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This kid really wasn't going to give up? How annoying.
Narukami smiled at him from his apartment's counter. The boy was chopping some cabbage.
"You should really take better care of yourself, Adachi-san."
He shifted and laughed at the reprimand. So demanding. When did he ask for a kids opinion?
"Ah, its fine. That's the way of adults. Anyways, who invited you in?"
He tossed the cabbage and chopped onions into the pan, before pouring canned tuna on top and dashing miscellaneous sauces on top. Then, he covered the pan and lowered the temperature. Finally, he turned back to Tohru.
"Do you want a beer to drink or water?"
"Don't dodge the question. Breaking and entering is a serious crime."
The boy who was interrupted looked surprised for a second before closing his eyes and exhaling.
"Since Adachi-san is so persistent, I asked the landlord for spare keys. She was relieved to see someone looking out for your health, you know?"
His smile remained and the kid's kind look felt poisonous.
What a nuisance. Get out of my way. I don't need your misplaced sympathy.
"Whatever. Grab me a beer."
Narukami nodded and opened the fridge.
The thump of a cold can hit the shoddy table, and the boy returned to the kitchen, scooping fluffy rice onto a plate. Tohru watched the condensation roll down the metal, and smeared the water on the lacquered wood in geometric shapes. The wetness of it made him feel cold.
Soon enough, a steaming plate of food was placed in front of him and he poked at it cautiously.
"...What kind of dish is this?"
The kid sat in the chair across from him, watching Tohru.
"It's a filipino recipe. I learned it from an old friend in the city. I saw you had a lot of cabbage in the fridge."
The vegetable in question pierced his soul with a heavy gaze from the plate.
"..."
Urgh, this was why he didn't want him to come over. Bonds were such a hassle. He was being force fed something disgusting again.
"Adachi-san?"
"I'll eat it, I'll eat it."
He picked up the chopsticks and bit into rice garnished with the dish. The cabbage flavour was surprisingly muted, kept in check by the tuna and onion. It was slightly sour as well which only served to heighten the savoury fish taste.
"So?"
Tohru looked up from the table and met the boy's gaze. He looked back at the food.
"Its not bad."
Narukami had a content look on his face. He couldn't bare to look at it.
"Shouldn't you be doing homework right now instead of watching me eat? Your grades could slip if you aren't careful."
"I'm grateful my senior is looking out for me. I've already studied enough this week, though."
If only the teen would get the message and go home already. This whole charade was a waste of time. In the end they would go back to being strangers when Narukami moved back to the city, the bond he struggled so hard to forge rusting away in the spring rain.
When the snow melted, Tohru would go back to his uneventful life in a dead end job and the teen would move on to new adventures with different friends. That was the way the world worked.
The exciting summer of last year would be nothing but a faint memory, carried away by the fog as the train left Inaba.
"Ah, well. Not everyone has such a smart attitude as you, Narukami-kun. Besides, where did you come up with 'senior'? I'm not even thirty yet!"
He leaned forwards and flicked the boy in the forehead. Surprised, he let out a noise of discontent.
"I'm only teasing, Adachi-san."
The teen laughed. Tohru shook his head.
He put down his chopsticks and pushed the plate away.
"I'm finished."
The boy nodded and picked up the plate, taking it over to the counter and rinsing it.
Tohru took a swig of his beer again, watching from the corner of his eye how the kid turned just in time to watch his adams apple bob with the gulp. Narukami caught his eye and Tohru had to look away from the fondness in his face.
When the dishes were washed, Narukami hesitated by the counter. Tohru held back a scoff.
"Well, it's late. You should head home before Dojima-san strangles us both."
The boy seemed a bit sad, but he nodded and grabbed his things. He stood by the door, waiting. Tohru remained at the table, nursing his beer.
"Adachi-"
"I'm coming."
He stood and made his way to the door, taking his time. Standing at the entrance, he had to look up to meet the boy's eyes. He leaned against the frame and swished the beer in the can in bored circles.
"Best be off, then."
Narukami's eyes followed the can for a second before meeting Tohru head on. He felt sweat roll like condensation down his back.
"I'll be off. See you soon."
A slender hand reached up and blocked his vision, making him flinch. He felt Narukami ruffle his hair before pulling him closer. Something warm pressed against his head and he could only see the kid's shirt collar and pale neck from where he was boxed in.
The warmth of that child pulled away again, leaving the cold in its wake. Tohru laughed awkwardly, stumbling back into the apartment. Narukami simply smiled in response.
"Goodnight, Adachi-san."
"N-night."
He shut the door in the teen's face and stood in the entryway staring blankly at the door. His expression slid back into neutrality.
Dumbass. Doesn't he know nothing will come of this? What a bother.
"You're nothing but a pain, you know that?"
On the other side of the boundary, Yu rested his forehead against the door. His expression was unreadable.
The make-believe love was ended once more.