The sun rose up. 

Morning didn’t rush in that day—it settled quietly.

Wakasa stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie for the third time. Not because it was wrong… but because something inside him refused to settle.

He stared at his reflection.

“Calm down,” he murmured. “It’s just a job.”

Behind him, Ren’s lazy voice dragged across the room like a tired cat.

“…you say that like you’re not about to run a company. You act like a villain”

Wakasa didn’t look back.

“I will run one someday.”

Liz, sitting by the edge of the bed, smiled faintly while braiding her hair.

“You already talk like a CEO.”

Ren stretched dramatically.

“And walk like one too. Yesterday I thought some rich uncle entered our house.”

Wakasa finally turned, smirking.

“Then learn from me. Might save your future.”

Ren pointed at himself proudly.

“I’m already a genius.”

“Who makes Papa do his homework,” Liz added sweetly.

Ren froze.

“…that’s called delegation.”

Wakasa let out a quiet chuckle, grabbing his bag.

“Stay alive till evening. That’s enough contribution from both of you.”

The Office — 

This time, Wakasa didn’t stop outside the building.

He walked in like he belonged there.

But still… his eyes observed everything.

The polished floors.

The quiet guards.

The elevators that some people could enter… and others couldn’t.

“Strange place,” he thought.

“But rich places are always strange.”

“Ah, Wakasa.”

The manager approached him again, calm and composed.

“I was expecting you.”

Wakasa nodded.

“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting, sir.”

“Not at all,” the manager replied, studying him. “In fact… I’ve been curious.”

A pause.

“You adapt quickly.”

Wakasa smiled politely.

“I try my best.”

Why are you watching me like that? he thought.

But he didn’t ask.

Not yet.

Before the Meeting

Instead of rushing, Wakasa spent some time at his desk first.

He arranged files. Observed people.

A group nearby whispered, then went silent when he looked.

One man gave him a small nod—too knowing.

Another avoided eye contact completely.

Wakasa leaned back slightly.

“…do they know me?” he muttered under his breath.

“Or do they think they know me?”

Before he could think further—

“Meeting room. Now.”

The manager’s voice cut through the air.

The Meeting

 

The room wasn’t loud.

It was… controlled.

Wakasa took his seat, feeling every pair of eyes settle on him—not aggressively, but deliberately.

The manager spoke casually.

“Let’s make today interesting.”

He slid a file forward.

“A problem we already solved. But I want a fresh perspective.”

Wakasa opened it.

His fingers slowed.

This again… testing me?

He looked up.

“You want my honest answer?”

The manager smiled.

“I expect nothing less.”

Wakasa stood.

Walked slowly.

Thought carefully.

Then spoke.

“This solution works… but it’s temporary.”

He turned a page.

“If you restructure this section, you don’t just fix the issue—you remove the cause.”

He paused.

“You solve the future too.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Then someone muttered,

“…he’s right.”

Another voice, sharper:

“That’s more efficient.”

The manager leaned back.

Smiling.

But not surprised.

“…interesting,” he said quietly.

Wakasa sat down slowly.

That feeling again.

Not admiration.

Recognition.

After the meeting, Wakasa walked through the hallway.

This time slower.

More aware.

More alert.

Then—

A man passed by him.

Close.

Too close.

And whispered:

“Blood doesn’t hide in perfume… Unikawa’s boy.”

Wakasa stopped.

This time, his heart didn’t just react—his instincts did.

He turned sharply—

—but the man was already gone.

Blended into the crowd.

Wakasa clenched his jaw.

“…what does that mean?”

He looked around.

No one reacted.

No one cared.

Or… they were pretending.

While Wakasa walked deeper into confusion…

Liz stepped into light.

The karaoke club welcomed her like it had been waiting.

Music hummed softly. People laughed. Lights flickered.

Hana nudged her.

“See? Not so scary.”

Liz smiled nervously.

“…just don’t let Papa find out.”

“Relax,” Hana grinned. “Tonight, you’re a singer.”

Her Moment 

Liz held the mic.

Her fingers trembled.

Then steadied.

Then—

she sang.

Soft at first.

Then stronger.

Then free.

This time… she wasn’t testing herself.

She was becoming herself.

And in the crowd—

those same eyes.

Watching again.

Quiet.

Interested.

But Liz didn’t notice.

For once, she wasn’t looking for approval.

In Backstage,

As she stepped down, breath uneven, heart racing—

She turned—

—and collided with someone.

Strong hands caught her.

She froze.

“…I’m so sorry—”

“My apologies.”

The voice.

Low.

Familiar.

She looked up—

But he didn’t.

He stepped away.

Left.

Just like that.

Liz blinked.

“…again?”

“YEAH AGAIN.”

Ren appeared like a shadow, arms crossed.

“…you really like dangerous hobbies, huh?”

Liz smacked his head lightly.

“You really like stalking me, huh?”

Ren shrugged.

“I call it protection.”

Then leaned in.

“You call it singing. Papa will call it your funeral.”

Liz narrowed her eyes.

“And I’ll call your secret out too.”

Ren stiffened.

“…blackmail is illegal.”

“Not in this house.”

“…fine. Truce.”

“Let’s go see Wakasa’s office,” Ren suggested suddenly.

Liz hesitated.

Then nodded.

“Just from outside.”

Evening had fallen.

The building looked colder now.

Like it belonged to a different world.

They stood far.

Watching.

Then—

A car arrived.

Liz’s eyes sharpened.

“…him.”

The same man stepped out.

Same calm.

Same silence.

Walking into Wakasa’s world.

Liz’s chest tightened slightly.

“…why is he everywhere?”

Then Wakasa appeared.

And saw them.

Immediately.

“…you two.”

Ren smiled weakly.

“Surprise visit?”

Liz added softly,

“We were just curious…”

Wakasa walked closer.

His expression didn’t soften.

“This isn’t a place you come to ‘just see.’”

His voice dropped slightly.

“Don’t come here again without telling me.”

Something in his tone made both of them quiet.

They nodded.

No jokes this time.

Then the went home.

The door opened.

Unikawa was already there.

Too early.

Too still.

Liz blinked.

“Papa… you’re home early?”

He smiled.

“Yes… just felt like it.”

But his eyes said something else.

Mama appeared cheerfully.

“I made curry rice!”

And just like that—

everything softened.

“FOOD!” Ren shouted.

“WAIT—!” Liz followed.

Wakasa sighed.

“Animals.”

“Sit properly!” Mama scolded.

And they did.

Like nothing was wrong.

Later that Night,the night fell quietly.

Wakasa stared at the ceiling.

That man… that voice… this place…

“…it’s nothing,” he whispered.

But doubt stayed.

Liz wrote:

“Today… I felt like myself. But why do I keep seeing him?”

Ren?

Gone.

Spread like a fallen soldier.

Peaceful.

And Unikawa…

Stood in the dark.

Not smiling anymore.

“…they’re getting closer.”

End of Chapter 10: Smiles That Know Too Much 🖤