Kazeyuki tapped the last of the powder free from the grooves, sifted it through thefuruiinto thechawan, and added hot water from the kettle he kept on the shelf. And then he started whisking and thinking.
It took a while, but that was fine.
That was how it should be for these things.
Matcha. Work.Katherine.
Everything required care and intentionality.
Everything.
And so even with pouring himself a cup, he took his time with it while replaying Anastase’s words about Point #4.
This is entirely your choice, if you want to speed things up.
Kazeyuki took a sip.
Mm.
It was good, but it also carried the necessary bitterness that proved its quality, just like how every rose had its thorns.
Frankly, Kazeyuki didn’t know whether he wanted to speed things up or not. But things were already moving fast as it was, had done so from the start. Even so, everything was still fine, and that was why he couldn’t take a risk. Since there was no way to ascertain if slowing down would make things worse—
Kazeyuki set the chawan down and reached for his phone to send Katherine a text.
Expect a call from Emily tomorrow.
The reply came in the next three seconds—
About what???
—and he answered just as swiftly.
You’re moving in with me.
Chapter Eight
EMILY IS AMAZING.
She should be, like, the President of America or something, with how quickly she's gotten everything moving. And moved. Because as of 7:45, the lease to my apartment has been properly taken care of, Emily's done giving me a tour of Kazeyuki's penthouse, and now I just have one last teensy, weensy thing to do—
"So?" Emily beams at me. "All good?"
And sadly, it's the only thing that Kazeyuki's extraordinary assistant can't help me with.
"Yup! All good."
"Then I'll see myself out, 'kay? Just give me a call if you need anything."
"I will."
I keep smiling and waving and hoping that Emily doesn't see through anything or everything, but the moment the door closes behind her and automatically locks like all expensive smart doors do—
Oh gosh.
I collapse on the sofa and almost get swallowed alive, but in the best way possible because Kazeyuki's couch, just like everything else in his massive mansion-in-the-sky, is both luxuriouslyelegant and luxuriously comfy. White leather, deep enough that my feet leave the floor when I lean all the way back, and as I sink deep into it, the softness reminds me of something else, and...
Gulp.
