He opened it.
Welcome, dear Furuhiya Uzen,
and congratulations on your new home at Greenberry Residential Complex, Valcrest Ville Estate.
On behalf of the management and development team, we are delighted to welcome you as the owner of this penthouse residence.
We hope this space brings you comfort, privacy, and a sense of belonging from the very first day.
This apartment has been carefully prepared to meet the highest standards of quality and design, and we trust you will enjoy every detail it has to offer, from the panoramic views to the amenities available throughout the complex.
As a small gesture, please accept the enclosed bottle of champagne to celebrate this milestone.
Should you require any assistance, our concierge and support staff are available at all times to ensure your experience here remains seamless and enjoyable.
Once again, welcome to your new home.
Warm regards,
Greenberry Residential Management
Furuhiya exhaled softly, the tension in his shoulders easing without him realizing it.
It wasn't the content of the letter which alarmed him in the first place, but how familiar it felt. "Yeah… figures. Just a plain old welcome letter."
for a second he thought the letter could have been something more important, from the system or someone else completely.
Thankfully it was just a welcome letter.
He set the letter back down on the counter, glancing again at the bottle. This time, it felt less like a message—and more like what it actually was.
A celebration.
He untied the ribbon, reached for a glass, and popped the cork with a clean, satisfying sound.
He poured the champagne slowly, watching the pale gold liquid cascade into the glass. Tiny bubbles rushed to the surface in a steady stream, catching the sunlight that spilled in from the balcony.
It looked crisp, refreshing in that sharp, almost teasing way that made your mouth anticipate the taste before it even touched your lips.
He brought the glass closer, the faint scent reaching him first, light, fruity, with that clean bite that promised a perfect balance between sweetness and dryness.
For a second, everything else faded. The quiet apartment. The long night behind him. The strange feeling of stepping into a life that didn't quite feel like his yet.
This… felt right.
His fingers tightened slightly around the stem as he tilted the glass.
Grrrkk…
He froze.
The sound was unmistakable.
Furuhiya blinked once, then looked down at his stomach as if it had personally betrayed him.
"…Seriously?"
Another, quieter protest followed, less dramatic but just as insistent.
He exhaled through his nose, lowering the glass before it ever reached his lips. The realization settled in fully now, he hadn't eaten since before his night shift.
Not even a snack. Just coffee and whatever kept him going until sunrise.
"Yeah, no," he muttered. "That's a terrible idea."
Drinking on an empty stomach, especially something like this?
He already knew how that would end, and it wasn't worth ruining the moment, or the apartment, with a bad first impression.
With a small shake of his head, he set the glass back on the counter, untouched.
The champagne would wait.
Food wouldn't. Of course, the fridge was empty since he just moved in.
Technically speaking he didn't even move in yet, he just came for sight seeing. Albeit, since the apartment was fully furnished already, he will move in tonight.
He grabbed his keys from the counter, the metallic jingle sharp in the quiet space, and headed toward the door.
A quick glance around, more habit than necessity, and then he stepped out, locking it behind him.
The hallway was just as pristine as before, but he barely paid attention this time. His focus was already on something far more important.
Real food.
He pressed the call button, and within seconds, the private elevator slid open with a soft chime. Exclusive access had seemed like a luxury earlier.
Now, barely an hour later, it just meant he'd get downstairs faster.
Stepping inside, he leaned back slightly as the doors closed, the descent smooth and almost silent.
"First meal in a penthouse life," he murmured under his breath.
It definitely wasn't going to be champagne.
***
Royal kitchen, Valcrest Ville estate.
Furuhiya pulled up to the entrance, where a valet stood waiting beneath the glow of ornate chandeliers.
He stepped out of the car, his clothes old, worn, and strikingly out of place against the restaurant's polished elegance.
The valet hesitated for a brief moment before taking the keys. Without saying much, Furuhiya walked past him and into the restaurant with head held high.
He immediately attracted dirty looks as he was out of place for the restaurant but also curious ones as a few guests saw him leaving the Porsche.
"Sir, hello, " A man in a polished black suit with red stripes called, his voice smooth but edged with formality behind the counter. "Do you have a reservation?"
Furuhiya paused, turning halfway back. "Uh hello… Do I need one?" he asked, not quite meeting the man's eyes.
"I'm afraid so," the man replied. "We are quite full this evening."
"How long would it be?" Furuhiya asked, already reaching into his pocket.
He pulled out his wallet, fumbling slightly as he flipped it open, intending to tuck away the key card he'd forgotten to put back earlier and instead had in his pocket.
The man's gaze followed the movement, then stopped.
For just a moment, between worn leather folds and loose bills, a card caught the light as it was being put back in.
Black. Matte. Trimmed in gold. The insignia was subtle but unmistakable: Greenberry Residential Complex. Penthouse access.
The young man had been trained to recognize such cards, though it took him a few moments to place it, the young man hadn't seen one in years since his training, and only then did he grasp its meaning
The young man stiffened almost imperceptibly. Recognition flickered across his face.
"W-we can arrange something quickly… Please wait for a moment."
The server motioned toward a table by the window, sunlight spilling over polished silverware and crisp white linens. "Right this way, sir," he said, his voice steady but deferential.
Furuhiya walked slowly, absorbing the restaurant's grandeur, when his gaze drifted to a familiar figure.
Rina. He'd seen her once before in the apartment lobby, that same sharp laugh and confident posture, the same smug way she carried herself.
She hadn't noticed him yet, seated with friends near the far side of the room, she looked even more untouchable than earlier.
The server led him to a table near the window, close enough that he could see her clearly without being obvious.
Furuhiya slid into the seat, hands folded over the table, forcing himself to breathe evenly.
Memories from the lobby collided with the present, her laugh, her glance, the sting of old bullying, and a knot of unease settled in his chest.
He exhaled.
Leave stinky old memories where they belong… The past.
Almost to let himself relax, his hand went towards his left pocket and got the keys, leaving them on the table.
He stared at them, trying to force a smile, rather than looking towards Rina.
Despite his worn, out-of-place clothing and the few curious glances he had drawn upon entering, the restaurant's rhythm soon resumed.
Yes, his clothes weren't appropriate for a place like this, but Furuhiya was far too hungry to worry about shopping.
Besides, the guests murmured over menus, the clink of silverware, and the soft laughter filling the space.
Almost everyone had returned to their own world, indifferent to his presence, which gave him a quiet, fleeting sense of relief.
The shift gave him a small measure of ease. He sank slightly into his chair, letting his shoulders loosen, though his eyes couldn't help drifting between his keys and Rina.
His thoughts also shifted towards Hina, his younger sister, wondering how he would deliver the happy news they were rich now.
He would definitely go shopping for some new clothes soon as well, probably with her.
For now, he picked up the menu then raised his hand and called for the waitress.