The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, painting the room in a warm, golden glow. Naea was the first to wake. For a few moments, she didn't move, simply basking in the weight of Akira's arms still draped protectively around her.
She shifted slightly and looked up. Akira was still fast asleep, her breathing deep and rhythmic. Without the sharp, calculating gaze of "The Editor" or the cold intensity of "The Agent," Akira looked younger, almost vulnerable.
A tender smile spread across Naea's face. She couldn't resist. She reached out with a trembling, soft finger and began to "scan" Akira's features as if memorizing a map of her soul. Her finger traced the line of Akira's jaw, the bridge of her nose, and finally, it stopped at the faint, jagged stitch on her eyebrow.
Naea's touch was light, filled with a silent question about the pain Akira had endured to get that scar.
But even in sleep, Akira's senses were sharp. The moment Naea's finger lingered on the scar, Akira's eyelids fluttered and snapped open.
Panicked at being caught, Naea's eyes slammed shut instantly. she went completely still, slowing her breathing in a desperate attempt to pretend she was still lost in a deep slumber. She stayed frozen, her heart drumming against her ribs, praying Akira wouldn't notice the blush already creeping up her neck.
Akira watched from the corner of her eye, holding back a laugh as Naea squeezed her eyes shut, pretending to be lost in a deep slumber. The acting was almost perfect, but Naea couldn't control the slight flutter of her eyelashes or the way her breathing hitched.
Deciding to play along, Akira shifted, moving dangerously close. Naea could feel it—the steady approach of Akira's warmth and the soft brush of her breath against her skin. With every millimeter Akira gained, Naea's heart hammered harder against her ribs, a frantic rhythm that threatened to give her away.
"Well, Miss..." Akira whispered, her voice a low, teasing vibration near Naea's ear. "I know you're awake."
Silence. Naea remained as still as a statue, committed to her performance.
"Hmm, I guess you really are asleep," Akira mused playfully. "In that case, I suppose a few 'Good Morning' kisses won't hurt."
Akira began her sweet assault. First, a lingering kiss on Naea's forehead. Then, she feathered light, soft kisses over each of Naea's closed eyelids. Still, Naea didn't budge, though her face was beginning to glow a soft pink. Akira moved to her cheeks, then her chin, and finally, she pressed her lips against the sensitive curve of Naea's neck.
That was the breaking point.
"Hey! That's cheating!" Naea suddenly gasped, pushing Akira back with a flustered pout. "You shouldn't bother someone who's trying to sleep!"
Akira's face broke into a triumphant, radiant smile. "Oh? And what about me? I was sleeping perfectly fine until someone decided to 'scan' my face with their fingers."
Before Naea could defend herself, Akira lunged forward, her fingers finding Naea's sides. She began to tickle her mercilessly. The room was suddenly filled with the musical sound of Naea's laughter—a bright, breathless sound that Akira could listen to forever.
"Akira! Stop! Please... no more!" Naea squealed, squirming and twisting under the ticklish onslaught.
But Akira didn't stop; she wanted to hear that laughter until the last bit of morning grumpiness was gone. Seeing no other way to win, Naea took a deep breath and made a move that even caught the legendary Agent CY off guard. She reached up, gripped Akira's chin firmly to tilt her head down, and silenced her with a bold, sudden kiss right on the lips.Naea's arms wound slowly around Akira's neck, her touch lingering and deliberate. Akira remained frozen for a heartbeat, her mind struggling to reconcile the shy girl who had been faking sleep with the bold woman now claiming her lips. But the confusion didn't last long. Akira leaned into the heat, returning the kiss with a raw, exploring hunger.
As the kiss deepened, Akira's professional restraint began to crumble. Her hands, usually so steady and clinical, started to wander, "scanning" Naea's body with a newfound desperation. When Akira's palms slipped beneath the hem of Naea's shirt, the contact of her cool fingers against Naea's warm, sensitive skin sent a sharp shiver racing down Naea's spine.
Naea gasped into the kiss, her senses reeling. She was on the verge of pulling back, overwhelmed by the sudden intensity, but Akira had been thoroughly "turned on." The hunter in her wasn't ready to retreat.
