Sunlight crept lazily through the curtains, warming the edges of the large bedroom. Aki slowly blinked awake, letting out a soft yawn as he stretched his arms above his head.
He turned—and froze.
There, sleeping peacefully beside him, was Akira.
Aki's smile bloomed instinctively.
"Ah… young master…"
And then it hit him.
"YOUNG MASTER!?" he shrieked, nearly falling out of bed.
Akira rubbed his eyes with a sleepy grin, voice husky from sleep.
"Mmm… good morning, Aki."
Aki looked around in panic—his face flushed, his hands grasping at the sheets.
"Wait—Where are my clothes!? What happened!? Where are we!?"
Akira quickly leaned in, covering his mouth.
"Shhh! Everyone's still outside. Do you want to get us caught?"
Aki's eyes widened. "Oh… okay…" he nodded quickly.
Akira leaned closer, pinning him back lightly against the wall of the bed.
"So… you don't remember what happened last night?"
Aki's eyes darted, trying to recall—and then—
Flash. Memory. Every. Second.
"Ahhhhhhh!!" he squeaked, both hands covering his face.
Outside, Leo's voice rang from the hallway, "Frank, did you hear something?"
Frank: "No, boss."
Back inside, Akira covered Aki's mouth again, laughing.
"Seriously, you'll blow our cover."
Aki nodded desperately, whispering,
"Sorry…"
Akira leaned in with a devilish smirk.
"So you do remember. Last night, you were all—'Akira, Akira, please…' Hah! I didn't know you could beg so sweetly."
Aki's brain nearly short-circuited.
"A-Akiraaa! Don't say that!"
Akira only laughed harder, plopping back on the bed with a grin.
—
A while later, in the bathroom, Aki stood beneath the warm shower spray, trying to erase the crimson from his cheeks.
Peeking through the fogged-up door, he called out,
"Young master… can I use your shampoo?"
Akira leaned casually against the wall outside, arms crossed and still smirking.
"Use whatever you want. Everything in here's yours too now, isn't it?"
Aki blushed hard, quickly ducking back inside.
"Th-thank you…"
—
Once dressed, Aki stepped back into the hallway, now composed and standing quietly beside Frank.
Frank blinked, sniffing the air once.
"...Why do you smell so good today?"
Aki tilted his head, confused.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Just then, Leo stormed into the hall.
"You're finally here! It's ten! You were supposed to be here at eight sharp! I told you to watch over my son, not turn into him!"
Behind him, Akira was mimicking Leo's angry hand gestures with a pouty face.
Aki stifled a laugh.
Leo narrowed his eyes.
"Are you laughing at me?"
Aki bowed hastily.
"N-No sir! Never!"
Leo sighed, the tension draining a bit.
"Good. Raise your head."
He then glanced behind him, eyes landing on Akira.
"And you! What are you doing here?"
Akira put his hands behind his back and started whistling.
"Nothing. Just passing by."
And then sprinted down the hallway.
Leo muttered,
"Brat."
...
Akira burst into Yuke's room with his usual dramatic flair, only to pause seeing Yuke immersed in a thick book.
"Oh—I'll come later," Akira mumbled.
Yuke didn't even look up as he shoved the book aside. "So, what's the news?"
Akira sat on the bed, fidgeting, a shy flush on his cheeks. "So I did as you said and…"
Yuke leaned back on his chair. "What happened? Tell me!"
Akira gave a little grin. "It worked. And… we did it."
"WOOHOO!! I knew I was a genius!" Yuke yelled, randomly popping a party popper.
Akira blinked. "What the—where did that come from?"
Yuke smirked. "So, brother, now I leave the rest of the mission to you. You can do it, soldier!"
"Yes, general!" Akira saluted.
"Good. Make me proud."
"Roger that," Akira grinned, giving a thumbs-up and heading out.
---
In the home office, Aki was helping Leo and Frank with paperwork.
Leo called out, "Aki, grab that file from behind the desk."
"Yes, boss," Aki replied, turning—only to spot Akira peeking from around the corner of the room.
Akira whispered, "Come here."
Aki shook his head, mouthing, Not now, I'm working.
Akira pouted, pulling out the ultimate weapon—his puppy eyes .
