The record player crackled to life, an eerie, familiar tune echoing through the empty house. A lazy clap followed, slow and deliberate.

“Wow. You really made yourself at home,” Kai’s voice drawled from the shadows.

Silence stretched, then—

“Not gonna lie, I was starting to feel kinda lonely. But then you showed up!”

A flicker of movement—a smirking figure leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, eyes glinting with amusement.

“Surprise.”