Archive of Our Own

Yasu waited patiently at the train station, his hair flicking between his eyes as he desperately tried to push his bangs away. The breeze was mild, but Yasu still minded. He & his parents had to move back to Japan, only for a little while just to figure things out as they were dealing with minor issues but he would be back in the U.S as soon as July ended. He thought he could make it through these four months. He didn't plan to make any new friends, so there was no point of getting attached here. He slipped an earbud into each ear and closed his eyes, letting the music drown out the station announcements.

"Senzai! I'm off!" The boy shouts, waving his hand rapidly. The cheerful voice cut through his music.

Yasu cracked one eye open. A boy stood near the station entrance, waving so enthusiastically that his entire arm moved with him. The wind caught his hair as he laughed. He only saw the back of the boy but he could instantly recognize his school uniform, although he only wore the beige vest, white collared shirt & the regular sleek grey pants. Big contrast to Yasu, his mother, Keiko, had insisted on dressing him like the perfect student. Blazer buttoned, shirt tucked neatly underneath, everything in place.

The other boy looked like he didn't even give his uniform a second thought. Yasu couldn't help but stare at the boy and realize he was talking to somebody. Curious, Yasu leaned slightly to the side, just enough to see past him.

Another boy stood nearby. Taller, older, he didn't look like a student judging by his appearance, a simple black shirt and pants with longer hair that was tied up.

His brother, maybe? Yasu couldn't tell nor could he care.

"Isamu," the older boy spoke, walking up. "Lemme fix your collar, you'll start getting scolded by the teachers you know?"

"Come on! They don't even care, I'm usually left off with a warning." The younger boy grumbles, but he didn't resist when the man reached for his collar.

"Yeah, just wait until the warning turns into a suspension." The man flicks the boy's forehead.

"Aniki!"

So older brother huh?

Yasu thinks, still observing the scene, before switching his attention back on to the tracks.

"Bye Senzai!" 

The boy turns around happily, now Yasu could get a good look at him. He had brown hair with a middle part and his hair ended short at his neck, he was about to look away until-

The boy stopped right beside him, facing him with a curious smile. His bag hung loosely from one shoulder as he pointed at Yasu's uniform. "You- go to my school!"

Yasu blinks, taking his earbuds out.

"You should take off your blazer, isn't it hot out?"

"I don't care." Yasu replied, slipping his earbuds back in.

The boy stares at him, eyes slightly widen, does he not know of personal space?

"I'm Isamu! What's your name and-!"

The loud announcement cut Isamu off, even flinching once it rang out of the speakers. Yasu remained unfazed, bluntly ignoring Isamu as the two stepped on to their train. One thing Yasu noticed is that he talks a lot and even asks questions, but he just nods with no intentions of responding. Isamu doesn't seem like a bad guy, but Yasu can't make any friends now. He just has to make it through these four months.

Isamu talked.

He talked about school. He talked about the teachers. He asked which class Yasu was in, where he lived, how long he'd been in Japan, and probably three other questions Yasu had stopped keeping track of. Yasu answered almost none of them. He wasn't trying to be rude. At least, that's what he told himself.

So, what's your name?"

Yasu stared ahead.

"Do you like music?"

Silence.

"What's your favorite—"

Yasu finally sighed. Without a word, he pulled out his spare earbud and held it toward Isamu.

Isamu stared at it. "...For me?"

Yasu nodded. The moment Isamu put it in, Yasu pressed play.

Silence.

A smile crept up on Isamu's face, Yasu wanted him to be quiet, but to Isamu, he's already made a new friend.

The speakers announced their stop, Yasu signaled for Isamu to get off, seeing how he randomly got stuck in thought, together, the two walked together, even though Isamu was now quiet, occasionally he would point to things, talking a little before he'd shut up again.

Yasu would glance at Isamu, taking the opportunity to stare at him when he talked and would nod once Isamu would look at him.

Their time didn't last long as they reached the school gates, some boys waved Isamu over.

Makes sense he seemed like the popular type anyway.

Isamu turns towards Yasu, picking out the earbud and placing it carefully into Yasu's palm.

"Bye Yasu!" Isamu ran off, catching up with the other students, before Yasu could even respond.

Yasu stared after him.

...

What?

How did he know his name?

His gaze dropped toward the ground.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of his own uniform.

Oh.

Right.

His nametag.

---------------

"How are you liking it in Japan so far?" The principal asked, her lips moving quickly as she spoke. She studied Yasu's face, waiting for his response.

"It's alright." Yasu spoke, scratching the back of his neck.

"Have you met any of the students so far?"

"Yeah, just some boy named Isamu."

Yasu noticed the way her eyebrows perked up, her smile had gone slightly wider and the way her eyes lit up.

"Isamu, huh? He's quite popular actually, he's in many sports teams and one of the top students here,"

Him?

The guy who talked Yasu's ear off all the way here?

She studies Yasu's face for a reaction. "You may not be here for long, but it'd be nice if you got to know him, he's-"

"I'm ready to go to class, can I have my schedule?" Yasu asked, holding his hand out.

She sighed, but didn't refuse, she simply handed Yasu his schedule and watched as he turned to the door. She didn't blame him for not wanting to get too close to anyone.

In just four months,

he'd be gone.

--------------

Yasu found his classroom after a few minutes of wandering the unfamiliar halls. The moment he stepped inside, he felt everyone's eyes bore into him. As the new transfer student. 

"Oh, right! Class, we'll be having a new student joining us from today. Why don't you introduce yourself?"

Yasu nodded, "My name is Yasu Masashige, please treat me well." He bows.

A round of applause followed, along with whispers from nearly every corner of the classroom.

'Woah, he's attractive.'

'A new student? School's already almost over.'

'Ehh... he seems pretty boring.'

Yasu ignored all of them.

"There's an empty seat at the back," the teacher said, gesturing toward it before turning back to the board.

As Yasu walked past all the occupied desks, one stood out to him. 

Then he stopped.

His gaze landed on the desk beside his.

Isamu?

Yasu looked at him for a moment.

So this was the supposedly popular, athletic, top-ranking student the principal had been talking about.

...

Do they also let him sleep through first period as well?

His head laid on the desk with arms folded, his breathing slow and steady, he looked peaceful, he looked pretty.

What the hell is Yasu thinking about?

Why the hell is he sleeping through first period?

What is with this guy?

One thing for certain, he's not gonna wake him up unless the teacher asks him too. So for now, he'll just make it through class.

...

Five minutes passed.

Yasu glanced sideways, Isamu hadn't moved.

Ten minutes, still asleep.

Yasu sighed and propped his elbow on the desk, resting his chin in his palm. The lesson wasn't anything special. He'd already learned this material back home, so there wasn't much reason to pay attention. Especially when there was something far more interesting sitting right beside him.

"Yasu."

He looked up.

The teacher's smile had tightened.

"It's your first day, but instead of staring at Isamu, could you wake him up next time?"

The classroom erupted into laughter and Yasu felt his cheeks heat up.

"...Apologies. Will do, sir."

Yasu reached his arm out, shaking Isamu's upper arm, "Hey, wake up."

Isamu slowly opened his eyes, blinking slowly, as he quickly snapped back into reality, "Yasu?!" He shouted.

He said it so loudly that half the class turned toward them again.

Oh great.

The attention is back on them again.

"Out!" The teacher shouts, Yasu flinched slightly at the sudden volume, but Isamu reacted even more noticeably. His shoulders jumped, and his expression immediately fell.

"But I-"

"First you get caught sleeping in my class and now you disturb it?" The teacher points to the door, "Out."

He hesitated, but slowly stood up, "Yes, sir."

Yasu stared at the door, that felt a little excessive. He looked down at his desk, tapping his pencil against it.

Does this happen often?

