The Mau The Merrier

Tail of Temptation~!

The cool evening air wrapped around {Y/N} like a lazy embrace as she and Joe strolled away from Mrs. Tanaka's home. The book club meeting had left her strangely buoyant, a soft warmth nestled in her chest. It was nice, for once, to spend time around people without the ever-looming shadow of danger or chaos nipping at her heels. Just a cozy room, the murmur of conversation, the rustle of pages, and the occasional laughter of elderly women who seemed delighted to have her around.

She stretched her arms above her head, letting out a pleased sigh. "Well, that was surprisingly fun," she admitted, glancing over at Joe, who walked beside her with the ever-present air of a reluctant chaperone.

"Surprisingly?" he echoed, side-eyeing her. "You got free food, were the center of attention, and got to nap on an old lady's couch for a good fifteen minutes. Of course you had fun."

She grinned, unbothered. "Yeah, well, I also had to sit through some very passionate debates about classic literature. You saw how serious they got about that one chapter."

Joe snorted. "Mrs. Watanabe did look like she was ready to throw hands."

"Right? I was this close to ducking under the table."

Their laughter mixed with the gentle sounds of the city at dusk-bikes whirring by, the distant chatter of shopkeepers closing for the night, the faint hum of a radio playing from a nearby balcony. {Y/N} let her gaze wander, half-lost in thought as they turned a corner.

And then she saw him.

Sano Mansaku.

Seated outside a small corner café, nursing a cup of steaming tea like a vision straight out of an old, romantic film. The dim streetlights cast a golden glow on his silver hair, softening the sharp angles of his weathered face. The sleeves of his dark blue haori were rolled up just enough to reveal forearms lined with the kind of strength that came with time and experience. His posture was at ease, but there was something about him-something unshakably steady, like a stone worn smooth by the river yet never eroded.

Oh.

Oh, no.

She had it bad.

The moment her eyes landed on him, memories of their first meeting at the park came rushing back, fast and dizzying. How they had spoken for what felt like hours, their conversation ebbing and flowing like a well-paced novel. How she had hung onto his words, spellbound by the depth of his voice, the weight of his wisdom. How she had walked away that day feeling something unfamiliar but intoxicating-a restless yearning that had nestled itself into her chest and refused to leave.

And, oh, had she reminisced.

Late at night, sprawled across her bed, staring at the ceiling as her mind replayed every little detail-his sharp wit, the knowing glint in his eye, the slight smirk that tugged at the corners of his lips when she said something particularly bold. She had indulged in the fantasy, let it bloom in her mind like the pages of a well-worn romance novel.

The mysterious older gentleman. The worldly, unshakable presence. The inevitable, slow-burn attraction between the reckless youth and the seasoned mentor-

Stop. Stop it right now.

Joe hadn't even noticed him yet, too busy adjusting his sleeves, but {Y/N} was already drifting forward, drawn in like a moth to a very distinguished, very handsome flame.

Then, as if sensing her stare, Mr. Sano lifted his gaze-and their eyes met.

His smirk was slow and knowing, a familiar twinkle of amusement sparking to life. "Ah," he mused, setting down his cup. "If it isn't my little park philosopher."