As the three arrived at the mansion, Mia’s eyes widened, her face lighting up with awe. Is this his mansion? she thought, her excitement barely contained. “You live here?” Mia asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. I can’t wait to work here, she mused inwardly.

Hannah, noticing Mia’s reaction, glanced at her with a small smile before her gaze shifted to Kai.

The mansion stood imposingly, its sleek modern design complemented by numerous surveillance cameras strategically placed around the property. A large, automatic gate swung open smoothly as Kai drove in, revealing a pristine driveway that led to an elegant main entrance featuring a grand wooden door.

“Yes,” Kai replied casually as they pulled into the garage. The car came to a stop, and the three of them stepped out. Without hesitation, Kai popped open the trunk and grabbed Mia’s bag and suitcase.

As they approached the grand wooden door, Kai pressed his finger against the high-tech biometric scanner embedded in the doorknob. A soft chime followed as the door unlocked and swung open. The three stepped inside, Mia’s eyes widening with awe. This house... it’s like something out of a futuristic dream, she thought, her gaze darting across the sleek, modern interior.

“Hey, Hannah, go ahead and change,” Kai said, his tone calm yet directive. “Anna has plenty of clothes in her room—ask her if you need anything.”

Before Hannah could respond, hurried footsteps echoed from the wooden staircase. A petite figure with vibrant red hair styled in soft strands came rushing down. Her hazel eyes sparkled with excitement as she beamed.

“Onii-chan!” Sofia called out, throwing her arms around Kai’s legs in a tight embrace.

Kai smiled warmly, ruffling her hair. “Sofia, you’ll mess up your hair.”

Sofia looked up at him, unfazed, before her gaze shifted to Mia. “Oh, who’s that?”

“This is Mia,” Kai explained. “She’s our new maid. She’ll be working here from now on.”

Sofia’s eyes lit up, her enthusiasm bubbling over. “Mia! Nice to meet you. I’m Sofia. Let’s go upstairs—there’s so much to show you!” She turned to Hannah, grinning. “You too, Hannah-neechan. Let’s give her a proper tour!”

Without waiting for a reply, Sofia grabbed both Mia and Hannah by the hands and tugged them toward the stairs. Kai watched them go, his lips curving into a soft smile. No matter how exhausting my day gets, seeing her like this... it makes everything worth it, he thought, his heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks.

Kai slipped off his coat and hung it neatly on the hook by the wooden door. With a sigh, he stepped out of his polished black shoes, aligning them perfectly with the rest of his collection by the entryway. I’m so tired, he thought, his gaze drifting briefly to the quiet kitchen. The stillness of the house pressed against him like a weight as he made his way to the bathroom.

Once inside, he peeled off his clothes and turned the faucet, filling the tub with steaming water. The sound of the rushing stream filled the room, a soothing backdrop to the exhaustion clouding his mind. Kai stepped in and let the heat envelop him, sinking into the water with a quiet sigh of relief.

He closed his eyes, letting the tension in his muscles melt away. For a fleeting moment, his mind was blank—until the silence gave way to familiar images. Hannah’s face emerged from the darkness. Her smile, her bright eyes, the subtle tilt of her head when she laughed.

The memories felt vivid, almost tangible, as if they had happened only moments ago. Hannah... The name lingered in his mind, bringing with it an ache he couldn’t define. As the water cradled him, Kai remained still, lost in the flickering moments they had shared.

Kai stepped out of the bath, droplets of water trailing down his skin as he grabbed a towel and wrapped it securely around his waist. He tossed his clothes into the bathroom basket before heading upstairs.

As he entered the hallway, he paused, noticing Sofia and Hannah guiding Mia through the mansion. The three turned their attention to him, and Hannah's eyes widened briefly before her cheeks flushed a deep red.

"Put some clothes on," Hannah muttered, quickly averting her gaze, her tone laced with embarrassment.

Kai chuckled softly, amused by her reaction. "Alright, alright," he teased, striding past them toward the Master Bedroom. He could feel Hannah's flustered energy even as he closed the door behind him.

In the hallway, Sofia tilted her head, watching the exchange curiously. Meanwhile, Hannah tried to compose herself, her face still warm. Why does he have to walk around like that? she thought, biting the inside of her cheek to hide her lingering blush.

