They arrived as dusk settled.

The street they had entered was called Palace Driveways. It was one of those exclusive streets where only the wealthy in society could live in.

All the houses that Miyako drove by emphasized on this fact because they were all unbelievably beautiful, expensive homes.

Miyako rolled her Audi cruiser into a sleek driveway of one of the most finest houses amongst the bunch.

It was a very modern one, a beautiful building made of two stories of glass and steel. The steel was colored platinum, almost glistening in the evening light, and the tall windows glowed warm from inside.

There was a manicured lawn sprawled in front of the building and a garage big enough for three cars. Renji could already see two parked inside.

Solar panels gleamed on the roof, and there was a small fountain bubbled by the entrance.

White panels and wood accents were used to furnish the building, and just one look at it and anyone would know that it belonged to the upper-middle-class.

Comfort without ostentation.

Renji's eyes were genuinely wide. He'd never been to such a house before. "Whoa… this place is incredible. It's like a magazine."

Miyako parked, smiling modestly as she killed the engine. "Thank you, Renji. But it's nothing fancy, really. It's just home."

Renji looked at her. Easy for her to say. His home was the size of that freaking garage right there.

She grabbed her keys, stepping out, her fat ass swaying as she led to the front door.

Renji got out as well, swinging on his bag and following after her.

No matter how hard he tried not to look, he kept glancing down at those round cheeks that filled her pants perfectly, bouncing with each step on the paved path.

They stopped by the door.

Miyako rang the doorbell in a playful pattern that Renji assumed was the family code.

She lifted her hand to ring it again when the door swung open.

Haru Endo stood there in nothing but a loose singlet, sweatpants low on his hips, hair tousled like he'd been napping.

He grinned at his mom. "Hey, Mom! You're home early. That means you'll be making dinner tonight?"

Miyako beamed. "Yes I will. But look," she stepped aside, "I brought a friend."

Curious, Haru opened the door wider to see who it was.

But the moment his eyes locked with the visitor, his grin faded to grim shock.

The face smiled back.

"What's up, Haru?" Renji said casually, hands in pockets.

–––––

Haru Endo's face cycled through a multiple of emotions in the span of three seconds.

First it was recognition…

then confusion…

then disgust…

and finally a simmering rage that made the veins in his neck pop.

He didn't even know what to say to this. Out of everyone that could somehow show up in his house, it had to be this guy, Renji.

The broke nerd.

Haru stood frozen in the doorway, one hand still on the knob, the other half-raised as if he'd been about to wave.

The grin he'd greeted his mother with had evaporated like morning mist at this point.

Miyako, on the other hand, was completely oblivious to the tension crackling in the air. To her, she just thought it was the usual nervousness young boys had when their classmate saw their parents or their home.

It was normal.

She stepped forward with a bright smile, her police boots clicking on the polished hardwood of the entryway.

"Haru, honey, close your mouth. You'll catch flies. You're staring like you've seen a ghost."

Haru looked at his mother and then at Renji. He did it again, and again. He was trying to be sure he wasn't losing his mind.

"Mum? What's going on?"

"Oh, Haru. You're such a character. This is Renji Kenshiro, from your year at Seihou. He's the art rep for the big competition, and he helped the police today. Long story. Anyway, he's staying for dinner!"

Renji offered a small, polite wave, the picture of innocence. "Hey, Haru. Nice place."

Haru's eyes narrowed to slits. "What the hell are you doing in my house?"

"Language," Miyako scolded automatically, already toeing off her boots and hanging her keys on the hook shaped like a tiny badge.

"Renji's had a rough day. He got mixed up with some bad kids—nothing serious—but he did the right thing and called it in. I bailed him out, and now he's our guest. So you better be nice."

"Now let him in."

With a glare on his face, Haru got out of the way for Renji to come inside, his jaw working soundlessly, like a fish gasping on dry land.

Renji just smiled wider, stepping past him into the foyer as if he belonged there.

The house smelled faintly of cedar and citrus cleaner, the kind of scent that screamed money but not ostentatious wealth.

The entryway opened into a spacious open-plan living area: high ceilings, recessed lighting, a massive L-shaped sectional in charcoal gray, and a kitchen island the size of a small car.

Tall windows looked out onto a backyard lit by soft ground lights, where a koi pond glimmered under the emerging stars.

"Nice house," Renji said.

"Shut up nerd,"

He gave him a glare, one that Renji knew meant trouble was coming.

But when the noise of footsteps got closer, Haru backed off, eyes still locked on Renji.

A man appeared in the doorway, wiping his hands on a dish towel patterned with tiny cartoon police cars—Miyako's doing, no doubt.

He was shorter than Haru, slim, with wire-rimmed glasses and a receding hairline he'd given up fighting years ago.

His apron read "Kiss the Cook (or face the consequences)" in faded kanji.

Renji didn't need to be told the pathetic looking man was Kenoji Endo, Haru's father, Miyako's husband, and the living definition of beta.

"Kenoji!" Miyako called, already shrugging off her vest and draping it over a barstool. "We have a guest! Renji, this is my husband. Kenoji, Renji Kenshiro. He's Seihou's art star who helped us stop a robbery today."

Kenoji blinked, adjusted his glasses, and offered a polite bow that was half reflex, half genuine warmth.

"Oh! Welcome, welcome. The only people Miyako knows are usually in handcuffs, so we're glad to see a bright, young face."

He chuckled at his own joke, a soft, nervous sound. "I was making dinner, but I… wasn't doing very well so I'm thankful that my wife is back to help me. Haru, please set the table."

Renji nodded to the man. "A pleasure to meet you, sir."

Haru made a face. He couldn't take it anymore so he stomped straight to his mother.

"Mom. Can we talk? In the kitchen? Now?"

-----

A/N:

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