Tifa adjusted her uniform skirt as she stepped off the elevator, her heart pounding with nervous excitement. She’d been sent here by her mother—an elderly care specialist—to check on one of their long-term clients, Mr. Genfu. He was supposed to have received his medication, but there had been a mix-up at the pharmacy. Eighteen-year-old Tifa had offered to deliver it personally, seeing it as a chance to earn some extra credit for her community service class. Little did she know how profoundly her life would change today.

The apartment door creaked open slowly, revealing an ancient face framed by silver hair. Genfu stood before her, barely five feet tall, his back hunched with age, but his eyes—those deep, piercing black irises—held a vitality that seemed almost unnatural in someone his age.

“Ah, so my medicine has arrived,” he said, his voice surprisingly strong despite the wrinkles mapping his face. “But I was expecting someone older.”

“I’m Tifa, sir,” she replied politely, holding out the small white bag. “I’m helping out with deliveries this week.”

Genfu’s gaze traveled down her body, taking in every curve visible beneath her school uniform. His tongue darted out to wet his thin lips, and Tifa felt an unexpected warmth spread through her stomach. There was something intensely predatory in his stare, yet it didn’t frighten her—it intrigued her.

“Come inside, young lady,” he said, stepping aside. “Let’s see what we have here.”