Hannah and Sofia continued the tour, stopping at one of the elegantly furnished bedrooms. Hannah crossed her arms, her cheeks still faintly pink as she glanced at Mia. "So, is this going to be your room?" she asked.

Mia scanned the spacious room, admiring the plush bed, ornate furniture, and large windows that let in soft, natural light. It felt more luxurious than anything she had imagined. "Yeah, I think this room would be great," she said with a smile, her hand reaching for the sleek doorknob. "And it even has a password system..." she added, clearly impressed.

Sofia clapped her hands together, her hazel eyes sparkling with excitement. "Then we should move your stuff here, right?" she said, already making plans.

Before Mia could respond, Hannah spoke up abruptly. "I’ll go check on something." Her gaze flickered toward the Master Bedroom at the end of the hallway.

Sofia tilted her head curiously but shrugged it off. "Okay," Mia said, following Sofia as they headed downstairs to retrieve her belongings.

Hannah, however, turned and walked toward the Master Bedroom, hesitating for a moment before knocking lightly on the door. Her voice was soft but steady. "Kai?"

Kai opened the door, and as it creaked, Hannah’s breath hitched. Her eyes immediately widened, her cheeks flushing crimson at the sight of Kai standing there shirtless, only in his pajama bottoms. The air felt thick, and for a brief moment, everything around her went still. "Kai!?" she exclaimed, quickly turning her gaze away, her heart pounding faster than she expected.

Kai, oblivious to the effect his appearance had on her, blinked in confusion. "Oh, what?" he asked, genuinely puzzled by her reaction.

"Nothing..." Hannah muttered, her voice a soft whisper, barely audible. Her thoughts raced as she fumbled to explain herself. Why am I blushing so much? It's just Kai... She mentally scolded herself for getting flustered so easily. Focus, Hannah, focus. She cleared her throat before continuing, "I just wanted to ask for Anna's room password... I think she's not there."

Kai, still not picking up on her internal turmoil, shrugged casually. "Oh, I don’t really know it, but my fingerprint would work." His voice was light and nonchalant, as if walking around shirtless was a regular thing.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Hannah nodded, though her mind was still swirling. Why did I react like that? It’s just a normal thing... She followed him silently, trying to ignore the pounding in her chest, as they walked down the hallway to Anna’s room.

As they approached the door, Kai placed his fingerprint on the high-tech doorknob. The door clicked open with a smooth, silent motion, revealing Anna’s perfectly kept room.

Hannah’s heart was still racing, but she forced herself to focus. Get a grip, Hannah. She took a deep breath, stepping past Kai into the room. This is just a simple task. You’re fine.

Hannah walked toward Anna's closet, her steps light as she began sifting through the clothes in search of something suitable for sleep. She wasn’t paying much attention to anything other than the clothes when Kai’s voice cut through the silence.

"She's at school." Kai said, his voice calm, though there was a teasing undertone in it as he watched her.

Before she could fully process his words, Kai added, "Hey, you look good." His voice was casual, but there was no mistaking the playful tone behind it.

Hannah froze, her body going stiff. Her mind immediately spiraled. Kai!? Why did he say that? Her thoughts were a chaotic mess. How am I supposed to respond to that? What should I say? Should I laugh it off or... oh no, I'm blushing!

Her face felt like it was on fire, and she was acutely aware of how her heart seemed to be thudding in her chest. Come on, Hannah, say something!

Trying her best to sound casual, she stammered, "T-thank you, y-you too, Kai..." But her tone betrayed her. It came out higher than she intended, her voice faltering slightly.

She quickly turned her attention back to the closet, trying to avoid looking at him. Great job, Hannah. That was smooth. She mentally facepalmed. Now, I definitely look like I’m blushing...

Despite her embarrassment, a small, nervous smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she focused on finding something to wear.

Hannah finished rummaging through Anna's closet and turned to Kai, holding up a pair of t-shirt and pajama pants. Kai’s eyes immediately went to the pajama pants, and a chuckle escaped his lips.

"Oh, we have the same," Kai said, a teasing note in his voice.

Hannah glanced down at the clothes in her hands, realizing he was right. Oh no... She thought, her face turning slightly pink. "Oh, I’ll find another set instead," she said quickly, attempting to find something else, but Kai responded almost immediately.

