The Elite CEO is Addicted to Her Alleyway Savior - Chapter 5

Morning.

The alarm is ringing.

Usually, I wake up instantly, but my eyelids feel heavy.

Maybe it’s because I cried yesterday.

Or maybe for another reason.

…To be honest, I barely slept after that.

I only drifted into a light, fitful slumber just as the world outside began to brighten.

—Yuno had kissed me.

That moment from yesterday played on a loop in my mind.

Our lips overlapping, slowly.

At first, it was a soft kiss, barely a touch. But it didn’t end there.

As if demanding more, she shifted the angle, deepening the kiss, her tongue intertwining with mine in a wet, searing heat.

I didn’t even have time to resist. I simply let her take over, and I even found myself thinking it felt good.

What was that all about?

The thought of facing Yuno felt daunting.

I stepped tentatively into the living room.

The rich, mellow aroma of coffee wafted past my nose.

“Ah, morning, Big Sis!”

Yuno, standing at the open kitchen, looked up with a bright expression and gave a soft, beaming smile. She continued casually.

“Breakfast is ready~”

As if nothing had happened yesterday.

…Could it have been a dream?

Yuno efficiently arranged the plates on the dining table.

Today’s breakfast was bacon and eggs, croissants, and coffee.

We sat across from one another and ate.

Biting into the bacon, a savory, crispy flavor spread through my mouth. When I pierced the fried egg with my fork, the yolk flowed out in a rich stream. It was perfectly soft-boiled, just the way I like it.

As I ate in silence, the memory of yesterday’s kiss flashed through my mind again.

Ah, no. Remembering it while she’s right in front of me only makes it more embarrassing. I could feel my face gradually heating up.

I couldn’t look at Yuno.

Feeling awkward, I instinctively turned on the television.

A segment called “Our Pets” was on, featuring a puppy.

“Oh, a Chihuahua! So cute~”

Yuno let out a soft laugh as she watched the screen.

“Don’t you have any pets, Big Sis?”

“Pets aren’t allowed in this apartment.”

“Huh. So, if they were allowed, is there something you’d want to keep?”

“…I suppose. I’ve always thought I’d like a cat.”

“You like cats? Huh, that’s unexpected.”

“…What do you mean, ‘unexpected’?”

When I shot her a glare, Yuno gave a sheepish little chuckle.

I wasn’t happy to be teased, but it served as a good topic to break the awkward tension.

A peaceful atmosphere filled the room.

But I still couldn’t stop wondering.

What was that thing yesterday?

Why did she kiss me?

After sipping my coffee, I cleared my throat and spoke to Yuno.

“Hey.”

“Hmm?”

Yuno curled the corners of her mouth up and tilted her head slightly.

Her large, bright brown eyes pierced straight through me.

She wore an expression like a child who knew nothing of the world, making the intensity of yesterday’s kiss feel like a lie.

Her pale pink lips, curved upward, smiled with pure innocence.

“…Actually, it’s nothing.”

Looking at that innocent face, a wave of guilt washed over me, and I found I couldn’t ask her anything.

“What’s with that? You’re weird,” Yuno said, looking down with a giggle before taking a big, hearty bite of her croissant.

“…I think I’ll try to hang in there a bit longer. With work.”

I let the words fall after a short pause.

Because I meant it.

Being comforted by Yuno last night had settled my heart, if only a little.

Yuno looked slightly surprised, then beamed and nodded slowly.

After finishing my meal, I began getting ready.

At first, I had been resistant to the idea of leaving a complete stranger in my home, but I had come to feel that letting her stay was fine.

I gave Yuno money for lunch and ingredients for dinner, then slipped into my coat.

“Well, I’m heading out.”

As I said that and slung my bag over my shoulder to turn away—

Tug.

She grabbed my sleeve.

Before I knew it, I was pulled toward her and she wrapped herself around me in a soft hug.

“Have a great day. Good luck!”

Yuno looked up at me with a slight upturn of her gaze, her eyes narrowing into a gentle smile.

She was too close.

Being stared at by those eyes made my heart thud.

I realized, unconsciously, that my gaze was drifting.

Down, further down my face.

Toward those plump, pale pink lips.

Yesterday, I…

Ah, no, I’m remembering it again.

“…Ugh, if you’re going out… make sure you take the key. It’s an auto-lock.”

I turned my face away and gave Yuno’s shoulder a light push to create distance.

I spoke brusquely.

“Yeees, I know~”

Yuno replied airily, waving her hand while the oversized sleeve of her T-shirt fluttered loosely.

At that gesture, something deep in my chest ached slightly.

I arrived at the office.

The moment I stepped through the door and entered the room, I was met with an air that felt like it was tightening my skin.

A prickly, dry, tense sensation.

“Morning.”

I greeted the employees.

The responses that came back were sparse, mechanical, quiet, and short. The entire office was on edge again.

I had to figure out the financing.

And yet, because resignations continued to pile up, I also had to cover the handovers. I had to hire people to fill the holes. I had to handle meetings with major clients that the employees couldn’t secure.

The tasks were simply mountainous.

I pulled out my chair and opened my laptop.

By the time the screen lit up, my head was already filled with numbers, names, and deadlines. My fingers tapped rapidly on the keyboard.

I went through client messages on the chat tool one after another, typing replies and adding confirmation items to a list. I booked conference rooms and sent out documents.

—And all the while, yesterday’s kiss flickered in the corner of my mind.

Soft lips.

Hot breath.

The wet sounds echoing in the room every time our tongues entwined.

My own body aching and growing damp, wanting more.

Whenever I recalled that moment, I felt a heat rising from deep within.

…No, no. What on earth am I thinking about during work?

I have to focus.

I gave my cheek a light slap to snap myself out of it.

After completing the day’s tasks, I left the office.

On the way home, my thoughts revolved around how to handle the funding.

I walked my usual route.

The street lined with glass-walled office buildings remained somehow strained, even in the evening.

People in suits passed by, walking in silence, each carrying the fatigue of their day. I was one of them.

Only the sound of my heels echoed rhythmically against the asphalt.

“…Huh? Reina?”

A voice called out from behind.

Hearing that familiar voice, I stopped in my tracks.