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As Keito came out of the cafe he had just eaten from, he saw one of those outdoor folding advertising stands. It seems they used chalk of varying hues for the text advertising their Christmas cake, perfect for the holidays. There was even a doodle of the supposed cake they're selling drawn alongside it, as well.
Of course, it's that time of the year again. He's grown accustomed to acknowledging the festive, holiday cheer that spreads around Christmas time since it's inevitable not to take advantage of its commercialisation as an idol himself.
But perhaps what stopped him in his tracks was the fact that Kiryu might want to go out on a fine dining experience with him on Christmas Eve, or perhaps even go to one of those Christmas markets together.
Not that he minds really, it's just that Christmas time makes him remember all the romantic expectations that come with the holiday. Most especially now that he's become much closer to Kiryu, more than ever, he can sense how their relationship is starting to move into the more romantic sphere of things.
Keito's always preferred that most of his feelings and actions not be framed through a primarily romantic lens. It just doesn't make sense to put it that way, since he's never taken romance into account in his life whatsoever.
There's always been a niggling part in his brain that keeps telling him he should finally address how he'd prefer his relationship to go forward with Kiryu. It's not as if he can imagine Kuro scowling at him, taking offence at the fact that he doesn't partake in the more romantic aspects of a relationship. It almost seems like a caricature of sorts, in fact.
He wants to be able to satisfy whatever needs and wants Kiryu has, since he cares about him so much that it truly feels gratifying to have a hand in it. He knows that Kiryu has a much more "romantic" outlook on things, but despite that, he hasn't tried to push Keito to do certain things that truly made him uncomfortable.
Maybe there's a part of him that's scared that Kuro's just suppressing what he truly wants to do with Keito in their progressing relationship.
This isn't like him, to be stuck frozen in place overthinking about all the possible variables. But he can't help it, since this is the first time he's had anything like this with someone, most of all Kiryu Kuro himself.
He wants to treasure what they have together, because as far as he is concerned, ever since Kiryu swore he'd be by Keito's side, getting boiled up in the kettle of hell together, he's never been able to loosen his grasp on him ever since.
Kiryu is the epitome of warmth that Keito wants to embrace all to himself. So he doesn't want to be the one who dampens him down, feeling all left out in the cold, in the first place. He doesn't want to let him down when he can already tell that their relationship has had some significant progress.
With a deep breath, he trudges along the path, hands in his pockets, full of resolve this time.
"I'll make it so that I can finally take this issue out of the way, once and for all."