The morning classes passed quickly.
In the Mechanical Engineering workshop, the steady hum of machines filled the air as students worked on their engine assembly project.
Sky stood beside his teammates, calmly explaining the blueprint.
“The crankshaft alignment is off by two millimeters,” he said, pointing at the engine.
“If we leave it like this, the vibration will damage the entire system.”
His classmates nodded in agreement.
“As expected of President Sky.”
“You always notice the smallest details.”
Sky simply gave a polite nod and returned to work.
But before he could pick up his tools, his phone vibrated.
Nani: Have you eaten yet?
😊
Sky stared at the message for a moment.
Without realizing it, the corners of his lips lifted.
He typed a short reply.
Sky: Not yet.
Class just ended.
A few seconds later, another message appeared.
Nani: Meet me under the oak tree?
I made lunch.
Sky looked at the screen again.
I made lunch.
No one had ever sent him a message like that before.
He replied with a simple,
Sky: I’ll be there.
Meanwhile, under the familiar oak tree…
Nani spread a small picnic mat on the grass.
Beside him sat Noah, wearing a tiny blue collar with a silver bell.
“Stay here, Noah,” Nani said with a laugh.
The kitten ignored him and chased a butterfly instead.
“You never listen.”
Nani opened two lunch boxes.
One contained neatly packed fried rice with grilled chicken.
The other held fresh fruit and homemade cookies.
His classmates watched from a distance.
“So that’s why he woke up early today.”
“He made lunch for his husband.”
“That’s adorable.”
Nani’s face turned slightly pink.
“It’s… just lunch.”
A few minutes later, Sky arrived.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting.”
“You didn’t,” Nani replied with a smile.
“I just got here.”
Sky sat beside him.
The gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh flowers through the garden.
For the first time in weeks, Sky felt completely relaxed.
Nani handed him a lunch box.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked.”
“So I made something simple.”
Sky opened it.
His eyes widened slightly.
“…You cooked all of this?”
Nani nodded.
“I hope it’s okay.”
Sky took a bite.
The flavor was warm and comforting.
It reminded him of something he had never really experienced.
Home.
“It’s delicious.”
Nani’s face brightened.
“Really?”
Sky nodded honestly.
“Really.”
Watching his reaction made Nani happier than he expected.
Not far away…
A group of female students whispered excitedly.
“Look!”
“President Sky is smiling!”
“I’ve never seen him smile while eating before.”
Another student sighed dramatically.
“I wish someone would cook for me like that.”
“Meow!”
Nani blinked.
“Noah…”
“What did you steal this time?”
The kitten proudly dropped a bright red ribbon onto the picnic mat.
Sky picked it up.
“This belongs to someone.”
Before they could figure out where it came from, a little girl—around five years old—came running across the lawn, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“My ribbon!”
She stopped when she saw Noah.
“There you are!”
Nani immediately knelt down.
“Is this yours?”
The little girl nodded.
“It fell while I was playing.”
Sky handed the ribbon back to her.
“Here.”
She smiled brightly.
“Thank you, big brother!”
Without warning, she hugged Sky around the waist before running back to her mother.
Sky froze.
Nani noticed the smile on Sky’s face disappear.
His shoulders became tense.
His hands trembled slightly.
“Sky?”
Sky stood up abruptly.
“I…”
“I need some air.”
He walked away before Nani could stop him.
Confused, Nani watched him leave.
He didn’t understand why such a small hug had caused Sky’s expression to change so suddenly.
But one thing was clear.
Behind Sky’s calm and composed exterior…
There was a wound that had never truly healed.
And Nani silently promised himself…
One day, he would understand the pain hidden behind the cold alpha’s eyes.