Inside a quaint coffee shop near Sasaki High, a sense of tranquillity enveloped the space, complemented by the gentle drizzle outside. Behind the glass wall where Yuuji sat, droplets formed a damp mosaic, hinting at the coldness of the weather, though it hardly bothered him. There was a comforting solace in the warmth of the cup he held in his hands.
Yuuji lifted his gaze to the front and found himself meeting Kenji's eyes. Yet, he quickly averted his gaze, a silent admission that he hadn't yet gathered the courage to speak his mind.
Empathizing with Yuuji's unease, Kenji decided to initiate the conversation, acknowledging his past mistakes. "I can't blame you if you're still angry with me, Yuuji. I said hurtful things without hearing your side… I'm sorry…"
Yuuji looked up once more, observing the melancholic undertone in Kenji's words.
"Sakamoto-kun told me everything about you, and about how he feels for Kaoru," Kenji said, a shadow of a smile appearing as he toyed with an empty glass cup. "It's pointless for me to continue being a good brother when he doesn't need one."
"Ueda-san…"
"I'm a useless brother after all… a sibling committing an unforgivable act."
Yuuji remained silent, allowing Kenji to express the disappointment he had kept hidden from everyone else. A rare sight graced his expressionless face as a smile emerged, though it seemed reluctant to reveal itself to the world. Furrowing his eyebrows, his emotions intensified.
This display was something Yuuji seldom witnessed, and he recognized that he was the cause of Kenji's suffering.
He knew it needed to stop.
Despite his lingering hesitation, Yuuji found the strength to speak, confessing his feelings. "Ueda-san… I— I took advantage of not just Naoki-kun, but also you. When you asked me how I could be so selfish… I still don't know… but I loathe myself for it."
Kenji placed the cup back on its saucer as if lacking the strength to hold it or perhaps the warmth around the glass was too much for him.
And as silence hung in the air, he allowed Yuuji to continue sharing his emotions.
"I know you don't love me for who I am to you. Our relationship wasn't built on the love I yearned for. There was no love—not even a brother's love existed within you."
The warmth of the cup in Yuuji's hand gradually diminished, and when he looked up, he noticed that the smile on Kenji's face had likewise faded.
"I am not Naoki-kun… nor am I Kaoru-san's brother. I am not a part of your past either. And because of that, Ueda-san…"
As the smile in front of him disappeared, Yuuji collected his smile, despite the pain welling within.
"If you were to step away from me… I understand."
Try as he might, Yuuji's eyes couldn't contain the overwhelming blend of bitter emotions. However much he longed for Kenji's embrace, his love alone lacked the strength to keep the man from departing.
And like the fragile bond they shared, tears streamed down Yuuji's cheeks, unable to be held back any longer.