Kei's family driver sat at the wheel, his expression neutral, as if this sort of situation were completely ordinary to him. Ayumi sat across from Kei in the backseat, her arms crossed as she stared out the window with an unreadable expression.

  Kei broke the silence first. Her voice softened but remained steady. "Haruto-kun, you mean a lot to me. I hope you will be fine."

  Ayumi gnced at her, her brows furrowing slightly before she nodded. "He's valuable to me too," she said quietly. "He was my first friend. And the only person who treated me like I was more than... just a servant."

  Kei's eyes flicked toward her, narrowing at her. "I know. I've looked into his past." Her voice softened and she spoke again. "It's not something he likes to talk about, is it?"

  Ayumi shook her head. "It's painful for him. I... I think it's better if we don't bring it up around him. At least, not now."

  Kei nodded slowly. "Fine. For now."

  Another silence fell over the car, but it was lighter this time. Finally, Kei gnced at Ayumi and said, "Thank you."

  Ayumi blinked, surprised. "For what?"

  "For saving him, I don't know how I will respond if the love of my life got killed" Kei replied simply. Her voice was quiet but sincere.

  Ayumi hesitated, then offered a small smile. "And... thank you too. For killing that evil bitch. She nearly got away."

  Kei shrugged, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "I'll allow you to stay by his side. But let's make one thing clear." Her gaze sharpened, locking onto Ayumi. "If whoever makes Haruto-chan cry ,I'll make sure they regret it. And it will hurt."

  Ayumi stared at her for a moment before smiling softly. "Deal. But that goes both ways. If you hurt him... you'll have to answer to me."

  Kei let out a soft chuckle. "Fair enough."

  Their eyes met briefly. It wasn't quite friendship yet, but it was something close.

  Ayumi gnced down at her hands, her voice quiet. "I'm sorry. For attacking you earlier. It was... instinct."

  Kei raised an eyebrow. "Instinct, huh? The real problem isn't that you attacked me. It's that you don't seem to realize how much damage you could do—not just to me, but to Haruto."

  Ayumi nodded slowly, her crimson eyes dimming. "I know. I'll control it. For him. If I ever hurt him by mistake, I... I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

  Kei's expression softened, just slightly. "Neither would I."

  Kei noticed Haruto had been asleep for a while and she took his head rested on her p, his body partially leaning toward Ayumi, who sat on the other side, fidgeting slightly.

  Ayumi leaned a bit to check upon by moving closer to his face

  Kei's eyes remained serious. "If you crowd him like that, he'll wake up suffocating."

  Ayumi blinked, her cheeks flushing slightly as she pulled back just enough to sit upright again. "I-I'm just making sure he's comfortable!"

  "You're hovering," Kei replied pointing a finger at her

  "And you're acting like you're his personal nurse!" Ayumi shot back, crossing her arms. "You're not the only one who cares about him, you know."

  Kei raised an eyebrow replying while ruffling his hair. "I never said I was. But, unlike you, I don't smother him like an overzealous pet."

  "Pet?!" Ayumi hissed, Kei ignored her for a while

  After a moment, Kei tilted her head, studying Ayumi. "How did you even meet him?"

  Ayumi hesitated, then sighed. "I was a servant in his parents' household. A lot happened... and when I realized it was him, I started following him. He was him" She looked away, embarrassed.

  Kei smirked faintly. "So, it was you. I almost killed you twice."

  Ayumi blinked, then frowned. "Wait—you were the sniper?"

  Kei shrugged. "A lot happened. But... we are at peace now."

  Ayumi sighed, shaking her head. "Fine."

  Kei leaned back, her hand absently resting on her stomach. "You know," she said, her voice softer now, "Haruto likes it when people around him get along. And... to be honest, I'm becoming a mother. I've softened a lot. The past me would've killed you, no questions asked. You're lucky."

  Ayumi chuckled faintly. "His love didn't soften me. It made me stronger enough to take down whatever that is hurting him. I guess we're opposites in a sense."

  Kei smirked. "Just don't be too violent. Stay grounded, and maybe we can coexist. I was right to choose you to be my club member."

  Ayumi nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I'll try......for him"

  Just as she was about to look away, Haruto shifted slightly, letting out a soft murmur. Kei stiffened, her body going rigid as she felt his hand—warm and rough—brush against her stomach.

  Her eyes widened, and she froze completely when his hand stopped, resting gently on her belly.

  He muttered something under his breath."...Kei... the baby... I will take care of you both..."

