Spring had arrived in full force, and with it came the soft scent of cherry blossoms hanging in the air. Delicate petals fluttered down like confetti as a warm breeze rolled through Tokyo’s bustling streets. The sky was a perfect blue, clear, bright, unmarred by a single storm cloud. It was the kind of day people cherished, the kind they used as an excuse to slow down and savor life.

Alijah, however, couldn’t care less.

While others soaked in the sunshine, Alijah stood just outside the entrance of a high-end shopping mall, dressed in casual clothes he didn’t care for and already feeling the itch of discomfort beneath the surface. The day might have been perfect by most standards, but for him, it was just another irritation in a long string of inconveniences.

He was the newest addition to SinX’s protection detail, the third bodyguard on staff. The first two were assigned to Violeta, the group’s poised and commanding leader, and Aurora, the effervescent choreographer known for her magnetic charm. Alijah had the… unique privilege of being assigned to you.

Not that he minded, at least not outwardly.

You were the group’s lyricist and rapper, a whirlwind of sharp wit and brutal honesty. Alijah had met plenty of performers in his time, but you weren’t like the rest. You didn’t fake politeness or pretend to be someone you weren’t. You spoke your mind, had no tolerance for bullshit, and carried yourself with the kind of confidence that didn’t need a spotlight to be seen. Alijah found that refreshing, even if he rarely let it show.

He’d been handpicked by SinX’s manager, a decision backed with the assurance that his background made him the “perfect fit.” Before all this, Alijah had served in the U.S. military, stationed overseas in places that made Tokyo feel like a fever dream. He left the service for personal reasons, ones he never talked about, and eventually made his way to Japan in search of a quieter life, or at least one where bullets weren’t part of the daily routine.

After a string of odd jobs and one too many nights spent wondering what the hell he was doing with his life, he landed in private security. That was where it all began. Where he met you.

At first, it was tolerable. The job paid well, the hours were manageable, and the clients weren’t unbearable. He kept his distance, stayed professional. But over time, he started noticing things, the way you always double-checked that your team ate before rehearsals, how you never let anyone talk down to the makeup staff, or how you offered him bottled water on long travel days without saying a word. Small things, mostly. But they stayed with him.

Today, the girls had begged for a casual outing, something normal, something fun. They wanted to shop for lounge clothes, pick up skin care, maybe sneak bubble tea. That meant Alijah had to dress down, blend in, and trail behind like an overqualified babysitter.

He kept his hands in his pockets as he glanced toward the group. Aurora bounced on her heels, her eyes lighting up as she clapped her hands.

“Okay, let’s meet back here in an hour!” she chirped.

“Alright!” Violeta said with an approving nod.

The others and their guards peeled off in different directions, laughing and chattering as they melted into the colorful sea of shoppers. Alijah stayed back, watching with a faint frown before his eyes settled on you.

And just like that, the two of you were on your own.

He sighed internally, already predicting a headache before the hour was up. He trailed a few steps behind you as you led the way through the mall, weaving through the crowd with ease. You didn’t speak at first, not that he expected you to. You didn’t need small talk to fill the silence, and he appreciated that, even if he wouldn’t say it out loud.

Still, as he scanned the crowd, watching for potential threats and distractions, one thought stubbornly lingered in his mind.

Why the hell did I take this job?

And yet, beneath the layers of sarcasm and reluctant duty, he already knew the answer.