This morning, Miu had to go to Schuett Group for a meeting about a media collaboration project.

It wasn't her first time entering the Schuett building.

But it was the first time she walked in as "the person Lena is seeing."

Lena met her in the lobby.

No hug.
No obvious affection.
No hand-holding.

And yet, there was a kind of closeness that needed no explanation.

"Did you sleep well?" Lena asked as the elevator rose toward the twenty-fifth floor.

"I did. But..." Miu hesitated.

"I was a little nervous earlier."

That word—nervous—made Lena turn to her immediately.

"About what?"

"About meeting people you know. If they notice... or misunderstand."

"It's fine," Lena said, pressing the elevator button, her eyes never leaving Miu.

"If anyone asks, I'll answer."

"But..." Miu paused, biting her lip.

"I don't want to cause trouble for you."

The elevator doors opened.

Lena held them, then said slowly,

"Kiddo."

"You never cause trouble for me."

Warmth spread through Miu's chest so quickly she almost wanted to hide inside Lena's coat.

⸻

The meeting room was large, surrounded by glass, overlooking the city.

Senior executives were already seated.

Lena walked in first. Miu followed half a step behind.

But when Miu pulled out a chair, Lena said,

"Sit here."

Next to her.

No one commented. But a few glances flickered across the table—not suspicious, just surprised.

Lena had always sat alone, slightly removed from everyone.

Miu lowered her head, pretending to read the documents, her heart racing.

⸻

Thirty minutes into the meeting, the marketing director—a young woman, confident and striking—handed a file to Miu.

"I've heard a lot about you," she said warmly.

"Your exhibition last year was impressive."

"Thank you," Miu replied with a polite, genuine smile.

The woman smiled back—too warm, too familiar, too attentive.

And of course, Lena noticed.

She was reviewing a report, but beneath the table her hand tightened slightly, as if restraining an instinctive reaction.

Miu didn't notice.

Lena did.

And she knew one thing clearly she didn't like the way that look lingered on Miu.

⸻

When the meeting ended, Miu stood to gather her papers. The woman stepped closer.

"If you have time, would you like to collaborate on some personal projects?"

"I think your style really fits what I like."

Miu scratched her cheek.

"I'll have to check my schedule."

"No rush," the woman said, lightly touching Miu's hand.

"Just message me anytime."

At that exact moment, Lena stepped forward and stopped directly behind Miu.

She didn't interrupt.
Didn't speak.
Didn't signal.

She simply stood close enough that the woman instinctively stepped back half a pace under the quiet pressure.

"Lena?" the woman startled.

"I thought you were still inside..."

"We're done," Lena said calmly.

Not cold.
But not smiling either.

It was the kind of tone that said: this is where it ends.

The woman blinked, smiled awkwardly, and excused herself.

When she was gone, Miu turned around.

"Lena... you stood really close. You startled me."

"I know." Lena looked at her, the meaning in her eyes unhidden.

"But you were being noticed too much."

"They were just being polite..."

"Not in a way I like," Lena said, her gaze shifting aside, her voice lower than usual.

"I don't want them to misunderstand."

Miu stayed quiet for a few seconds.

Then, gathering courage she wasn't sure where she found, she asked,

"Misunderstand... what?"

Lena answered simply,

"That they might think you don't belong with me."

Miu flushed.

"...No one said I belong to you."

"You didn't," Lena said, meeting her eyes directly.

"But you're standing next to me. That's enough."

Miu felt her heart drop to her stomach and climb back up to her throat all at once.

"You're being so serious..." she murmured.

Lena leaned down slightly, lowering her voice so only Miu could hear.

"You like it when I'm gentle."

"But I love you in a deeper way than that."

Warmth spread through Miu's chest, pulse by pulse.

"...I know."

"You know?" Lena tilted her head.

"I can tell..." Miu said softly.

"You're afraid of losing me."

Lena fell silent.

Just for a moment.
But it was enough.

The composed, controlled, confident Lena softened just a little.

Like a small crack appearing.

"Yes," Lena admitted quietly.

"I am."

"But I'm here," Miu said, stepping a little closer.

Lena looked at her for a long time. So long that Miu could hear her own heartbeat clearly.

"Then don't make me afraid anymore," Lena said—soft, but deep enough to make Miu tremble.

Miu reached out, gently, as if testing the space between them, and took Lena's hand.

"Then hold on to me," Miu said, her voice soft enough to dissolve into the air.

Lena closed her fingers around Miu's hand.

Not tightly.
Not possessively.

A hold Miu could pull away from at any moment.

She didn't.

And Lena understood.

She looked at Miu with a tenderness she had never allowed herself before.

"...Alright," Lena said quietly, just for her.

"I'll hold you in the gentlest way."

Miu smiled.

"That's why..." she said softly,

"I want to stay by your side longer."

Lena bent down and pressed a brief kiss to Miu's forehead.

Short.
But filled with all the feelings she had restrained for years.

⸻

When they left the building, Lena helped Miu into the car.

She said nothing just opened the door, bent slightly, and looked at her the way people look at what matters most.

Before the door closed, Miu caught Lena's wrist.

"Lena."

"Yes?"

"I won't let you lose me."

Lena stood still for a second just long enough for emotion to rise beyond control.

"...Thank you," she whispered.

"For letting me have you."