Chapter 112
She brushed her slender fingers across the small parts of the necklace, inspecting every detail with gentle, reflexive motions.
Theo observed each of Aldraya's movements with vigilant eyes, trying to decipher the meaning behind her gestures and the almost unchanged expression on her face.
Yet in Theo's eyes, a faint shift appeared—most notably a soft glimmer of joy reflecting in Aldraya's gaze when her hand touched the newly fastened necklace.
The sensation left Theo silent for a moment, realizing that beneath Aldraya's calm and expressionless demeanor, there lay emotions—delicate yet unmistakably real.
"So you're just going to hold that necklace without saying anything?"
"Th… ank…"
Fiiiih!
"...."
"Exactly like a broken robot. You're not even trying to add a hint of tone."
"Th… ank…"
'Again?'
"Th… ank…"
'It happened again?'
"Th… ank…"
'How long are you going to keep this up, Aldraya?!'
"You're repeating it like a wind-up doll running out of power.
One more word, come on. You only need to say 'you'. Just that."
"Th… ank… yo…"
'You're not joking, right?'
"Th… ank… yo… yo—"
'Even the apocalypse would feel sorry for how stiff you are.'
"Seriously? Even the word 'you' makes you stumble that hard?"
"...."
Theo watched Aldraya with a mix of curiosity and caution, noticing that she was still gripping the necklace tightly.
Every movement she made was subtle yet purposeful, and her usually cold gaze revealed a faint glimmer of attention as she looked at the necklace.
Theo studied her carefully, trying to read the intent behind her silence and her calm gestures—something he understood as a concealed form of appreciation.
Then Theo spoke again, asking whether Aldraya would keep holding the necklace without saying anything to him.
When Aldraya finally opened her mouth to speak, her voice came out almost flat and mechanical, and Theo realized just how difficult it was for her to express emotions verbally.
Her words sounded fragmented, almost like a robot attempting to copy human speech, each repetition forcing Theo to suppress a thin smile.
Plaaak!
'Am I really going to spend the rest of my life watching a woman who can't even say
"thank you"?
Dear God—'
"Watch my mouth. Look closely."
"...?"
"Thank… you.
Like this. Soft. Neat.
I'll repeat it again."
"...."
"Thank… you."
"...."
"Thank… you."
"...."
"Thank… you."
"I will try."
'Failed twice.
Four times still stuck.
Six times getting closer.
Eight times almost there.
Eleven times smooth, only the final articulation left.
Twelfth attempt—'
"Thank you."
'No mistakes.
No stutter.
No emotion.
As expected of you, Aldraya.'
Theo held back an ironic laugh behind his palm, realizing how hard Aldraya had worked to express something that most people considered trivial.
A question briefly surfaced.
'Will he really spend his final days watching a woman who can't even say "thank you"?'
But all those doubts melted away when he saw his own faint smile reflected in the movement of her lips, which earnestly mimicked every shape of the words he demonstrated.
It was as if she copied a rhythm and tone she didn't truly possess, trying to form the words even if her voice remained flat.
Each attempt carried the strangest seriousness, with Aldraya focusing all her attention on Theo's lips and the gentle hand motions indicating the intonation of each word.
Theo continued repeating the silent gestures with patience—patience that seemed impossible unless one had spent years dealing with Aldraya.
The moment became a quiet dance between teacher and student, between the one guiding and the one imitating, until their rhythm aligned in silence.
After the twelfth attempt, Aldraya finally said the words correctly—without pauses, stuttering, or any emotional inflection.
Theo watched intently, realizing that this achievement wasn't about the words themselves, but about the effort and consistency shown by someone who rarely expressed feelings.
The silence that followed felt meaningful, each second emphasizing the subtle connection forming between them.
"Good. Now repeat it once more.
Just to make sure you really—"
"No. I've said it once. That's enough."
'Even a cheap robot is more cooperative than this.'
Fuaaah!
'Fine. My goal isn't to turn her into a thank-you machine.
Besides, once is already more than enough for a creature like her.'
Theo observed Aldraya refusing to repeat the words with her signature blank stare, recognizing that her refusal wasn't a trivial rejection but a small assertion of her own principle and freedom.
Though a faint irritation flickered, he swallowed his sigh and chose to remain calm, preserving the moment without forcing his will.
He matched her pace, releasing the tension that had briefly risen, and let Aldraya return to her own rhythm—realizing that not every interaction needed to be measured through repeatable words or actions.
Theo understood that patience with this girl was far more valuable than a temporary success in correcting her speech.
In the quiet that followed, he noticed Aldraya's movements becoming natural again—each step and tilt of her head reaffirming that she maintained full control over herself, a subtle reminder of the boundaries he should not cross.
He felt relieved that his goal had been achieved without pressing further, allowing Aldraya to keep the personal space that defined her.
"Finally, today's my lucky day, oh God.
Really, miss… thank you so much.
I thought this afternoon would be a complete loss, but I actually got a passenger.
Thanks a lot, miss… seriously, you just made my day."
The two walked steadily, cutting through the fading noise of the afternoon streets.
The sun above burned with sharp heat, its glare bouncing harshly off the windows of the vehicles lining the roadside.
Every motion Aldraya made appeared deliberate and measured, while Theo followed with watchful eyes, weighing every possibility that could arise from their still-uncertain interactions.
The air around them felt heavy with the mix of city scent and the natural fragrance clinging to Aldraya, forming a strange contrast between the bustling world and her serene, enigmatic presence.
Inside Theo's mind, a thin sense of awe emerged—accompanied by unspoken questions about Aldraya's motives.
Theo's gaze followed every detail of Aldraya's movement, from the light touch of her hand on the necklace to the precise steps of her feet on the asphalt, as if she were defining her own rhythm.
The taxi driver waited inside his vehicle, holding his breath, realizing each passing second mattered greatly to him.
He calculated the remaining time before midnight, hoping Aldraya's presence would determine his fate.
But beneath that tension, there was no rush—only sharp observation and quiet hope woven into every breath he took.
Theo felt that subtle tension as well, though it didn't directly concern him, yet he still recognized the energy surrounding them.
Aldraya's presence altered the atmosphere, making every small detail feel important.
To be continued…