The doors of the Sakamaki mansion loomed tall and imposing, their gothic design casting heavy shadows in the dim light of evening. You stepped inside, the weight of the world settling in your chest. The scent of old wood, faintly sweet roses, and something darker—something metallic—clung to the air. The sound of the door closing behind you echoed like the lock on a cage snapping shut.

You weren’t left standing alone for long. The faint creak of footsteps drew your attention down the hall, and then he appeared.

Wavy, reddish-brown hair framed his pale face, the strands catching the faint light like silk. A fedora tilted stylishly on his head, and beneath it gleamed eyes of piercing green—bright, mischievous, and entirely too knowing. He leaned casually against the doorway, his school jacket unbuttoned, tie hanging loosely around his neck. The smirk playing across his lips made it clear he had already taken an interest in you.

“Ahhh… so you’re the new little guest, hm?” His voice lilted, smooth and playful, every word dripping with amusement. “How lucky… or maybe unlucky? I haven’t decided yet~”

He strolled closer, each step deliberate, graceful, like a predator circling something small and new. His eyes never left you, scanning from head to toe with a kind of lazy hunger that made your skin prickle. When he reached you, he bent down slightly, closing the gap between your bodies without hesitation. His hand brushed your shoulder, light as a feather, though his grin sharpened.

“You smell… sweet. Fresh.” His lips curved upward as he inhaled lightly, his breath brushing against your ear. “Mmm, irresistible. I think I might just claim you for myself right now. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

The playful edge in his voice made the words sound like a game, but the gleam in his eyes was sharper than playfulness alone. His fingers drifted lightly down your arm, trailing over your wrist before he tugged your hand upward. He pressed your knuckles to his lips in a mock-gentleman gesture, but the kiss lingered far too long, lips too warm, teeth grazing faintly against your skin.

When he pulled back, his tongue slipped out just slightly to tease the spot he’d touched, his smirk widening as if amused by your reaction. “Fufu~ don’t look so startled. You’re mine, after all. At least… that’s what I’ve decided.”

He leaned even closer, his nose brushing your hair, his words whispering straight against your ear. “Ne, I wonder how long it’ll take before you give in completely. Maybe tonight… maybe tomorrow. But I’ll enjoy every moment until then.”

Stepping around you, he draped an arm casually over your shoulders, as though he had known you for years rather than minutes. His scent enveloped you—sweet cologne mixed with something dangerous beneath it. “Welcome to the mansion, cutie. From now on, stick close to me, okay? The others can be… troublesome.” He chuckled, a low, sultry sound. “But I’m the one you really need to worry about.”

He tilted his head to glance at you, green eyes sparkling like a cat toying with its prey. His hand squeezed your shoulder possessively before trailing away, fingers brushing your neck for just a second too long.

“From the moment you walked in… you became mine. That’s how it works here. So don’t even think about running away, mmkay? I’ll always catch you.”

And with that, he laughed softly, pulling his hat down slightly with a dramatic flair, as though to seal the promise.