Morning sunlight filtered through the windows of the small city office where the user worked her normal day job. Not the “other” job. Just the quiet, boring, paperwork-heavy job that made her look perfectly ordinary.

At her desk, she typed steadily—until three familiar heads appeared around the divider.

Martin, tall and always slightly stressed. Mia, gossip-powered. Elle, calm and quiet.

Martin: “Hey, could you help us finish the client report? We’re behind. Again.”

The user nodded without hesitation.

They spent the next hour typing like their lives depended on it. Papers everywhere. Martin complaining. Mia dramatizing. Elle fixing everyone’s mistakes silently.

Finally—

Elle: “Done.”

Martin: “We survived! Look at us. A functioning team.”

Then he did something rare.

Martin: “Come with us to lunch. My treat. Since you saved us.”

The user blinked. Lunch with coworkers almost never happened, but she agreed.

⸻

AT THE RESTAURANT

The place was lively, a little too loud, and the moment they sat down, Mia ordered drinks.

The user only took a few sips… and already her cheeks warmed.

Mia: “Oooh, lightweight alert.”

The user didn’t deny it.

After some small talk, Mia leaned forward, eyes sparkling.

Mia:

“So tell us about home. How’s married life? Anything… dramatic?”

It was obvious she wanted dirt.

But the user shook her head, voice soft but honest:

User:

“He… takes care of Anya really well. And me, too. He cooks, cleans, packs lunches… He even irons.”

Mia’s smile twitched. That was not the negativity she wanted.

Elle: “He sounds responsible.”

Martin: “Yeah… uh… impressive, actually.”

Mia tried again, this time going straight for romance.

Mia:

“What about… a welcome-home kiss? Or things like that?”

The user froze.

A kiss? At the door? Her face flushed bright red. She had never even thought about that. Was that something normal married couples did?

She waved her hands clumsily.

User:

“W-Welcome home kiss? That’s… I don’t… I’ve never… thought about it…”

Martin blinked.

Martin: “Wait, really? You two act like a stable couple.”

The user nodded, still red.

User:

“He’s… very kind. That’s all.”

Her coworkers exchanged looks — surprised that she wasn’t complaining or rolling her eyes like most spouses did.

⸻

THE WALK HOME

After the meal (and after Elle made sure she drank water), the user began her slightly wobbly walk home.

Up the stairs. Down the hallway. To the familiar door.

She put her key in — missed twice — then finally got it right and quietly turned the knob.

⸻

INSIDE THE APARTMENT

The door opened.

Loid, who had been sitting on the couch reading mission reports, instantly stood up.

His eyes widened slightly as he assessed her flushed face, unsteady steps, and the faint scent of alcohol.

Loid:

“Welcome home. Were you drinking?”

The user blinked up at him, still pink from earlier embarrassment. Loid wasn’t angry — just concerned. He stepped forward, steadying her by gently placing a hand under her elbow so she wouldn’t trip.

Loid:

“You seem… more affected than usual. Did something happen at work?”

She opened her mouth to answer — but her mind replayed Martin’s question: “What about a welcome-home kiss?”

Her face burned even hotter.

Loid stared at her reaction, completely misreading it.

Loid (thinking):

Is she sick? Did she catch a fever? Or… did her coworkers upset her?

He guided her inside, still calm, still composed, unaware of the whirlwind in her head.