Aki clutched his chest, looked around, and dashed over quickly.
Later—
Leo looked at Aki, grabbing the file. "What happened to your lips? Why are they swollen?"
Aki touched his lips, blushing a bit. "Bugbite."
Leo frowned. "You've been getting a lot of those lately. What, do you have honey on your lips or something?" He walked off grumbling.
---
Later that evening
Leo was heading out for a meeting with Frank and Aki.
"Oh, I forgot my bag. Aki, go grab it from inside," he said.
"Right away, boss."
As Aki neared the room, Akira's voice called from upstairs. "Aki! Come upstairs—now!"
Aki looked around. "Why?"
Akira grinned. "Just hurry!"
When Aki got to the top floor, he gasped. "Why do you have eggs?"
Akira held one up. "Time to make that old man pay for overworking you."
Aki panicked. "What are you going to do?"
With a devilish smirk, Akira threw the egg—splat!—right on Leo's head.
Leo shouted, "AHH!"
He sniffed his hair. "Eggs?! I know it—you brat! I'll kill you!"as he looked at akira on the top floor try to hide after attack.
Everyone, including Frank, was giggling. As Leo raise his eyebrow in frustration.
Leo growled, "Now I have to shower again. This boy has ruined my life!"as he went inside the mansion again .
Meanwhile, Akira and Aki were laughing so hard they wiped tears from their eyes.
"That was fun," Aki chuckled. "I should get back ." As he get up to go downstairs his phone rang "oh, wait, a call. "
Akira asked " Who is it aki?"
Aki stare at the number " Excuse me , Young master"
He stepped aside to answer, Akira watching him. "Everything alright, Aki?" He asked after aki was done talking .
Aki smiled gently. "Yes. It's just… my mom came home to visit me."
Akira's eyes lit up. "That's great! Let's go meet her!"
Aki hesitated. "I will… after work."
Akira frowned. "Come on, your mom came to see you! Is it because of that old man?.... He's heartless. Just go—I'll deal with him."
Aki giggled. "It's not that, Akira. Actually… I'm going on a break for a month. I asked the boss, and he said yes."
Akira froze and a sign of worry was visible on his face "Oh… why? When?"
Aki looked at him, sigh and gently touched his cheek. "My grandma's very sick. I'm visiting her hometown. That's why my mom is here too."
Akira's heart dropped. "You're leaving today and didn't tell me?"
"I was going to… but I didn't get the chance." As he look at akira who was in smiling a few minutes ago but now looked like a helpless toddler without his mama .
Akira looked like he might cry. Aki sighed. "Why don't you come with me?"
Akira blinked. "What?! I want to ,.....but the old man won't let me…" He sighed.
"I have a plan," Aki whispered into his ear "********".
Akira's eyes widened with delight. "Then I'll see you at grandma's house in two days!"
Aki smiled and ,
They hugged, warm and close.
On the first floor—
Leo sniffed the air. "Eww, what is this smell? And my hairs all messed up."
Frank, trying not to laugh, offered, "Sir, my mom uses a shampoo that gets rid of any kind of smell."
"Then tell me, the name of it !" Leo said.
Fas frank was about to tell leo his eyes landed at the stairs ,only to spot Aki and Akira hugging on the second floor. His eyes widened in shock, he gasped "Oh-no" like he knows something bad about to happen.
Leo raised a brow. "What kind of brand is 'Oh-no'? Never heard of it. Anyway, bring it. I'll go shower."
As Leo went to bathroom, Frank bow "right away chief" but he was worried about something else .
Frank muttered, "What are you doing, Aki… playing with fire?"
---
Later that day, Aki arrived at his grandmother's village with his mother.
He entered the yard just in time to see three old ladies chasing chickens.
One of them turned around. "Oh! My grandson is here!"
She ran and pulled Aki into a warm hug.
The air inside the wooden house smelled of age and warmth, the kind only old Japanese homes carried—of tatami mats, sliding shoji doors, and simmering memories.
Inside the guest room, Aki sat beside his mother.
"Mom," she turned to her own mother, "I thought you were sick?"
Aki nodded silently.
But Grandma just chuckled with a mischievous glint in her eye. "That was a little prank to bring you two here. You always say you're too busy with work—so I had to do something." She winked.
