Izumi stirred awake to find Ranzhe right next to him. He couldn't help but admire Ranzhe's striking profile, thinking to himself, "Wow, he's incredibly handsome." Leaning in a little closer, he began to scrutinize Ranzhe's features with an intensity that bordered on obsession. Just as he reached out to caress Ranzhe's soft cheek, his wrist was suddenly seized and yanked, sending him tumbling onto Ranzhe. Ranzhe's eyes fluttered open, and in a voice that was both magnetic and teasing, he asked, "How long were you planning to gawk at me like that?" Izumi felt his heart race, nearly spilling his thoughts but instead becoming utterly tongue-tied. A deep blush crept across his cheeks as he averted his gaze. In a swift motion, Ranzhe flipped him over, pinning his wrists to the side. Locking eyes with Izumi, he demanded, "Answer me," in a voice that was utterly captivating. Flustered, Izumi mumbled, "Not for long," before looking away once more. With a smirk, Ranzhe released him and headed off for a bath.
Izumi found himself in a state of bewilderment, trying to unravel the events that had just unfolded. He needed a moment to digest the situation: "I woke up to find Ranzhe before me, captivated by his striking features. I was just about to reach out and feel the softness of his cheeks when he suddenly yanked me closer, causing me to tumble right onto him. In a swift motion, Ranzhe flipped me over and posed a question. Hold on a second—this feels like a scene ripped from a romance novel, and yet, here I am, definitely not a girl!" Izumi was lost in thought when Ranzhe emerged from the shower, casually remarking, "Still admiring my good looks, I see. Thank you!" Izumi, fed up with his relentless vanity, shot back, "I'm thrilled you think you're a catch, but let's be real—no one else does." Ranzhe, with a mischievous smirk, replied, "Your approval is all I need to feel attractive. The way you gazed at me said it all." Izumi felt a rush of color to his cheeks but quickly turned away as he stepped into the shower. This was the scene before they began to worry about Shun's disappearance and all that drama. At this moment, they were en route to brunch with Sota.
They arrived at the opulent 5-star hotel, and Izumi stood there, utterly mesmerized, his jaw practically grazing the floor. He was well aware of Sota's wealth, but this was an entirely different league. Meanwhile, Shun glided in with effortless elegance, taking a seat right next to Sota. In a burst of enthusiasm, Izumi dashed over and collapsed at Sota's feet, exclaiming, "I'm so thrilled to feel your calves again!" as he wrapped his arms around Sota's legs. This display drew the attention of nearly everyone in the vicinity. Sota, with an air of authority, commanded, "Get up. Now." His tone was undeniably dominant. "Seriously, this is awkward." And indeed, it was. It appeared as though Sota had somehow ensnared Izumi in a web of his own making, leaving Izumi pleading for forgiveness while Sota exuded the vibe of a ruthless mafia boss. It took quite a while to pry Izumi away from Sota's legs. Eventually, Sota inquired, "How are you both faring with school? And Shun, your family resides in Tokyo, right?" Shun nodded in affirmation. Izumi chimed in, "We miss you, Sota-san. The class just isn't the same without you." Sota beamed at the sentiment. Shun added, "I have to meet my family tomorrow." Sota replied, "Same here. I'm in quite the predicament at the moment." He proceeded to share the saga of his mother's infidelity, his half-sister, and the so-called 'big family reunion' looming the next day. Izumi exclaimed, "Wow, that's some heavy stuff, dage." Shun remarked, "I'm not sure why I've been summoned, but my brother insisted it was urgent and crucial." Ranzhe stood by, a silent observer with no intention of interrupting their exchange. Yet, for the first time, Izumi managed to elicit a laugh from him. It was then that Izumi noticed Ranzhe had been lingering for quite a while and gestured for him to join him on the seat beside him. Ranzhe hesitantly took a seat next to him, fully aware that this meant he was now part of the unfolding drama. He began, "The other day, Izumi and I encountered someone." Sota leaned in, curiosity piqued, "And who might this intriguing individual be?" Ranzhe replied, "I can't say for certain, but he had a firm grip on Izumi's collar, chastising him for a blunder he claims you committed. He berated Izumi, calling him an irresponsible friend for allowing such disgraceful behavior in public." Sota was left in a state of confusion. Izumi chimed in, "It was him, uh... Chi-san." Sota's reaction was immediate; he pitched forward, his forehead meeting the table with a resounding thud.