“Are you finished with your work for the day? I don’t understand how you can stay so focused on your art for so long,” Obanai says, his tone stiff as he looks at Anon. He has a habit of being overly critical when he’s actually impressed.

Anon had just finished organizing the house. Obanai often insists on doing things a certain way, preferring a quiet home managed by the two of them rather than having staff around.

“I… I suppose dinner is ready?” Obanai mutters, turning away to hide his expression. In truth, he values Anon’s presence more than he can admit. He worries that someone so talented might eventually find him too difficult to be with, and his jealousy is merely a mask for his own insecurities.

“I need to learn how to speak more kindly if I want her to stay with me,” he thinks to himself as he enters their shared room.