Chapter Text
I wake up panting. Beads of sweat cling to my forehead as I shift in bed.
What the fuck just happened?
I saw Suguru die.
Then something bad happened. Very bad.
And I died too.
That’s all I remember.
God, I was terrified. It felt too real. And yet, it was only a dream.
No. A nightmare.
I stand up, massaging my temples, slip into my pink slippers, and head to the bathroom. I need a shower. I need to clear my mind.
The day has barely started, and I already feel more confused and stupid than ever.
Even the strongest has his weaknesses, I guess.
I close the door behind me and step under the cold water, letting it soak my hair. My muscles slowly relax. I finish quickly, get dressed, and head out.
In the corridor, I see Geto walking by, a small smile on his lips.
“Satoru, you’re awake."
Jesus.
After whatever that nightmare was, seeing him feels unreal. For a moment, it’s like I haven’t seen him in years, despite the fact that we spent the whole evening with Shoko last night.
“Suguru! It's weird seeing you up early,” I smirk, bumping my shoulder against his.
Suguru snorts softly, hands in his pockets as we walk side by side.
“You look like hell,” he adds, tone casual, like it’s nothing more than an observation. He ignores my previous comment.
“Wow. Good morning to you too,” I reply, rolling my shoulders.
He glances at me then, really looks, and I can feel his eyes burning on my skin.
“Did you sleep at all?”
I shrug. “Enough,"
He raises an eyebrow. "Don't be selfish. Being strong doesn't mean you can neglect yourself."
"Aw, Is that concern I am hearing?"
He rolls his eyes, a sarcastic laugh leaving his lips. "As if."
We turn the corner and the noise hits us immediately, voices overlapping, laughter echoing down the hallway.
“Haibara’s already awake,” Suguru then says, almost fondly.
“That explains the headache,” I mutter.
Right on cue, Haibara’s voice cuts through the air.
"Guys! Good morning!”
He’s waving at us from the end of the corridor, way too energetic for this early in the morning. Nanami trails behind him, expression stiff, tie already perfectly in place.
“It’s not even eight,” Nanami says flatly.
Looking at his comrade with a bored gaze, but a small smile creeps into his lips. Barely noticeable, but there.
“That’s exactly why we should get breakfast!” Haibara beams.
Suguru chuckles beside me, “You heard him. Breakfast.” and we exchange a look.
"Finally. I'm so hungry right now, I swear I could eat all of you"
-
The cafeteria is already half full when we walk in.
Trays clatter, voices overlap, and someone laughs loudly near the windows. The air smells like burnt coffee.
I grab a tray and scan the dessert counter out of habit. I’ll take anything that looks even remotely edible and has sugar in it.
God, I love sweets.
I hum under my breath the song Suguru was playing earlier, while I lean closer to the fridge.
There’s only one mochi left.
Strawberry.
My head turns on its own towards my friend, and I raise my glasses, moving my hair.
“Oh, absolutely not,” I say.
Suguru follows my gaze. His expression stays neutral, but I know him too well. The corner of his mouth twitches.
“I saw it first,” he says calmly.
“You saw me see it first.”
“That’s not how eyesight works.”
“It is if you’re me.”
We reach for it at the same time. Our hands stop just short of the plate, hovering there like neither of us is willing to be the first to touch it.
“You’re both idiots,” a familiar voice cuts in.
Shoko stands behind us, coffee in hand, eyes half-lidded and already done with the day. She takes a sip of the dark liquid before speaking.
“You’re fighting over food. Again.”
“Not my fault, he started it,” Suguru says.
“Hey! It's not true. He's not a saint,” I correct.
Shoko glances at the mochi, then back at us. “Just split it,” she shrugs.
“No,” we say at the same time.
“It’s mine,” Suguru adds, quiet but firm.
Shoko exhales slowly. “Well, I hope you both choke on it.” She takes another sip before turning on a cigarette.
We end up at the table anyway.
Haibara is already mid-story, hands moving everywhere as if that somehow helps Nanami understand. Nanami listens with that polite, strained patience of his, arms crossed, his eyes slightly narrowed.
“So?” Haibara leans forward. “Who won?”
“No one,” Nanami answers immediately, glancing at us with a sigh.
I sit next to Shoko. Suguru drops into the seat beside me, close enough that our shoulders almost touch.
The mochi sits between us. Untouched.
Suguru nudges the plate an inch in my direction with one finger.
“If you don’t eat it,” he says, “you’ll keep staring at it. And that’s annoying.” he rests his chin on his arms, on the table, in a relaxed manner.
"Wow." I grin. “Concerned about me?”
“Concerned about my peace,” he replies.
I pick up the mochi, turning it in my fingers. Then I split it in half and slide one piece toward him.
Our fingers brush. Just barely, accidental but deliberate enough to linger a fraction of a second longer than necessary. The tip of my finger grazes his knuckle; I can feel the warmth there. He doesn’t pull away immediately. Neither do I.
It’s quick, nothing more than a brush, yet it feels… heavier than it should.
“Careful,” he mutters, taking his half. “You’re learning.”
I smirk, sliding my piece onto my tray. “Right back at ya.”
Shoko snorts from across the table. “You two are ridiculous. Honestly, I don’t know how I put up with you.” she tucks a lock of her brown hair behind her ear.
I glance at her. “Ah, c'omn, you know you love us,”
Suguru chuckles quietly. “Yea, right,”
Haibara beams at us from the end of the table. “So… are you done fighting? Can we eat now?”
Nanami just sighs and folds his hands neatly. “Yes. Try not to destroy the cafeteria while you chew.”
I glance down at the mochi and then at Suguru. He takes a bite of his half, lips dusted with sugar. He seems at ease, savoring it like it’s the most important thing in the world.
Our eyes meet for just a second. I look away, rolling my eyes slightly, and shove a piece into my mouth. “Mhm… these are really good. Soft too.”
“Mhm,” he replies, voice low, like we’re the only ones at the table.
Sometimes, it feels like we are.