They entered the mansion at night.
Other guards greeted Akira, "Good night, Boss," before quietly heading off to their posts.
Akira, along with Aki, stepped inside through the main door. As they approached the hall's inner gate, they peeked inside and found it was dark.
Akira said,
"Looks like everyone already went to sleep."
Aki nodded. They glanced at each other and walked into the quiet hall.
At that moment, Akira's younger brother, Mickey, stood in the darkness near the massive dining table. Dressed in his night suit, he was drinking water, half-asleep.
Then—he saw them.
Or more specifically… he saw red eyes glowing in the dark, approaching him.
In pure panic, he spit the water from his mouth—right into Akira's face.
Mickey: "Ahh monster!"
Akira, soaked, held back his fury, shaking his head and growling,
"It's me."
Mickey blinked in disbelief.
"Uh—Brother," he said, stepping forward and gently wiping Akira's face.
"Sorry I didn't see you coming."
Akira gently grabbed Mickey's hand and said,
"It's ok. Go back to sleep."
But Mickey stood there… frozen.
He was completely hypnotized.
His brain spiraled.
> "Damn, so handsome… but my poor life… he is my brother but more like a husband material… But does stepbrother count?"
(Akira: "Mickey? Oye.")
> "Argh—a dominating alpha like him and a superior omega like me—a match made in heaven."
Akira: "Mickey."
Sigh
"Mental case. Let's go, Aki."
Akira and Aki walked off toward their rooms, leaving Mickey standing in the dark—completely lost in his delusion.
Just then—
Mickey's mom's voice rang out from the hallway:
"Mickey! How long it takes to drink water? Get back here right now!"
Mickey snapped out of his fantasy, looked around and muttered,
"When did they leave…"
Sigh…
That night, Akira and Aki were in Akira's room. The atmosphere was quiet, the light dimmed just enough for comfort. Aki stood near Akira, helping him undress.
Akira muttered as he unbuttoned his cuffs,
"I don't know what is wrong with my siblings… they behave weirdly around me?"
Aki stepped forward, his fingers brushing against Akira's chest as he began slowly unbuttoning his shirt. Without looking up, he replied gently,
"It's because they love you. When you love someone, your brain doesn't know how to react or say."
He smiled, a soft one, while his gaze remained lowered.
Akira tilted his head slightly.
"Then what about you?"
Aki's hands stopped. He raised his gaze—long lashes parting as his eyes met Akira's. He was blushing.
"Why don't you see it?"
Akira's expression softened with surprise and then melted into a quiet smile. He reached forward, pulling Aki into a hug—and Aki hugged him back, holding onto him tightly.
The next morning, Akira sat at the grand dining table in the mansion, occupying the central chair where the head of the family always sat. His posture was regal as ever—dark suit sharp, eyes unreadable.
Both his mothers came and took their seats beside him, sitting on alternate sides.
He greeted them calmly.
"Good morning."
Mr. Aster returned it softly,
"Good morning."
Mrs. Rose smiled.
"Morning as well."
Soon after, Akira's three siblings and cousin brother entered the room. The cousin, an omega, had lived with them ever since his parents had died in a tragic accident.
They all sang together with chirpy voices:
"Good morning, brother!"
They joined the table, and breakfast began. Meanwhile, Aki stood behind Akira's chair, silent and smiling as he watched his beloved eat .
Then came the question.
Mr. Aster, a bit hesitant and clearly nervous, leaned slightly closer.
"Akira… (a little scared) Son… What do you think about marriage?"
Akira didn't even flinch.
"Waste of time."
The spoon in Mr. Aster's hand trembled.
"AKIRA!"
He couldn't yell—he knew the dominance of his son far too well.
Mrs. Rose, ever the stirrer, smirked.
"Kids want to marry him?"
Then—
All four siblings suddenly burst out at once, eyes sparkling:
"YES!"
Akira blinked.
"Huh?!"
His brow twitched, one eyebrow raised.
Mr. Aster also looked at them, shocked beyond belief.
Mrs. Rose laughed so hard she nearly choked on her tea.
The siblings, realizing their slip, instantly began to pretend.
Yuke, sweating, grabbed the remote.
"I mean, brother—yes, let's watch TV."
He quickly turned it on, changing the subject.
The news report played:
> "The missing girls from the city trafficking ring have safely returned home. The compound has been turned to ashes. Investigators are still clueless as to who the hero was."
Yuke (watching):
"Wow."
On screen, one of Akira's employees—the employee—stood with the news reporter.
Reporter:
"So ma'am, you were with them. Can you tell us who saved everyone?"
Employee (brightly):
"Oh yes! It was my boss!"
SMACK!
Akira's fist slammed down on the table.
Akira:
"I should have killed her too."
The room fell silent. The guards glanced at each other nervously.
Aki reached out to calm him.
Then—
J, disguised as a woman in a bizarre wig and dress, suddenly appeared on-screen. He pushed the employee aside and raised a hand dramatically.
