The flashing blue and red lights reflecting off the wet pavement looked like a disco from hell. Yasuo felt his stomach drop. Two police cars were parked right in front of Mayonaka's Sweets.
"Daisetsu, what do we do?" Yasuo whispered, his fingers digging into Daisetsu's arm. "If they see your knuckles... if they see the mess inside..."
Daisetsu's face was like a mask of stone. He didn't look scared; he looked ready. He reached over, taking Yasuo's shaking hand and squeezing it hard. "We tell the truth, Yasuo. But we tell the right version of the truth. Look at me."
Yasuo looked up. Daisetsu's eyes were dark and intense. "You're not a victim. You're my partner. Act like it. We're going to give them exactly what they didn't expect."
They walked toward the shop. Two officers were standing by the shattered front window, talking to a very calm Grandma Mayonaka.
"Officers," Daisetsu called out, his voice projecting that perfect 'Teacher Authority.' "Is there a problem? I'm Daisetsu Nakamura, a colleague of the family."
One of the cops, a middle-aged guy with a tired face, looked them up and down. His eyes lingered on Daisetsu's damp, messy hair and Yasuo's red face. "We got a call. A report of a violent individual holding a civilian against his will. Also a report of major vandalism."
"Vandalism, yes," Yasuo stepped forward, his heart hammering. "A gang attacked our shop earlier tonight. We already told you guys about the threats last week, remember? But nobody is being held against their will."
The cop looked at Yasuo. "You're Yasuo Hayashi? The caller seemed very worried about you, kid. Said you were being coerced by a man with a criminal record."
Daisetsu stiffened, but he didn't lash out. He knew it was Kaede's work.
"Coerced?" Yasuo let out a shaky laugh. He looked at the cops, then at Daisetsu. He remembered what Daisetsu said: Give them what they didn't expect.
Yasuo didn't think. He just acted. He stepped into Daisetsu's space, wrapping his arms around the teacher's waist and leaning his head against that broad, hard chest. "I'm not being coerced. I'm in love. Is it a crime to have a boyfriend who's a bit of a rough sleeper?"
The cops blinked. Grandma Mayonaka hid a smirk behind her hand. Daisetsu froze for a split second before his instincts kicked in. He wrapped a massive, protective arm around Yasuo's shoulders, pulling him flush against his side.
"We had a disagreement with some local thugs," Daisetsu said, his voice deep and smooth. "I was helping them clean up. It's been a long night. As for the 'criminal record,' I believe my employment at the high school speaks for my character."
The younger cop looked at the way Daisetsu was holding Yasuo—the possessive grip, the way Yasuo looked perfectly safe and comfortable. "The caller sounded pretty sure you were in danger, kid."
"The caller is a jealous coworker of Daisetsu's who can't take 'no' for an answer," Yasuo said, his voice gaining strength. "She's been harassing us all week. Check the logs. We reported the gang, not him."
The tired cop sighed, closing his notebook. "Look at this messed things, the shop is a mess right now. We'll take a statement about the vandalism, but if there's no kidnapping, we've got better things to do than deal with office drama. You two need to go inside and get some sleep. You look like you've been through a war."
"Thank you, Officer," Daisetsu said, his voice dropping an octave as he looked down at Yasuo.
As the police cars finally drove away, the tension snapped like a rubber band. Yasuo let go of Daisetsu, his face turning a shade of red that was almost purple.
"I... I can't believe I just said that to the police," Yasuo groaned, burying his face in his hands. "'I'm in love'? 'Boyfriend'? I'm so cringe."
"It worked," Daisetsu murmured. He didn't let go of Yasuo. Instead, he steered him toward the back entrance. "And for the record... I didn't mind the label."
They went upstairs. Grandma had already retreated to her room, leaving the apartment quiet. The air was heavy with everything they hadn't said yet.
Daisetsu closed the door and turned to Yasuo. The "Stoic Protector" was gone. The man standing there was hungry, relieved, and completely focused on the baker.
"Yasuo," Daisetsu said, his voice a low vibration.
"Yep?"
Daisetsu didn't answer with words. He grabbed the hem of his damp tank top and pulled it over his head, tossing it onto the floor. His chest was broad, covered in a light sheen of sweat and rain, his muscles defined like a statue. The scars on his shoulder stood out in the dim light.
Yasuo's breath hitched. "Daisetsu..."
"You called me your boyfriend," Daisetsu said, stepping closer until Yasuo was backed against the kitchen counter. He leaned in, pinning Yasuo with his weight. "I think it's time I acted like one."
He grabbed Yasuo's hands and lifted them, pinning them against the wall above Yasuo's head. It was a total power move, a display of the strength that had protected the bakery all night. Daisetsu leaned down, his lips brushing against Yasuo's neck, sending shivers down the baker's spine.
"You've been so brave today," Daisetsu groaned into his skin. "Cleaning my wounds, fighting the gang, standing up to the cops... you're a total badass, you Cutie Boy."
Yasuo moaned, his body arching into Daisetsu's. The "bromance" had officially evolved. This was raw, physical need. Daisetsu's mouth found the sensitive spot behind Yasuo's ear, his tongue tracing the skin until Yasuo was a shaking mess.
"I want you," Yasuo whispered, his voice bold for the first time.
Daisetsu pulled back just enough to look Yasuo in the eye. His pupils were blown wide, full of heat. "You have no idea what you're asking for. Once I start, I'm not stopping. You're mine, Yasuo. Every inch."
He crashed his lips onto Yasuo's, the kiss deep and demanding. Daisetsu's hands left Yasuo's wrists to slide down his body, squeezing his waist and pulling him closer until there was no air between them.
The night was far from over...
The next morning, the sun crawled through the windows, hitting the wreckage of the bakery below. Yasuo woke up wrapped in Daisetsu's arms, feeling more secure than he ever had.
But as he reached for his phone on the nightstand, he saw a notification that made his blood run cold.
It was a link to the school's official portal.
"URGENT: Emergency Meeting regarding Teacher Misconduct. All staff must attend. Subject: Daisetsu Nakamura."
Underneath, there was a leaked photo. It wasn't the one Yuka took. It was a grainy shot from the server room—from the security cameras Tenshin thought he'd bypassed.
And in the corner of the screen, the sender's name was visible: Tenshin Hibiki.