Aki's mother gasped, furious. "You know how worried we were?! I came on emergency leave, thinking you were dying!"
Grandma snorted. "Who even invited you? I only called my grandson."
"Excuse me?" Aki's mother narrowed her eyes.
But Grandma ignored her and turned sweetly to Aki. "So, my precious grandson… how are you doing? And that witch you call your wife—how's she?"
Aki chuckled softly. "I'm fine, Mom's fine, and Lily's doing well too."
Grandma huffed and crossed her arms as she adjusted her pillow on the floor. "Thought so."
The air was light again, until she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh! I almost forgot—I made sweets for you! Wait here!" She got up with surprising speed for her age and disappeared into the kitchen.
Now alone in the room, Aki's mother gently reached out and touched his hand. "I didn't get the chance to talk to you properly earlier. How's work, son? Are you still at that... risky place?"
Aki gave a sheepish laugh. "I'm doing fine, Mom. They pay me well."
Her brows furrowed. "But, son… working for the mafia is like calling death to your doorstep. I can't afford to lose you. You're my only child."
Aki smiled, gently squeezing her hand. "Mom, don't worry. No one's died since I joined. I don't even go to the battlefield. I just stay in the home office. There's no need to worry."
She sighed deeply, nodding reluctantly. "I hope so."
---
Midnight Whisper
That night, Aki lay on his futon, eyes wide open as the moonlight spilled across the wooden floor. The traditional paper screens swayed with the breeze, but his thoughts were far away—on Akira.
(It's already midnight… why hasn't he called yet?)
Suddenly, his phone buzzed. He shot up, grabbed it, and rushed outside in bare feet.
"Hello? Akira?"
From the other end, Akira's voice came through, calm and sweet. "I'm here. Your plan actually worked."
Aki smiled under the starlight. "I knew it would."
Akira continued, "You know, this new apartment my father's building—it has a long hall with glass walls, a huge bedroom, and the best part… a long balcony that faces the beach."
Aki's eyes lit up. "A beach? That sounds beautiful. I can't wait to see it!"
"I'll come get you tomorrow at your grandma's place. What do you say?"
"I'll be waiting," Aki whispered.
"Okay then. Love you," Akira murmured.
Aki smiled, heart full. "Love you too." He kissed the phone gently and turned to go back inside.
But standing in the doorway was his grandmother, raising her brow with a smug grin, silently mouthing, Who was that?
Aki froze. "What are you talking about, Grandma?"
"Ohhh~ I love you too, muah muah," she teased, kissing the air exaggeratedly.
Aki blushed furiously. "Ahh! You heard everything?"
Grandma smirked. "Of course I did."
He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "It's… it's my lover."
With a snap of her fingers, Grandma clapped once. "I knew it! You're in love!"
Then her tone shifted, judgmental and dramatic. "But aren't you too old to be falling in love?"
Aki deadpanned. "Really? You're the one saying that?"
"Hmph. Fine, fine. So tell me—how old is he? What's his name? And what kind of omega is he?"
Aki chuckled nervously. "Grandma… he's not an omega. He's an alpha. A dominating one. And he's only twenty."
Grandma blinked in surprise. "Alpha?! I thought you…" She waved a hand. "Never mind. As long as he loves my grandson, that's all I care about."
Grandma gently patted Aki's head .
---
Morning Bright , golden sunlight poured through the paper windows, bathing the tatami floor in warm hues. Birds chirped outside as the old wooden house came alive again.
And in a few hours… Akira arrived stumbled through the sunlit path of the village, his breaths heavy and shallow, sweat trailing down the curves of his back.
The thin fabric of his shirt clung tightly to him, soaked through and nearly transparent.
Through it, one could glimpse the dark ink etched upon his skin—
Upon his back, 'neath sweat-drenched veil, did bloom
A deathly flower, wrought in shadowed plume.
A rose of crimson—love in silent scream—
And Reaper grim, like ghost of fading dream.
The tattoos were fierce, hauntingly beautiful—a silent tale of pain, strength, and buried love.
He reached forward, without raising his head, and held a man's arm.
"Excuse me, do you know where this address is?"he was panting sweat dripping down .
The man turned, eyes widening with recognition. "Ohhh, Akira! You're finally here!" Aki launched forward, hugging him so tightly Akira wheezed.