J:
"I am the hero. I saved all the ladies."
Reporter (confused):
"You sure, sir… no lady?"
J (offended):
"Excuse me! Did you just judge me for my looks? Has your mom not taught you how to talk to ladies?"
The news reporter coughed awkwardly.
J flexed his biceps with dramatic flair.
Everyone at the dining table burst into laughter—except Akira, who sighed deeply.
"What is he doing there…?"
He stood, dabbing his mouth with a napkin.
"I'm done."
And walked away.
Mr. Aster tried to follow, clearly wanting to talk, but Akira was already gone.
Later that day, Akira was at the mall, shopping casually for clothes. Aki trailed behind him, wide-eyed and playful.
He spotted a life-sized teddy bear and grinned.
Within seconds—he possessed the teddy.
When Akira turned to check a rack, arms suddenly hugged him from behind.
Aki, as the teddy bear, smiled.
Akira paused.
His eyes softened—holding a strange mix of sorrow and affection.
He kissed the teddy bear and hugged it tightly.
> (Although Aki could touch Akira and feel him, Akira couldn't touch Aki at all. Not anymore. He could only see and hear him. But this—this teddy bear—was something he could hold. It made him feel like he was holding Aki.)
At checkout, Aki slipped out of the teddy bear and went back to hugging Akira instead—whispering sweetly into his ear,
"Thank you, sweetheart."
Akira smiled a little.
The cashier lady, completely misunderstanding, blushed.
She thought Akira had smiled at her.
Outside the mall, guards carried bags, one carrying the teddy bear. Akira walked ahead, Aki beside him.
That's when it happened.
In the distance, two people were arguing.
One turned and walked inside the mall.
The other—cute, with pink hair and eyes—ran after him.
Cherry (calling out):
"Kai, wait! Hear me out first!"
At that exact moment, Akira was checking his watch.
Cherry bumped right into him.
Akira immediately caught him by the waist, steadying the boy with one hand.
Their faces were close—very close.
Their eyes locked.
Time stopped.
Then—
Kai (shouting):
"CHERRY!!"
Cherry turned, flustered, and bowed.
"Apologies."
Then ran back to Kai.
Akira stared after him, something unreadable in his gaze.
Then he turned and continued walking toward the car.
Just as Akira was about to enter the car, his phone rang.
Akira (answering):
"Hello? Yes mom… … What?!!"
(Mad.)
Mr. Aster (on the phone):
"Honey, can't you do at least this much for me? I never asked you anything… can't you fulfill one wish? Please come here—I'm waiting for you."
Inside the car, Akira was sitting in the back seat beside Aki. Two guards were up front.
His anger boiled—he crushed the phone in his hand.
Mr. Aster (from the broken speaker):
"Hello? Akira? Hello…?? What happened to the phone…?"
One of the guards picked up the shattered phone.
"Boss, what happened?"
Akira growled,
"Nothing. We have a change in plan."
He leaned forward, hand on his head, eyes stormy.
"Take me to Sector 10—Elite Society."
Mr. Aster smiled politely at the rich old man sitting across the table, adjusting the sleeves of his suit.
"Don't worry, my son is on the way, haha," he chuckled nervously.
The old man gave a knowing nod.
"Same here, sir."
Suddenly, from opposite sides of the lavishly furnished room, two doors slammed open. From one entrance came Akira, and from the other, a delicate young man with pink hair—Cherry. Both of them exclaimed in disbelief at the same time:
"WHAT!!"
Their eyes slowly turned toward each other.
"You!!"
Mr. Aster clapped his hands in delight.
"You guys know each other? Wow!"
Akira crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes.
"I met him in the mall a few hours ago."
Cherry turned crimson, his cheeks burning as he looked away shyly.
The old man was practically glowing.
"My, my—what a fate!"
Akira's voice dropped to an icy tone.
"He was with a boy."
From behind Cherry, a tall man stepped forward with a smile and extended his hand toward Akira.
"Hello sir, I'm Kai—Cherry's elder brother."
Akira accepted the handshake.
"Strong," Kai commented, laughing awkwardly as he tried to pull his hand back from Akira's iron grip.
"Haha..."
The old man cleared his throat.
"If we're done with introductions, please take a seat."
Everyone settled into their chairs around the table.
The old man smiled warmly at Akira and offered him a drink.
"Have some."
Akira (with a poker face):
"I don't drink that."
Mr. Aster laughed nervously, dabbing the sweat off his brow as the atmosphere grew a little tense.
The old man leaned forward.
"Let's get to the agenda. As our families have known each other for quite some time, let's turn that familiarity into a relation. So how about marriage? Cherry and Akira. What do you say, Cherry?"
Cherry tensed up.
"Uhh... Let me think for a bit first, Dad..."
Kai leaned over and whispered something into Cherry's ear.
