When Emi woke up the next morning, she felt a gentle warmth around her. A strong arm was draped over her waist, holding her securely. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked up and saw Ren sleeping peacefully beside her. His breathing was calm, his expression completely relaxed, almost boyish in his rest.
With a tender smile, Emi lifted her hand and carefully placed it against his cheek, brushing her fingers gently across his skin. Her small touch lingered for a moment as she took in the softness of his face, something so different from the Ren she saw in the office or heard about in whispers. This version of him was just Ren, not Kazama, not the Mafia heir, but simply the man lying beside her.
Ren stirred at her touch, his eyelids fluttering open. His gaze met hers, and a small smile curled on his lips. Without a word, he leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her temple. Emi felt her cheeks flush instantly. She turned her face slightly, suddenly shy, unable to meet his eyes.
"Good morning, sweetheart," Ren said, his voice low and gentle.
"Morning," Emi replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It seems like someone needs to get used to waking up with me around," he teased, brushing a strand of stray hair from her face.
After breakfast, Ren drove Emi to campus. He made sure she was safe before heading off to Kazama Corporation. Once in his office, Daiki was already waiting and delivered a report about what had been done overnight to the Hoshino Corporation. Ren listened quietly and nodded, giving further instructions to arrange for someone to keep an eye on Emi discreetly whenever she was alone.
That afternoon, while Ren was reviewing a file, he looked up and blinked in surprise. Standing just outside his office door was Emi.
"I thought I asked you to rest at home today," Ren said, a hint of concern in his tone.
Emi lowered her gaze and smiled shyly. "I came because I wanted to see you."
Ren was speechless for a second. His heart skipped in a way he didn't expect, and before he could even formulate a proper response, a small blush crept up his face. Daiki, who had been observing the scene, stifled a laugh and smiled knowingly. This kind of flustered expression on Ren was rare, almost foreign, and Daiki found it oddly endearing.
Emi noticed the silence and the exchange between the two men. Suddenly, she felt self-conscious. Her heart sank with doubt. Maybe she had been too straightforward. Maybe she had overstepped. Did Ren think she was clingy? Was she bothering him?
Trying to suppress the panic building inside her, Emi offered a quick bow and retreated to her desk without another word. For the rest of the afternoon, she focused on her work, keeping her eyes down, avoiding Ren's gaze. She didn't peek at him, didn't linger in the hallway, didn't dare to act like anything had changed between them. Just in case.
After work, in the car, Ren reached across the console and gently took her hand. His thumb brushed against her skin.
"Why were you avoiding me all afternoon?" he asked quietly.
"I wasn't," Emi answered too quickly. "I was just behaving like any other employee. We were at work."
Ren did not let go. Instead, he tugged her gently closer and wrapped his arm around her.
"I don't like that," he said.
Emi blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
He held her tighter. "I don't want you to pretend around me. I don't want you to act like a stranger. I don't want you to filter yourself just because we're not alone."
Her voice trembled slightly. "I regretted telling you straight that I went to the office just because I wanted to see you. I don't want you to think I'm annoying or too much or… too clingy. I promise I'll be more careful with how I act."
Ren let out a quiet sigh, then pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes.
"Emi," he said softly. "You don't need to be careful with me. I want you to be yourself. That's what I like about you. You've always been honest and straightforward. Please don't change that for me."
Her eyes softened, and she nodded slowly. A smile returned to her lips.
"By the way, I'm really okay staying at your private house," she said. "You should go back to Kazama Residence. Spend some time with Granny Chiyo. I'm sure she misses you."
Ren raised an eyebrow and gave her a teasing grin. "So you're already tired of me? Trying to push me away?"
"No," Emi said quickly, cheeks flushed again. "Granny Chiyo is important to you. You should be with her."
"Since you're thinking about Granny Chiyo," Ren said with a playful smirk, "Daiki, change our destination. We're going to Kazama Residence."
Emi looked at him in surprise. Her heart jumped. "Wait, now? I didn't mean right away. What if she doesn't like people showing up without informing beforehand?"
Ren only smiled, reached for her hand again, and gave it a gentle squeeze.
When they arrived at the Kazama Residence and Ren held Emi's hand as they walked through the gate, she felt her nerves buzzing. But the moment Granny Chiyo saw them, her face lit up with joy.
"Oh my, what a lovely surprise," Granny Chiyo said. "Emi dear, it's so good to see you again. And this time, you're coming home with my grandson. Two of you are holding hands!"
Emi immediately bowed. "I'm so sorry for coming unannounced. I didn't want to intrude."
"Nonsense," Granny Chiyo said warmly. "I'm just happy to see you. You're always welcome here."
Ren chimed in casually, "It was Emi who told me to come back and spend time with you. She insisted."
Granny Chiyo looked touched. She gently placed a hand on Emi's shoulder.
"If you don't mind, Emi, there are many spare rooms here. You're welcome to stay. That house Ren put you in is too big for one person. It's better to be here, where you're not alone."
Emi smiled shyly, her heart swelling at the invitation.
During dinner, the conversation was warm and lively. Granny Chiyo, at one point, turned serious.
"I was so worried when I heard what happened," she said. "Your father sold you to some forty-year-old man to pay off his debts? That's beyond cruel."
Ren looked up and nodded. "And Riku Hoshino has hurt Emi yesterday."
Granny Chiyo's expression turned sharp. "Have you taken care of it?"
Ren met her gaze and gave a small nod.
Emi sat between them, quiet but deeply moved. The protectiveness in Granny Chiyo's voice, the certainty in Ren's, and the way they both looked at her. It overwhelmed her but she also felt safe with them.
After dinner, the three of them moved to the sitting room, where tea was served. The conversation had mellowed, the earlier heaviness fading into a more comfortable rhythm. Granny Chiyo poured a cup for Emi, then looked at her with a kind smile that carried just a hint of mischief.
"Emi dear," she began, "if Ren ever acts clueless or makes you feel confused, please forgive him. He may seem calm and confident on the outside, but he's never had a girlfriend before. You're his first."
Emi's eyes widened. She blinked in surprise, her gaze shifting instinctively to Ren. "Really?" she asked before she could stop herself.
Ren gave her a small, helpless smile and didn't deny it.
Emi turned back to Granny Chiyo, unsure how to respond at first. The image of Ren at the pub came to her mind, the women trying to touch him, the way they surrounded him like he was used to that kind of attention. She had assumed that someone like Ren, with his looks, power, and status, had experienced all of this long before she came into his life.
"I… I didn't expect that," Emi admitted softly. "I saw him once at a pub, surrounded by women. I thought…" Her voice trailed off, a little embarrassed.
Granny Chiyo let out a gentle laugh. "Oh, that's just what comes with his position. Believe me, none of them ever meant anything to him. I've watched this boy grow up, and he's never brought anyone home. Not until you."
Ren turned to Emi with a soft expression. "You're the only one I ever wanted to bring into my world."
Emi's cheeks turned pink, her heart fluttering at his words. She lowered her eyes for a moment, then looked back up at Granny Chiyo.
"Then please pardon me too," she said gently. "This is my first time being in a relationship as well. I don't really know what I'm doing."
Ren's smile deepened. He leaned slightly closer to her, his hand brushing gently against hers in quiet reassurance.
Granny Chiyo beamed. "Then the two of you are perfect. Two people stumbling through love together, learning side by side. That's more precious than anything."
Emi glanced at Ren again. His smile was gentle, his gaze full of something she couldn't quite name but felt deeply.
And in that moment, surrounded by warmth and quiet acceptance, Emi felt something she hadn't felt in a long time.
She felt like home and somewhere she belonged.