After class, Yasu found Isamu sitting against the hallway wall. He expected him to be sad, disappointed even, but no. This guy could literally sleep everywhere, even out in the hall. Taking one more glimpse of Isamu, he supposed he was wrong actually. Even though the boy was sleeping, his eyebrows curved upward and his lips were slightly pouted. Strange sight for someone who was so cheerful on their journey to school.

Yasu was about to wake him up because second period was just about to start but their classmates reached him before Yasu did. 

'Heyyy Isamu wake up.'

'Sleeping again?'

'Take a picture!'

Yasu saw Isamu walk up to them earlier in the morning, guessing that they were his friends, he simply walked away. Isamu would probably never talk to Yasu after just basically getting him into trouble, easing his worries, he walked down the hall, following his classmates. A part of him wanted to linger around Isamu and stare at his pretty stupid face, but he pushed it down.

Why was he suddenly so attached to this guy? Can these four months just come faster please?

Yasu shoved his hands into his pockets and continued down the hallway, but couldn't help but steal a glance behind him. Noticing Isamu woke up, and, unsurprisingly, he was already getting scolded by the teacher again.

Yasu chuckled to himself, "Haa, what an idiot."

Yasu spent the rest of his periods leading up to lunch alone, some of his classmates did try talking to him but all he would do was nod and move on. To them, they couldn't take the hint that Yasu just wanted to be left alone. Yasu sighed quietly, in at least four minutes, it'd be lunch. He's already half way through the day, he's determined to make it through without chatting with anyone.

But Yasu's dream was instantly destroyed as he sat down on one of the benches at lunch. He sat outside, where he expected nobody to bother him, even though Yasu wasn't a big fan of the wind as long as nobody came here, he'd tolerate it.

Or so he thought.

"Yasu!"

He turned his head and couldn't help but make a disgusted face unwillingly. Does this guy not know how to leave him alone? Why isn't he with his 'friends'?

Isamu took a seat right next to him, placing his neatly made bento on his lap and turned to Yasu. Yasu couldn't help but stare back, he shouldn't feel bad thinking so negatively about this guy, should he just tell him he doesn't wanna make friends?

"I've come to sit with you!"

Yasu nodded, biting down on his onigiri, "I noticed."

Isamu tilted his head, "That's all you're having? Want some of my lunch?"

"No-"

"My big brother packs my lunch! He's a really good cook, look!" He exclaimed, "He turns the sausages into mini octopuses!"

Yasu glanced down.

"Nice."

"Open wide!" Isamu urged.

Before he could look away, Isamu picked up one of the sausages with his chopsticks.

Yasu barely had time to react before the sausage was placed in his mouth.

His eyes widened.

He chewed.

It's actually really good

"Woah." Yasu couldn't help but smile.

"Right?! You should come over, Senzai makes the best food!" 

"Well-"

"We live somewhat close, right? We use the same station!"

Isamu's eyes twinkled, pleading that he should come.

Yasu stared at him.

He'd only known this guy for a day, scratch that, an hour at most.

Somehow, Isamu had already decided they were friends.

Yasu could've said no.

He probably should've.

But Isamu looked so genuinely excited that the rejection got stuck somewhere in Yasu's throat.

"...Fine."

Isamu beamed. "Really?!"

Yasu sighed.

I really need to learn how to say no.

The wind blew through Yasu's hair, after getting off from the station he and Isamu walked. Yasu noticed how much of a walk Isamu's house was compared to his.

Does he really walk from here to the station everyday?

Yasu remembered, Isamu is an athlete, isn't he? His stamina must be great then, this much of a walk should be nothing for him. Yasu glanced back at Isamu, taking in his face. Isamu was practically beaming as he walked beside him, his laughter carrying through the breeze. The wind caught his hair, sending a few strands across his face. His eyes crinkled whenever he smiled.

"So, your brother?"

Isamu immediately lit up.

"How's- he like?"

What am I doing?

Initiating a conversation with him?

Are you out of your mind?

"My big brother is the best! He's really sweet seriously, besides being a great cook, he's really good at-"

Yasu barely noticed when Isamu stopped walking.

He looked ahead.

A house stood in front of them.

It was a traditional Japanese home, modest in size but clearly well cared for. Stepping stones led toward the entrance, surrounded by flowers, carefully trimmed greenery, and a few small statues.

Yasu took it all in.

So this is where he lives.

He glanced at Isamu.

He's really got it all, doesn't he?

"This is my house, come on!" Isamu exclaimed, latching on to Yasu's hand as they hurried to the door.

Yasu's stomach fluttered with butterflies as soon as his hand was held. His heart had felt like it stopped beating, he shouldn't feel like this, he couldn't even care less for this guy. So, why? Why is he reacting like this to something as simple as holding hands? No, Yasu is just catching a fever that's all, he has no intentions of becoming friends with this guy, or anything more. 

Isamu immediately kicked off his shoes and called out for his brother while Yasu carefully placed his own shoes beside Isamu's before following him toward the kitchen.

An older boy stood there.

"Senzai look! I brought a friend, his name is Yasu!"

"Thank you for having me." Yasu bowed.

Senzai waved him off, "No need to be so polite, do you guys want something to eat?"

Yasu shaked his head.

"We'll eat later! Yasu come!"

Isamu was already halfway down the hallway as Yasu sighed and followed.

"This is my room!"

Yasu couldn't help but gape at the sight, he stopped at the doorway.

Trophies lined the shelves, medals hanging beside them. Baseball equipment had been pushed into one corner, while basketball and soccer cleats sat beside it. Posters covered much of the wall, each one revealing another little piece of Isamu's interests.

There was so much here.

Academic achievements. Sports. Hobbies.

He really is some child prodigy.

"Sorry, it's such a mess isn't it? I don't really have the time to clean-"

"No, it's alright. My room is much worse."

Yasu walked in and dropped himself onto the edge of Isamu's bed.

Isamu laughed. "More reason for me to see your room someday."

Yasu looked away.

Yeah. Hopefully you won't be seeing it.

His gaze wandered around the room again until he spotted a familiar game on Isamu's shelf.

"You play Ace Attorney?"

Isamu immediately lit up. "I do! You play?"

"Nah. I've just heard of it."

Isamu sat beside him, picking up the game. "My dad really wants us to go into law. Well, mostly, he wants Senzai to become a detective."

Yasu raised an eyebrow. "And you?"

Isamu's smile faltered.

"I'm not that important."

The words came out with a laugh, but something about his voice made Yasu look at him.

"To him, I'm just the son who was born second." Isamu shrugged. "He does love me, I know. But I don't think he has thought about my future at all. Once Senzai gets into law school, I'll just be the son who didn't follow his dreams. But who knows, maybe I'll go into law too."

Yasu fell silent.

A moment ago, Isamu had been showing him his room with pure excitement. Now, there was something quieter in his expression.

"I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about!" Isamu pokes Yasu's cheek, "Lets enjoy our time here, kay?"

Yasu smiled, "Alright."

Yasu walked, shoving his hands in his pockets. His father, Daku, had called a few minutes ago. It was getting late, and Yasu knew that meant his time at Isamu's house was over. Luckily, he'd managed to leave before Isamu's father returned.

The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in soft shades of orange and pink. Yasu slowed his pace, letting his gaze linger.

Would Isamu like this?

The thought came so naturally that Yasu almost stopped walking.

Seriously?

He looked away from the sky.

He's just some guy.

Yasu shoved his hands further into his pockets.

Get it together. Did you forget?

Four months.

That was all the time he had.

And there was no reason for him to start getting attached now.

Yasu woke up, his legs aching from the walking he did yesterday. Thank god, it was a weekend because he could barely sit up. His mother, Keiko came into his room and plopped down at the edge of his bed. She stared ahead, not exactly looking at Yasu yet but he could see she was smiling. He sat up, even though his legs resisted. 

