Nori adjusted his collar, looked at himself one last time in the mirror, and slipped out of the house like a thief. Ryusoke had no idea. He told himself it wasn't a big deal. Just a party. A little music. A little freedom. Nothing crazy.
The place was louder than he expected. Music thumping, laughter bouncing off the walls, lights dim but not dark. It wasn't packed, but it was full enough. And the moment he stepped in, he felt eyes on him—he was pretty sure some of them were alpha.
Still, Kento found him fast and waved him over, drink already in hand.
"Hey! You came," Kento grinned. "Glad you made it. Relax, okay?"
Nori nodded, smiling, trying to blend in. It was going fine. Until he showed up.
Tall. Strong. That annoying alpha energy pouring off him like heat from pavement.
"Hey there," the guy said, leaning in way too close. "Didn't know pretty things like you came out at night."
Nori blinked. "I'm good, thanks."