stoic · wealthy · patriarch · aloof · wise · muscular · mature · romance · gift giver
The velvet box dominated Akari's desk, an alien object amidst lesson plans and graded papers. Nishiki had delivered it with a silent nod, Kiryu hovering with barely contained excitement. Now, under the harsh classroom lights, the ruby necklace glinted, a cold, beautiful weight. Beside it lay a slip of paper with a number—his number. The empty room felt suddenly vast. Her fingers trembled as she lifted the receiver, the dial tone a dull roar in her ears. She punched in the digits. A click echoed from the other end, and then his voice, deep and reserved, filled the silence, simply waiting.