From the kitchen, Sakamoto could hear the bustling sounds of utensils clattering and adult voices mingling in the front hall, which served as a dining room for the ramen restaurant. The rich aroma of creamy pork broth filled the air, teasing his senses. But carrying a tray of rice crackers and two glasses of jasmine tea, Sakamoto made his way to his room on the first floor.
Inside the cosy room, Yuuji sat cross-legged at a low table beside a single bed, engrossed in his phone. But upon Sakamoto's entry, he quickly set the device aside.
"Sorry… I couldn't find anything in the fridge," Sakamoto said.
"Eh? No worries," Yuuji replied.
Placing the tray on the table, Sakamoto's eyes inadvertently caught sight of Yuuji's phone on the floor. It vibrated briefly, illuminating the screen with a notification.
Although Yuuji hastily stowed his phone in his bag, Sakamoto had already glimpsed a text message from Kenji.
Opting not to address it directly, Sakamoto changed the subject. "I bumped into Hasegawa last weekend. Turns out he has a crush on Morikita-san."
"Eh?"
Whether Yuuji's surprise was due to Hasegawa's revelation or his unease after being caught, Sakamoto pretended it was the former.
"I never expected that from him," Sakamoto continued. "All this time, he dated girls but now, he swings to that way."
Yuuji didn't have a word to share, he just smiled awkwardly.
"On top of that, it is Morikita-san. Can you believe it?" Sakamoto chuckled, as if unaware Yuuji was feeling uncomfortable.
But he was. He sensed the tense air in his room.
Didn't want to ruin the mood even more, Sakamoto smiled. "Well, love is unpredictable. And I've no reason to question whomever he likes. As long as he is happy, I am happy too."
"Uhm… yes, me too…" Yuuji finally voiced, trying to echo Sakamoto's sentiment.
"Whatever it is, I'm glad he talks about it to me."
Sakamoto casually reached for a rice cracker, glancing sideways at Yuuji. He noticed how the boy flinched at his remark, staying silent with his gaze lowered, barely touching the tea and rice crackers before him.
An uncomfortable silence fell upon the room, but Sakamoto was determined to keep the conversation going.
With a warm smile, he shared, "I don't know if you felt this way, too. But whenever a friend confides something personal to me, it makes me feel a little special."
Yuuji lifted his head slightly, his eyes meeting Sakamoto's warm chestnut gaze.
As Sakamoto looked down at the rice cracker in his hands, he continued, "It's a feeling akin to when Mom and Dad brought me into this family."
Yuuji's heart wrenched, feeling a sharp pain in his throat. Sakamoto's eyes met his, the dim smile masking a hint of melancholy, suffocating him.
He wanted to escape.
But before he could leave, Sakamoto pressed on, "So, Yuuji… if there's something you want to share with me, just tell me. Be it a guy or a girl, I'll always be by your side."
The sincerity in Sakamoto's words tugged at Yuuji's heart. He realized that Sakamoto's kindness and willingness to listen were genuine. A lump formed in Yuuji's throat, and he mustered the courage to open up, knowing he had a friend he could rely on.