"Ahh—Aki! You're... hurting me!" Akira winced.
Aki laughed, pulling back. "Oops, my bad."
Akira's expression was half amused, half annoyed as he wiped the sweat from his brow. "Where do you live, man? No car or vehicle can come into this village. I've been walking for two hours straight to get here."
Aki grinned, clearly amused. "Yeah, the government kind of... forgot to build a proper road here."
Akira muttered under his breath, still catching his breath, "Lucky..."
Aki turned and called out loudly, "Mom! Grandma! Look who's here!"
Two women came rushing from inside the wooden house, both halting in their tracks at the sight of Akira. Flustered, eyes blinking fast, they looked like teenagers again.
"Aww... so handsome," one whispered.
Akira bowed politely. "Nice to meet you all."
With a proud smile, Aki introduced, "Meet my boss's son—Akira."
After letting him sit down inside and drink a full glass of cool water, Aki knelt beside him, gently dabbing his sweaty forehead with a soft handkerchief. "You okay, Akira?"
Akira nodded, his cheeks slightly red from the heat—and maybe from Aki's touch.
Grandma chuckled from the corner, crossing her arms. "So... does Aki work properly?"
Akira smiled, voice calm. "Yes, Grandma. He's very talented."
The room lit up with a warm laughter. Then Aki suddenly stood. "Oh! I left the grocery bags outside."
"I'll come with you," his mother offered, following him out.
Now alone with Akira, Grandma leaned in closer, eyes twinkling with a wicked smirk. "So... son-in-law."
Akira nearly choked on his water. "Huh?! Grandma?"
She eyed him slyly. "You like my grandson, don't you?"
Akira, flustered, couldn't stop the blush spreading across his face. "You're very smart, Grandma." While smirking.
"I know I am. But if you want to be with my Aki, you have to prove you're worthy."
He looked her dead in the eye. "Fine. Bring it on."
Without another word, she grabbed his hand and dragged him outside to the old stone water well. Akira stared.
"What is this?"
"A water well," Grandma said, too sweetly. "Pull the water out of it and fill those two giant tanks beside it."
"What?!"
"Go on. Don't you want to prove your love?"
Akira's lips curled into a smirk. "If that's all... then watch and learn, Grandma." He rolled up his sleeves, threw his coat dramatically to the ground, and gripped the rope.
....
Moments later, Aki walked outside, blinking at the strange scene. "Grandma, what are you—AHH! Akira, what are you doing?! Stop!"
Akira grunted as he pulled up another heavy bucket. "No, Aki! I need to do this—to prove my love."
"But there's no need! I already know!" Aki panicked.
"You do," Akira said, eyes determined, "but not Grandma."
Grandma nodded proudly. "That's my future son-in-law."
After the exhausting task, Akira stood there, shirt half-unbuttoned, arms shining with sweat and strength. "What's next, Grandma?"
"Hmm... take this basket of oranges and deliver it to this address."
"I'll come with you," Aki said, picking up his own water bottle.
Halfway there, Aki asked, "Can I see the address? Or at least carry the basket?"
"I got it. Here's the slip." Akira handed it over.
Aki read it and immediately crumpled it, tossing it aside.
"What are you doing?" Akira blinked and shocked .
Aki sighed. "There's no such address in our village... Grandma was just messing with you."
Akira paused—then broke into laughter.
Aki tilted his head. "Why are you laughing?"
"Because no one's ever fooled me before. Not until your grandma." Akira wiped a tear. "I really believed there was a house at that address."
Aki giggled softly. "She really got you."
"Let's sit there." Aki pointed to a tree nearby.
They sat under its shade, peeled and ate a few oranges, juices dripping onto their fingers. Akira looked around. "Your village is beautiful. The air, the silence, no traffic... it's peaceful."
Aki rested his head on Akira's shoulder, eyes closing. "It is."
As the sunsets with a light blow of wind ....
When they returned home, Grandma opened the basket—and frowned.
"Where did you get these berries from?"
Akira blinked. "From the address, Grandma."
"...Huh?"
Aki burst out laughing, and Akira joined in, both of them unable to hold back. Grandma stood there, basket in hand, completely confused.