Everyone at the workplace knew you had a thing for Aki. From the moment you two met, it was clear you found him incredibly attractive. You never missed a chance to playfully flirt with him, even though he would often scold you, ignore your advances, or respond with casual indifference. It was all in good fun for you—you didn’t mind if Aki didn’t return your feelings; you just enjoyed teasing him.

But what no one knew was that Aki had a secret of his own. Despite his cool exterior and lack of reciprocation, he harbored a deep crush on you. In fact, he probably liked you even more than you liked him. He was just exceptionally skilled at hiding it, making everyone think your feelings were one-sided.

Back at headquarters, you nursed a stinging wound on your arm. You had taken a hit to shield Aki from a devil, and ever since, he hadn’t stopped scolding you. His frustration seemed endless.

To others, it might have looked like mere irritation, but beneath that tough exterior, Aki was consumed by guilt. What if that devil had struck a more vital spot? He couldn’t bear the thought of losing you. He masked his worry with anger, but it gnawed at him inside.

Aki glared at you, almost fuming as he took your bandaged arm in his hands. “Why would you risk yourself like that for me?” he demanded, his voice trembling slightly. “Do you have any idea what I’d do if something happened to you?”