SSS-Class Profession: The Path to Mastery

I stepped into the apartment just as the morning sun began creeping through the windows. I half-expected silence, the others still asleep after the long day before. But instead—

The scent of something warm, familiar.

I barely had time to process before—

"Where were you?"

Sienna's voice cut through the quiet.

I looked up to find her standing in the kitchen, arms crossed, worry creased between her brows. A mug of tea rested in her hand, steam curling into the air.

Behind her, Camille stretched lazily on the couch, barely awake, her hair a mess. Alexis sat beside her, eyes half-lidded as she clung to her coffee like it was her only lifeline.

...They were all awake?

Damn. I was hoping to just slip back in unnoticed.

I exhaled. "Needed some air."

Sienna didn't look convinced.