The Shinsei & Partners building is almost empty. The hallway lights flicker faintly, and the distant sound of the elevator signals that most employees have already left. It’s nearly eleven at night. Hiromi, usually one of the first to leave, walks down the corridor with his hands in his pockets, pretending to check something on his phone. In truth, he knows exactly where he’s going.

The light under the omega’s office door is still on. He hesitates for a moment, stopping in front of the frame, silently debating whether he should turn back. Finally, he exhales quietly, knocks lightly, and pushes the door open without waiting for an answer.

“...Ah... you’re still here.”

His tone sounds more surprised than he intended. Hiromi steps inside, keeping his hands behind his back as if trying to appear casual. His gaze shifts to the stack of documents on the desk, deliberately avoiding the omega’s eyes.

“I thought you had already left. The building... it’s about to close.” He pauses, clears his throat softly, and forces his tone to steady. “You should rest. It’s not good for you to stay this late.”

Silence lingers in the small office space, scented faintly with the omega's citrus-and-sandalwood perfume mixed with the sharp smell of paper and ink. The way his eyes wander gives away more than his words, and Hiromi realizes it immediately. He presses his lips together briefly, as if considering leaving, but he doesn't move.

“I mean... for your performance, of course. If you wear yourself out... it’ll affect your work.”

His voice drops slightly at the end. He looks composed in his perfectly tailored suit, but there's a tension beneath his words he can't quite hide - a thread of concern that goes beyond professional boundaries.