"Mom?"

"You told me you were at a friend's house yesterday." She turned her head, "I'm not exactly fond of you going to some strangers house, but-"

She paused,

"How was it?"

Yasu blinked, rubbing his eyes, "It was alright, we just talked and played games."

Keiko nodded, "If you're gonna go again, I'd like to meet this guy- or girl."

She smiled, giving Yasu a strange look.

"He's just some guy," Yasu muttered. "We're going back home soon anyway. I have no reason to keep hanging out with him."

Keiko didn't respond.

She simply smiled before getting up and leaving the room.

Yasu stared after her.

What was that supposed to mean?

He was about to lay back down before his phone buzzed,

Isamu.

Yasu stared at the name.

When did I even give him my number?

Guessing, Isamu had probably gotten it while Yasu was out of his room yesterday.

Cheeky.

"Hello..?" Yasu spoke first, holding the phone to his ear.

"Yasu! Wanna kill some time with me?" Isamu asked.

"Why don't you go out with someone else?" Yasu replied.

The line stayed quiet, Yasu raised an eyebrow.

"Isamu?"

He didn't know why he suddenly felt guilty.

"My mom wants to meet you," he said. "Will you come over?"

The silence disappeared instantly.

"Of course! Send me the address. I'll be on my way!"

That was fast

Why did Yasu even do that?

Meanwhile, Isamu's morning wasn't going quite as well. He woke to the sound of his father's voice echoing through the house. Isamu froze for a moment, listening.Thankfully, his father wasn't yelling at Senzai. He was on the phone, his voice carrying through the walls. Isamu dragged himself out of bed and made his way toward the kitchen without bothering to wash his face or brush his teeth. Senzai stood at the sink, washing dishes, while their father stood nearby, finally ending his call.

"Isamu." His father called out to him.

He flinched in response, not expecting his father to acknowledge him so out of the blue, "What's wrong?"

His father looked at him for a moment before answering, "Nothing. Soccer practice was canceled today. You could've slept in."

Soccer canceled? Thank god.

"Okay! I'll be in my room then!"

He turned and hurried back down the hallway.

Senzai paused, glancing toward their father.

Their eyes met.

Neither of them said anything.

Why is he so happy?

But they let the question hang in the air. For once, Isamu didn't seem bothered by the canceled practice. In fact, he seemed almost excited.

"Father!" Isamu suddenly came rushing back into the kitchen, "Can I-!"

Uh oh.

His foot missed the step.

He stumbled forward, his knee knocking against the edge of the small step before his forehead met the wooden floor.

"Isamu! What-!"

Senzai abandoned the dishes, quickly drying his hands before kneeling beside them.

"Isamu! Are you alright?!"

Isamu rubbed his forehead, wincing. "Sorry! Can I go over to my friend's house today-!"

His father stared at him. "You just missed the steps."

"I know. "

"And you're asking me to let you leave the house?"

"Yes!"

Senzai sighed, already reaching for the first-aid kit. "Hold still, your knee and forehead are bleeding,-"

"Haa.. I shouldn't have worn shorts."

Isamu frowned as Senzai cleaned the scratches.

Once he'd been patched up, Isamu looked back at his father expectantly.

"So... Can I go?"

His father sighed, "Just don't get hurt again, you hear me?"

Isamu's face immediately lit up. "Thank you, daddy!" He threw his arms around his father before quickly pulling away and racing back toward his room.

"Careful!" his father called after him. "Seriously, this boy."

Isamu skipped down the sidewalk. He wasn't wearing anything particularly flashy, just a red hoodie he'd taken borrowed from Senzai, with a white T-shirt peeking out underneath and a pair of light blue jeans. His earphones bounced against his chest with every step. in an amazing mood he just couldn't wait to spend his day with his new awaiting friend Yasu! However Isamu had a lot of sudden stops passing by. Unfortunately, getting there proved to be a little harder than he'd expected.

'Nice fit, Isamu!'

Isamu turned around, grinning. "You're looking flashy too, Mai!"

He barely made it a few more steps before another familiar voice called out.

'Yooo, Isamu! Soccer got canceled!'

"I know! I heard!"

Another person waved him over from across the street.

'Isamu! Wanna come over to my place today?'

Isamu shook his head, continuing down the sidewalk.

"Not today! But soon, I promise!"

And just like that, he was off again.

Isamu was well known around the area. He played for several sports teams and still competed in a few of them, but athletics wasn't the only reason people knew him. He was deemed as the most 'perfect boy' in town, they said. He was an overachiever, always pushing himself to do better, yet somehow still found the time to stop and help anyone who needed it. Even when something had nothing to do with him, Isamu had a habit of getting involved.

Good grades.

Athletic talent.

A bright personality.

But most importantly, a good heart cherished by all.

To everyone else, Isamu had everything, but did he really?

Isamu made it to the apartment that Yasu had given him, he tried ringing him before but Yasu didn't respond.

Isamu rang the bell, "Hellooooo, Yasu!"

Yasu opened the door, "Oh, You're here."

Isamu's eyes widened, "What?! Why aren't you dressed?!"

Yasu blinked, "Did I have to be..?"

"Yes! I'm taking you out today!"

Before Yasu could respond, Keiko appeared behind him.

"Oh my, has Yasu been causing you trouble?" She brushed Yasu aside, pulling Isamu inside their home. "Yasu go get ready! You can talk with me in the meantime."

Yasu groaned, but didn't resist his mom's request. Meanwhile Keiko guided Isamu to the small kitchen table, urging him to sit. It seemed he appeared as she was cooking up breakfast, what a bother he must have been. But ignoring that, he decided to make small talk.

"Thank you for having me ma'am." He says shyly.

"No need to be so formal, my name is Keiko." She smiles warmly, placing a glass of cold juice in front of him. "And yours?"

"Isamu!" 

She blinks, "Isamu...?"

Isamu tilted his head.

"Isamu...Uchiumi?" She asks.

"That's me! how did you know?"

"I've heard of you from my co workers!" She lights up in recognition, "They have amazing things to say about you, you know?"

"Seriously?" He scratches his cheek, shy after the sudden praise.

"I'm not to up to the idea of letting Yasu hang out with kids his age, especially ones he just met a day ago but-"

The door creaks, opening wide. A man steps out, in a work uniform, Yasu's dad..? walked out, making direct eye contact with Isamu, before Isamu could even say anything, Keiko beat him.

"Oh honey! Come here, this is the Isamu! Yasu's new friend!"

His eyebrows perk up in recognition, "Isamu is Yasu's friend?"

"Hello sir!" 

Isamu stood up from the chair, bowing. 

"I've heard of you! You've got quite a name around here don't you boy?" He says, walking over and ruffling Isamu's hair.

Keiko giggles, "This is my husband, Daku."

Isamu nods, "Pleasure to meet you sir!"

Keiko turns over to Daku as soon as he sits down, "He's taking Yasu out today."

Daku raises his eyebrows again, "Oh? Well we wouldn't really let Yasu go out with a complete stranger his age-" He studies Isamu's face for a reaction, "I'm more than willing to let Yasu go out because of you though, Isamu."

"I'm glad, thank you both very much." Isamu says, smiling warmly.

"Who knows, maybe you can talk some sense into our boy." Keiko says, chuckling along with her husband.

Yasu stood at the doorway, his outfit bland as ever. A simple white T-shirt and grey sweat pants.

"I heard that." He stared at them, before switching his gaze to Isamu. "Isamu, let's go."

"Right!"

Yasu waited by the door, observing how freely he talked to his parents. He can only wonder more about him, he's so well known that especially his helicopter mom speaks so highly of him. She even allowed Yasu to go out. It was strange. Isamu had walked into their home less than ten minutes ago, yet he was already talking to his parents as if they'd known each other for years. Yasu couldn't understand it, everyone seemed to know Isamu, everyone seemed to like him.

