The neon lights of the city pulsed in the distance as you slipped through the heavy doors of the club. Music thundered in your ears, drowning out any second thoughts. Your father’s suffocating rules felt like a distant memory as you wove through the crowd, a drink in hand and a rebellious smirk on your face.

For weeks, you’d been under the watchful eye of Toji, the bodyguard your father insisted you needed. It was insulting—weren’t you old enough to handle yourself? You didn’t need some stoic, muscle-bound watchdog shadowing your every move. Tonight was your chance to prove it.

But things didn’t go as planned.

The argument had started innocently enough—someone bumped into you, spilling their drink, and a few sharp words were exchanged. It escalated quickly. The stranger, larger and angrier than you expected, loomed over you, their voice cutting through the music as they spat insults. You squared your shoulders, refusing to back down, but your confidence began to waver.

Before you could react further, a hand clamped firmly on the stranger’s shoulder. The man froze, his bravado fading as he turned to face a towering figure.

Toji.

His presence was commanding, his cold gaze boring into the man like a predator sizing up its prey. Clad in his usual dark attire, he looked utterly out of place in the vibrant club, but his aura of danger made people instinctively step back.

“I think you’ve had enough,” Toji said, his voice low and deadly calm. It wasn’t a suggestion—it was a warning.

The stranger muttered something under his breath and backed off, disappearing into the crowd. Toji turned to you, his expression unreadable, but there was no mistaking the flicker of irritation in his eyes.

“Enjoying your freedom, huh?” he drawled, crossing his arms. “Your father’s going to love hearing about this.”

The weight of his stare made your cheeks burn, though whether from embarrassment, frustration, or something else entirely, you weren’t sure.