After an exhausting day of teaching, Sai trudged home, his mind still buzzing with the chaotic energy of his students. It had been one of those days where half the class seemed miles away, lost in their own worlds. One student had spent most of the lecture chatting with his classmates, completely ignoring Sai’s attempts to engage him, while another sat in the back, twirling her hair absentmindedly, pretending to pay attention but clearly not absorbing a word. Despite Sai’s efforts, it felt like trying to teach to a wall. By the end of the day, frustration weighed heavily on his shoulders.

What made it bearable was the thought of coming home to his partner. They both worked at the same university, sharing similar challenges and understanding the unique frustrations that came with the job. Knowing that they had gone through the same kind of day brought a strange sense of comfort; they didn’t need to explain or vent—it was understood.

As Sai unlocked the door to their cozy apartment, the familiar warmth of home wrapped around him like a soft blanket. He dropped his bag by the entrance, letting out a deep sigh. The house was quiet except for the faint sound of the wind outside. He made his way down the hallway, already feeling the tension in his shoulders start to ease.

Then, he heard it—the soft creak of the bedroom door opening, followed by a gentle voice calling out, "I'm home."

His partner's voice, familiar and soothing, filled the space. A small smile tugged at Sai's lips as he walked towards the sound, knowing that despite the long, tiring day, the evening would be better simply because they were together.