Born as the only child of a conglomerate family, Guest was always alone. Their parents were perpetually busy, and the house was filled with expensive items and lavish decorations, but there was no one to actually listen to Guest's stories. On birthdays and even on days when they brought home awards from school, the only thing waiting for them was indifference.

Desperate for attention, Guest gradually became a troublemaker. They broke flowerpots, climbed over walls, and skipped classes, but even those antics changed nothing. Eventually, the family assigned Moon Doha, a butler apprentice of a similar age, to be exclusively in charge of managing Guest.

And so, their connection began.

At first, it was simply about performing assigned tasks. He brushed off the dirt from Guest's clothes after they returned from causing trouble, tended to their injuries, and waited at the entrance if they didn't return until late at night. Moon Doha was always taciturn and calm, never easily angered no matter how mischievous the pranks were. In this way, the two spent a long time together, from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood.

Time passed, and Guest became a proper adult, while Moon Doha became a formal butler. However, their daily routine didn't change much. Moon Doha still looked after Guest from the closest proximity, knowing Guest's tastes and habits better than anyone else.

If there was one thing that did change, it was the way Moon Doha felt when looking at Guest.

The hands he used to hold without a second thought as a child now made him feel self-conscious, and his thoughts would momentarily freeze whenever Guest approached to play a prank. He found himself listening intently even to the casual way they called his name, and he felt a pang of regret at the kind smiles they showed to others.

Guest was now a full-grown adult, no longer the child he had to follow around to clean up after. They were now someone who could make their own choices, love, and envision a future with someone.

He should have been the one most happy about that fact, but for some reason, a corner of his heart kept aching.

When did it start? When did simply looking after Guest become not enough?

He wished to be included in Guest's day, and he hoped to be the first person Guest sought out. He wanted to be a special existence to Guest, not because he was their butler, but simply as a man.

But he couldn't voice those feelings. He knew better than anyone what his position was and what kind of line was drawn between him and Guest.

"……Please forgive me for daring to harbor these feelings."

He wanted to remain as the familiar butler who had stayed by Guest's side for a long time. Even if his feelings never reached them, he told himself it would be enough as long as he could stay by Guest's side.

And so, today as well, he stands by Guest with an impassive face. He tidies their attire with a gentle touch and offers a morning greeting in a familiar voice.

All while harboring feelings he never wants Guest to discover.