  Kei's heart skipped a beat, she felt completely unprepared. Her cheeks fred with heat as his fingers tightened slightly around her.

  "Haruto-kun... Stupid" she whispered, her voice trembling ever so slightly.

  Her composure cracked further as his other hand reached up and csped hers. His grip was loose, his palm against hers sent a shock through her, and she felt her throat tighten.

  She gnced down at him. His face looked so serene, his usual smirk repced with the quiet sleeping face. She bit her lip, feeling the blush spread across her cheeks.

  This is ridiculous, she thought. Why am I acting like some lovesick schoolgirl?

  Kei leaned back, Ayumi is watching them closely. Her crimson eyes softened as she looked at Haruto's peaceful face, his lips slightly parted as he murmured faint, unintelligible words in his sleep.

  "He was pretty cute while sleeping isn't it" Ayumi said quietly, her tone devoid of the usual sharpness.

  Kei gnced at her, her expression guarded. "Yeah"

  Ayumi smiled faintly, grateful for the brief concession. She leaned in slowly, brushing Haruto's hair back from his face with delicate fingers.

  "Haruto-kun," she whispered, her voice trembling ever so slightly. "You're so reckless... but you're my reason for being here."

  She hesitated for a moment, her cheeks flushing faintly, before pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his temple. Her lips brushed against his skin.

  When she pulled back, her cheeks were burning, and her breath was heavy filled with quiet sense of satisfaction in her crimson eyes. She gnced at Kei, who was watching her closely.

  "That's what I wanted to do," Ayumi said softly, sitting back in her seat.

  Kei's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she rolled her eyes. "You're lucky he's unconscious, or he'd probably die from embarrassment."

  Kei said while pushing her gsses up . "When he wakes up... we're going to have to figure out what happens next."

  Ayumi nodded slowly, her voice barely audible. "And how we can protect him. No matter what it takes."

  Kei gnced at Ayumi, her sharp eyes softening for just a moment. Then she turned her gaze back to Haruto, her hand still resting lightly on his head. "For now, let's just make sure he gets some rest."

  The car pulled into the her adoptive mother's house long driveway. The driver came to a smooth stop near the parking lot as Kei gently nudged Ayumi, who had been staring at Haruto's sleeping face the entire ride.

  "Don't just sit there," Kei said sharply, already unbuckling her seatbelt. "Help me get him inside before anyone starts asking questions."

  Ayumi blinked, snapping out of her daze. "Oh! Right! Sorry!" She fumbled with her seatbelt before stepping out of the car and rushing to the other side.

  Together, the two girls carefully carried Haruto out of the car. Kei supported his upper body while Ayumi clutched his legs, though her grip was slightly clumsy as Ayumi feared that she might crush his body.

  "Be careful," Kei muttered, adjusting her hold as Haruto's head lolled slightly. "If you drop him, I swear—"

  "I won't drop him! I am just scared." Ayumi protested, though her face flushed as she struggled to keep up with Kei's steady pace. "I'd never hurt Haruto-chan!"

  Kei rolled her eyes but didn't respond, focusing instead on getting Haruto to the front door without making too much noise.

  As they approached the entrance, the door opened suddenly, and Miyako stepped out, her sharp gaze instantly locking onto them. Her long dark hair swayed as she crossed her arms, her expression equal parts concerned and stern.

  "Oh! Shit " Ayumi responded

  "Holy mother!" Kei sweared

  "Kei," she said, her tone even but firm. "What's going on? Why are you carrying my son like a sack of rice?"

  Kei immediately straightened, her usual composure taking over. "Miyako-san, Haruto fainted earlier while pying with us. It's nothing serious, but we thought it best to bring him straight home."

  Miyako's eyes narrowed, observing Haruto's face. "Fainted? Last time I checked he was going to buy soy sauce"

  Ayumi, still holding onto Haruto's legs, nodded vigorously. "Y-Yeah! That's what happened! He, uh, overdid it with the—um—push-ups and fainted!" She smiled nervously, her crimson eyes darting between Kei and Miyako.

  Kei shot Ayumi a quick gre but didn't miss a beat. "Exactly," she said smoothly. "We warned him not to push himself so hard to impress us, but you know how stubborn he can be."

  Miyako let out a small sigh, her sharp features softening slightly as she believed them. "That boy..." she murmured, shaking her head. "I've told him a hundred times to take care of himself." Her gaze shifted back to Kei. "Thank you for bringing him back safely Kei. I trust your judgment."

