JP - The Keep - Dormitory - Miyuki's Room

Lek caught up with Millie. She frowned at him. “I doubt Pinja has gotten any better since you last asked me, I haven’t even seen her.”

“I wasn’t going to ask about her.” Lek said, though a part of him had been hoping she was better. “Everyone is saying that Miyuki really likes me.”

“Yes, and- oh.” Millie blinked. “I thought you knew. Have you been so focussed on Pinja all this time you never noticed?”

Lek blushed. “No. I love Pinja. What do I do?”

Millie sighed. “I don’t think Pinja is ever going to want anyone, Lek. But you actually have a chance with Miyuki. She’s a good person, she has been very kind and compassionate towards Pinja.”

“Miyuki is a good friend, I don’t feel that way about her.” Lek said, flustered.

“If you aren’t even going to give Miyuki a chance then let her down gently.” Millie said. “Though I really think you should let Miyuki try. See you later, Lek.”

They had reached the door to the room Millie shared with Pinja at this point. Lek realized that the conversation was over and Millie did not have a magical solution for him where nobody got hurt.

“Bye, Millie.” Lek sighed, walking away before Millie opened her door. He did not want Pinja to see him and be frightened. He felt his eyes tear. He loved her and could not do anything to help her.

Lek walked to Miyuki’s door. He still did not know what he was going to say or do, but he knocked gently on her door. “Miyuki?”

It took a long moment, but eventually Miyuki opened the door enough to peek out at Lek. “Yes? What is it?” She asked, voice rough sounding. It was obvious she had been crying from the wet streaks through the fur on her face.

Lek’s shoulders sagged, he felt like the worst person in the world, he had made her cry. “I’m so sorry.” His apology came from the bottom of his heart. “Can we talk?”

“About what, Lek?” Miyuki asked. “I have medicines to make for my patients so that Difyr doesn’t have to worry about running out of stock…”

Lek blushed. “You’re my friend, you have been a good friend to me, I hate to see you hurt.”

Sighing heavily, Miyuki opened the door. “Come in…” She muttered and went to her desk where she was working on making medicines.

Lek hesitated by the door. “Are you sure?” He asked. He was not afraid of her trying anything with him, in fact she had saved him from a similar compromising situation, but was concerned for what him being seen entering or exiting her room could do to her reputation. As silly as it was, she was already pregnant afterall.

“Just leave the door open,” Miyuki waved a hand as her fingers worked on the medication. “Everyone knows nothing will happen and you needn’t worry about some reputation. I’m not that kind of woman. What did you want to talk about, Lek?” She was refusing to look at him.

Lek stepped inside her room, leaving the door open. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize…" her not looking at him made him feel worse.

“Didn’t realize what?” Miyuki inquired, fox ears twitching. “I get it, Lek. You’re in love with someone else and I’ll never stand a chance, but Pinja may never return those feelings. She’s not just physically scarred, she’s mentally scarred. Her fear is evident in everything she does. Even when Beatrix is helping her with physical therapy that fear is there. She doesn’t even want anyone seeing her without any kind of clothing on her from head to toe. If all you came here to do was tell me I’m only a friend, I already know.”

"But you're a great friend." Lek felt miserable. Miyuki had been a good friend to him pretty much from the moment they met. "I've always enjoyed your company. I just…"

“You just won’t give up on Pinja…” Miyuki finished for him, ears falling down as she sighed heavily.

“I love her.” Lek said, bracing for being told how it would never work out, like he has been told for months. He hated that he made Miyuki feel like he felt about Pinja.

“Yeah…please leave.” Miyuki said, still refusing to look at him.

Lek hesitated in the doorway.

“I need time alone, Lek. Please, leave…” Miyuki’s voice broke and she gripped the desk tightly.

Lek wanted to help her feel better, give her a hug or something. But she clearly wanted him to leave. He had already hurt her. “I’m sorry… I wish I could help you.” He said sadly, stepping out the open door.

The door would soon slam shut and lock behind him.

Lek jumped at the door slamming. He walked a little ways down the hall and leaned his head against the wall. He was pretty sure that he had handled this all wrong and felt even worse than he had before he spoke to her.

Beatrix walked by with her brother and shook her head. “Ya should probably take some time ta think about what yer gonna do next, kid.” She said calmly.

“I tried to not hurt her.” Lek said miserably. “She has been a good friend to me.”

Beatrix shook her head again. “Ya can’t have yer cake an’ eat it too, Lek…at least not in these situations. What ya gonna do if Pinja never returns yer feelings? Hm? Just wallow in self-pity forever?”

“I’ve never wallowed in self pity.” Lek said, thunking his head on the wall. “I can’t help how I feel about her. I’m willing to wait forever for her.” He sighed. “I never wanted to harm Miyuki.”

“Well, ya did,” Beatrix said, rolling her eyes. “Yer wallowin’ in self-pity right now!”

“I’m not wallowing… I just feel terrible for hurting her. I didn’t know what to do.” Lek said.

“Maybe ya should talk ta that Pinja girl. Stay at a distance, of course, but I get a feelin’ a talk with her will slap some sense inta ya. And, also, maybe speak ta the men? Everyone has a perspective. Might help.” Beatrix said with a shrug.

“Make sure a lot of women are in the room so Pinja feels comfy!” Jacob added with a sweet smile, tail swaying.

Lek shook his head. “I haven’t been in the same room as her since I proposed to her… She’s too afraid to have any men near her, even me.” Lek wished he had let his feelings be known before the raid, when they were friends.

“Fine, be as stubborn as ya like, but I hope yer okay with breakin’ Miyuki’s heart.” Beatrix said, grabbing Jacob’s hand and pulling him along.

“Of course I’m not okay with breaking her heart. I just don’t know what to do.” Lek said in frustration.

Jacob waved as they walked away. “Have a good day, Mr. Lek!” He called since Beatrix was obviously ignoring Lek now.

Lek sighed. He looked at Miyuki’s door, but she was clear about wanting to be left alone. He did not know what he could say or do for her even if she did want to see him.