I wasn't sure what exactly this outing would be, I needed to make sure Cassie knew where I was—and who I was going with. 

After all, it was her husband who was the one to offer to take me out, and I didn't want anyone thinking I had disappeared without a word.

As Lucie left the room, I settled into the chair.

The truth was, I wanted to go out, but I felt uncertainty about the person I was going out with, and I have to take Cassie's permission. 

Cassie is too busy to take me out, even if she is just a housewife, she has been given many responsibilities as the house member and she has to take care of them regularly. 

She tells me everything. 

A while later, the door creaked open, followed by Cassie's voice. 

"What happened, Aroha? You called me. Do you need anything?"

I turned my head slightly in her direction, hearing the soft sound of her footsteps as she approached.

I swallowed, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Taehyung-ssi... asked me if I wanted to go out."

There was a brief silence, and I could feel Cassie's gaze on me, though I couldn't see it. Her voice came again, softer but with a touch of curiosity.

"Taehyung asked you?"

I nodded, feeling a knot form in my stomach. "Yes. But I told him I needed to ask you first."

I could sense her considering this for a moment. "I see." she said, her voice gentle but probing. "And... are you okay with going?"

I paused, the question making me think. "I'm not sure," I admitted. "It's just... I wanted to let you know that, and I never went out since I came back from America..."

Cassie was quiet for a moment, her silence unnerving. Then, she spoke again, her tone thoughtful.

"If you feel comfortable, then it's up to you, Aroha."

Her words were simple, but they carried weight. It wasn't just about permission; it was about trust. And right now, I wasn't sure how to balance that trust with the uncertainty I felt.

I hesitated, the words heavy on my tongue. "Can I trust Taehyung-ssi?" I asked softly, I had never trusted anyone outside my family, not truly—not after everything that had happened.

Cassie was quiet for a moment, her footsteps shifting as she seemed to gather her thoughts. When she spoke, her voice was calm and steady.

"Taehyung is very responsible, Aroha." she said, the certainty in her words grounding me. "I know him. You can trust him."

Her reassurance felt like a small weight lifting off my chest, but it didn't fully erase the doubt lingering in my mind. 

I had grown used to being cautious, to protecting myself by keeping others at a distance. Trust wasn't something I gave easily.

But Cassie's words were comforting. She wasn't just speaking from a place of duty as a sister; she spoke as someone who genuinely believed in Taehyung's character, someone who had spent time with him to know him and I know my sister would always protect me. That meant something.

"I'll be fine, right?" I asked, trying to make sure my voice didn't betray the uncertainty I still felt.

Cassie didn't hesitate. "You'll be fine. He'll look out for you."

I took a slow breath, still unsure but feeling a little lighter with each passing second. Maybe this was a step toward letting go of the fear, even if just a little.

Maybe I should trust Taehyung-ssi. He was also family now—my sister's husband. He wouldn't want anything bad for me.

Cassie trusted him completely. If he was willing to take me out, to show me something new, then maybe I was being too cautious.

Or maybe my instincts are right as always?

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