"Oh no, use it," he said, his voice insistent, almost playful.

Hannah froze for a second, caught off guard by his request. She blinked a few times, looking at him uncertainly. Use it? But she was too embarrassed to argue. "O-okay... I’ll try this in the bathroom," she mumbled, her voice quiet, as she hurried to Anna’s bathroom.

After a few moments, Hannah returned, her face flushed with embarrassment. The t-shirt, which was supposed to be loose, fit her a little too well, hugging her body more than she’d expected.

"Anna’s clothes won’t fit on me... her body is small," Hannah said, her voice quiet and shy, as she fiddled with the hem of the t-shirt, clearly uncomfortable.

Kai glanced at her, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "That looks good."

Hannah flinched at his words, her heart racing. She wasn’t sure if he was teasing her again or actually meaning it. "You think so?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly, still unsure of his intentions.

"No, I don’t think so, definitely," Kai replied with a playful grin.

Hannah’s cheeks burned a deeper shade of red, her embarrassment reaching new heights. Definitely!? What does that even mean!? She thought, trying her best not to look too flustered.

"I'll take a bath..." Hannah said softly, her voice almost a whisper. Kai smiled and nodded, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he reached over to pat her head teasingly. "Okay, I'll be downstairs."

They both exited the room, with Hannah heading toward the Master Bedroom, and Kai making his way to Mia's room. Inside, he found Sofia and Mia folding clothes. Kai grinned, leaning against the doorframe. "Oh, you two get close too fast, huh?" His voice was steady, but there was an unmistakable playfulness in his tone.

Sofia giggled at his teasing, while Mia smiled politely. "Your little sister is kind, Sir," Mia said with respect.

Kai returned the smile, his eyes softening as he spoke to Sofia. "Yeah, be kind to Mia as always, Sofia." He reached over, gently patting her head. His voice carried a warmth only siblings could share.

"I have a present for you, by the way," Kai added with a subtle excitement in his tone.

Sofia's eyes widened, her excitement palpable. "What is it, Onii-chan?" she asked eagerly, bouncing on her toes.

Kai reached into the pocket of his pajama pants and pulled out a small, elegant box. He opened it slowly, revealing a diamond hairclip inside. "Here," he said softly, his gaze never leaving her face.

Sofia's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the glittering jewel. "Onii-chan, that's a... diamond... you really bought that for me?" she asked, her voice filled with awe and disbelief.

Kai raised an eyebrow, momentarily pausing as he watched her. She's asking me that...? Could it be she's already learning the value of things at just 11? he thought, though a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Yes, wear this... Sofia," he replied, his voice full of affection.

Sofia, with sparkling eyes, eagerly reached for the hairclip and fastened it into her hair. The diamond gleamed, catching the light, and she beamed up at him. Then, without hesitation, she rushed to him, throwing her arms around his torso in a tight embrace.

"Thank you, Onii-chan! You're the best!" Sofia said, her voice muffled against his chest, her small frame pressing against him as she brushed her cheek against him.

Mia watched the exchange silently, a soft smile on her face. The sibling bond was clear, and she couldn't help but admire the affection between them.

Mia stood up, her voice excited as she spoke. "I'll cook food downstairs." She smiled at Kai before heading toward the stairs.

Kai nodded, his expression steady. "Okay, we'll fold your clothes."

As Mia left the room, Kai and Sofia began folding the clothes. Kai glanced at Sofia, a conflicted thought swirling in his mind. Should I tell her now? Is this the right time? Or should I keep it to myself?

Kai took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself to speak. "Sofia... I want to tell you something, but before that, will you give Onii-chan a hug?" His voice was soft, carrying an undertone of uncertainty.

Sofia blinked at him, curious. "What is it, Onii-chan?" she asked, before stepping into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him.

Kai returned the hug, holding her tightly, but a heaviness weighed on his heart. He tightened his embrace as he spoke. "Sofia..." His voice was barely a whisper. "Our father is dead."

Sofia froze in his arms, her heart skipping a beat. She pulled back slightly to look at him, confusion clouding her eyes. "What!? What did you just say, Onii-chan!?" Her voice trembled with disbelief.

Kai’s expression remained steady, but a single tear slid down his cheek. He let out a shaky breath. "Our father is dead..." The words felt like a stone in his chest.

