Elian stretched his arms above his head, his emerald-green eyes flickering under the streetlights. “That was nice,” he mused. “Maybe next time, I’ll take you all somewhere even fancier.”

Taro groaned. “Please don’t. My soul left my body when I saw the bill.”

Yumi laughed, patting her son’s shoulder. “You should just be grateful, Taro. When else will you get to eat at a place like this?”

Elian smirked. “Exactly.”

They chatted for a while before parting ways. Elian waved them off as he headed toward his uncle’s house, hands in his pockets, his steps light. He had no idea that sharp ruby-red eyes had been watching him the entire evening.

Rylan stood by the hotel window, a glass of untouched whiskey in his hand, his gaze locked on Elian’s retreating figure. He hadn’t approached—not yet. No, this wasn’t the right moment. Not when things could be arranged so much better.

---

The next morning, Taro’s alarm rang at its usual time, but for some reason, he hesitated before getting up. His body still felt heavy from last night’s feast, and he rubbed his eyes, groaning. “Ugh… work.”

Dragging himself out of bed, he went through his usual routine—shower, breakfast, and heading to work. It was an ordinary day. At least, that’s what he thought.

Until his phone rang.

The caller ID flashed with an unfamiliar number, but the moment he answered, his entire world tilted.

“This is the headquarters office,” the voice on the other end said professionally. “We’re informing you that, effective immediately, you have been transferred to headquarters. Your relocation package will be sent shortly. Congratulations.”

Taro blinked. “Wait—what?”

“This is a direct decision from the higher-ups. You are expected to report to headquarters by the end of the week.”

The call ended before Taro could even process what had just happened.

He stared at his phone, heart pounding. This wasn’t just any transfer—this was headquarters. The dream workplace of every employee. A position with better pay, more stability, and long-term benefits.

But why… why so suddenly?

Something didn’t feel right. But at the same time, how could he refuse?

Taro exhaled, gripping his phone tighter. “What the hell is going on?”

---

Taro sat at his desk, staring blankly at his computer screen. His mind wasn’t processing the emails piling up in his inbox—not when the news of his transfer was still sinking in.

It wasn’t until a loud slap on his back nearly sent him flying out of his chair that he snapped out of his thoughts.

“Dude, you’re seriously getting transferred to headquarters?!” His coworker, Hideki, whistled. “Man, that’s crazy. People wait years for that kind of chance.”

Another colleague, Mika, leaned against his desk with a frown. “It is crazy. No offense, Taro, but… you never even applied for it, right?”

Taro forced a laugh. “Yeah, no. I just got a call out of nowhere.”

“Lucky bastard,” Hideki muttered, crossing his arms. “I mean, it’s weird, sure, but if I were you, I’d shut up and enjoy the paycheck.”

Mika wasn’t convinced. “Still, sudden transfers like this usually happen when someone up there pulls strings for you.” She narrowed her eyes. “Any idea who might’ve done that?”

Taro hesitated. “No. No clue at all.”

And that was the part that unsettled him the most.

Why him? Why now?

As his coworkers continued talking, Taro tried to push the unease aside. He should be happy about this—right?

And yet, something about the whole situation felt like invisible hands were rearranging his life without his say.

---

Somewhere in an office far more luxurious than any ordinary employee could imagine, Rylan sat behind his desk, his fingers tapping idly against the polished surface.

The moment he saw Elian again, he knew he wouldn’t let him slip away this time.

And for that, Taro Fujimura had to be right where he wanted him.