"Is everything okay?" his mom asked, noticing his sudden shift in expression.
Kiyoto snapped out of his thoughts and forced a smile, nodding quickly. "Yeah, just tired. I'll be careful, Mom. Don't worry."
But as he left the home, the unease lingered, the weight of that mysterious message still heavy on his mind.
He resolved to tell no one.
Back at the dormitory, exhaustion claimed him. Deciding to skip his usual routine, he headed straight to bed. While drawing the curtains, his eyes caught a shadowy figure standing below, staring up at him.
His breath hitched. Shaking his head, he forced himself to dismiss it.
"It's nothing" he muttered, trying to stifle the gnawing fear. Convincing himself it was all in his head, he laid down and willed himself to sleep.
Suddenly, a loud noise jolted him awake. Heart pounding, he sat up, blinking against the harsh daylight streaming through the curtains. It was already afternoon.
The knocking at his door was relentless now, sharp and urgent. He froze, unsure of what to do, his breath hitching as unease wrapped around him like a cold fog.
Then, cutting through the tension, came a voice—his name, spoken with familiarity
It was Miyano.
Relief washed over him as he exhaled shakily. Gathering himself, he moved to open the door.
"What the heck, Kiyoto?! What were you doing? What took you so long to open the door?"
Miyano's voice rang through the dorm room, sharp and filled with frustration.
Kiyoto stood there, stunned into silence. He opened his mouth to respond but couldn't find the words.
Miyano's sharp eyes scanned him, and his expression shifted from anger to disbelief. "Wait… were you sleeping till now?" he asked, his tone a mix of surprise and exasperation.
Kiyoto glanced away, scratching the back of his head awkwardly, unable to meet Miyano's gaze. "I… guess I was," he mumbled.
"You scared me! You didn't come yesterday, and today too, you didn't show up. I thought you were ill," Miyano said, his tone softening with concern. "That's why I came to check on you."
Kiyoto hesitated, the weight of the previous night still fresh in his mind. He avoided Miyano's gaze, unsure of how to explain.
"What happened to you?" Miyano asked, stepping closer, his voice filled with worry.
Kiyoto sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's… nothing. Just a rough night," he said quietly, hoping Miyano wouldn't press further.
"What rough day? Why didn't you come yesterday? You've never skipped class before," Miyano pressed, his brows furrowed in concern.
Kiyoto's gazed away , his voice barely above a whisper. "Yesterday… I went home. It was my father's death anniversary."
Miyano's expression softened instantly, the irritation melting away. "Oh… I didn't know. I'm sorry," he said, his voice filled with empathy.
Kiyoto nodded faintly but said nothing, the silence between them heavy with unspoken emotions.
"So, your mom must be alone there, right?" Miyano asked gently, his tone laced with concern.
Kiyoto nodded, a faint, bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, she's all by herself. But… she never shows her weakness."
He paused, his gaze distant. "After Dad passed away, she didn't stop for a second. She kept working tirelessly. Everything she's done… it's all been for me."
Miyano stayed quiet, his expression softening as he watched Kiyoto wrestle with his emotions. "She sounds like an incredible woman," Miyano finally said, offering a small, encouraging smile.
Kiyoto sat on the bed, a soft smile forming on his face. "Yeah," he said, his voice filled with quiet determination. "I want to do everything I can for her."
After a brief pause, he continued, "Anyway, I've already decided—I'm going to find a part-time job this semester. I tried at a few places before, but nothing worked out."
Miyano thought for a moment before sitting beside him. "Alright then, let's try together this time," he said with a confident smile.
Kiyoto blinked, surprised. "Together? Why do you need a part-time job?"
Miyano grinned. "My family is rich, sure—but that doesn't make me rich. I should earn something for myself too."
Kiyoto chuckled softly, still a little taken aback. "Alright, let's go and find one."
"Deal," Miyano replied, his grin widening.
Kiyoto couldn't believe they were standing outside a big, fancy restaurant. He glanced at Miyano, who seemed completely at ease.
"Come on, let's go inside," Miyano said confidently.
"Do you really think they'll give us the job?" Kiyoto asked, doubt clouding his voice.
As they stepped in, the place took Kiyoto's breath away. It was elegant and vibrant, with chandeliers casting a soft glow across polished floors. They sat down, and Miyano called for a waiter.
The waiter approached with a smile, holding out the menu. "Yes, sir, here's the menu."
Miyano shook his head lightly. "Thanks, but I'd like to meet your manager."
The waiter froze for a moment, his smile faltering. "What? Why, sir? Is there something wrong?"
Miyano waved it off casually. "No, no, nothing like that. I just need to ask something."
The waiter relaxed and nodded. "Okay, sir, please wait a moment. I'll inform him."
As the waiter left, Kiyoto leaned closer, his nervousness spilling out. "Miyano, are you really serious about this?"
"Of course! Don't overthink it. We'll definitely get the job," Miyano said confidently, brushing aside Kiyoto's worries.
Moments later, the waiter returned. "Excuse me, sir. Please come this way," he said, gesturing politely.
Miyano stood up, flashing a reassuring smile at Kiyoto. "You wait here. I'll talk to him, okay?"
"I'll come with you," Kiyoto offered, standing up.
"No, stay here. Let me handle it," Miyano insisted before walking off with the waiter.
Left alone, Kiyoto fidgeted, his nerves growing with each passing second. Finally, he saw Miyano returning with a blank expression.
Kiyoto quickly got up, concern etched on his face. "It's okay. We can try other places," he said, trying to sound optimistic.
Miyano's face suddenly broke into a bright grin. "I was just kidding. We got the job!"
Kiyoto stared at him in disbelief. "What?"
"Yep," Miyano said, grinning ear to ear. "We start tomorrow!"
They stepped out of the restaurant, both of them grinning with excitement.
Kiyoto, still processing everything, turned to Miyano with a puzzled expression. "Did they mention the salary?"
Miyano nodded, his smile widening. "Yes, it'll be based on our work. Anyway, it'll be more than ¥2,500 an hour."
Kiyoto's eyes widened. "That's really good for a part-time job!"
Miyano grinned. "Yeah, it's a pretty decent start. Let's make sure we do well."
But suddenly, Kiyoto stopped in his tracks.
Miyano, noticing the shift, asked, "What happened?"
Kiyoto turned to him, his expression serious. "Miyano, answer me honestly. I want to know the reality behind this. How did we get the job so easily? And the salary—it's really high. Is it... is it your father's restaurant?"