Sofia’s eyes widened in shock, and she pushed him away, anger and pain flashing across her face. "Why didn’t you tell me immediately!?" Her voice cracked with hurt as she stepped back, her hands trembling.

"I... I didn’t know when the right time was," Kai muttered, feeling the weight of her pain. His heart sank, and another tear fell. I hate to think about it... did I just take away her innocence?

"I hate you, Onii-chan..." Sofia's voice broke as the words slipped out. Tears streamed down her face. Without another word, she turned and ran toward the Master Bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Mia, who had overheard the conversation, rushed upstairs in a panic. She saw Sofia’s tear-streaked face disappearing into the room, and then turned her attention to Kai. Her voice was gentle but full of concern. "S-Sir... what happened?"

Kai looked down at the floor, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. "I told her... that our father is dead." His voice was heavy with sorrow. I hate myself for this, he thought, feeling the sting of guilt. Did I do the right thing?

Mia’s face softened as she rushed to his side, placing a comforting hand on his back. "It's okay, Sir... calm down. Do you want some water?" Her voice was high-pitched, laced with panic as she tried to comfort him.

Kai wiped his tears away and gave a small, forced smile. "I’m okay. I just... need to cool down for now."

"Okay, Sir," Mia said, her voice gentle as she nodded. "Just call me downstairs whenever you need anything."

Kai gave a brief nod before walking into Anna’s room. He lay down on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. What have I done? he thought, his heart heavy with regret. Did I just shatter her world?

As Hannah entered the room, her soft footsteps were barely audible. She looked at Kai, her eyes filled with concern. "Why is Sofia crying?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kai quickly wiped the tears from his eyes, attempting to compose himself. "Oh, uhhh..." He hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice low and fragile. "I told her about the death of our father."

Hannah sat down on the bed, her brows furrowing as she processed his words. "I thought you weren’t going to tell her yet?" Her voice was filled with genuine concern.

Kai let out a sigh, his gaze shifting to the floor. "I felt guilty for hiding it... and I think it would have been even more painful for her if I kept it from her for too long." His voice was heavy with sadness, a subtle vulnerability slipping through.

Hannah's hand moved to pat his back comfortingly, her blue eyes meeting his, steady and calm. "It's okay," she said softly, her words a quiet reassurance.

Kai smiled faintly at her, grateful for her presence. He pulled her into a gentle hug, his arms wrapping around her as he breathed in deeply. "You smell good," he murmured, his voice shifting slightly, lightening the atmosphere.

Hannah's eyes fluttered, her breath catching in surprise. "Kai..." She pulled back slightly, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. "Don’t just say such things," she whispered, her voice low and unsure. Why is he talking like that...? Not here, not when we’re alone, she thought, her mind racing.

Kai's tone softened as he continued, his voice more steady now. "Your scent is comforting." He pulled her closer again, settling into the embrace.

Hannah’s heart raced, her thoughts swirling. Is this really okay for friends to cuddle like this? she questioned herself, uncertain of what was happening. She shifted slightly in his arms but didn’t pull away. "Kai, you're acting strange..." Her voice trembled with uncertainty.

Kai, seemingly unfazed by her hesitation, responded quickly, his voice calm. "I don’t mind."

Hannah’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, the closeness between them unfamiliar yet oddly comforting. But at the same time, a small part of her wondered if this was something more, or if she was just overthinking it. She couldn’t help but feel conflicted.

Hannah took a deep breath, her senses filled with his citrusy scent. It was comforting, grounding, and, despite the uncertainty swirling in her mind, she found herself relaxing into the moment. Her heart was racing, but something about the embrace felt safe, almost natural. She couldn't deny the warmth it provided, the connection they shared in this quiet space.

Slowly, she surrendered to the feeling, wrapping her arms around Kai's waist, her head resting against his bare chest. She felt his heartbeat, steady and calm, beneath her ear. A blush crept onto her cheeks, her thoughts a mix of confusion and comfort.

She could feel his presence, his strength, and for that moment, the world outside seemed to fade away.

They stayed like that, the silence stretching between them. The tension that had once filled the air now seemed to dissolve, replaced by a soft, unspoken understanding. Despite the emotions that both of them carried, there was an unspoken bond forming in that quiet embrace.