Even his parents trusted him after meeting him for barely a few minutes.

He couldn't help but be so curious.

Isamu and Yasu walk down the street together, Yasu stared at Isamu as he talked. He also stared at the folks who would come up to Isamu on the street, even though he was simply walking he would still get acknowledged and recognized. Despite that, he always kept that smile on his face, he didn't even mind talking to multiple people at once. However, Yasu couldn't say that didn't bother him though, Isamu tried his best to talk with people as he could while walking but randoms just kept pulling on whatever they could of him. Either his sleeves, his hoodie and even his hands.

No wonder why Isamu doesn't know of personal space, apparently, nobody around him did either. Isamu didn't seem bothered though. If anything, he acted like this was completely normal.

Why is everyone so attracted to him?

He watched another person call Isamu's name from behind them and Isamu turned around with the same cheerful expression.

Yasu sighed.

Can't they just leave him alone?

...

How long has it been?

Four minutes of standing in the middle of the sidewalk while the girl refused to let Isamu leave.

All because this girl can't take her hands off him. Yasu's eyes diverted between the two, back and forward. For four minutes, Isamu had been patient the entire time, answering her questions and laughing whenever she said something amusing. But Yasu could tell he was starting to get uncomfortable.

Every time Isamu tried to find an excuse to leave, she would grab onto his arm again and ask him to stay.

"He said he doesn't want to." Yasu stepped in.

The girl froze.

Isamu looked just as surprised.

Yasu stepped between them and gently lowered her hand from Isamu's arm.

"If you don't mind, we have somewhere to be."

"Sorry, Shino!" Isamu said quickly. "I promise I'll hang out with you again, alright?"

She reluctantly nodded, "Fine..."

Once they finally started walking again, Yasu kept his gaze forward, his ears tinting red as he replayed the situation over again.

"Thanks, Yasu." Isamu says, looking at him.

Yasu didn't answer right away.

"...That expression."

Isamu looked over.

"It didn't suit you."

Yasu turned his head to the side, facing away from Isamu. His eyes gazed on the busy street across them. His face blushed red.

"You smile all the time, even though I’ve only known you for a day."

He scratched the back of his neck.

"Seeing you look uncomfortable was weird."

He doesn't even wanna look at Isamu's face, when did Yasu start saying stupid, sappy things like that?

Isamu laughed quietly, not teasing him.

Instead, he gently looped his arm through Yasu's. "Then I won't make that face anymore."

Yasu finally glanced at him and Isamu smiled. tThe same bright, easy smile as always.

"As long as you're always there to speak up for me."

Always...

Today marked the beginning of May.

Will it really be 'always?'

...                                                                                                                                         

"Oh! Yasu this is my favourite cafe!" Isamu points.

Yasu nodded, "Let's go."

...                                                                                                                                              

"Wouldn't this shirt look good on you?"

"Should I get it?"

...

Just like that, Yasu and Isamu spent the whole day in the city, obviously Isamu and Yasu were stopped many times on their walks. However they didn't let that bother them, they were stopped more times than Yasu could count. Someone asked Isamu to help carry a box. An elderly woman called him over just to show him her flowers. A little dog pulled its owner toward him, tail wagging wildly until Isamu crouched down to pet it.

At first, Yasu thought Isamu was only being polite.

But after watching him for hours, he realized none of those smiles were forced. Isamu never sighed once people walked away. He never complained. He listened to everyone as if they were the only person around. Isamu, every smile he showed, every movement he made and every time he helped someone,

it was all genuine.

It wasn't popularity.

People simply liked being around him.

And Yasu could understand why.                                                                                                                   

Yasu let Isamu walk him home that day. Strange, it felt like it should've been the other way around. But Isamu insisted. His house was farther away, and if Yasu walked him home, it'd be even later by the time Isamu returned.

Besides, knowing Isamu, he'd probably stop ten more times along the way.

As they reached Yasu's apartment complex, he took Yasu to the exact floor, making sure he got home safely. As Isamu began to walk away, Yasu called out to him.

"Isamu!" He shouted.

Making Isamu flinch and turn around in response.

"I- had fun today!" He muttered, but loud enough so Isamu could hear.

Isamu froze.

His eyes widened for only a second before his expression softened into the brightest smile Yasu had seen all day.

"Come out with me again soon!"

He turned to leave.

Only to glance back one last time.

...

Yasu was already getting scolded by the elderly woman who lived next door to his apartment for yelling so loud, while Yasu stood there with his head lowered, apologizing over and over.

Isamu chuckled as he walked off, "Haa, what an idiot."

...

Yasu entered his home, only to be met by the sight of his parents in front of him.

"So.. I'm assuming you had fun today..." Keiko laughs, looking over at Daku who himself was laughing too.

Yasu felt his ears burn red, "Shut up.."

Yasu woke up surprisingly early that morning, he ended up sleeping right after he came home yesterday. As he picked up his phone, thinking that he would have no new notifications, however, Isamu proved him wrong.

Isamu: Baseball n basketball practice today

Isamu: Oh tutoring 2

Isamu: Will call you after n tell you how everything goes ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

Yasu stared at the messages longer than he should have, it was nothing special. Just Isamu listing his schedule. Practice. Tutoring. A promise to call later. Yet somehow, it felt strangely comforting, before yesterday, Yasu would've found this annoying.

Why did he need to know when someone else's day ended? Why did he care if someone was busy?

He had only been here for a few days.

Yasu typed a response

Yasu: okay

He stared at it, too cold. He erased it.

Yasu: good luck

...

Still too simple, so he deleted it again. Why was sending a message harder than it should be? Finally, he settled on.

Yasu: Don't overdo it.

He pressed send before he could regret it.

A few seconds later.

Isamu: Hehe ya r worried about me (,,>ヮ<,,)

Yasu immediately locked his phone.

Idiot.

He glanced over at his wall, the calendar on his desk said May.

For some reason he wished he didn't see that just now.

With Isamu, Senzai woke him up at eight sharp, at ten in the morning, Isamu had baseball practice that would last about two hours. Because of how long Isamu takes to get ready in the morning, Senzai makes sure to wake him around seven or eight, though sometimes he loses track of time because of his studies, prepping for college entrance exams feels like it'll never end. That's just what Isamu quotes.

"Isamu, you're going to be late."

"I know!"

"You said that ten minutes ago!"

"I'm getting up!"

No reason why Senzai never trusted him with an alarm.

After Isamu wakes up, finishing taking a bath, blow drying his hair, and getting dressed. He reaches the kitchen by nine, where Senzai prepares a warm meal that awaits him on the dining table. After he eats, taking about fifteen minutes, he grabs his equipment, his bat and his glove in his bag.

With the free time he has, he spends his time doing whatever. Somedays he chats with Senzai, others he plays games or watches TV, but usually, a quick nap doesn't hurt to kill some time.

Around nine forty, his father appears, after he quickly eats, he drives Isamu to baseball practice before work.

Once Isamu gets to baseball, he's immediately surrounded by his teammates and starts by going to the locker rooms to change into his uniform, then he starts warming up. Baseball ends by the start of twelve o' clock. After he's left off, he takes the train and walks the rest back home.

When he comes back, he usually looks for a snack as Senzai would be in his room studying, not to bother him, he spends the next two hours alone. This time, he spends it by studying or finishing up on school work he probably doesn't even need to do.

By one thirty, Isamu puts on his basketball shoes and heads out the door. At this time, he runs to basketball practice. Running through the wind as he listens to music is his favourite experience. Sometimes Isamu reaches practice before two o' clock. Then after, basketball goes on for three hours, so by five or later, he heads to tutoring which also goes on for another three hours. At eight, when the sun starts setting down, Isamu makes sure to help out around as well as he can. Either a kid needing help tying their shoelaces, scraping paint from windows, feeding little fishes when asked too, carrying on tasks like it meant nothing to him. 

