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He walked up to the stand, the hands inside the pockets and the lost gaze the defining traits of his personality. Sononi was probably still running from the law with Inu Brother, while Sonoza was on one of his many trips, never leaving aside his personal assignment to watch over the clumsy mangaka's work.
Five months.
He wasn't fully adapted to this world yet. He relished on human culture, but wasn't used to it yet, so that's why it felt strange to realize it had finally been five months. Five months ever since that winter. Five months since he lost everything he could've ever hoped to have at some point.
He was still okay, at least. During the first months he managed to keep his composure. During the last ones, he'd been reading Haruka's manuscript over and over, expecting those words to be enough for his ill heart to rest for a moment.
"Hanpen's really good" said someone between bites.
"It's everyone's favorite" answered the stand's owner with precaution.
Sonoi focused his gaze once he got close, his steps stopping as did his heart just for an instant. The brown haired was sitting there, tasting the food, and even if he couldn't see his face, the sensation was the same as he would've have if they were facing each other right away.
"Ah. Here again." The cook would've liked to give him a smile, but the situation was just as uncomfortable for him.
"I am."
He sat, by instinct, right at Taro's side, prompting the boy to stare at him for a while before returning to his lunch. Sonoi resisted the urge to stare back, knowing that any tiny interaction could betray his actual thoughts. The cook served him the usual without a word, which surprised the other client.
"Are you a regular here? It's the first time I see you around."
"I come back from time to time." The oldest rested his elbows on the counter, his nerves taking the best of him. "I had to do it today. It's an important day."
"I see..."
"Well... enjoy your meal, I'll leave you to it" excused himself the cook as he walked towards the back of the stand, leaving the whole problem in the hands of the Noto.
"... Today marks five months ever since I lost a friend." Tarou looked at him again, a slight concern growing on his expression. "It was here, in this store, that I saw him for the last time."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm getting used to it" responded Sonoi, swirling the oden around with the chopsticks. "I believe I had never called him a friend before. We had a complicated relationship, no doubt there wasn't a normal day between us."
"I'm sure he knew how you felt. Everyone feels everything, deep down, even if they can't really show it."
"Never did I say we didn't esteemed each other... It's strange, the way I would have wanted to say something, when I wasn't supposed to be a priority in his life..."
Taro ate while listening to his new acquaintance speak. He would've normally ignored the conversation and smiled out of kindness, but this time he felt the need to give all his attention to the blue-eyed man.
"I'm certain he never knew how I felt, because I dared to hide it like a truth that disgusted me. I think I understand it now, what I felt whenever I saw him."
Sonoi looked to his side, facing the boy that kept staring at him since the start. Why were those eyes always upon him, making him feel so disarmed and so powerless, but so cherished and safe at the same time? He felt his lips tremble, a single tear streaming down his cheek.
"I understand how much I loved him." But his words were as firm as could be. As human as someone like him could never feel.
Taro tilted his head slightly, more confused than he was touched by those words. Of course, it wasn't the same person, and would probably never be. But just for a second, Sonoi thought he saw those eyes again, the ones that used to cherish his presence so much.
"Have we ever met before?" The brown-haired asked, a slight smirk on his face.
"... I don't think so."
The Noto returned his gaze to his bowl, unable to keep that gaze for any longer. Whatever he felt a minute ago, nonetheless, made Taro curious about the man, and he impatiently tried sparking back conversation. But the man couldn't say anything, not anymore. Not when he almost saw the person he loved shine through.
"Tsk, no way..." Taro checked the watch on his wrist, and adjusted his cap. "My break's about to finish."
Instinctively, Sonoi stood up at the same time, only then remembering that he had no business going as well, as each of them arrived on their own. They had nothing to do with each other anymore. He returned to his seat under the young man's intrigued gaze.
"... What?" Sonoi finally broke the silence.
"I think we've just formed a connection." He made a signal with his hand before walking backwards. "I hope to see you around again."
"... Goodbye." He had no reason to respond like that. But it felt appropiate. It was a farewell he was never able to give.
Seeing him once more, hearing his words just for a few minutes, affected him to the core in a way he knew would happen if he ever saw that face around again. He didn't wanna forget. If one of them forgot, the other one had to remember, and keep coming back to those memories, so it wouldn't go to waste. So how was he supposed to reminisce of those memories without getting that poor, oblivious boy in trouble?
Maybe it could be a secret. No one had to know, not even Taro. Any time they met at that same stand, he could go back to that time. Maybe he could finally say everything he kept to himself, even if none of them could really understand what that "love" meant.
Taro felt it too, didn't he? Was he back to that place because, deep down, he knew what day it was? It was very unlikely, but Sonoi held onto that idea like his life depended on it.