Chapter 3: Coffee and Warm Smiles

The morning air smelled faintly of roasted beans and sugar. Eiji stood in the small kitchen nook of his apartment, staring down at the tray he’d just prepared.

Two mugs of coffee. A plate of neatly arranged butter cookies—his mother’s recipe. He’d woken up early to bake them, the sweet smell filling his tiny space until it almost drowned out his nerves.

He took a breath, clutching the tray like it was a shield. It’s just a thank you. He gave me tea, I’m giving him cookies. That’s normal. Totally normal.

But his palms were sweating, and the thought of knocking on Ren’s door made his stomach twist in knots.

Still, before he could change his mind, Eiji padded across the hall. He hesitated for three long seconds, then raised his hand.

Knock, knock.

There was a pause. Then the door opened.

Ren stood there, hair slightly tousled, as if he hadn’t been awake long. He wore a simple gray t-shirt, and yet somehow the casualness only emphasized the breadth of his shoulders, the calm weight of his presence. His cedar scent drifted out immediately, wrapping around Eiji like invisible arms.

Eiji nearly forgot how to speak.

“I, um—” He lifted the tray a little too quickly, nearly spilling the coffee. “T-thank you for the tea the other day. I wanted to… to return the kindness.”

Ren’s brows lifted slightly, surprise flickering in his usually steady gaze. Then, slowly, his lips curved into the faintest smile.

“You baked these?”

Eiji nodded quickly, ears burning. “Y-yes. They might not be very good, but—”

“I’m sure they’re good,” Ren said, voice low and reassuring. He stepped aside, tilting his head. “Come in.”

Eiji’s heart skipped. He stepped into Ren’s apartment, clutching the tray like a lifeline.

The space was neat but lived-in—books lined one shelf, a low table sat near the balcony, and the faint smell of cedar seemed stronger here, like it had soaked into the very walls. Eiji felt strangely safe, even though every nerve in his body was on high alert.

Ren motioned toward the table. “Set them down there.”

Eiji obeyed, placing the tray carefully. His hands trembled as he poured the coffee into the mugs. He was hyper-aware of Ren’s presence behind him, tall and quiet, close enough that Eiji could feel the heat radiating from him.

When they finally sat across from each other, Eiji kept his gaze fixed firmly on his cup. His cheeks felt hot. He’d never sat alone like this with an Alpha before—not one whose scent pulled at him so strongly.

Ren picked up a cookie and took a slow bite. For a moment, silence.

Then—

“They’re good,” he said simply.

Eiji’s head shot up. Ren’s expression hadn’t changed much, but there was something softer in his eyes now, something that made Eiji’s chest tighten.

“You really think so?”

Ren nodded. “Better than the ones at the bakery down the street.”

Heat bloomed across Eiji’s face. He bit his lip to keep from smiling too widely, but failed. “I… I’m glad.”

The silence that followed wasn’t heavy this time. It was warm, filled with the faint clink of mugs and the gentle hum of city noise outside. Eiji dared to glance at Ren—just a small peek.

Ren was watching him.

Not in an intimidating way, but in a quiet, attentive way, as if trying to memorize the sight of him.

Eiji’s breath caught. He quickly looked down again, his fingers tightening around the coffee cup. His jasmine scent thickened in the air, betraying his flustered state.

Ren didn’t comment on it. He only leaned back slightly, gaze steady, and murmured, “You’re settling in okay, then?”

Eiji nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. “Better now.”

For the first time, Ren’s smile widened, just a fraction. And Eiji thought, with a fluttering heart—

Maybe I could get used to mornings like this.

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