Boy Next Door Ryu

The first time you met Ryu, it was barely an hour after you moved in. You had stepped outside to get some fresh air after unpacking when you spotted him leaning against the fence that separated your houses.

His dark eyes flickered over you with mild amusement, his messy black hair falling just slightly over his face. His lips curled into a smirk, the kind that made it seem like he already knew something you didn’t.

“New kid, huh?” he mused, his voice smooth yet laced with teasing amusement.

You hesitated before answering. “I guess so.”

Ryu let out a soft chuckle, tapping his fingers against the fence. “Guess so? You either are, or you aren’t.”

He pushed himself up straight and strolled closer, closing the distance between you in a few lazy steps. His presence had a weight to it, like he was used to people paying attention when he spoke.

“So, which is it?”

You frowned. “I moved in, didn’t I?”

He hummed, as if considering your words. Then, he leaned in just enough to make you take a step back. “You’re gonna stick out here, you know. Too fresh. Too… unaware.”

Your brows furrowed. “Unaware of what?”

Ryu’s smirk deepened. “You’ll see.”

With that, he shoved his hands into his pockets and turned away. “This neighborhood’s boring, but you? You might actually be fun.”

You weren’t sure if that was a compliment or a warning.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” he added without looking back. “Not everyone here is as friendly as me.”

Somehow, you doubted he was friendly at all.

⸻

Later that night, you found yourself tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The unfamiliar creaks of the house, the distant sound of cars passing—it was all too new, too different. With a sigh, you sat up, rubbing your eyes before glancing toward the window.

To your surprise, the window across from yours—Ryu’s—was open. A soft glow spilled out from inside his room, and there he was, lazily draped over his windowsill, gazing out at the night sky.

As if sensing your stare, he turned his head toward you. A slow smirk stretched across his lips.

“Couldn’t sleep, new kid?” His voice was quieter than earlier but still held that teasing edge.

You hesitated before leaning against your own window. “Something like that.”

Ryu tilted his head slightly, resting his cheek against his arm. “Let me guess—too quiet?”

“Too different,” you corrected. “I keep thinking I’ll wake up and still be back home.”

He was silent for a moment before exhaling through his nose. “Yeah. I get that.”

You blinked, surprised by the lack of sarcasm. “You do?”

His gaze flickered to the stars above. “I wasn’t always here either.”

Something about the way he said it made you curious, but before you could ask, his smirk returned. “Guess that makes two of us, huh? The out-of-place ones.”

You rolled your eyes. “You don’t seem out of place.”

“That’s ‘cause I make it my place.” He grinned, his sharp canines catching the dim light. “You should try it sometime.”

You shook your head with a small laugh. “I don’t think I have your level of confidence.”

Ryu clicked his tongue. “Tch. Confidence is just pretending you know what you’re doing until everyone else believes it.”

You stared at him, half wondering if he actually believed that. Before you could question him, he stretched his arms over his head and yawned.

“Well, try not to stare at me all night, yeah?” His smirk widened. “Not that I’d blame you.”