Then, reality struck—Elian was here.

His eyes shot open.

“Elian—” Taro’s voice cracked from sleep, and before he could process anything else, a pillow landed right on his face.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty.” Elian’s voice was far too cheerful.

Taro peeled the pillow off his face and groggily sat up, blinking at the man standing over him. Elian, already dressed in casual yet effortlessly stylish clothes, looked like he had stepped out of a magazine. Meanwhile, Taro was sure his hair resembled a bird’s nest.

“You’re still sleeping?” Elian smirked, arms crossed. “If you get ready fast, I’ll drop you off at your office.”

Taro frowned, rubbing his eyes. “Huh? You drive?”

“No,” Elian said flatly, “but I have a car. And a driver. Unlike you, I don’t need to struggle on crowded trains.” He glanced at Taro’s face and snorted. “You look terrible. Did you even sleep?”

Taro scowled. “Excuse me for being a working man.”

Elian grinned. “Hurry up, or I’m leaving without you.”

Taro groaned and stumbled out of bed. But just as he tried to rush to the bathroom, his foot caught on the futon, and he tripped, barely catching himself before face-planting.

Elian laughed. “Clumsy as ever.”

“Shut up.”

Fifteen minutes later, a disheveled but somewhat presentable Taro emerged from the bathroom, towel-drying his hair. The smell of breakfast hit him immediately. Yumi had prepared a simple but warm meal—rice, miso soup, and grilled fish.

As they ate, Yumi looked at Elian. “So, will you be staying here today?”

Elian shook his head. “No, I have to go to my uncle’s house. But I’ll visit again when Taro gets a day off.”

Taro, mid-bite, paused. “Oh, so I get to enjoy peace and quiet until then?”

Elian smirked. “Enjoy it while you can.”

After breakfast, Taro grabbed his bag, and the two stepped outside. A sleek black car was waiting at the curb. Taro sighed, shaking his head. “You really live a different life now, huh?”

Elian opened the door and grinned. “Hurry up. I don’t have all day.”

With a resigned sigh, Taro climbed in.