DING-DONG.
The sharp chime of the doorbell sliced through the silence of the bedroom. Akira growled low in her throat, trying to ignore the intrusion, her focus solely on the woman beneath her.
DING-DONG.
The second ring was more insistent. Naea used the distraction to find her strength, gently but firmly pushing against Akira's shoulders to create some distance.
"That's enough," Naea breathed, her face flushed a deep, beautiful crimson as she fixed her tangled hair. "You got your 'Good Morning' kiss. Now go... that's probably Aunt Zhi at the door. I'm going to take a shower."
Akira sighed, the heavy weight of reality crashing back down on her.With a reluctant nod and one last lingering look at Naea, Akira stood up to answer the door, her heart still racing from the fire Naea had started.
Akira pulled the door open, trying to mask her lingering breathlessness. Standing on the porch were Aunt Zhi and her teenage daughter, Zheng, who was clutching her school bag and a stack of textbooks.
"Good morning, Akira!" Aunt Zhi chirped with her usual efficiency, stepping past Akira into the hallway.
Zheng followed close behind, giving a polite bow. "Good morning, Miss Akira!" she said with a bright, youthful smile before scurrying inside toward the kitchen.
Akira stood frozen at the door for a second, her hand still on the handle. 'Could you two not have been just ten minutes later?' she grumbled internally, a flash of her interrupted morning with Naea crossing her mind.
She let out a quiet, defeated sigh, turned around, and put on her polite "Editor" face. "Good morning to you both," she called back, her voice now calm and controlled.
Since Naea had already claimed the master bathroom for her shower, Akira headed toward the spare guest room to freshen up. As she walked down the hall, she could hear the comforting, rhythmic sounds of the kitchen coming to life—the clinking of pans and the sound of vegetables being chopped as Aunt Zhi and Zheng began preparing breakfast together.
In the steam of the shower, Akira let the cold water hit her face, washing away the traces of the "Lover" and the "Hunter." She needed to focus. Tokyo was calling, and the "Demon Side" was waiting.
Naea stepped out of the bedroom after her shower, dressed in a simple, casual outfit. Her hair was still damp and hung loosely over her shoulders, framing her face in a way that made her look effortlessly beautiful. The moment she entered the room, she offered a warm greeting to everyone.
"Good morning!" she chirped.
Aunt Zhi smiled and returned the greeting immediately. However, Zheng—Aunt Zhi's daughter—was completely mesmerized. As a high-schooler, she found herself staring at Naea, unable to look away. To Zheng, Naea looked like a vision in those casual clothes, with her wet hair and radiant glow. She was so stunned by Naea's beauty that she couldn't find her voice.
Noticing the silence, Naea tilted her head slightly. "Zheng? Is something wrong?"
That snapped Zheng back to reality. Her face flushed a deep crimson as she stammered out a response. "N-no! Good morning, Miss Naea!"
Naea gave her a sweet, innocent smile and moved to the kitchen to help Aunt Zhi with the breakfast preparations. Zheng, meanwhile, turned back to her books, her heart racing as she scolded herself internally.
'Zheng, get a hold of yourself!' she thought frantically. 'Why were you staring at Miss Naea like that? You stupid girl, focus! Stop acting like a fool and get back to your studies!'
Naea slipped into the kitchen and immediately began helping Aunt Zhi. Despite the older woman's protests, Naea refused to sit still, her hands moving expertly as she started preparing the morning coffee.
"Naea..." Aunt Zhi started, her tone becoming serious yet hopeful.
"Hmm?" Naea replied, her focus on the rich aroma of the brewing coffee.
"Zheng has her final exams in a week, and she's currently on study leave," Aunt Zhi explained. "I was wondering... could you take over her lessons and keep an eye on her? I have complete faith in you. The way you cleared her basics yesterday was incredible. For the first time last night, she actually understood what she was studying. It made me so happy to see her finally grasping the concepts."
Aunt Zhi looked at her with pleading eyes. "I want you to really focus on her this week."
Naea turned around, a warm, radiant smile lighting up her face. "Of course, Aunt Zhi. But first, both the teacher and the student need to get some energy from breakfast. We'll start the lessons right after."
