I See You'

The rain had passed by morning, but its memory clung to everything — the ground still soft, the windowpanes streaked, the scent of wet lavender and cedarwood curling around the corners of Hana's little shop. Outside, Elmsworth lay freshly rinsed and quiet, puddles reflecting a sleepy sun.

Inside, Hana moved by memory and instinct. The kettle sang, the broom whispered over creaking floorboards, and cloth bundles of herbs were tied with practiced hands. It was peaceful, but the kind of peace that hummed with something unfinished — something just beneath the surface.

A knock tapped on the front door — a light, familiar rhythm.

"Mira," Hana said before the latch even turned.

"You always ruin the suspense," Mira called as she stepped in, arms loaded with a still-warm parcel of cinnamon bread and a folded cloth bag. "I brought breakfast and unsolicited opinions."

Hana smiled. "Your favorites."

They laughed and slipped into familiar conversation. Mira set the bread between them and launched into stories from the market — who was courting whom, who wasn't anymore, and who was pretending not to care. They were mid-debate over dried chamomile versus fresh when a floorboard creaked down the hall.

Hana turned her head slightly.

Mira paused. "...Do you have a ghost?"

Before Hana could answer, Ethan appeared, rubbing a towel over his still-damp hair. He wore a faded, button-up pajama shirt and slacks that clearly didn't belong to him. The shirt hung slightly loose in the shoulders, the pants cuffed above his ankles.

The room paused with him.

"Oh—sorry," Ethan said, blinking. "Didn't know you had company."

Mira blinked once. Then again. and Then a third time.

Then slowly turned her head toward Hana like she'd stumbled onto a treasure map with her eyes wide open.

"Oh," she said, feigning innocence. "Well, this is newww."

Hana folded her hands on the counter, expression unreadable except for a slight blush. "He stayed because of the storm. That's all."

Mira raised a brow. "Mmm I see and the vintage sleepwear?"

Hana didn't flinch. "He needed something dry, We got soaked and I couldn't have left him in wet clothes. And as for the "Vintage" That's what I had."

Ethan, scratching the back of his neck, offered Mira a polite nod. "Morning."

"Morning," Mira echoed, eyes still gleaming. "You wear village hand-me-downs well."

Ethan chuckled, clearly unsure whether to laugh or retreat. "I'll let you two talk." he said as he left the towel on a nearby stool and vanished back into the hallway,

Once Ethan had left Mira leaned in.

"Well?"

"Well what?" Hana replied.

"You let him stay. That's big."

"It was raining." Hana added

"You never let Jonas stay."

"That's not the same...at all." Hana chuckled

Mira's grin softened, turning curious instead of teasing. "Alright then. No jokes. Just this — do you feel safe with him?"

Hana's voice was quieter now. "Yes. I do."

Before Mira could say more, the bell above the door jingled — sharp and sudden.

Jonas.

He stepped inside fast, words already forming. "Hana, I was thinking we could—"

He stopped.

His eyes landed on the towel draped across the stool. Then at the male boots near the door.

A moment of silence—

Then, finally he looked at Ethan re-entering the room, now wearing a fresh shirt and pants.

A shift occurred. Quiet, but heavy.

Jonas's voice was colder now. "Didn't realize this place doubled as an inn."

Hana remained still. "It stormed last night. He stayed for safety."

"Oh, I'm sure," Jonas said flatly. "And I bet you offered him warm tea and breakfast too."

Hana calmly said "I was getting to that"

Jonas looked furious and yelled " You–"

Mira stood now. "Jonas, don't—"

"I'm not talking to you," he snapped. His eyes glanced back to Ethan. "Let me guess — passing through? Looking for a easy distraction? She's not a side quest."

Ethan stepped forward slowly, expression calm but firm. "I never said she was."

"Then act like it," Jonas bit. "Because you'll be gone soon enough."

"I didn't come here to make enemies," Ethan said. "But I'm not here to be tested either."

Jonas scoffed. "You barely know her."

"I'm trying to," Ethan replied. "Which is more than I can say for some people who've known her their whole lives."

That hit hard even Mira looked away.

Hana finally stood, her voice clear but steady. "That's enough. This is my home. My shop. My choice."

Jonas's mouth opened — then closed.

He turned without another word, slamming the door behind him.

The bell rang once, sharply — and then a sharp clink followed. Something small fell to the ground by the hinge.

Mira flinched to the sound of the door slamming. Hana's brows drew together.

"The lock—" Hana said quietly.

Mira stepped over, and leaned forward to inspect. "Yep. Snapped the edge of the frame. One of the bolts popped loose."

Ethan walked to the door slowly, inspecting the latch where the metal had come free from the wood. He exhaled, crouching to retrieve the small broken piece.

"I can fix this," he muttered to himself.

Mira raised a brow, still watching him. After a moment of silence, she stood up straight.

"Well, I'll leave you two in peace," she said with a knowing smile.

Ethan opened the door for her, still holding the broken latch piece in his free hand. Mira paused in the doorway, then turned back briefly — and smiled at Ethan.

Hana stood there and said nothing. She simply waited for the sound of the bell and the soft click of the door behind her friend.

Ethan placed the broken piece on the counter and turned back toward her.

"You handled that well," Hana said.

He offered a small smile and said. Better than I would have if you were not here also I should probably be going too. Tomorrow is Monday and I've got an early shift."

"Of course," she said softly.

He paused. "… I'm glad I stayed. Even if the storm ruined your floor....and your door."

"You got me home," she said. "That's what matters."

They stood in the stillness together for a moment longer.

Then Ethan said, "If you ever need me... I'll be right across the field."

Hana smiled, barely. "And if I shout across it?"

"I'll run to you." He replied

She reached out slowly and found his wrist. Her fingers lingered there — not for balance, but for something else.

When he left, and the door clicked shut behind him, the hush returned.

But it wasn't the same kind of quiet.

Not the kind she knew.

It was the kind that asked something. That waited.

And Hana, standing alone in the golden spill of light from her window, felt it fully now — the truth humming between her ribs:

He had stepped into her world.

And whether she was ready or not...

He was staying.