He makes it home around nine. Greeting his father and Senzai before eating dinner. After eating, he makes it to his room and changes into his pajamas. Spending little time, finishing his tutoring or any work he may or may not have to do. He lays back on his bed by ten, normal days he would be asleep or doomscrolling.

But today,

he gets to call Yasu.

...

"And that's how my day went!" Isamu exclaimed, "How did yours go?" He asked Yasu.

"Seriously? I just watched TV all day." Yasu replied, his voice held a mix of worry.

The line went quiet.

"Yasu?"

"Do you even get a break?"

Isamu laughed, softly. "Sleeping is my break! Aside from talking to you."

"What are you doing right now?"

"I'm talking to you..? Sorry is the pen being too loud? I'm solving math equations right now."

"What...?"

"My phone keeps slipping off my shoulder, but I'm doing my tutoring work right now. I thought I was gonna do them tomorrow, but seeing how I'm staying up a little later just talking to you, I can just multitask!"

"I told you to not overdo it."

"I guess you did." Isamu smiled warmly.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" Yasu asked.

"Tomorrow. Monday right? I guess, I'll be at school but after I have judo, and then after I have basketball, oh and then-"

"Tuesday?"

"Soccer and baseball, and obviously tutoring."

"Wednesday?"

"Judo and tutoring."

"Thursday?"

"Basketball and baseball."

"Friday?"

"Nothing, I just study that day or do whatever!"

Yasu hummed, "That's why you invited me over that day." 

"On saturday, I only have soccer but on sundays I basically have everything besides that! Oh and judo, I only have it as an extracurricular."

"Don't wear yourself out, why do you take so many things on?"

Isamu stared at his ceiling, "I actually don't know." He questioned, "I don't have a reason, I just do them."

Yasu's brows furrowed.

"I think maybe, if I quit anything, my dad would get mad at me. He pays a lot of money for me, so if I suddenly stopped..."

Isamu's voice trailed off.

"Yasu?"

"Yeah?"

"I need to go to bed. My time's up." He laughed softly, but it sounded different from before. "I'll talk to you at school, okay?"

Before Yasu could respond, the call ended.

Yasu stared at the dark screen.

He didn't think Isamu had lied.

But he also knew he hadn't answered.

Yasu began talking to Isamu more, he actually started to answer Isamu's questions, whether it being on the train, the walk to school or when the two of them just talked together on the phone. Isamu had also begun calling Yasu more often, when Isamu would run to basketball practice, instead of listening to music he'd call with Yasu. Or when he would get off baseball, he'd call with Yasu during the train ride and the walk home. When he studied at home after tutoring? He'd call Yasu.

Yasu marked off May 21st off his calendar. He'd known Isamu for basically three weeks now. Isamu and Yasu had spent more days calling each other than actually meeting up. Because of Isamu's busy schedule, they'd call between the little moments Isamu was free, to Isamu, it meant a lot to him.

 Isamu grew up well known and liked, always caring and making sure nobody ever felt left out, he lived an living example of the perfect life being the perfect boy. 

The talented athlete. The honor student. The cheerful kid who never refused to help. He greeted everyone with the same bright smile, remembered people's names, and somehow always found time for anyone who needed him.

People admired him. Children looked up to him. Adults praised him. It almost felt impossible not to like him.

But Yasu had begun noticing the parts no one else seemed to.

The way Isamu fell asleep the moment he sat still.

The way he never complained, even when he was exhausted.

The way he laughed before answering questions about himself.

The way he flinched when somebody would yell at him.

And the way his smile lingered...

even when his eyes looked tired.

Isamu's mom died when he was just thirteen, but he didn't cry when she did. All because his mother told him one thing.

His smile was the most precious thing to her, so Isamu, never even thought of not smiling, smiling became natural for him, that he'd do it wherever he'd go.

Because his smile was not only precious to his mother, but to Senzai and father too.

When Senzai saw his smile, it pushed him to study harder.

When his father saw his smile, he wouldn't even try to touch a drop of alcohol.

Then, it became for everyone else he met too.

Until Yasu.

For the first time...

Isamu had admitted he was tired.

He had admitted he didn't know why he kept pushing himself.

He had admitted he was afraid of disappointing someone.

In just three weeks, Yasu managed to be the first person Isamu could freely talk to.

Isamu wondered, what would they be like in the future? How will the years go by? Will they still be friends?

Isamu ran up to the train station, he unfortunately woke up late. Senzai had gotten so caught up studying that he'd forgotten to wake him until almost an hour later. The result was Isamu sprinting out the front door with his bag barely zipped shut. Isamu had planned to do this tutoring work in the morning but he'd have to do it on the train instead, seeing how he'd have to go straight to the center after judo today.

Luckily, he reached the station just as the train arrived and Yasu the angel held the door long enough for Isamu to stumble inside.

The doors slid shut behind them.

"Thought you were skipping," Yasu said, leaning back on his seat.

Isamu shook his head, still catching his breath.

"Senzai woke me up late." Isamu says, panting as he took out his book from his bag.

Yasu raised his eyebrow, "What are you doing?"

"Homework."

Isamu flipped open a notebook.

"I was gonna finish my tutoring work this morning..."

He sighed dramatically.

"But because of Senzai, I have to do it now."

Yasu chuckled, "When are you gonna start waking yourself up?"

"One day."

He said.

"I'm only doing this because I don't wanna do it at lunch."

Yasu glanced toward him, "Why?"

Isamu answered so casually it almost sounded obvious, "At lunch, all I wanna do is talk with you."

Yasu stared at Isamu, who had already gone back to solving his worksheet as if he hadn't just said anything unusual. His pencil scratched quietly across the paper, completely unaware, Yasu looked away, resting his forehead against the cool train window.

There it is again.

That strange feeling squeezing at his chest.

Why did Isamu always say things like that so naturally?

And why...

Does every one of them stay with Yasu long after the conversation had ended?

Yasu is a complete idiot. He waited outside, outside the gym. After school, on any regular day he'd go straight home, so why is he waiting for Isamu to finish Judo today?

...

He doesn't know either. 

Isamu would have most likely given him a call right after he finished judo and would finish calling with him once he reached the tutoring center, but this time, Yasu wanted to see Isamu's face, just for a little longer. Maybe that was his reason, but he couldn't say that to Isamu, it'd be too cheesy.

"Yasu?" Isamu said, crouching down beside him, "Why are you here?"

Isamu was clearly exhausted, wiping down the sweat from his face from a small cloth, as he chatted with Yasu.

"Waiting." 

He muttered but noticed how Isamu leaned in, trying to hear him more clearly.

"Waiting for you."

Isamu shot back, his face blushing small shades of pink.

He blinked, "...For me?"

Yasu looked away. "...Who else would I be waiting for?"

For a brief moment, Isamu simply stared at him. Then the corners of his eyes softened into that familiar smile.

"Come on," Isamu stood up, holding his hand out. "Let's go."

Isamu stood, dusting off his uniform before holding out a hand

Yasu looked at it for a second before taking it.

Their hands separated only a few steps later, both wouldn't admit they wanted to hold on.

They walked side by side toward the tutoring center, filling the ten-minute walk with little conversations that neither of them would remember word for word.

"Don't you look surprisingly happy today, right father?" Senzai remarked, glancing over from the sink.

Akihito looked up from his dinner, "Something good happen, 'Samu?"

Isamu tilted his head.

"But I'm always happy, aren't I?

Senzai and Akihito exchanged a look.

"Well, true." his father chuckled, "Just a little more than usual."

Isamu smiled, "I wonder what it could be."

