---
The next morning began peacefully enough.
San was in the kitchen, making toast and humming lowly as Hyme sat on the counter, swinging his legs and watching him like a lazy, smug cat. Hyme's ears twitched every time the toaster popped. His tail flicked toward San's back whenever he took too long buttering a slice.
"You know," San said, raising a brow, "normal people sit at the table."
"I'm not people. I'm luxury," Hyme replied, biting into a strawberry lazily.
"More like luggage," San muttered.
"I heard that."
"You were meant to."
Despite the playful banter, something in the air felt… off.
San only realized it when he glanced at the calendar on the fridge. "Hey, Hyme. Didn't your father say he'd be back from the global hybrid summit by now?"
Hyme's chewing slowed.
San noticed. "What?"
Hyme jumped down from the counter, brushing imaginary crumbs from his shirt. "He… was supposed to be back two days ago. But I haven't heard anything."
San frowned. "That's weird, right?"
Hyme nodded once, too quickly. "It's probably nothing. He always gets pulled into extra meetings."
But the way his tail had coiled tight around his ankle said otherwise.
---
Later That Day
The doorbell rang.
San opened it—and immediately tensed. A tall, suited man stood there with sharp eyes and a darker smile. He carried himself like someone who didn't knock on doors often—he expected them to open for him.
"Mr. San, I presume?" the man asked.
"Who's asking?"
"Ah. My name is Reiks. I'm an advisor from Mr. Delmar's company." He stepped inside without being invited, already scanning the apartment. "Hyme is home, yes?"
San stepped in his way. "He's busy."
Reiks tilted his head. "I see you're very protective for a… nanny."
San didn't reply.
Hyme appeared then, arms folded. "Reiks."
"Hyme." Reiks gave a mock bow. "Your father's return has been delayed due to complications. Until then, he's appointed me as your interim guardian."
Hyme's ears twitched sharply.
San narrowed his eyes. "Interim what now?"
"Your father left instructions for Hyme's safety. And with the conference troubles… well, I'll be keeping an eye on him. Closely."
"That won't be necessary," Hyme snapped.
Reiks smiled, shark-like. "It's not a request."
Something shifted in Hyme's expression. For the first time in days, San saw the real version of him—not the spoiled kitten, but the wary heir of a powerful family.
Hyme stepped closer to San, fingers brushing his. "San stays. Whatever you do, he stays."
Reiks's eyes flicked between them. "Of course. If that's your condition."
---
After He Left
"That guy stinks," San muttered, locking the door behind Reiks.
"He's worse than stink," Hyme said quietly. "He used to work with my dad… but he wants more. He thinks I'm a spoiled half-breed who can't lead."
San's brows drew together. "You think he's planning something?"
Hyme didn't answer.
Instead, he turned to San with a small, sad smile. "I might need your help. Not just as a nanny."
San looked at him, serious now. "You have it. Whatever it is."
Hyme's tail curled around his wrist. "Even if it gets dangerous?"
San didn't blink. "Even then."
---
But neither of them knew…
That back at Hyme's father's company headquarters, Reiks was already watching the security footage of their apartment.
His smile was thin. Cruel.
"Oh, little kitten," he said softly. "You're finally out of your cage."
And now, it was time to clip his claws.