It's been finished for a while, now...

The Sleepover

The doorbell rings as an image of the children crowding around the intercom appears on the screen. Shinwoo leans in a little too close, blocking out everything except his face, while a smile curls his lips. "Hey! We're here!"

Of course they are. Just like every other day. Sighing, I head over to the foyer to meet them and press the button that opens the door. Yuna and Suya laugh as Shinwoo stumbles in with bags looped over his shoulders, and they make no effort to hide their delight at his suffering. Whatever he did to deserve being forced to carry their luggage seems to be worth it to him, but I have no intention to discover the reason behind this penalty. Shinwoo gracelessly throws the bags on the floor and kicks off his shoes while the others put on their slippers with a little more etiquette.

"I will put these in the spare bedroom." Unable to leave the bags so casually discarded, I reach for the straps, but my hand stops in midair. There are four bags instead of two, and my eyes snap up to Shinwoo immediately. "Why do you have so many bags?"

"Because we're having a sleepover." A deliberate innocence coats Shinwoo's voice, but he can't disguise the mischief on his face.

"You are?" I ask coolly as I stand up straight and cross my arms. The bags are still strewn across the floor at my feet, and I already don't like where this is going.

"Of course." Shinwoo meets my eyes, smirking as he lies to my face. "Didn't Seira tell you?"

"Seira asked about Yuna and Suyi."

He shrugs as if this means nothing. "What's two more?"

"Two too many."

"Chairman, that's harsh!"

I smile sharply with a look that would make anyone go pale. Anyone except Shinwoo. The boy smiles back as if oblivious to the danger in my eyes, and I ease into an expression more fitting of the chairman of a school. "Unlike the girls, you didn't ask. It may be harsh, but you showed bad manners."

"You never said anything against us coming over before and... Regis! He wants us here!"

I turn to the young noble who just came into the foyer. Did he allow the children to come? Without asking me? The children won't see it, so I openly glare. Regis glances behind him to see where I am looking, and when no one else is there, he hesitantly turns to face me once again. His eyes are searching mine, anxious to know what he did to acquire my wrath.

"Regis." The soft tone of my voice is underlaid with a coldness that he will not be able to overlook, and he flinches at the sound of it. "What do you know about this?"

"About the sleepover?"

So he knew. And he didn't think to ask me? I would have expected better from a young noble and...

"Seira asked you about it, right?" The question sounded hesitant but sincere.

"Seira asked about the girls. Explain these two." I motion to Ikhan and Shinwoo. The first nervously lifts his hand in an awkward wave. Saying nothing, he lowers it again, and his gaze falls along with his hand as he stares at what must be a particularly interesting spot on the floor. The latter unleashes a toothy grin as if this argument has already been won.

"I can't," Regis belatedly answers my question. I would gladly put all the blame on him, but this child radiates confusion. I'm not angry enough to frighten him further. Not yet.

"Please, can't we just have the sleepover today? Next time we'll ask beforehand." If you could give Shinwoo credit for something, then it would be for his persistence.

But next time? There will be no next time. I am even going to prevent this time. "It simply wouldn't be appropriate with ladies-"

"They don't mind." Shinwoo dares to interrupt me, and he turns to face the girls. "We had sleepovers all the time when we were kids. Right, Yuna?"

She doesn't answer right away. For a moment, I think that she may be too timid to contradict me, but the silence only lasts a few seconds. She meets Suyi's eyes, and they both shrug before she turns back to me. "We don't mind."

I'm running out of excuses. "Yes, but you have grown since then. It may have been acceptable as children, but you are now young adults."

"But you're here, Chairman." The words are sickeningly sweet, and Shinwoo expects to win me over with a little flattery. "We couldn't get anything past you. This is no different than spending time together after school. The girls will sleep in Seira's room, and we'll sleep in Regis or Rai's room." This seems to have sparked an idea, and he looks behind me to the living room where I know my master is waiting. "Rai, you want us here, right?"

I slowly look back, hoping there will be disapproval on my master's face, but I already know that I have just lost my ground. Master gently dips his head in a nod, and I am instantly overruled. "Very well. You may stay."

"Thanks, Rai!" Shinwoo flashes past me, followed by Ikhan, and they both throw their arms around my master, encompassing him in a mixture of a dogpile and a hug. "We owe you!"

My master's eyes widen in surprise, and he looks at me with a mortified expression. I step in at once, tapping Shinwoo's shoulder as a careful warning. "Now, boys-"

"And thank you, Chairman!" Shinwoo twists around, wrapping his arms around me so that my arms are pinned underneath his. Ikhan, at least, is wise enough not to join in on this assault.

"Shinwoo," I free one arm with enough feigned effort to look realistic, "this is-"

"Help me before he gets away!" Shinwoo glares at his friend, and Ikhan very hesitantly grabs the sleeve of my free arm. "Come on, Rai! Show the chairman how grateful you are that we can stay the night!"

A hand softly touches my shoulder, and I can't bring myself to look back at my master's face. My intent to escape wavers, and Shinwoo realizes this instantly. His hold tightens around me, encouraging a bravery in the others. They are as surprised as I am that I am standing still and letting them hug me.