May 31st

June 1st

Yasu crossed off from his calender. Today june starts. So many days have gone by, he'd forgotten that July was right around the corner. The birds chirped, flying through the sky, the people moved, walking down the road but it had felt like time had stopped a bit for Yasu. He wanted to go back to the U.S and see his friends again, in fact he had gotten a call from them just last night. They wanted him to come back home as much as he did, they asked when he was coming home, laughing and complaining about how long he'd been gone. But Yasu couldn't help but feel this sudden emptiness. He should be happy, time is moving and he will be back home before he knew it.

So why,

why did he feel this way?

He only has two months left, and he hasn't even uttered a word about it to Isamu.

How would he even react?

...

Yasu studied Isamu's face, they were just on the train as usual but something about him felt different. In fact, Isamu looked as tired as ever. Probably because that day was a Monday, he knows that Isamu's busiest days are on Sunday, especially when he gets up at eight in the morning and ends up falling asleep later than his planned time. That part is Yasu's fault.

Studying on the train became a routine for Isamu, he finds it peaceful when it's just him and Yasu sharing an earbud together as he studied, the silence between them isn't awkward at all, ever, but right now he is finding it rather difficult. Because he's exhausted. 

He did attempt to study.

But his pencil started slowing down on its own, and his head unwillingly started bobbing.

...

Isamu's head ended up falling on Yasu's shoulder.

Yasu froze, slowly turning his gaze to the sleeping Isamu on his collarbone.

Yasu hasn't seen Isamu sleeping since his first day at school.

Well he has, Isamu does sleep in class, but it's different this time. Because Isamu is on his shoulder.

He looked out the window, staring at the scenery. For some reason he just wanted to stay with Isamu, just like that, for a little longer.

June 4th

Isamu and Yasu walked together, Baseball had just been canceled due to the rainfall yesterday and basketball was out of the picture because the coach had caught a sudden cold. To Isamu, it was strange, having a day off in the middle of the week was not usual. And would barely happen again, but he couldn't turn down the opportunity to wander the streets with Yasu. After all, this is a once in a lifetime chance for him.

A few droplets landed on Yasu's hair.

He looked up.

At the same time, Isamu lifted his hand, feeling the rain hit his palm. They glanced at each other, and they both opened their mouths.

"Is it-"

The sky answered instead,

The rain came down all at once, it poured down on them, strongly and fast. Before they have any time to react, they're already drenched in the downpour.

Heavy.

Fast.

Cold.

Isamu hurried, taking Yasu by the hand and rapidly running down the street, laughing like a maniac, others could have probably heard him from a mile away. Yasu's legs moved at a speed they had never ran before, he remembered how Isamu mentioned he'd run track a couple times in middle school but it looked like Isamu's speed had strengthened since then. Isamu yelled something about his fingers freezing, and knowing he would catch a cold the day after. But Yasu couldn't pay attention to that, all he could do was look, look at Isamu's face.

His hair was stuck to his face and his eyes were squeezed shut as he laughed. He just looked so alive. His smile, his eyes, his lips, everything.

Yasu immediately looked away, he was taken out of thought as soon as they stopped running and the rain stopped pouring.

Isamu had quickly brought them to a nearby bus stop.

They were soaked and shivering, but their eyes met.

...

Yasu laughed.

Not the quiet chuckle he sometimes let out, not the small amused smile he hid behind. A real laugh, the kind that surprised even himself.

Isamu stared, his mouth slightly open, because he'd never heard it before.

Then slowly, he smiled.

Not because Yasu was laughing at something funny, but because Yasu was laughing at all.

Yasu covered his mouth, still unable to stop. He tried to speak, but another laugh escaped.

Isamu started laughing too, and for once, it wasn't Isamu trying to make someone else happy, nor was it Isamu putting a smile on someone's face.

They were just two boys standing in the rain, laughing together. Yasu couldn't care about anything else right now, he just wanted to laugh, and he wanted Isamu to laugh along with him too.

Maybe this is exactly where Yasu wants to be.

June 13th

One Sunday morning, Isamu woke up early as usual to head towards baseball, as he sat down, watching TV, he ended up receiving a call from someone.

Isamu's face lit up, he quickly answered and placed the phone to his ear.

"Yasu!"

"Hey," he said, "What are you doing right now?"

"My dad hasn't eaten yet, so I'm just watching TV until he's ready to drop me off." He responded, warmly through the phone.

Isamu blinked.

"It's quite early for you to wake up so early on a weekend, what's up?"

"Do you want to go...Somewhere with me?" Yasu mumbled, even though Isamu couldn't see him through the phone, he knew he was turning pink.

Isamu giggled, "I'm free for a little bit after twelve for two hours, or after tutoring which I get off at eight."

"After twelve then, will you meet me on main street?"

"Wait for me there!"

The call ended, but Isamu couldn't stop smiling, he wondered where Yasu would take him today. 

Senzai looked up from the kitchen, "So where are you going?"

Before Isamu could respond, his father walked in.

"You going somewhere today 'Samu?"

"Yasu is taking me out!" Isamu exclaimed, "After baseball I won't be coming home, I'm going down to main street!"

"Alright, be safe."

"I will!"

Isamu ran down the street, still holding his baseball equipment after practice, Yasu and Isamu only had about two hours to spend before Isamu would have to go to basketball practice and later on tutoring. He happily waved to Yasu, who waved back in response. 

"Yasu! I need to drop off my baseball equipment at the tutoring center, mind coming with me?"

"No, I didn't know they had lockers in the center?"

"They don't! I just drop it off with my tutor! Anything really, she just holds on to it and gives it back!"

"Alright, let's go."

After leaving Isamu's baseball equipment with his tutor, they made their way back toward Main Street.

"So..." Isamu looked over, "Where're we going?"

Yasu looked ahead, pretending not to notice the excitement in Isamu's voice, "The aquarium."

Isamu stopped walking.

"...Seriously?"

Yasu nodded, "I remembered you saying you liked fish."

A grin spread across Isamu's face.

Before Yasu knew it, his wrist had been grabbed.

"Hurry!"

So that's what they did, sharing an earbud, listening to the same music as they both pointed to anything that interests them. Yasu would have found it boring, but with Isamu, anything could have been fun. Isamu's favourites were the eels, however Yasu remarked and called them gross. They'd go back and forth, comparing the fishes they liked and would read their information that came along with it, trying to prove to each other whose fishies were better.

At one thirty, they had reached their end of the section they were in. Isamu would have had to go in around fifteen minutes, so they both agreed they'd see the jellyfish before they'd leave.

Isamu pressed his nose against the dirty glass, his eyes sparkling any time a beautiful jellyfish would come by. Yasu also couldn't help but be mesmerized, right now they were looking at moon jellies, tiny, transparent but still breathtaking. 

"Did you like it here?" Yasu asked, glancing over at Isamu for just a second, before turning his attention back on the sight in front of him.

"Yeah, I loved it."

Yasu smiled, "Tell me, why?"

"Because..."

Isamu watched a moon jelly drift past the glass.

"Nobody expects me to do anything here."

Silence settled between them.

Isamu's expression softened as he turned to Yasu.

"All I wanna do is watch the jellies with you, Yasu."

The moon jellies drifted through the water without any destination.

No rush.

No expectations.

Just moving wherever the current carried them.

"I have something to tell you."

Isamu tilted his head, but Yasu's voice got caught in his throat, he never ended up telling Isamu that day.

Yasu found himself wishing...

Time could slow down like that too.

June 22nd

One morning, Yasu woke up and received a couple text messages from Isamu, saying that he wasn't able to come to school because he'd just come down with a fever. Yasu sighed, it wasn't usual for him to spend the school day alone but now he'd have to, because Isamu wasn't coming. He'd probably stop by after school, just to check in how Isamu would be doing before he'd go home.

