"Ehhh~~~"

Suzuki Rika drew out the sound in disappointment, looking like a balloon that had lost all its air.

"Again?!"

"Emilia‑chan, lately you always go straight home after work! Don't tell me… you're really hiding a secret lover at home?"

She jabbed Emilia playfully with her elbow, waggling her eyebrows.

In an instant two blushes bloomed on Emilia's cheeks.

"Rika! Don't be ridiculous!"

She denied it in a panic—

but her averted gaze and racing heartbeat gave her away.

"Heh‑heh, you're blushing, you're blushing!"

Rika laughed even harder, as if she had discovered a new continent.

She knew Emilia's nature: if Emilia didn't want to talk, she wouldn't press.

Still, she sighed with a hint of regret.

"Fine, fine—but next time you have to come out with me, okay? Promise!"

"Mm, promise."

Emilia exhaled in relief and nodded with a smile.

The two of them chatted and joked as they left the company building.

Rika was still planning what to order at their next barbecue when her casual glance toward the street suddenly froze.

"Whoa!!!"

She sucked in a sharp breath, grabbing Emilia's arm and shaking it excitedly.

"Emilia‑chan, look! Look over there! Such a gorgeous car—and an even more gorgeous guy!!"

Emilia followed her gaze.

Across from the main entrance, in a temporary curbside space, sat a silver‑gray sports car with sleek, aggressive lines.

Its streamlined body reflected a cold, luxurious gleam in the sunset, drawing sideways glances from the white‑collar workers heading home.

Leaning against the car was an even bigger head‑turner: a man in a dark, perfectly tailored casual suit—tall, straight‑backed, exuding effortless poise.

No simple outfit could hide that power radiating from within.

His features were handsome and deep‑set; a faint, lazy smile played on his lips, as though the surrounding bustle had nothing to do with him.

He lounged casually against the costly sports car, yet his gaze cut cleanly through the crowd and landed on Emilia.

It was Rei Ao!

Emilia froze, her mind blank.

H‑How did he get here?

And in a car like that?

"Ahhh! He's looking this way—he's looking! Oh my gosh, he's waving at us!!"

Rika was practically hopping with excitement, her face bright red.

"Emilia‑chan, is that hottie greeting us? Do we know him? Ah! He's coming over!"

Under Rika's incredulous stare, Rei Ao strode through the crowd with unhurried grace and stopped right in front of Emilia.

"Finished work?"

His voice was low and pleasant; his smiling eyes rested gently on her.

"R‑Rei Ao…"

Emilia's face felt hot enough to fry an egg, her heart pounding.

"W‑What are you doing here? And this car—"

She got no further: Rei Ao opened his arms and pulled her into a firm embrace,

warm and possessive, shutting out all the surrounding noise and stares.

Emilia could even smell his familiar, reassuringly fresh scent.

"Obviously, I missed my wife."

His voice brushed her ear—teasing, openly affectionate.

"Came to pick you up."

"W‑Wife?!"

Emilia blushed even harder, burying her face in his chest.

He did call her that in private—especially at certain times—but in public… this was a first!

Beside them, Suzuki Rika had turned to stone, mouth gaping wide enough for an egg, eyes round as saucers.

Did she just hear—

Wife?!

The man with the supercar, devastatingly handsome, was… Emilia's husband?!

Good grief!

Emilia‑chan had hidden this way too well!!!

Rei Ao released the crimson‑faced Emilia and finally looked at the stupefied Rika.

With polite warmth he said, "Hello, I'm Rei Ao—Emilia's husband. And you are…?"

Rika snapped back to life, standing ramrod straight like a soldier under inspection,

her voice quavering with excitement.

"G‑Good evening, Rei Ao-san! I'm Suzuki Rika, Emilia‑chan's friend and colleague. A pleasure to meet you!"

She bowed quickly and perfectly.

When she straightened, her gaze at Emilia was full of shock and reproach—you had such an amazing husband and never told me?!

Emilia chuckled awkwardly, explaining in a tiny voice, "Rika, this is Rei Ao… um, my… husband."

When she said "husband," it was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.

"Wow! Emilia‑chan, that's so unfair—when did you get married?"

Rika finally found her voice, her gossip soul ablaze.

"Uh… we haven't held the formal wedding yet…"

Emilia's face reddened again.

"But… we do live together like man and wife."

"A match made in heaven! Absolutely perfect!"

Rika offered her sincerest (and most gossipy) blessing,

her eyes darting between Rei Ao and Emilia—

the more she looked, the more perfect they seemed.

A gorgeous couple, sheer eye candy.

Rei Ao chuckled, glanced at Rika, then looked back at Emilia.

"Judging by you two, were you heading somewhere fun? Shall I give you a ride?"

His tone was natural, as caring as a gentleman could be.

Emilia started to decline—saying they'd just go home—but Rika jumped in first, hugging Emilia's arm, nodding like a pecking chick, voice brimming with excitement.

"Sure, sure! Thank you, Rei Ao-san. We were about to try that new 'Ox King' barbecue place."

"Emilia‑chan was saying she wanted to head home early, but with a chauffeur, that makes it so much easier, right, Emilia‑chan?"

As she spoke she sent Emilia frantic looks begging her not to refuse.

Emilia saw her friend's sparkling, expectant eyes, then Rei Ao's smiling gaze…

Helpless and shy, she nodded.

"Mm… then thank you."

"My pleasure."

With elegant ease, Rei Ao opened both the front‑passenger and rear doors for the two ladies.