The sky was painted in hues of fading orange and soft violet. Evening had settled over the mansion like a hush, the air turning cooler, quieter.
Outside near the main gate, Akira sat curled on the floor, knees pulled to his chest. His hands gripped tightly at the fabric of his sleeves, and his cheeks were damp with tears that wouldn't stop. The world around him blurred, only the cold ground beneath him feeling real. His glasses were nowhere to be seen, and his eyes—usually so sharp and commanding—looked lost.
Somewhere inside the mansion, footsteps echoed.
"Brother…?"
Yuke had been searching every room. He finally spotted him—outside, near the gate. His heart dropped at the sight.
He rushed forward. "Brother, are you okay?"
Akira quickly wiped his cheeks with his sleeve and looked away. "Yeah… I'm fine."
Yuke knelt beside him, concern shadowing his face. "You're missing Aki again, aren't you? If you like him this much, why don't you just tell him? Maybe… maybe he'll remember."
Akira's hands clenched, and he shook his head, slow and heavy.
"It's not that, Yuke," he whispered, voice raw. "He's not the same Aki I loved… That Aki… he's long gone. Not this one."
Yuke blinked, confused, but his eyes softened. "He is the same Aki, brother. The one you loved more than anyone."
Akira's lips trembled. His brows pulled in sorrow, and his gaze dropped to the floor.
"No… my Aki was different," he said quietly. "He used to cry when he saw me in pain… He couldn't even say 'I don't love you' to me. He hugged me when I needed him the most. He knew me. He made promises… so many promises…"
His voice broke.
"But they all shattered. One by one. Just like that bullet necklace… Just like that day on the beach… when I let him go."
Yuke didn't know what to say. He just sat beside him, his chest tightening. Behind them, footsteps approached—the others had come out too, silent, watching the scene from a distance.
"Brother…" Yuke said softly.
But before he could finish, Akira suddenly stood up.
His eyes were full of fire now, not tears.
"I need to find that bullet necklace. Right now."
"W–what?" Yuke stood up too, startled. "Wait—Brother! Where are you going?!"
But Akira had already turned, barefoot, sprinting past the gates.
From behind, Noah peeked out of the door, eyes wide. "The beach!"
A moment later, the others ran out too, calling after him.
"Boss!"
"Brother!"
"Wait—!"
But Akira didn't look back.
He was already too far.
….
The sky had darkened into a soft indigo, the breeze growing cooler as Akira's bare feet pounded against the pavement, faster, faster—until the scent of the sea met his breathless lungs. His chest ached, not from the run, but from something deeper.
The beach stretched wide before him, moonlight glimmering across the gentle waves. The same beach where he had once let go of his ghost—of Aki.
As soon as his feet touched the sand, Akira slowed down, breathing heavily, eyes scanning ahead—and then, just like that, his heart skipped a beat.
There he was.
Aki.
Standing at the edge of the shore, staring into the ocean, the wind tousling his dark hair. Slowly, he turned, and when his eyes met Akira's… he smiled.
Akira froze. "Aki… What are you doing here?"
Aki tilted his head, his voice soft, familiar. "Boss. Just here for a walk… and you?"
"Same," Akira replied quietly, walking toward him, heart still thudding wildly.
Aki turned to the ocean again. "Let's sit down."
They sat, shoulders almost touching, both gazing out at the rhythmic waves. For a while, neither spoke. Only the sound of the sea whispered between them.
Then Aki said, "Boss… how's the work going?"
Akira kept his eyes on the water. "As usual."
Aki chuckled lightly, then glanced at him, eyes warm. "I want to tell you something…"
Akira gave a quiet hum. "Hmm?"
Aki smiled. "That I love you, Akira."
The words barely registered before Akira responded with another hum—until it hit him.
He flinched back. "What?!"
Aki didn't hesitate. He crawled forward, positioning himself between Akira's legs, leaning in close. "Yes," he whispered, eyes glowing, "I love you, Akira."
Akira could barely breathe. His heart pounded as Aki leaned even closer. And then—Aki kissed him.
A deep, warm, lingering kiss. Their lips met in a slow, passionate French kiss that melted the time lost between them. Akira's fingers trembled as they clutched the sand beneath him.
When they finally pulled away, both open there eyes slowly and take a deep breath . Aki's cheeks were red, his voice softer. "I'm sorry, Akira. It took me so long to remember you."
Tears welled in Akira's eyes, slipping down his cheeks. He shook his head, voice cracking. "No… it's okay, Aki."
"Aww, honey," Aki whispered, then gently licked the tears from Akira's cheek and kiss his eye, making his ears burn red.
"W–Wait," Akira stammered, blushing hard. "What about your daughter and your wife?"
Aki just smiled. "Tulip isn't my daughter, Akira."
Akira blinked in surprise. "But… you gave me the invitation card for your baby shower. And I saw you at the kindergarten—"
"Actually…" A new voice interrupted from behind.
Akira turned, startled.
"Aki's right," the voice said.
He saw Lily standing there, her girlfriend beside her, waving casually. Aki, now sitting on Akira's lap, glanced back too.
"Lily?" Akira asked, stunned.
She nodded with a proud grin. "Yup. It was all my plan. I just wanted to prove you both couldn't stay away from each other, even if you tried. So I did what I had to—so you'd realize how crazy in love you are. Fighting doesn't work… but leaving hurts more."
She turned slightly and gestured to the woman beside her. "Tulip is our daughter. Mine and my girlfriend's." Her girlfriend waved again, smiling warmly. "Also—I divorced him years ago. So, do whatever you want with him."
And with that, they walked off, leaving behind only the sound of waves and the rising heartbeat between two people who had waited far too long.
Akira looked down at Aki, who was smiling up at him with blushing cheeks.
"So you're all mine then, huh?" Akira murmured.
Aki nodded, softly. "Hmm."
Akira still looked unsure. "But I really thought she was your daughter…"
Aki covered his mouth shyly. "Actually… that's not possible."
Akira raised a brow. "Why not?"
Aki's voice dropped to a hush. "Because… after our last heat, before my coma… I turned into an omega. So… I can get pregnant, but I can't, you know… get someone else pregnant."
Akira blinked—then gasped.
"Whaaat?! Really?! That's… that's amazing!" His face lit up with joy, like a child. Without hesitation, he hugged Aki tightly, rocking him side to side. "Wow, Aki! That's such great news!"
He pulled back, eyes twinkling. "So… will you marry me?"
Aki's eyes brimmed with tears, but this time they were happy. "Yes…"
Akira beamed. "So how many kids do you want?"
Aki tilted his head, playful. "You tell me."
Akira thought for a moment. "Hmm… eleven, I guess."
Aki's smile dropped. "I think I changed my decision of marriage."
Akira burst out laughing. "Okay, okay! I was just messing with you. Only two… two will be enough for me."
Then he wrapped his arms tightly around Aki again, holding him close, as if he'd never let go.
And this time—he wouldn't.