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The dining room radiated a warm, effortless charm, luxury softened by personal touches that made it feel more inviting than imposing.
A long mahogany table gleamed beneath the glow of an antique chandelier, but it was the lively atmosphere that truly lit up the room.
Liam lounged at the head of the table, his jacket draped over the back of his chair and the top button of his shirt undone.
Across from him, Riko Amanai delicately sipped her tea, her gaze sharp despite the small smile on her lips.
To his left, Sakura sat comfortably, her expression a mix of amusement and mild exasperation as she watched Akane enthusiastically wave a fork around while chattering about her day.
"Mom, I want the cake!" Akane declared, pointing dramatically at the platter on the sideboard.
"Patience, Akane," Aiko said with a soft laugh as she reached for the dessert, but before she could move, Liam leaned back in his chair with a grin.
"Relax, Aiko. Let her grab it," he drawled, gesturing lazily.
Aiko gave him a pointed look. "You're a terrible influence, Young Master."
"And yet, here I am," He replied with a wink, earning a soft chuckle from Riko.
Akane didn't wait for further permission. She scrambled off her chair, toddling toward the cake. "Liam said it's okay!"
Sakura laughed as she watched Akane's determined march. "You're spoiling her, Liam. I almost feel bad for Aiko."
"I don't mind," Aiko said, though her tone was lightly reproachful. "But if she ruins her appetite for dinner, I know who's explaining it to her later."
"Me?" Liam placed a hand on his chest in mock indignation. "I'd just tell her dessert always deserves priority. Life's too short to eat in order."
"You're impossible," Aiko muttered, though her lips twitched upward.
Riko set her teacup down and tilted her head, an amused glint in her eye. "You're really different at home, Liam. Relaxed, playful… dare I say, charming?"
Sakura raised an eyebrow, her tone sly. "Oh, you dare, Riko. But you're right. Liam here turns into a golden retriever the moment he steps through the door."
Liam smirked, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the table, his gaze locking with Riko's. "A charming golden retriever, huh? I can live with that."
Riko returned his gaze, her smile deepening. "I wonder if that charm gets you out of trouble often?"
"Always," Liam said, without missing a beat. "I'm a firm believer in charisma over consequences."
"Dangerous philosophy," Riko teased, her voice light but her eyes gleaming.
"Maybe." Liam's grin widened. "But it keeps things fun, don't you think?"
Akane returned to her seat, a generous slice of cake on her plate, frosting already smeared on her fingers.
"Oh, Young Master is the best!" She declared through a mouthful of chocolate.
"See?" Liam gestured toward her with exaggerated pride. "My biggest fan. I rest my case."
Sakura shook her head, laughing. "You're incorrigible."
"And you wouldn't want me any other way," Liam shot back, lifting his glass in a mock toast to Sakura, whose laugh turned into a groan of mock exasperation.
Dinner had ended and after the final round of goodbyes, Liam made his way outside, his shoes crunching on the gravel driveway. Toji, as always, was right on his heels.
The sprawling estate glimmered under the moonlight. A sleek black sports car, polished to a mirror shine, was parked under the soft glow of the driveway lights.
Toji let out a low whistle, circling the car like a predator sizing up prey.
"Well, well," He drawled. "Didn't take you for the type to overcompensate, but here we are. What is this? A spaceship?"
Liam shot him a sidelong glance, unfazed by the jab. "It's a Pagani Huayra. Worth every yen, I might add."
He pulled open the driver's door with practiced ease, his movements fluid. "Comfortable, fast, and, most importantly, mine."
Toji snorted, sliding into the passenger seat. "Yeah, yeah. I'm sure it's also got a heated cupholder and massage seats for your delicate princely butt."
He leaned back, letting his eyes roam over the car's futuristic interior. "This thing looks like it could transform and start talking any second. Does it have a name? Or are you too busy giving your credit card a workout to bother?"
"It's called sophistication," Liam retorted, starting the engine. The car came alive with a throaty purr, the dashboard lighting up like a cockpit.
"Not that you'd recognize it, considering your preferred ride is probably a rusty bicycle or a stolen motorbike."
Toji grinned, unabashed. "Hey, my 'stolen motorbike' never cost more than a small country. But this?"
He gestured around dramatically. "This is just screaming, 'I've never known the sweet embrace of humility.'"
Liam rolled his eyes, shifting the car into gear. "I've never seen humility pay the bills or outrun a tail."
Toji snickered as the car sped down the estate's private road, its engine growling with restrained power. The night air rushed past, and the lights of the estate faded behind them.
"So," Toji drawled, resting his elbow on the window ledge, "What exactly are we heading to? Because knowing you, it's definitely not a normal 'lay-low-and-plan' spot. Most people build bunkers. You? Probably built a death star."
Liam smirked, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "A death star? Please. That would be so last decade. Besides, do I look like someone who needs something that gauche?"
"You look like someone who built a bunker with a pool, a wine cellar, and probably a panic room that doubles as a nightclub," Toji fired back. "Let me guess, you've got lasers too. Bet they're synchronized to Beethoven's Fifth."
Liam chuckled. "Beethoven? Don't insult me. I've got holographic orchestras. They take requests."
Toji barked a laugh, shaking his head. "Holograms. Of course, you do. You just can't do anything halfway, can you?"
"Why would I?" Liam shot him a sideways grin. "If you're going to do something, do it better than anyone else. That's the whole point."
Toji leaned his head back, still laughing. "You know what, rich boy? You're insane. And I mean that in the nicest possible way."
The car roared as Liam accelerated, the road ahead stretching into the night.
"Stick around, Toji," He said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You haven't seen anything yet."
The moon hung low, casting a cold silver light over the secluded facility Liam had prepared for this exact moment.
The building stood at the edge of his estate, reinforced by countless layers of seals, barriers, and high-grade protection talismans. It had taken a small fortune to construct—enough to bankrupt most people—but for Liam Nakamura, money was never the obstacle.
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