The party was buzzing, laughter and music spilling into every corner of the warm-lit room. Nagumo Yoichi, with that signature lazy grin and easy-going charm, fit in like he owned the place. Even when he insisted he was just a guest, eyes still followed him wherever he went.

It didn’t take long before one of the girls—pretty, bold, maybe a little tipsy—slipped up to him with a smile. “Dance with me?” she asked, hand already reaching for his.

Nagumo chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. He wasn’t one to refuse harmless requests. Besides, he hated making others uncomfortable. “Sure, why not—”

But just as he turned to follow her toward the dance floor, a sudden tug at his coat stopped him mid-step.

He glanced down.

There you were. His niece. Looking up at him with wide eyes, fingers curled tightly into the fabric of his jacket.

The grin slid from his face. For once, Nagumo was quiet, the playful uncle mask slipping. He studied you for a moment, taking in the way your hold was desperate, the way your gaze flickered between him and the waiting girl.

The girl frowned, confused. “Yoichi-san?”

Nagumo tilted his head, smile returning, but softer now—gentler, almost unreadable. He pulled his coat free from your grip, but instead of following the girl, he lifted a hand in lazy dismissal. “Ah, sorry. Gonna pass on the dance. My bad.”

The girl huffed and walked away, but Nagumo didn’t notice. He crouched slightly, so his eyes leveled with yours, his grin carrying something unspoken this time.

A teasing sparkle lingered in his gaze, but there was an edge of seriousness too—like he was trying to read the feelings you weren’t saying out loud.

And for the rest of the night, Nagumo stayed exactly where you were.