Another Morning came quietly.
Too quietly.
Smyle realized that was the first strange thing.
No shouting neighbors.
No alarm blaring in his ears.
No rushing footsteps.
Just soft light spilling through tall curtains and a warmth he didn't recognize.
He opened his eyes slowly.
For one terrifying second, he forgot where he was.
Then he remembered.
The villa.
Smyle groaned and buried his face into the pillow.
"Great," he muttered. "Still not a dream."
He rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling.
Today was supposed to be normal as well
University.
Classes.
Friends.
Coffee that tasted bad but felt necessary.
Normal things.
Except nothing about his life was normal anymore.
A knock came at the door.
Not loud.
Not demanding.
Just… polite.
That alone made Smyle suspicious.
"Yes?" he said cautiously.
The door opened.
Rayden stood there.
Black coat. White shirt. No tie.
Hair perfectly in place like he'd stepped out of a magazine.
Too unreal for 8 a.m.
"We're leaving in fifteen minutes," Rayden said calmly.
Smyle blinked. "We?"
Rayden raised an eyebrow. "I'm driving you."
Smyle sat up instantly. "No, you're not."
Rayden crossed his arms. "Your car?"
Smyle opened his mouth.
Closed it.
"…bus," he muttered.
Rayden smirked slightly. "Exactly."
Smyle grabbed his pillow and hugged it. "I can go alone."
"I know," Rayden said. "But you won't."
That wasn't a threat.
It was… certainty.
Smyle hated that most of all.
The Ride
The ride waited outside like a silent beast.
Black. Polished. Expensive.
Smyle stood there with his backpack, staring at it like it might bite.
"You know," he said, "people are going to see this."
Rayden opened the back door. "That's the point."
Smyle sighed dramatically. "I hate you."
Rayden smiled faintly. "Get in."
They sat in the back seat.
Not because Rayden wanted distance—
But because the driver was already there.
The car started moving smoothly.
For the first five minutes, neither of them spoke.
Smyle stared out the window, watching the city wake up.
Shops opening. Students walking. Normal life continuing.
Rayden glanced at him once.
Twice.
Smyle looked tired.
Too quiet.
The kind of quiet that meant his mind was running too fast.
"You didn't sleep," Rayden said.
Smyle scoffed. "Congratulations. You have eyes."
Rayden ignored the tone. "You should've."
Smyle leaned his head back. "I couldn't."
The car hit a gentle bump.
Smyle shifted—
And without meaning to—
His head tipped sideways.
Right onto Rayden's shoulder.
Both of them froze.
The driver kept driving.
Smyle realized it too late.
He panicked—tried to move—but the car swerved slightly and his balance went off.
Rayden's hand came up instinctively.
Not grabbing.
Just steadying.
A palm at Smyle's waist.
Warm.
Firm.
Too close.
Smyle went still.
Rayden went still.
Neither spoke.
After a few seconds, Smyle muttered, "I'm not doing this on purpose."
"I know," Rayden said quietly.
Smyle hesitated… then didn't move away.
The warmth was… grounding.
His eyelids felt heavy.
"I didn't sleep," he whispered again.
Before Rayden could reply—
Smyle drifted off.
Fully.
Head resting on Rayden's shoulder.
Breathing even.
Rayden looked down.
For a long moment, he didn't move.
Then—carefully—he adjusted his arm so Smyle wouldn't slip.
"That's unfair," he murmured.
The car slowed to a smooth stop in front of the university gate.
Smyle stirred first.
He had been half-asleep, head resting against something warm and solid— Rayden's shoulder.
The moment he realized that, his eyes flew open.
"Oh—" he straightened up quickly, flustered. "I didn't mean to—"
Rayden didn't move away. Didn't tease. Didn't comment.
He just adjusted slightly so Smyle wouldn't fall forward.
"You slept," Rayden said calmly. "It's fine."
Smyle mumbled, embarrassed, reaching for the door handle.
That's when—
"SMYLE?!"
A loud voice cut through the morning.
Smyle froze.
Slowly… very slowly… he looked out the open window.
Ohm stood right there.
With him were William, James, Hong, and Leo—all staring straight into the back seat.
At him.
At Rayden.
At the very obvious luxury car.
The silence lasted exactly two seconds.
Then—
William grinned. "Wow. So this is how married people come to uni now?"
James whistled. "BMW?? Brother upgraded his life overnight."
Hong tilted his head, eyes sharp. "Wait—were you just sleeping on his shoulder?"
Smyle's face went completely red.
"N-no! I mean—yes—no— I was just tired!"
Leo laughed openly. "Sure. Tired. On your husband's shoulder. Cute."
Ohm didn't laugh.
He crossed his arms, eyes flicking between Smyle and Rayden.
"Smyle," he said slowly, "you never sleep in cars. Ever."
Smyle opened his mouth— closed it. Then tried again.
"I—well—people change after marriage, okay?"
Rayden finally stepped out of the car.
Tall. Calm. Composed.
Instantly, the group went a little quieter.
Rayden nodded politely. "Good morning."
William blinked. "…Good morning, sir."
James elbowed him. "Don't call him sir."
Rayden ignored that and looked at Smyle.
"Don't forget to eat," he said simply. "Text me when your classes end."
Smyle rolled his eyes. "I'm not a kid."
Rayden leaned in just enough—voice low, only for Smyle.
"You skip meals when you're distracted."
Then, louder, for everyone to hear: "I'll pick you up."
That did it.
Leo burst out laughing. "HELLO?? Is this a drama?"
Hong smiled knowingly. "He's protective."
Ohm narrowed his eyes.
Rayden met Ohm's gaze calmly. No threat. No dominance.
Just confidence.
"Take care of him," Rayden said.
Then he turned back to Smyle.
One last look. One small, soft gesture—he straightened Smyle's collar.
Smyle froze again.
"…Stop doing that in public," he muttered.
Rayden's lips curved slightly. "Get used to it."
And then he left.
The car pulled away.
The moment it disappeared—
"Oh my GOD," James said, grabbing Smyle's shoulders.
"You're whipped already."
William laughed. "No, no. He's the one whipped."
Hong leaned closer. "You okay though? Really?"
Smyle nodded quickly. "Yeah. I'm fine."
Ohm didn't say anything.
He just walked beside Smyle as they headed inside.
After a few steps, he spoke quietly.
"You're hiding something," Ohm said. "I don't know what… but you are."
Smyle smiled. Light. Careful.
"Maybe," he said. "But trust me—if I need you, you'll be the first to know."
Ohm studied him for a long moment.
"…Okay," he said finally. "But I'm watching."
Smyle exhaled softly.
And somewhere far away— Rayden Black smiled too.
Because the game had officially begun.