-Keizuke Kizaki-
The sound of running water filled the small kitchen as I rinsed off the last of the plates. Beside me, Suzuki-san quietly dried the utensils with a kitchen towel, her movements smooth and careful.
It was a strange sight-someone else in my space, standing beside me like this, sharing such an ordinary moment.
I wasn't used to it.
I handed her another plate, and our fingers brushed for the briefest second. She didn't react, just took it and continued wiping it dry. I, on the other hand, found myself too aware of the simple contact.
Ridiculous.
Clearing my throat, I focused back on the dishes. The weight of silence between us wasn't uncomfortable, but it carried something unspoken. Something I wasn't sure I wanted to name.
When we finished, Suzuki-san set the last dish in its place and turned to me.
"Thanks for the meal, Kizaki-kun," she said with a small smile. "And for letting me stay."
I leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "You cooked. It's only fair."
She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Still, I had a good time."
I didn't respond immediately. She had a way of saying things so simply, making it seem like it was the most natural thing in the world to share a meal like this. To just be in the same space.
Maybe for her, it was.
For me, it was something I hadn't felt in a long time.
She grabbed her things and headed toward the door. I followed a few steps behind, watching as she put on her shoes.
"Goodnight, Kizaki-kun," she said, turning back slightly.
I met her gaze. "Goodnight, Suzuki-san."
And then, just like that, she was gone.
The soft click of the door closing echoed in the quiet apartment.
I let out a slow breath, running a hand through my hair as I glanced at the now-empty kitchen. The warmth of her presence still lingered, yet the loneliness settled in almost immediately.
It was strange.
I had spent so much time getting used to silence. I had learned to live with it, to embrace it.
But now... now it felt different.
Now, it felt cold.
- Minami -
The soft buzzing of my phone broke the quiet of my apartment. I glanced at the screen, my breath catching for a second.
Hayato.
A familiar warmth spread in my chest, but I quickly pushed it down. Why was he calling me this late?
I hesitated before answering. "Hello?"
But the voice that greeted me wasn't his.
"Ah, are you a friend of Hayato?" a man's voice asked, deep and slightly rough. "He's had too much to drink. Can you come pick him up?"
My brows furrowed. "Who is this?"
"Kusei Shiraishi. I'm the bartender at Horizon," he replied. "Your friend's completely wasted. Can't let him leave like this."
A sigh left my lips. Hayato wasn't a heavy drinker, but when he did drink like this, it was usually because something was weighing on his mind.
I tightened my grip on the phone. "I'll be there soon. Just... keep an eye on him."
"Yeah, don't worry," Kusei said, a hint of amusement in his tone. "I'm keeping him from breaking things."
I hung up and quickly grabbed my coat.
Hayato... what are you doing to yourself?
And why... why am I always the one running to you?
-Hayato Higahashi-
The amber liquid in my glass swirled lazily as I tilted it, watching the dim lights of the bar reflect off its surface. I had lost count of how many drinks I'd had. Not that it mattered.
I wasn't here for the taste. I was here because I needed to forget.
Forget the way she looked at him.
Forget the way she laughed-really laughed-with him.
I gripped the glass tighter, my knuckles turning white.
I had seen them at the shopping complex earlier that day. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence. But then I saw how comfortable they were together. How she followed behind him, how they fell into easy conversation, how she smiled in a way I hadn't seen in a long time.
And then the ramen shop.
I didn't need to hear their conversation to know what was happening. I could see it in her eyes. In the way she let her guard down around him. In the way she let him in.
I took another burning sip, letting the alcohol sting my throat.
It wasn't supposed to be this way.
Miya... she was always someone I wanted to protect. Someone I thought would always be by my side.
And yet, for the first time, I felt like I was losing her.
A bitter chuckle escaped my lips. Maybe I never had her to begin with.
I waved at the bartender for another round, barely noticing the concerned look he shot me.
I just needed to drown this feeling, even if it was only for tonight.
-Minami Kaga-
The bar was dimly lit, filled with the scent of alcohol and the quiet murmur of conversations. As I stepped inside, my eyes immediately landed on him.
Hayato was slumped over the counter, fingers loosely gripping an empty glass, his eyes glazed over. The bartender, Kusei, gave me a knowing look before nodding toward Hayato.
I sighed and walked closer. He looked... lost.
Not the Hayato I knew-the one who always carried himself with confidence, who had a sharp remark ready, who protected the people he cared about.
This Hayato was drowning in something deeper than alcohol.
Another drink was placed in front of him. Before he could reach for it, I swiftly grabbed the glass and pulled it away.
Hayato blinked at me in slow realization. "Minami...?" His voice was slurred, barely above a whisper.
I placed the glass back on the counter-far from his reach-and crossed my arms. "That's enough."
He chuckled dryly, resting his forehead against his palm. "What, are you my babysitter now?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Do you even realize what you're doing to yourself?"
He didn't respond, only letting out a tired sigh.
I grabbed his arm and forced him up, making him stumble slightly. "Drinking like this won't change anything. It won't help you."
His expression darkened for a moment, but he didn't resist. Maybe a part of him knew I was right.
"Come on," I muttered, leading him toward the exit.
The bartender gave me a knowing look as I supported Hayato out of the bar and into a waiting taxi.
The ride was silent.
Hayato leaned against the window, his breathing slow, his eyes half-lidded. He didn't say anything, but I could feel the weight of his emotions pressing down on him.
When we arrived at his apartment, I helped him inside, guiding him toward his bed. He collapsed onto the mattress with a heavy sigh, rubbing his face tiredly.
I let out a breath, reaching for the blanket to cover him when-
**Suddenly, his hand shot out.**
Before I could react, he pulled me forward with unexpected strength, and I lost my balance.
I barely had time to brace myself before I landed against him-my hands pressed against his chest.
And then-
**My lips touched his.**
My entire body froze.
It was only for a second-just a brief, accidental brush. But it was enough.
Enough for my heart to skip a beat. Enough for heat to rush to my face.
I quickly pushed myself up, breaking the contact. My pulse was erratic, my breath unsteady.
Hayato blinked at me, still hazy from the alcohol, as if he hadn't fully registered what just happened.
I clenched my fists, my face burning.
**"Idiot."**
With that, I hurriedly pulled the blanket over him and stormed out of the room, my heart still pounding wildly in my chest.