Ryuusei had just finished showering from the gym's washroom. While wiping his hair, he look at his phone's clock.
"I guess I'll stop by Naruse's shop.."
He continued putting on his spare clothes and wore his bag before he thought again,
"Wait... Is his shift today?" he paused before continuing his walk, "I guess it doesn't hurt to give it a try,"
Ryuusei walked out of the building and stared at the yellow sky. Evenings at small and rural town like this hits difference. It felt calmer and he could hear the nature's sound clearly.
He decided not to use his earphones today and enjoys the sounds of nature by himself. The birds mellow chirping in the sky, all of them must be heading towards their nest. The nocturnal insects and animals waking up to start their days under the moon light, all of this makes Ryuusei felt somehow at ease.
"Ah, the stars must be so bright here as well," He looked at the town and considering theres only a few who have cars and the only tallest structure is the megaphone speaker and water tank, enjoying the night sky would be the best.
Soon, Ryuusei arrived at the said shop and entered without hesistating. In a second, he was greeted by the same man, Naruse.
"Oh!! Ryuusei! Welcome!" the older boy stopped arranging the cups in the shelf and quickly turned to Ryuusei.
"Your hot chocolate back then was very delicious," Ryuusei smiled before continuing, "But did you also offer it in iced serving?"
"Yep! Coming right up!" Naruse cheerfully went to the kitchen and starts making the others order.
While waiting, Ryuusei sat on the counter seat and took out his phone. Theres a message from Taiki.
Taiki : Yo man! Im sorry i couldnt bring ya to the kamechis steamed buns store today! Got sum family errands!
Ryuusei: Nah its okay. You can show it to me anytime.
"Alright, that should do," he thought, "maybe i could bring him here too someday"
Ryuusei observed the shop's interior and let him deep into his own thoughts. Naruse who just finished the iced chocolate noticed him spacing out and decided to put the drink in front of the boy.
"Missing someone?" he asked, causing the other to startle from the sudden noise.
"Oh! No, no I'm just thinking about bringing my friend here someday too"
Naruse paused before smirking, "A friend or girlfriend?"
Ryuusei who was just trying to enjoy his iced chocolate peacefully, almost choked hearing it.
"What makes you think I have a girlfriend? I barely just moved here?"
Naruse giggled and replied,"Wow! Your reaction sure is surprising! I thought you'd be the composed and stoic type actually"
The other boy sighed, " No, I just dont really have the energy to be that 'emotional'? I dont know, back in my place its either you have like tons of friends to hype each other and get yourself stabbed in the back by them or have only a few called friends and mostly spend times alone"
Naruse kept quiet for awhile before resting his hand on his chin, facing Ryuusei.
"Well, am I your friend?"
Ryuusei was a bit surprised, but he chuckled before replying, " Well, I guess so"
Naruse eyes lit up, "You can always come to me if you feel bored or want to have someone to talk to"
Ryuusei was taken a back to the other's unexpected statement.
The sky had turned fully dark, and the hot temperature turned cold as the night had veiled the stars.
"I guess its going to rain tonight," Ryuusei muttered, eyes fixed to the sky. His hope to indulge in the night sky is far from his reach from today as the clouds are getting thicker. The cold wind filled the room in whim through his opened window.
He sighed before closing the window tight, not
wanting any raindrop wet his bed when he was asleep.
Ryuusei then laid and tucked himself under his blanket and tried to sleep. But he couldnt stop remembering his conversation with Naruse back then.
"Ah, please dont misunderstand anything, Im just genuinely wanted to be friends with you" Naruse claimed, waving his hands sideways.
Ryuusei kept quiet and soon replied, "Nah, dont worry, I dont think any funny ideas"
Hearing that, Naruse smiled and leaned closer,
"Do you wanna know a secret?"
That caught Ryuusei's attention, but what he says next is truly something he would ever think of.
"This little town actually holds so many urban stories about the night sky here," he paused before standing up and wipe his hands on his apron, "Next time you come here, I'll tell you! For now, i think you should head back home~ its quite late~"
Ryuusei buried his face on his pillows and tried his best to get off the image of Naruse's face close to him.