A week later...
Inside his sleek, quiet office, Akira was digging through the cabinet, shifting stacks of files with a furrowed brow. Paper dust danced in the sunlight spilling through the blinds.
Behind him stood J, arms full with five thick folders, struggling to keep them from toppling over.
"Boss, let me help you. I'll find it," J offered, slightly panting.
"No, J. Let me look for it," Akira replied firmly, not even glancing back.
"But boss—"
"J... Jjjjj," Akira said with a warning growl, not looking up.
J instantly shut his mouth and bit his tongue, eyes wide.
"My bad."
Finally, Akira pulled out an old, dusty file and placed it on the table. A thick cloud of dust exploded into the air, making both of them cough violently.
"Damn, boss—what is this? From ancient times?" J muttered between coughs.
"This file belonged to the old man," Akira explained, brushing dust from the surface. "It has some important data from the past company activities. Thought it might be useful."
J leaned forward, resting his chin on Akira's shoulder.
"Ooh~ open it."
Akira gave a small nod and opened the file… only to immediately freeze.
Inside were rows and rows of old DVDs—not company records, but… that sexy night kind. The entire file was filled with them.
Akira's face fell, completely blank.
"…That's the wrong file again. And—ew. What did that old man do all day!?"
J's eyes sparkled like he'd found buried treasure.
"That looks important, boss."
Akira gave him the sharpest side-eye imaginable.
"Can I—?" J began.
Akira didn't even answer. Just a long, slow facepalm.
Just then, the door opened and K walked in, holding a small white envelope in his hands.
"Oh, K," Akira greeted, stepping toward him with mild curiosity. "What brings you here today?"
K gave a proud smile and handed him the card.
"Boss, it's my newborn's naming ceremony invitation. Please do visit. I wanted you to have the very first card."
Akira's expression instantly softened. He smiled warmly, placing a hand on K's shoulder.
"Wow, K—congratulations. And it's a boy? That's wonderful. I'll definitely come."
As they spoke, another knock came at the door.
"Come in," Akira said casually.
The door opened again... and there stood Aki, holding a card in his hand.
Akira's breath hitched.
"Aki...!"
Aki stepped forward with a soft smile.
"Good morning, boss."
"Morning, Aki…" Akira said, almost whispering—like someone had stolen the air from his lungs. His eyes clung to Aki's face like it was a dream.
Aki walked closer and held out the card.
"Boss, it's my newborn baby's first baby shower. Please do visit."
Akira slowly took the card from his hands, his fingers trembling as he opened it.
"Oh... Congratulations, Aki. You… have a daughter now…" he murmured, voice quivering.
He smiled—but with one hand gripping the edge of the table, trying to steady himself as if the ground beneath him was no longer safe.
Aki noticed his expression.
"But… you look upset, boss."
Akira forced a smile.
"What? No... I'll definitely visit. I love kids."
His voice cracked at the end, but he held himself together.
"Now you both can go."
K and Aki bowed gently, smiled, and exited the room.
As the door clicked shut behind them, Akira turned to J with a trembling hand and held out the card Aki had given him.
His voice was barely audible.
"Look, J… he's become a dad. He has a baby girl now…"
His knees buckled. He dropped to the floor, slowly collapsing.
"I should be happy for him… so why… why does my chest hurt?"
Tears splattered silently onto the wooden floor. Akira's shoulders shook with the weight of emotions he could no longer hold back.
J immediately knelt beside him, hugging him tightly.
"Boss… please don't cry…"
But Akira wailed like a broken soul, clinging to the only person who didn't let go.
"J... take me home. Take me back to the mansion.
I... I can't breathe here…"