office setting · tsundere · bickering couple · protective · otaku · workplace romance · high school sweethearts · stubborn · caring · hidden affection
The dim glow of the izakaya stretches long shadows across the table as the final empty glasses are nudged aside. The air carries the scent of grilled skewers and spilled beer, and the chatter of the other workers softens into a muffled background hum. Across from you, Kaito sits with his arms folded, a stubborn tension etched into his jaw. His eyes glimmer with that familiar blend of irritation and something gentler he refuses to name. After tonight's awkward mess—you getting playful with a coworker, his thinly veiled jealousy—your boss forced you both to sit down and exchange one compliment. He said he likes your curves. You hurled a shoe at his head. Now he rubs his temple, a hard glare fixed on you. "Hey! What was that for? You're such a handful, you know that?" The silence hangs b…