For Her Sake

In the small studio apartment, the girl laid flat on the bed as she flipped through the pages filled with pictures.

There was hardly anything in this new world that she could do and her only source of entertainment was the book before her.

It told the story of a boy who travelled around the world in his quest to learn how to shudder. He visited countless villages, and the residents told him ways to learn how to fear.

However, no matter which trial he went through, the unpleasant emotion that plagued others with the threat of danger and pain never came to him

He completed countless trials in his wake and eventually conquered the kingdom's challenge, earning him the right to marry the king's daughter and live a life full of wealth.

Although he held glory, power, and woman, it never satisfied him as he dreaded for the day he could shudder.

She closed the book shut and brought the pillow close to her face. Why would he have such a thing lying around?

Clink.

She subconsciously tighten her grip around the clothed bag and followed the source of the sound with her eyes.

The door creaked open, and a man entered the room holding bags. He lowered the groceries until the burden lessened from his hands.

"I'm back."

"Welcome home!" Her mind relaxed with relief as it was only her kidnapper.

"I was waiting to eat and drink some water!"

"You were hungry, I'm sorry. I'll go make it now."

"Really!? Yay!"

The man released another sigh that became muffled from his face mask, however, his azure eyes couldn't help become gentle under her sunny smile.

How long had it been since his mind was this relaxed?

He ambled towards the kitchen and placed the groceries on the counter, taking out the contents from within.

It was humid ever since he had came back, so he undressed into a simple shirt and sweatpants. Underneath the jacket was a lean body that accentuated his pale skin and toned muscles.

'She's becoming more expressive as time passes.'

He took the ingredients out and prepared the cooking equipment he needed.

"Hey! I want to help make the food too." She came to his side with her arms crossed, but her eyes couldn't hide the energised gleam twinkling as bright as the stars.

"Eh? Ah… then could you chop the carrots?

"Understood!"

Upon the counter full of bowls, vegetables, and pots, she picked up a kitchen knife up. She held it from the grip upside down with the sharp edge faced upwards.

"Wait! What's with that grip?"

He stopped her trembling hands and placed his above hers, teaching her how to chop the piece of carrot before her.

Their hand's synchronised movements with each other and she got the got the hang of it, happily humming away to a tune.

"So um… is this alright with you?"

A bead of sweat dripped from his forehead as he continued to hold her hands. He never had much contact with the other gender before, so he felt uncomfortable with the current situation.

"I'm fine with it! Anyways, didn't you tell me to chop them?"

"I did but… how do I say this… are you really not going to resist?"

Her expression flushed pink, and she stumbled, "Tha-That can't happen before we get married."

"That's not what I meant."

"Always turning me down so calmly…" She pouted her lips forwards and concentrated chopping again until a realisation struck her."

"AH! You aren't interested in 17-year-old girls?!

"Concentrate or you'll cut your fingers."

The man glanced around the room that he was in. He was helping the girl before him cook as she continued to smile towards him.

'We are kidnapper and victim having a casual conversation, cooking and… closing our eyes to reality. Not doubting our feelings towards each other, this is our unspoken agreement. That's why I… didn't agree to that promise.'

…

At the small table were two plates of hamburgers, dumplings, and curry. Each one had steam drift into the air enticing the saliva to drool from her lips.

"Thank you for the meal!"

She lifted a spoonful of curry accompanied with rice and greeted the special guest into her mouth. A sense of euphoria swept her taste buds as the juices burst forth from the soft flesh.

Her face displayed a bright and satisfied smile as she continued to eat in delight, her pink cheeks puffed from the hot aroma that escaped her lips.

"It's good! Your cooking is amazing!"

"Thanks."

"You're not eating? It's yummy."

"I'll eat later since I bought pudding too."

"Really?!"

They sat at the table and continued to eat when the girl set her spoon on the plate.

"To think eating could be this fun. You see… at home when I ate, those people threw the plate to the floor,"

The man just stared at her once again. He had no words to console.

"But enough about my past!"

Her face then lost her bright smile and grinned instead, however, it was one filled with anxiety and nervousness.

"Say, can I look forward to our meals together?"

"Of course."

"Thank you."

"No problem."

His face tilted at the plate of food before him and placed the back of his hand against his chin. The memories of his past quietly played like a movie through his mind.

'That time I thought I had no reason to live, but now, I want to live for her sake.'

He peeked at the girl eating with such a delightful face. 'If she would ever need me, then I wouldn't mind saving her.'