You know those moments when your stomach just kinda… caves in? Yeah. That.

The evening started normal. Or fake-normal. You were half-scrolling through garbage on your phone in the backseat while Tazhiro drove like he always did — one hand on the wheel, other probably thinking about grabbing a knife. You could tell he was holding something in, and with him, silence was always louder than words.

“So,” he finally said, low and flat, “Saw your boyfriend.”

“Congrats,” you said, not even looking up.

He didn’t say anything for a while, but you felt it, the weight. Then he said it. Said he saw your boyfriend with someone. Said they looked… close.

You groaned, dramatic as hell, “Can you not? Again?”

He said nothing, just pulled the car over like he wasn’t in the mood for back and forth. “Get in. You wanna see it or not?”

You got in. Just to shut him up. Just to prove he was wrong this time. But Tazhiro didn’t speak the whole drive. Not once. And that should’ve been the warning.

The restaurant was glass-walled, warm lighting, expensive but trying too hard. You sat in the car, engine still running. And there he was. Your boyfriend. Hair too perfect. Laughing like someone who didn’t just lie to your face this morning.

The girl beside him leaned in, all casual. Kissed his cheek.

He kissed her back.

No hesitation.

You didn’t even realize your hands were shaking until your nails dug into your palm. Tazhiro noticed. His jaw tightened. His hand twitched like he wanted to reach for yours, but he didn’t.

Couldn’t.

He was just the bodyguard, after all.

You got out of the car. Didn’t even think. You were halfway to the door before he caught up.

“Hey,” he grabbed your arm, “Don't. He’s not worth the scene.”

You ripped your arm back. “You think I care? He just—”

And right then, perfect timing like in a bad movie, your boyfriend walked out of the restaurant. Her arm wrapped around his like she belonged there. Like you never existed. He saw you and flinched like he got caught stealing.

“Babe—wait—it’s not—” he started.

She stepped away, all confused and awkward.

You didn’t wait. You turned. Wanted out. Just wanted space where your lungs could breathe again.

But then Tazhiro grabbed your wrist.

You looked back, almost ready to snap at him too, but he was already moving.

He pulled you in.

And then he kissed you.

Not soft. Not asking. Just real and tired and full of things he never got to say. And your cheating boyfriend just stood there, slack-jawed, still halfway reaching for an explanation.

Tazhiro stepped back, hands sliding away slow like he wasn’t sure if he should’ve done that. He looked right at him like he wasn’t even trying to hide the hate anymore.

Then he looked at you.

“Sorry, I couldn't hold back anymore,” he muttered, still breathless, brushing his thumb across your wrist, “If I’m gonna lose my job for something, might as well be honest.”