At 6:30 p.m., the office day finally ended. Kenji closed his laptop, stacked the files neatly, and slipped them into his worn-out bag. His body felt heavy, but his mind was heavier. Just as he slung the strap over his shoulder, Emi appeared out of nowhere, blocking his path.
"Leaving already?" she asked, her tone casual yet commanding.
"Yes," Kenji replied softly.
"Don't."
He blinked at her. "Why?"
"Because today," Emi said with a faint smile, "I'll drop you off."
"What?" Kenji almost laughed in disbelief.
"Yes. So wait outside for me."
Kenji hesitated. "Are you sure? My apartment is pretty far from here…"
"I'm sure," she cut him off, her eyes locking onto his. "Wait for me outside."
There was no room for argument. Kenji nodded and walked out of the office building.
The evening breeze carried the faint scent of rain-soaked concrete. Streetlights flickered one by one as the sky darkened. Kenji stood there awkwardly, shifting his bag on his shoulder. A moment later, his eyes caught a flash of silver.
A sleek black Mercedes-Benz pulled out of the lot. Its polished surface reflected the neon signs of the nearby shops. Kenji's chest tightened—so expensive, so untouchable. Would I ever… ever be able to afford something like that?
His thoughts broke when he noticed someone stepping into the car. It was Ayana Tanabe. She entered without hesitation, sitting beside Haruto Yamamoto, who was already in the driver's seat. The engine purred, and within seconds, the Mercedes glided away into the night, its taillights vanishing like a pair of burning eyes swallowed by the dark.
Kenji stared for a moment longer, then sighed, trying to push the scene out of his mind.
"Ready, Kenji?"
The familiar voice came from behind him. He turned around—and there was Emi.
She stood in her office clothes, but the sight hit him differently outside the fluorescent-lit office. A crisp white shirt, neatly tucked into a fitted black skirt, the faint shine of her buttons catching the streetlight. In her hand, she held a black coat, draped casually over her arm. Her hair, slightly loosened from the long day, framed her face in soft waves.
She pressed the key fob. A car beeped nearby, lights flashing.
It wasn't just any car—it was a Lexus LS 500h, a luxury sedan. The sleek body gleamed even under the dim parking lot lights, its design sharp yet elegant. Kenji swallowed.
They stepped inside. The leather seats hugged him gently, the faint scent of cedarwood and something floral lingering in the air. Emi started the engine, and the quiet hum filled the cabin. Her hands gripped the steering wheel with practiced ease.
She drove smoothly, the car gliding through the streets as if cutting through water. Kenji glanced at her. She looked relaxed, focused, her eyes fixed on the road.
"Where are we going?" he asked after a moment of silence.
"To my house," she replied calmly.
His heart skipped. "What?"
"Yes."
Kenji couldn't find words. His mouth opened slightly, but no sound came. He turned his gaze to the window instead, watching streetlights slide past like streaks of gold.
"Is your face red again?" Emi teased, glancing sideways at him.
"No, it's not," he muttered quickly.
Ten minutes later, the car slowed down. Emi parked in front of a large, modern house. White stone walls, glass panels, and a manicured garden surrounded by low fences. It wasn't just big—it radiated quiet wealth, a kind of elegance that didn't need to brag.
Kenji stepped out, his shoes clicking against the driveway. His eyes widened, taking in the sheer size of the house. The garden lights glowed softly, illuminating the path to the entrance.
"Is this… your house?" he whispered, almost to himself.
Emi locked the car with a soft beep and walked around to him. Her expression was unreadable, but her presence alone filled the space between them.
"Come on," she said, her tone half-command, half-invitation.
Kenji stood frozen for a second longer. His chest tightened with nerves, his palms sweaty.
"What are you doing?" Emi tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Kenji inhaled sharply, then followed her toward the front door.
.....
The house was beautiful. The moment I sank into the sofa, I felt like I didn't belong here. The cushions were too soft, almost pulling me in, and the fabric under my fingertips was smooth in a way that reminded me of hotel lounges I had only seen on TV.
I leaned back and let my eyes wander. The ceiling stretched high above me, spotless, painted in a pale cream shade that caught the glow of the chandelier. Even the light looked rich here—warm, golden, not the harsh white bulbs I was used to in my apartment.
My gaze fell to the table in front of me. God, it looked expensive. A polished wooden surface that reflected the light like a mirror, with delicate carvings around the edges. In the center stood a slim vase holding pale lilies, their petals open as if smiling at me. I stared a little too long, maybe because I was nervous, maybe because I was trying to distract myself from the silence.
Everything screamed wealth, order, comfort. And here I was, sitting like some lost intruder.
After a while, I heard footsteps. I turned my head, and Emi walked out from the hallway. Her hair was still damp, tied loosely at the back, and she had changed into a snug brown shirt that fit her perfectly, along with white pants lined with black stripes. She looked so casual… so at ease, like this was the real her I rarely saw at work.
"Wait here for me," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I'll cook something."
I blinked. "You don't need to. We can just order, you know?"
She shook her head immediately, already moving toward the kitchen. "Don't worry. I want to cook. You go get fresh."
There was no point in arguing. I nodded and stood, pretending not to notice how out of place I felt, and walked toward the bathroom.
The washroom was spotless. The tiles gleamed under the warm light, and the mirror was so clear that my own reflection startled me for a moment. I leaned over the sink and splashed cold water onto my face. Droplets slid down, cooling my skin, easing the heat clinging to me since I stepped into her house.
On the counter, a neat row of bottles and tubes caught my eye. All expensive brands, I could tell, though I didn't bother to read the labels. I just grabbed one at random, squeezed a little into my palm, and rubbed it onto my face. The texture was smooth, silky, and the fragrance—floral, faintly sweet—clung to me instantly.
I splashed more water, hoping it would wake me up. Instead, something heavy settled into my body. My eyelids drooped. My knees felt weak. The sink blurred in front of me as if I'd been awake for days.
Sleepiness rushed over me so fast, I couldn't even curse no no no ....
And then—
Thudddd...
...
Kenji's body slumped against the sink with a heavy thud. For a moment, silence filled the bathroom. Then, slowly, his breathing steadied. When his eyes opened again, there was a different sharpness in them—his second self had awakened.
Outside, Emi's footsteps grew hurried. "Kenji? Is everything okay?" Her voice carried a mix of worry and softness, almost trembling. She knocked gently on the door.
The lock clicked, and the door cracked open just enough for him to lean against the frame. A small smirk curled on his lips. "Are you that worried about me, honey bunny?" His tone was teasing, confident—completely unlike the shy Kenji she knew during the day.
Emi froze, caught off guard. Her cheeks flushed instantly. "D-don't say weird things like that…" she muttered, averting her gaze. Her fingers tightened around the edge of her sleeve, trying to hide how red her face was.
Kenji tilted his head, eyes glinting with amusement. "So cute… even when you're worried."
She turned on her heel quickly, hurrying toward the kitchen with small, fast steps. "I-I'm going to cook, so… just freshen up already!" she stammered, her voice carrying more fluster than irritation.
Behind her, his soft chuckle followed, echoing through the wide hallway. Emi's ears burned red, and she pressed a hand over her chest, whispering under her breath:
"That idiot… why does he change like this…?"
But she couldn't hide the small, shy smile tugging at her lips as she disappeared into the kitchen.