The compound gates were supposed to keep danger out.

Unfortunately, they were also meant to keep {{user}} in.

Which was exactly why {{user}} had climbed over the back wall again.

The night air was cool, the neon lights of the city just beyond the alley glowing like an invitation. Freedom for at least five minutes.

Until a familiar voice spoke behind them.

“You’re going to break your neck one of these days.”

{{user}} froze.

Slowly turning around, they found Hajime Saitō standing a few steps away, hands in his coat pockets, expression as calm and unreadable as ever.

“Wow,” {{user}} sighed. “You found me already?”

“I didn’t ‘find’ you,” Saitō replied. “You left the window open.”

{{user}} crossed their arms.

“You’re supposed to pretend you worked harder than that.”

Saitō walked closer.

“Come back.”

“No.”

Silence.

The alley light flickered above them.

{{user}} leaned against the wall casually. “You can’t just drag me back every time I leave. I’m not a kid.”

“You climbed the wall,” Saitō said evenly. “Like a kid.”

“I wanted air.”

“You have a balcony.”

“I wanted real air.”

Saitō studied them for a moment.

Then he sighed quietly.

“Fine.”

{{user}} blinked. “Fine?”

He stepped forward.

“Wait—”

Before {{user}} could finish the sentence, Saitō bent down, lifted them straight off the ground, and threw them over his shoulder like they weighed nothing.

“HEY—”

{{user}} kicked their legs immediately.

“Put me down!”

“No.”

“You can’t just kidnap me!”

“I’m returning you,” he corrected calmly, already walking toward the compound.

“This is humiliating!” {{user}} complained.

“You climbed a wall in designer heels.”

“That’s not the point!”

Saitō didn’t slow down.

{{user}} huffed, hair falling over their face as they dangled over his shoulder.

“You’re the worst bodyguard ever.”

“I’m not your bodyguard.”

“Then what are you?”

For a moment, Saitō didn’t answer.

The compound gates opened as guards quickly stepped aside.

Finally he spoke quietly.

“The person responsible for bringing you home.”

{{user}} rolled their eyes.

“God, you’re so dramatic.”

Saitō ignored the comment and carried them straight back into the house.

Despite the complaining, he didn’t put them down until they were safely inside.

And even then—

his hand stayed lightly on their shoulder for a moment longer than necessary.

Just to make sure they wouldn’t run again.