As they stepped inside, Aki's eyes lit up with wonder.

"Wow, Akira... it's so big and beautiful. I’ve never seen such a spacious apartment before. And with all the furniture already here—it still has so much room for decoration!"

Akira chuckled softly, walking over to the bedroom and pushing open the door for him.

"Come take a look at this," he said.

Aki followed, gasping in delight as he stepped into the room.

"Oh my god... Akira, this bedroom is so well made. And with all these decorations—it already looks amazing."

He ran his hand over the soft bedspread, marveling at its texture.

"But... you know why the chief is building this apartment, right?"

Akira smirked, his voice playful yet sincere.

"Yeah... so I can live here after marriage—with my partner. Alone."

Aki’s smile faltered just slightly, his eyes lowering for a brief moment.

"Yes... when you have a wife."

But before his thoughts could spiral further, warm arms wrapped around him from behind.

"Then will you be my partner, hmm?" Akira whispered against his ear.

Aki gasped.

"Me...?"

"Why not? Can’t I choose you?"

Blushing deeply, Aki turned his head slightly.

"I would love to..."

He sat down on the bed, a little overwhelmed, while Akira lowered himself to the floor near Aki’s feet—like it was the most natural place to be.

Akira looked up at him with a soft smile.

"Then this house is yours. Make it your own. Decorate it however you like. Turn it into a home... one we can live in—together, happily."

Aki leaned forward, wrapping his arms around Akira in a tight embrace.

"I will. I’ll fill this place with so much love, that your heart will always cling to this home, no matter what."

Akira smiled, gently brushing Aki’s hair back.

"Please do."

Then their lips met in a kiss—tender, honest, and full of the quiet promises neither had spoken aloud... yet already understood by heart.Fingers intertwined. Breaths mingled. The room around them faded, the world narrowing to just two souls that had finally aligned.

Akira gently pushed Aki back onto the bed, laying beside him—not as a conqueror, but as someone finally arriving home. They held each other as if the universe had spun solely for this moment. Hands wandered, not out of haste but devotion, memorizing each contour like a beloved melody.

Clothes slipped away quietly, leaving only skin and honesty between them. The way Akira looked at Aki wasn't with hunger, but wonder—like seeing the stars up close.

And in that room, where dreams had once lived alone, two hearts made a promise in silence and kisses.

---

The next morning

Akira sat on a chair, dressed in his robe, eyes quietly watching Aki sleep—his expression unreadable, soft. As he leaned back, something caught his eye—a folded paper resting near the drawer.

He picked it up, unfolded it lazily.

The words struck instantly.

> “Aki is married, so let go of him.”

Akira raised a brow.

"...Nonsense."

He crumpled the paper, ready to toss it—but something made him pause. He opened it again, eyeing the elegant paper stock and the ink. It was expensive—too refined for a common prank. A quiet smirk crept up on his face.

“Hmm... This might come in handy.”

Just then, Aki stirred awake, rubbing his head.

Akira walked over, crouching slightly, voice tender.

“Oh, you’re up. Good morning, Aki. How are you feeling?”

Aki nodded sleepily, eyes half-closed.

Akira’s smile widened.

“I was thinking... how about going to the beach today?”

Aki instantly brightened up.

“Yes! I want to! I’ll get ready right now!”

Akira chuckled as Aki jumped to his feet with excitement.

---

Later at the beach...

The day was spent in laughter and waves—eating, swimming, letting time flow as freely as the ocean before them. As the sun dipped low, painting the horizon in golden pink, the two lay in the sand, side by side, watching the waves roll in and out.

Aki, smiling softly, turned to Akira.

“Why don’t you want to get married, Akira?”

Akira looked at him.

“I could ask you the same. Are you married?”

Aki blinked, then nodded slowly.

“...Yes. But it was forced. I don’t love her.”

Akira sat up slightly.

“How long?”

“Four years.”

Akira’s expression faltered for a second.

“Four years... Do you have kids?”

Aki shook his head.

“No... I want to. But not with someone I don’t love.”

A pause. Then a smile curved on Akira’s lips.

“I see.”

Aki poked his cheek.

“What about you? Do you like kids?”

“I love them,” Akira admitted, “But I don’t want to have my own.”

Aki frowned, confused.

“Why, Akira?”

“Because I don’t want them to go through what I had to. This mafia world... this company... If I have children, they’d inherit all that weight. I don’t want that.”

Aki looked down.

“Oh... But if you did have one—what would you want? A girl or a boy?”

Akira smiled faintly.

“A girl, of course...”

Then he glanced at Aki with a teasing smirk.

“You know what? Why don’t you have a child with your wife? If it’s a girl—I’ll consider her my own.”

Aki scoffed.

“And if it’s a boy?”

“Then I’ll make him my guard,” Akira grinned.

With a mock pout, Aki leaned forward and bit his cheek lightly.

“Ahh! Aki, you’re hurting me!” Akira laughed, “Still... you’re so cute.”

Blushing, Aki whispered, “Then... why don’t I carry your child instead?”

Akira’s eyes widened, surprise flickering in their depths—but inside, his heart thudded with quiet joy.

“Is that so...?”

---

Back at the apartment that evening...

As Aki and Akira shared the warmth of their closeness, tangled in sheets and hushed laughter—

the door downstairs burst open.

Leo stormed into the apartment like a brewing storm, his voice booming:

“Where is Akira?! I’ve been calling since yesterday! Where is that idiot?!”

One of the guards stood stiffly, panicked.

“Chief, young master is... uh...”

Leo marched to the bedroom and yanked the handle—locked.

He turned to the guard with a glare.

“Why is this locked?”