Aunt Zhi beamed with relief. Just as the kitchen was filling with the scent of fresh food and laughter, the door opened.
Akira walked in, looking sharp and refreshed. She had swapped her "Agent" skin for a polished casual look—a light green blazer that made her look both professional and incredibly stylish.
"Well," Akira said, her voice smooth as silk as she leaned against the doorframe. "What exactly is being taught this morning, Zheng?"
"I'm practicing the questions from the concepts Miss Naea cleared for me yesterday," Zheng answered quickly, her eyes bright with newfound confidence.
Naea poured the coffee, a playful glint in her eyes as she looked at the young girl. "First energy, Zheng. Then study," she teased. She then turned her gaze toward Akira, her smile softening. "And you, Miss... do you need a separate invitation to join us?"
Akira chuckled, the sound low and melodic. She walked over to the table just as Aunt Zhi brought out the rest of the breakfast. For a while, the four of them sat together, the dining room filled with the clinking of silverware and light conversation—a picture-perfect domestic scene that felt miles away from the darkness of the basement.
Once breakfast was over, Akira stood up and grabbed her bag. She walked over to Naea, leaning down in front of Aunt Zhi and Zheng without a hint of hesitation. She pressed a firm, lingering kiss onto the top of Naea's head."Take care of yourself," Akira whispered, her voice carrying a protective weight. She paused for a moment, looking deeply into Naea's eyes before adding, "I'll see you this evening."
With a final wave to everyone, Akira stepped out and climbed into her car, heading toward her Edit Cafe.
Inside the house, Naea felt a rush of heat creep up her neck. She was incredibly shy; Akira usually wasn't this bold with her affection in front of others, especially with Aunt Zhi and Zheng right there. She tried her best to stay composed and act as if nothing had happened, but her heart was racing.
However, the atmosphere had shifted for one person.
Zheng sat staring at her plate, the sight of Akira kissing Naea and that intimate "see you this evening" promise lingering in her mind. For some reason she couldn't quite explain, seeing that moment didn't feel good. Inside, a small, sharp sting of jealousy had taken root—one she wasn't yet ready to admit.
As Akira drove toward the cafe, the rhythmic hum of the engine pulled her into the depths of her own mind. A twenty-minute drive usually gave her time to plan the day, but today, a specific memory resurfaced—a memory of the cold, calculated moves she had made to ensure she and Naea would cross paths again.
She remembered the night before she left for Tokyo. Yamato had called her, his voice brimming with excitement.
"I have good news, Akira," Yamato had said. "Yumi confessed to me. We've decided to get married."
Akira had smiled, though it was the smile of a chess player seeing the first piece move exactly as planned. "That's wonderful, Yamato. So, when is the big day?"
"Not immediately," Yamato replied. "I have a few high-level meetings to attend first. Once I'm free from those, we'll move forward with the wedding."
"And the location?" Akira had asked, her voice casual, masking the intensity of her interest.
"I was thinking Kyoto," Yamato mused. "It's the perfect place for a new beginning."
"Perfect indeed," Akira agreed. "If I were you, I'd go a couple of days early. It'll give you and Yumi a chance to explore the city before the ceremony."
"You're right, Akira. That's a great idea."
Akira's expression had turned serious then, her voice dropping an octave. "Listen to me, Yamato. No matter what happens, don't change this plan. You must marry her."
"Of course," Yamato laughed, oblivious to the deeper meaning behind her words.
Right after hanging up, a call from Yumi had come in, inviting her to a last Osaka dinner. It was at that moment Akira knew her plan was foolproof. She knew Yumi would never have a wedding without Naea . By pushing for Kyoto, Akira had guaranteed that Naea would be exactly where she needed her to be.
She had gone to Kyoto not on a whim, but with the absolute certainty that Naea would appear. She had played the role of a friend, but acted with the precision of an assassin.
The memory cut off there. Akira didn't want to delve into the "why" or the darker parts of that manipulation just yet. She pulled the car into the parking lot outside the Edit Cafe, the tires crunching on the gravel as she shifted back into the present.