"Then what about your boyfriend?"
Cherry's eyes widened. He immediately clamped a hand over Kai's mouth.
"Shut up—we think about that later..."
Meanwhile, Akira leaned toward Aki with a death glare and whispered,
"He better deny this proposal. Otherwise, I do it."
Aki (surprised):
"Are you nuts?! That's the only proposal you're going to get—just agree!"
Akira (whispers):
"I know what to do."
Cherry hesitated, bit his lip, and then softly spoke,
"Yes... It is from my side, Dad."
Akira's eye twitched.
"Brat."
The old man turned to Akira.
"Good! What about you, Akira?"
With a devilish smirk and fury barely concealed, Akira replied,
"My answer is definitely... YES."
The room erupted in celebration.
While everyone clapped and cheered, Akira turned his wide eyes toward Aki, who was sitting innocently on the sofa, whistling and pretending to admire the wallpaper.
Akira (growling):
"Aki..."
He stormed off toward the restroom.
Aki (chasing):
"Akira... hey, Akira!"
Inside the restroom, Akira came to a stop and spun around to face Aki. His rose-red eyes burned with rage.
"Why? Huh? Why did you do that, Aki? Who gave you the right to manipulate my response, huh?"
Aki gulped under the intensity of the glare.
"But Akira, I did what was best for you! I mean—how long are you going to run from marriage? Also think about your mother's happiness, huh?"
Akira (shouting and pointing):
"Oh really?! So what—this is my life! I do whatever I want with it! Also, he is my mother—it's on me whether I keep him happy or not, okay?!"
He slammed his fist on the sink.
Aki stepped forward slowly.
"Hey, Akira... tell me, how long are you going to stay stuck with my memories, living like this, huh? You should move on—you have your whole life ahead of you. Huh?! Look—I can't watch you struggle like this every day!"
Akira turned his face away, his voice lower but no less sharp.
"Oh really? If you can watch me struggle, then you are the reason I'm struggling! And every time—it always has to be you! Huh?! You don't understand me. No one did. And no one ever will."
Aki froze.
Akira turned on the sink tap, watching the water spiral down the drain.
Then—
He heard sobbing.
He looked up.
Aki was crying.
Akira (shocked):
"What happened? Why are you crying? I should be the one crying right now!"
Aki (sobbing):
"Because... you said I make you struggle... and that... that I don't understand you..."
The tears wouldn't stop.
Akira (frustrated):
"Okay, just stop crying—it's annoying to watch you cry. Are you a baby, huh?"
But Aki didn't stop.
Akira (angry):
"Go cry somewhere else—not in front of me."
Aki's voice cracked.
"Okay then... I go back inside my bullet necklace."
And with a shimmer—
Aki disappeared.
After the storm in the restroom, Akira exited with a stern expression. He walked directly to the drawing room, where Mr. Aster was chatting with the old man from Cherry's side of the family.
"Mom, we are leaving now," Akira said bluntly, his tone cold and without emotion.
Mr. Aster lit up.
"Oh yes, I am coming!" he replied, quickly grabbing his things.
The old man chuckled, clearly pleased.
"Then we meet again at the wedding, haha!"
Mr. Aster exchanged polite handshakes and nods before following Akira out of the house.
Later That Night
Back at the mansion, the grand doors opened to reveal Akira's tall frame. His siblings, who were lounging in the living room, jumped up, thrilled to see him.
"Brother!" they called out in unison.
But Akira didn't even glance at them.
He walked straight past, climbed the stairs in silence, and slammed his bedroom door shut behind him.
The siblings blinked.
"Looks like brother is mad again," Yuke muttered.
Inside his room, Akira pulled off his black coat and tossed it onto the bed carelessly. He paced for a few seconds, jaw clenched.
I need to get rid of that Cherry... and fast. But I'll need a solid plan for it.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his black hair. The anger slowly melted from his expression, replaced by something softer—guilt.
Aki... Today I scolded him a lot. I even made him cry...
He sighed deeply, then looked toward the nightstand, where his most precious possession rested: the bullet necklace.
He picked it up, holding it in both hands as if cradling something sacred.
"Come on... Come out of it," he murmured aloud, "I want to talk to you."
The room stayed silent.
He waited.
"Okay, I got it. You're mad. But come on... You know me well, right?"
Still no sign of Aki.
Akira stared down at the necklace. He clutched it tightly, bringing it close to his lips.
"I know you're hearing me... Okay, okay, I get it... I'm sorry for making you cry. Please... come out."
Nothing.
The silence in the room grew heavier.
Akira sat there, waiting... pleading. But Aki didn't appear.
Time passed. Frustration, sadness, and exhaustion all wrapped themselves around Akira's heart. His shoulders drooped. His eyelids began to fall.
Still holding the necklace in one hand, he slumped sideways on the bed and closed his eyes.
He fell asleep... still waiting for the one he couldn't touch but needed the most.