[Japan]
"Ughhh get up now, Ryuto."
A woman spoke, her voice sweet yet laced with complaint. Her sharp brown eyes fixed on Ryuto with mock annoyance, but the way her brows furrowed only added to her charm it made her look more adorable than intimidating.
She was wearing a high-neck ivory blouse, the fabric soft and loose around her shoulders, tucked neatly into a pair of high-waisted black trousers that hugged her waist before falling into relaxed folds around her legs. The pants gave her a poised yet easygoing air, their tailored shape balanced by the casual drape. On her feet, thick-soled black boots added an edge to her graceful silhouette, giving her a few extra inches of height and a lot of attitude.
Her short dark hair framed her face in gentle waves, brushing just past her jawline, and a single hoop earring caught the morning light as she tilted her head in impatience.
Ryuto looked up at her, a lazy smile tugging at his lips as he admired her adorable expression. He leaned further back into the soft couch, utterly relaxed.
"Don't wanna," he replied, his tone teasing knowing exactly how she'd react.
She puffed her cheeks in frustration, her pout only making her look even cuter.
"You're the worst," she grumbled, marching over to a couch across from him and sitting down with exaggerated distance. She turned her head away dramatically and crossed her arms under her breasts. "Fine. Sit around all day. See if I care."
Ryuto chuckled softly, lifting his hand to reach across the space between them. His fingers found her cheek, pinching it gently.
"It's my office. I do have work to do," he said, a smirk in his voice. "Let's go shopping once I'm done, okay?"
But she didn't turn to him. Her eyes stayed fixed on the cityscape beyond the tall glass window that stretched from floor to ceiling, the skyline of Tokyo glowing faintly in the morning light.
"You don't have work right now," she said flatly. "If you did, you'd be at your desk not lounging around like a cat."
"I've got a meeting in five minutes," he replied, leaning closer. His arms wrapped around her from behind, his warmth gentle and calm. "As soon as it's over, we'll go."
He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek right on the small burn mark that had settled there long ago. It wasn't something she liked people staring at, but Ryuto never saw it as a flaw. Only something that made her even more hers.
Feeling the warmth of his embrace, Mizoki sighed softly and leaned back against his chest, her frustration dissolving like mist in the morning sun. She melted under his touch, her body relaxing into his.
"Fine," she murmured, her tone much softer now. "I'm just letting you get away with it this time. But if you give me even one excuse after that meeting.. I won't talk to you."
Ryuto chuckled, brushing his lips against her cheek once more.
"Alright, Mizoki. I understand," he whispered. "Just wait here I'll be back as soon as the meeting's over."
With that, he stood, smoothing down his shirt with a casual grace, and walked toward the door. Mizoki watched him go, her eyes lingering until the door clicked shut behind him.
Now alone in his office, silence wrapped around her like a quiet breeze. The soft hum of the city beyond the glass filled the room. She looked out at Tokyo again, the skyline stretching endlessly into the pale light waiting.
----
"Come on, let's play, Kaizen!"
Hana grinned wildly as she grabbed the tablet out of Kaizen's hands and tossed it onto the couch with a soft thump.
"I'm not gonna play! You're cheating!"
Kaizen puffed his cheeks, crawling on all fours to the other side of the couch like a tiny soldier retreating from a battlefield.
"Cheating?" Hana gasped, laughing as she chased after him. "You're just being a cly baby because you can't beat me!"
She caught his legs with her small hands and dragged him back across the carpet like a captured prisoner of war.
Kaizen twisted around, glaring at her with all the intensity a six-year-old could summon.
"Cry baby? Oh, you're gonna eat those words. Let's play again-I'll show you who's really crying!"
He stood with a dramatic huff, dusting off his shorts like a serious grandmaster, and set the chessboard on the coffee table with the care of someone preparing for battle. One by one, he placed the pieces: pawns in a row like little foot soldiers, rooks like towers, the knight like a sneaky warrior riding into war.
Hana sat cross-legged across from him, resting her chin on her hands, eyes glinting with mischief.
"White goes filst, cly baby," she teased.
"Stop calling me that!" Kaizen growled, making the first move with a firm clack. "Watch and learn."
The match began.
At first, Kaizen played smart aggressively moving his pieces like a little tactician, sacrificing pawns with pride and confidence.
Hana, meanwhile, quietly moved her pieces without a word, her tongue slightly poking out from the corner of her mouth as she concentrated.
"Check," Kaizen grinned after a few moves.
Hana looked up, blinked... then moved her bishop. "Blocked."
"Ugh. Fine." Kaizen grumbled, but he wasn't giving up. He pressed on with fierce determination.
The pieces danced across the board, little taps and slides filling the room. Minutes passed. Hana took his knight. Then a rook. Then, out of nowhere.
"Check again!" Hana declared, grinning from ear to ear.
Kaizen's eyes widened. "Wait.. what?! No no no hold on"
He fumbled to move his king out of danger, but every direction was blocked. His queen was gone. His rook, cornered.
"Checkmate."
Hana leaned back, arms crossed proudly like a queen on her throne.
Kaizen stared at the board in horror. "That's not possible. I was winning!"
Hana stuck out her tongue. "Clyyyy babyy~"
Kaizen crossed his arms, slumped back against the couch, and muttered, "You cheated again.. there's no way you beat me twice"
But even as he pouted, the corner of his lips twitched. A smile was already sneaking its way through he was smiling as he keep looking her getting happy over her victory.
[Chapter 38 end]
[Hiatus Notice for Evolver's]
Hey everyone,
Just wanted to leave a quick note here. After 38 chapters, I've decided to put Evolver's on hiatus for now.
The views have been pretty decent, and I'm honestly grateful for that. But… I haven't received any comments, good or bad. And without knowing how the audience feels, it's hard for me to keep moving forward. I'm not asking for praise or anything, just some kind of feedback so I know if the story is connecting with people at all.
I'm fully aware the beginning chapters aren't the strongest. I was still learning and growing as a writer. But chapter by chapter, I've been improving, and I truly believe the story has potential.
That said, I won't give up on it. I just need a little breather to figure things out, refocus, and maybe hear from those who've been silently reading.
Thank you to anyone who's been along for the ride so far.