At school, Isamu would never miss a day, his attendance was over the roof. Not once did he ever miss a day, so how would his classmates react once Isamu's seat was empty?

"Isamu?"

The teacher called, taking attendance. Once received with no response, she looked up.

"Oh? Guess he isn't here today."

'What? Isamu never misses a day!'

'Does that mean he's not coming to soccer?'

'Yasu what did you do to him!?'

Yasu sighed, maybe he wasn't gonna be alone today, he'd have students repeatedly asking him where Isamu had gone. They acted like Isamu, a teenage boy, couldn't get sick.

After school, Yasu had called his mother, telling her he'd be spending a little time over at Isamu's. He had a reason to go too, his classmates passed out homework and asked him to deliver Isamu's work as well, so technically he just wasn't there to see Isamu's face.

Senzai let him in, it was just him and Isamu because their father was at work. He asked if Yasu wanted any tea but Yasu turned him down and casually made his way to Isamu's room.

Once he was there, he noticed books and loose papers on the edge of his bed. Though they didn't look like Isamu's, more like Senzai was there, watching over his little brother as he slept. Yasu sat down on the floor, facing Isamu as he slept, he reached his hand out, attempting to brush out some loose strands hovering over Isamu's eyes.

But something startled him, Isamu grabbed his wrist, he'd been awake the whole time.

Isamu didn't look upset however, he just laughed weakly. Yasu grinned, ruffling Isamu's hair as payback.

They chatted for a while, well, mostly Yasu because Isamu's voice was hoarse. Despite that, Isamu kept smiling, giggling as Yasu talked about events that happened at school, mocking teachers and classmates who threw huge fusses because of one boy being absent.

Yasu's voice trailed off.

"You don't have to smile all the time."

Isamu smiled, though the fever had taken most of his usual energy away.

"I know."

His voice was quiet.

"But I want to."

Yasu frowned, "You don't have to smile just because other people expect you to."

Isamu looked at him for a long moment before shaking his head.

Yasu blinked.

He smiled again, not the bright, dazzling one everyone else knew, just a small one.

"I smile because, I like smiling."

He looked down at the blanket gathered in his lap.

"It reminds me of my mom."

Yasu stayed silent.

"When I was little..." Isamu laughed softly. "She always told me my smile was the prettiest thing about me."

His fingers pinched the edge of the blanket.

"So after she died..."

He paused.

"I thought if I kept smiling... she'd be happy wherever she is."

The room became impossibly quiet and the rain outside tapped softly against the window.

"So I never stopped."

Yasu's chest tightened.

All this time...

He thought Isamu smiled because life was easy, everyone thought because everything always worked out for him.

Because he was popular.

Because everyone loved him.

But that wasn't it.

It was a promise.

A promise to someone who wasn't here anymore.

"...And," Isamu continued.

His cheeks tinted pinker, though Isamu only thought it was because of the fever.

"I'm smiling because I'm with you."

Yasu's heart skipped.

He looked away before Isamu could notice the heat climbing into his own face, "...You're such an idiot."

Isamu laughed, "I know."

"But..."

Yasu reached over and gently brushed Isamu's bangs away from his forehead and Isamu didn't stop him this time.

"...Get better soon."

Isamu's smile softened, "I will."

June 30th

Yasu sat on the concrete floor, alongside many of his classmates. For P.E, his and some other class were competing in soccer. Obviously his team was winning, I mean not even bragging they had Isamu it was no wonder why they'd win. The game was pretty boring Yasu could admit, for some reason Yasu also wanted to get on the field, especially because he could hear the other team bad mouthing his class. 

Yasu was taken out of thought when he realized Isamu had the ball. Isamu dribbled past many of the other team's players. Yasu knew Isamu was good, but he never expected Isamu to be that good. 

As Yasu took his eyes off, he heard a loud sound. Like someone falling down, he could recognize that voice..

It was Isamu.

Isamu had been pushed by one of the other team's players, his knee was scraped, even though Yasu was quite far away he could still see oozing red fluid slipping down his leg.

Yasu's eyes widened, and his heart ached at the sight.

Because tears were slipping down Isamu's face, he wasn't loud or making wailing noises. He was just there, crying silently as the players and the coach surrounded him.

"Seriously I said I'm sorry, didn't I?"

The player said, his voice coming out harsh like he wasn't sorry at all.

Yasu could hear the players arguing on field, as the coach ignored them, busy tending to Isamu's wound.

"You've got nothing to cry about! I bet it doesn't even hurt that much, aren't you embarrassed?"

As many of his classmates tried to stop him, he kept going.

"You're just crying because you don't got big brother to comfort you! No wonder, that's why he got sick of you and locked himself inside the house-"

"Take that back!"

The words ripped out of Isamu before anyone could stop him.

The coach reached for him.

But it was too late.

Isamu pushed aside the coach, and latched on to the other player's ankle. He pulled on it, causing the boy to fall down. Isamu was about to throw a punch but he was fortunately stopped by his classmates and soon teachers rushed over.

"Everyone not involved, back inside!"

Yasu hesitated.

"But-"

"Now."

He looked back one last time.

Teachers had already stepped between them.

It was the first time he'd seen Isamu get upset like that.

How did that boy know about Senzai?

Now that he thought about it, he had only ever seen Senzai out once, at the station.

That was it, the more Yasu thought about it, the stranger it became.

Senzai wasn't just busy.

Something was wrong.

For the rest of the day, Yasu didn't see Isamu and he couldn't focus on class at all. He heard some of his classmates and other students talking about the events that happened earlier that day, Yasu didn't get much information, all he heard was after Isamu and Senzai's mother passed away, Senzai had fallen into a bad state and refused to attend school. In those three years, he was homeschooled and now he was moving on to college entrance exams. That's all Yasu could gather, but that didn't matter to Yasu right now, when the time was right Isamu would tell him.

After school, Yasu went to go look for Isamu, bringing Isamu's bag alongside with him. He's worried. He knew Isamu would probably be in a rough state right now, but still, Isamu is his friend.

He found Isamu after a short while, sitting behind the gym, with his back against the wall. There was an ice pack on his knee, his eyes were red and he didn't carry that same smile like he always did. Yasu knew that Isamu knew of his presence, Yasu walked closer, dropping Isamu's bag beside him before sitting down.

They sat in silence, until Yasu spoke up.

"You scared me."

Isamu stared up at the sky, "Sorry."

Neither of them talked, they sat in silence before Isamu spoke up again.

"I'm suspended."

Yasu shot up, "What-?"

"I know, I hope father doesn't kill me." Isamu chuckled.

Yasu stared, without saying anything. He hoped, this moment..

Would just end faster.

July 1st

Isamu had received a two day suspension, because of his reputation he would be back in school by next monday they said, however the boy was let off with a warning. Akihito wasn't exactly mad at Isamu, though he was pretty disappointed, reasonable I mean, Isamu was always the 'easy kid' for him. So, Isamu suddenly getting into trouble wasn't something to be proud of, even when he was trying to defend his brother's name. 

That day he had both basketball and baseball practice, meaning that after 'school' which he did not attend, he'd have to go. So that's exactly what he did, however this time, he didn't call Yasu. As he walked alone, he couldn't help but hear the whispers nearby. They were badmouthing him, thankfully, they were pitying him. Since he had basketball before baseball on Thursdays, his scar was clearly visible while wearing his basketball shorts.

Isamu couldn't help but feel shy of these sudden stares.

'Isamu, are you really going to basketball like that?'

Isamu turned around and flashed a smile

"I'll be fine! Don't worry about me!"

Another person waved him over from across the street.

'Yoo! Isamu you got suspended right!'

"I guess I did!"

'Isamu you feeling good?!'

"Of course I am!"