  Ayumi, feeling left out, added quickly, "I helped too! I mean, not as much as Kei, but—"

  Miyako said, dismissing Ayumi with a wave of her hand. "Get him to his room and make sure he rests properly"

  The girls carried Haruto up the grand staircase, careful not to bump into any of the ornate furniture or knock over the intimidating vases lining the halls. Ayumi's arms were starting to tremble, and she muttered under her breath, "He's heavier than he looks... Why he is so heavy?"

  "Stop compining," Kei said tersely. "We're almost there."

  Even Kei noticed how heavy Haruto looks but she has assumed that is the result of him awakening his power just like she did. She has not said anything about this to her club members but she wanted to be silent for now.

  When they finally reached Haruto's room, Kei nudged the door open with her foot and guided Ayumi inside. They carefully lowered Haruto onto his bed, Kei adjusting his position so that his head rested comfortably on the pillow.

  Ayumi knelt beside the bed, her face filled with concern as she brushed a strand of hair from Haruto's forehead. "He looks so tired..."

  Kei sighed, crossing her arms as she stood at the foot of the bed. "He'll be fine. He just needs rest." Her sharp blue eyes flicked to Ayumi. "Now, do you want to expin why you almost ruined the cover story downstairs?"

  Ayumi pouted, her cheeks puffing slightly. "I panicked, okay? I didn't know what to say!"

  "You don't say anything," Kei replied, exasperated. "Just leave the talking to me next time."

  Before Ayumi could retort, there was a knock at the door. Both girls froze as Miyako stepped inside, her gaze filled with serious intent that it creeped the girls. She walked to Haruto's bedside, her expression softening as she pced a hand on his forehead.

  "His fever's gone," Miyako murmured, her tone quiet. She gnced back at the girls. "Thank you again. I don't know what I'd do without you two keeping him in check."

  Kei inclined her head slightly, her composure unwavering. "It's no trouble, Miyako-san. I'll continue to monitor him."

  Ayumi, desperate to contribute, blurted out, "I'll monitor him too! We'll both make sure he's okay!"

  Miyako turned to Ayumi, raising an eyebrow. "You'll monitor him?" Miyako felt bit suspicious about the way Ayumi behaved as if she had been forcing herself around her.

  Ayumi's face turned bright red, and she quickly stammered, "I-I mean, only if you want me to! Or not! Whatever works for you!"

  Kei sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Miyako-san, I'll ensure Ayumi doesn't can do it properly."

  Miyako chuckled softly, a rare warmth entering her voice. "I'll hold you to that, Kei. And Ayumi," she added, turning to the flustered girl, "Do try to treat him well. My idiot son requires special care."

  Ayumi nodded vigorously, her hands clenched into fists. "Yes, ma'am! I'll do my best!"

  Miyako knows how much it is to raise Haruto as he is a bit troublesome and can be reckless sometimes, but she cares about him as if he was her own son. She was a bit anxious to keep his son under both of them as she knew about his past. How his own birth mother rejected him

  Once the door clicked shut behind Miyako, Ayumi let out a long breath, colpsing onto the floor. "That was so stressful... Who the hell is that woman" Ayumi compined a bit

  Kei rolled her eyes, pulling a chair over and sitting down beside Haruto's bed. "This was the first I saw Miyako that scary." she muttered, leaning her chin on her hand as she gnced at Haruto.

  Ayumi crawled over to the bed, resting her chin on the edge as she stared at Haruto's peaceful face. "He's going to be okay, right?" Ayumi replied diverting the topic.

  Kei nodded, her voice softening. "He'll be fine. He just needs to rest."

  Ayumi spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "You really think Miyako-san believed the push-ups story?"

  Kei smirked faintly, not taking her eyes off Haruto. "Not a chance. But she trusts me enough not to question it."

  Ayumi sighed, burying her face in her hands. "I'm so bad at lying..."

  Kei chuckled softly. "Yes, you are. But for now, it doesn't matter. We got him home. That's what's important."

  That is partly true as Kei pnned to bring him home undetected she had failed to understand that Miyako stayed this long for her son to return home. How many mothers actually do that for their son, Kei thought?

  'My mother-in-w is overprotective' Kei grimaced

  Ayumi peeked through her fingers, her crimson eyes filled with lingering concern. "What if something else happens, though? Those people... they won't stop, will they? What if—"

  Kei raised a hand, cutting her off gently but firmly. "That's why I have a pn," she said, her tone calm but resolute.

  Ayumi tilted her head, blinking. "A pn?"