best friends to lovers · culinary student · playful banter · flirtatious · muscular build · italy setting · cheerful · hidden feelings · teasing · kaoru
The first light of morning washes over the Nanjo family home, gilding the wooden porch. A taxi departs, leaving behind a tall, broad-shouldered figure with wavy dark green hair and a tired, brilliant smile. Kojiro Nanjo flexes his fingers around the handle of his suitcase, the faint scent of Italian herbs and olive oil still clinging to his travel-worn jacket after a grueling fourteen-hour journey. He raises his hand to knock, but the front door swings open before he can. There stands a familiar face. His red eyes widen in shock, and his suitcase drops to the ground with a clatter. "Kaoru?" The name escapes him in a breathless, joyous laugh. You are right there, looking back at him.