“Don’t know, sir!” the guard squeaked.

Leo took a deep breath, then pulled back slightly.

“Fine. Call him. Tell him his father is on the line.”

The guard nodded, went to the door.

“Young master...? Can you hear me?”

Akira’s voice came back, breathless.

“Yes? What is it, V?”

“Sir, Chief is on the call.”

“Tell him I’m busy.”

Outside the door, Leo’s jaw tightened.

“This brat... What’s he doing in there? And with who?!”

The guard stammered, “I... I don’t know, sir.”

Leo’s voice thundered again, “Useless! All of you!”

Then after a pause, he muttered darkly,

“Tell him I waited outside... while he was—hmph.”

And with that, Leo turned on his heel and marched out, leaving the apartment in icy silence.

---

The next day...

Akira had no idea Leo had visited. No guard dared to tell him.

Aki’s break ended, and the two parted—Aki heading back to his wife Lily, and Akira returning to the mansion.

That evening, Akira stepped into the kitchen for a snack, only to find Leo standing there with arms crossed.

“So... are you done messing around?” Leo asked, stern.

Akira casually picked up a biscuit.

“Guess so.”

“Good. Then tomorrow you’re joining the company,” Leo said coldly.

“Meet me outside by 9:00 sharp. Don’t you dare make me wait.”

He turned and walked off.

Akira just shrugged, popping the biscuit into his mouth.

“Cool.”

The next day at the office...

Leo stood in front of the room, his usual stern expression softened just slightly.

"Everyone, meet him. My son, Akira. He will be the new CEO of this company... which means, he's your new boss."

The room erupted in applause, people clapping enthusiastically. Akira stood confidently, his smile as charming as ever.

"Looking forward to working with you all," he said smoothly, his words carrying the weight of authority yet the ease of someone who was born for this.

The employees were mesmerized—not only by his charisma but also by his style, the sheer confidence he exuded.

Inside the office, Leo followed Akira, his footsteps loud against the polished floors.

"This is your office," Leo said gruffly. "You better get to work. No excuses."

Akira walked over, running a finger along the surface of the desk.

"Hmm," he murmured, feigning disinterest, but his eyes gleamed with purpose.

Leo continued, "But one of my men will stay with you to monitor your work, alright?" He turned to Frank, about to speak, when Akira immediately cut him off.

"Frank? Uhh, no, you come with me," Akira said, almost like it was second nature.

Leo raised an eyebrow, looking over at Akira.

"No, not Frank. Aki will stay with you."

Aki smiled brightly, "Yes, boss."

Akira felt a sense of excitement bubbling inside, but he kept it hidden, his stoic face betraying nothing.

They stepped outside the office, the air crisp and busy with office workers, when Akira's gaze caught something—

A baby, carried by its mother. The baby was facing the other way but stared directly at Akira with wide eyes. Akira made a funny face, and the baby burst into laughter.

Akira smiled, amused by the innocent joy. But then, the mother turned around and saw Akira. Her smile faded quickly, replaced by fear. She turned away, walking off hurriedly.

Akira’s smile faltered as he turned to look behind him. His father was standing just a few feet away, flanked by Aki, Frank, and other guards. They had a person in their grip, a gun pressed against his head.

Akira sighed, understanding the reason for the mother’s fear. He frowned, his expression darkening.

sighed , turning and walking toward the car.

Aki, noticing Akira’s sudden shift, followed him closely. In the car, he knocked on the window. Akira rolled it down, eyes meeting his.

“What happened, Akira? Why did you run off from there?”

Akira leaned back in his seat, frowning.

“What else could I do, Aki? I was just trying to have a little peace... but this mafia world always catches up to me.”

Aki’s expression softened, his voice gentle.

“You’re right, Akira...” He reached out, gently cupping Akira’s face before leaning in to kiss him.

Akira blushed, the warmth of the kiss grounding him.

“You’re the only good thing that’s ever happened to me,” he whispered, the words filled with emotion he didn’t normally show.

Aki smiled, a playful pout on his lips.

"Then why do you keep pushing me away?"

Just as Akira was about to respond, Leo’s voice interrupted their moment.

"We're done here. Let’s go back."

Aki straightened, quickly bowing.

“I’ll get the car.”

---

Two days later...

Akira sat at his desk, immersed in work, when suddenly he felt... strange. An unsettling shift in his body that he couldn’t ignore. He instructed one of his guards to tell Aki and the others to stay away from him for a while.

“Yes, boss,” the guard replied.

But just as Akira tried to settle into the strange discomfort, the door to his office burst open.

Aki stood panting, his face flushed from the rush.

“Sorry I’m late, Chief! I got stuck in traffic again!” He hurried inside.

Akira smiled, though his eyes were clouded with unease.

“It’s alright, Aki. You can relax.”

Aki blinked, surprised by the gentle tone, then frowned.

“Uhh, Akira, why did you tell me to stay away for a few days?”

Akira sighed, eyes narrowing as he looked at Aki.

“It’s not because you’re late, Aki. It’s... my rut is starting tomorrow. It’s not a normal cycle; it’s serious. I can’t risk anyone getting hurt.”

Aki’s face softened with realization. He stepped closer to Akira, eyes concerned.

“I can help you with it,” he whispered, his voice low.

Akira blushed, a hesitant laugh escaping his lips.

“Aki... it’s not something you can help with. It’s best if we keep our distance for now.”

Aki pouted, his frustration clear.

“But I can’t live even a single day without seeing you.”

Akira softened, reaching out to gently pinch Aki’s cheek.

“I know, baby. I know. But this is for our own good, okay?”

Aki sighed, obviously upset, but nodded reluctantly.

“Fine.”