TOJI'S POV

The fan meeting had wrapped up, and I was more than ready to get the hell out of there. These events were necessary. Sure. But I hated these things. Too many people. Too much noise.

Running a hand through my hair, I exhaled slowly, already tuning out the lingering chatter when Satoru strolled up beside me, still riding the high of all the attention.

,,Oi, Toji," he drawled, slinging an arm over my shoulder like we were best friends, ,,We're grabbing drinks. You coming?"

I shrugged him off:,,Nah, I'm heading home."

Satoru raised a brow:,,What, got someone waiting for you at home?"

I smirked:,,Yeah, something like that."

He groaned:,,Unbelievable. Just say you don't wanna hang out, old man."

I didn't bother answering. Instead, I strode toward the exit, my bodyguard trailing behind me. The chatter, the flashing lights, the energy of the event—all of it faded as I stepped into the cool night air. But my mind wasn't on the race. Wasn't on the press. Wasn't even on Satoru being annoying as hell.

It was on her.

I've met a lot of women before. Too many, if I'm being honest. But none of them had ever made me stop and think. None of them had ever left me with this... itch.

I smirked, remembering the way she had fidgeted under my gaze, how her fingers trembled—just slightly—when she scribbled her Instagram handle. Shy, but not scared. I like that.

And the thing was—I had noticed her before she even sat in front of me.

While she was talking to Suguru Geto, I had glanced over, curious at first. But then something tightened in my chest—a split second of disorientation, like my body had stuttered.

How the hell does someone like her exist?

Pretty. Too damn pretty.

Sliding into the car, I leaned back as the city lights blurred past, but I barely noticed. Instead, I pulled out my phone, fingers moving without much thought as I typed her username into the search bar.

Her profile popped up.

Not private.

My lips curled slightly as I hit the follow button, then started scrolling.

No selfies. No thirst traps. Just landscapes, sightseeing photos, and a black cat.

Cute.

A private person. Not flashy. Not desperate for attention.

I like that too.

I knew following her would stir shit up. My fans were obsessed with who I interacted with. And this? She was the only woman I followed. They'd notice.

Did I care?

Not a damn bit.

ﾒ𝟶ﾒ𝟶

By the time we pulled up to my villa, the exhaustion was creeping in. I stepped out, stretching my shoulders as I walked inside. The air was thick with the scent of polished wood and lavender—the damn diffusers my staff insisted on using.

The place was big. Expensive. Cold.

I barely acknowledged it as I headed toward the stairs—until I heard a familiar giggle from the living room.

Megumi.

Pausing, I turned toward the sound. One of the maids was sitting on the floor with him, entertaining him with some plush toy. He was tiny—barely two—his dark hair already sticking up in wild, untamed spikes. His chubby fingers clutched the toy, little brows furrowed in concentration.

Did I look like that as a kid?

The thought unsettled me, so I shoved it aside and stepped forward, kneeling down to pick him up.

Immediately, he let out a cry—loud and unhappy.

I sighed, holding him up in the air:,,Will you ever like me?"

The maid laughed:,,You just don't know how to hold him properly, sir."

Grumbling, I handed him back before he could start wailing for real. The moment he was in her arms again, he calmed—yawning, tiny fingers curling into the fabric of her uniform.

Something in my chest twisted—tight, uncomfortable.

I ignored it.

Wishing them both a good night, I headed upstairs, stripping off my shirt before collapsing onto my bed.

Instinctively, I grabbed my phone, checking for a notification—just in case.

Nothing.

Just the usual spam. Fans. Sponsors.

I shook my head, tossing my phone onto the nightstand.

But as I closed my eyes, all I saw was her.

That hesitant smile.
That quick, darting glance.
The slight flush on her cheeks when I called her a good girl.

I smirked to myself.

Yeah.

I definitely needed to see her again.

ﾒ𝟶ﾒ𝟶

to be continued...