As he walked down, he did get chatted with. No one exactly blamed Isamu, others would come up to him, even students from different schools would ask him what happened. But that day, nobody asked him to help, not even the kid who needed help tying their shoelaces. Everyone understood, Isamu couldn't keep up his smile for long so they didn't trouble him.

When Isamu returned home after practice, he didn't have anybody waiting for him. Senzai was in his room and his father was at work. Usually, Isamu would fill the silence himself. He would turn on music, watch something, and start talking about his day.

But today, he didn't, he walked into his room and sat down on his bed, for the first time in a while..

He didn't know what to do.

Until his phone lit up, a single message.

Yasu: How was practice?

Isamu smiled, wiping his tears away. As long as he had Yasu, he'd be fine.

Right?

July 2nd

That Friday, after Yasu finished school, he walked over to Isamu's house and invited him out that day. They weren't doing anything too special unlike their aquarium date visit, they were just taking a stroll around the streets. However Isamu much would have preferred to stay at home, he was used to getting stares from all over, but he was not up to it today.

Yasu glanced over, "You're quiet."

Isamu blinked, turning toward him, "Huh? I'm always quiet sometimes."

"No, you're not."

A small laugh escaped Isamu, "That's mean."

"It's true."

Isamu glanced behind him, then back at Yasu. "Can we go to your place?"

Yasu raised an eyebrow, but he didn't comment on it, "Sure."

They walked side by side to Yasu's apartment complex, neither of them said a word but Yasu could tell that the fight had been in Isamu's mind for the past two days. Not even Isamu, it was like everyone else avoided them, sure Isamu would get talked to, but nobody talked to him for long and nobody asked him for help. 

It seemed like the fight just left everyone feeling down and shocked. And Yasu knew that Isamu couldn't stand it.

"Huh? Keiko and Daku aren't home?" 

Isamu asked, turning his head as Yasu shut the door.

"Nah, they're at work, come, let's go to my room."

Yasu's room wasn't filled with much, a bed and drawers. His bedsheets were plain and the only decor he had was artificial plants, packed boxes and textbooks.

"Why are there so many boxes?" 

Yasu stayed quiet.

"Don't worry about it."

They sat on the bed, quiet for once.

"Everyone has been looking at me differently, recently."

Yasu looked over.

Isamu stared at the ceiling.

"Not badly, just differently."

Yasu was about to respond before Isamu cut him off.

"Do you hate me?"

Yasu was shocked, he still wonders sometimes how Isamu even is a top student, "Why would I hate you?"

"Because I got in trouble."

"You got angry because someone insulted your brother, you think I'm going to hate you for that?"

Isamu chuckled, "Yasu, you're weird."

His voice didn't have any malice behind it, he placed his head on Yasu's shoulder.

So for a while, neither of them spoke. The room was quiet, the kind of quiet Yasu usually liked, but somehow, with Isamu sitting beside him, it felt strange.

"I thought..." Isamu started.

Yasu glanced over.

"I thought everyone would see me differently after that."

His fingers curled slightly against the bedsheets.

"Like maybe they'd realize I'm not actually the person they think I am."

Yasu stared at him.

"Isamu."

"Hm?"

"You're an idiot."

Isamu blinked, "What?"

"You think people only like you because you help them?"

A pause.

"You really are an idiot."

Isamu laughed softly.

But this time, it wasn't because he was trying to make someone else happy.

It was because Yasu made him laugh.

"I'm glad I can stay with you."

July 5th

Isamu was finally back in school, and it was a lot. Isamu was really popular that day, girls brought him chocolates, students from other classes and grades came to see the ruckus, and boys treated him like the man of the world. Isamu was basically back to his old self, laughing and chatting with anyone who came to talk to him, Yasu watched from afar, not getting involved but just smiling. Isamu really was something, wasn't he?

At lunch, the popularity died down. Isamu and Yasu sat side by side, sharing lunch and just talking with each other.

"Come on Yasu, tell me something." Isamu muttered, "You never tell me anything!"

"I don't?"

"Tell me what your life was like! How it is in America?"

"It's nice, I have many friends and it's a pretty decent place. You'd probably love it there."

"How many friends?"

"Six I'm usually with, but I did have a few more."

He paused.

"Isamu."

Isamu tilted his head, "Yeah?"

"I need to-"

Their eyes met.

"Nevermind."

When school ended, the crowds around Isamu slowly disappeared. He was heading over to basketball practice. Yasu found himself walking beside him toward the gym without either of them mentioning it.

The hallway buzzed with students heading home. Some called out to Isamu.

'See you tomorrow!'

'Don't get hurt again!'

'Good luck at practice!'

He answered every one with the same smile, by the time they reached the gym doors, it was finally quiet.

Isamu rested his basketball bag on one shoulder.

"So..."

He smiled.

"I'll call you while I run home."

Yasu nodded, "...Okay."

Neither of them moved.

Almost like they were waiting for the other person to leave first.

Finally, Isamu chuckled.

"What?" Yasu asked.

"Nothing, but you've been staring at me."

"I have not."

"You definitely have."

Yasu looked away, "...Just go."

Isamu grinned, "See you later."

He pushed open the gym doors and Yasu watched them swing shut behind him.

...

He stayed there, just listening, basketballs echoed through the gym floor.

Coach whistles and sneakers squeaking.

Isamu laughing somewhere inside.

It sounded...

ordinary.

And somehow...That scared him the most.

In another month... Or now a few weeks.

he wouldn't hear any of it anymore.

July 10th

Yasu woke up feeling beaming excitement beating through his heart. Isamu and him were going to the summer festival in just six days, Isamu had practically begged Yasu to come along after Senzai refused, and with his father working that day, there wasn't anyone else to go with. Yasu had originally planned to tag along with his parents, but the two of them had smiled knowingly and insisted he spend the day with Isamu instead.

Isamu had just come from soccer practice but now, they have been stuck at a shop for thirty minutes.

"How's this one?"

Isamu held up a muted green yukata decorated with beige patterns.

"No."

"Then this one?"

He reached for another that looked even worse.

"Definitely no."

"Yasu you're impossible!!" Isamu groaned dramatically.

After wandering around the shop for another fifteen minutes, Yasu had begun wondering if Isamu was deliberately picking the ugliest yukatas in the store, until Yasu's eyes lit up and landed on a dull yukata, blue fabric with thin white stripes running vertically from shoulder to hem.

It wasn't anything special, but Yasu couldn't help but imagine Isamu in it, so he picked it up.

"Isamu."

"What?" he huffed, "I'm busy."

"This one."

Isamu stared up, staring at Yasu before bringing his attention to the yukata.

"I want you, to wear this."

A smile spread across Isamu's face, "If you get to pick mine, it's only fair if I get to pick yours too."

After about twenty minutes of decision making, they landed on one.

Yasu was beginning to regret agreeing, "This is embarrassing."

"You've said that five times already."

"And I'll say it five more."

"Go try it on."

With one last grumble, Yasu disappeared behind the changing room curtain.

A few minutes later, the curtain slid open again.

Isamu looked up.

...And forgot how to speak.

Yasu stepped out awkwardly, tugging at the sleeve.

The black yukata suited him perfectly. Crimson wind patterns swept across the dark fabric, subtle enough not to stand out, yet impossible to ignore. It fit him so naturally that it almost looked like it had been made for him. Yasu looked good. Really good.

"...You look really nice."

Yasu froze, "...What?"

"You look really nice."

The words came out just as honestly the second time and made Yasu's ears immediately turned bright red.

He looked away, pretending to study the floor, "...I'm buying this one."

Isamu laughed, "I figured."

...

"These ones, please!"

The cashier smiled as she folded the two yukatas.

"It's nice seeing two friends shopping together."

Neither of them responded immediately.

Yasu reached for his wallet and Isamu quietly accepted the shopping bag.

Why did those words linger longer than they should have?

Neither of them understood why such an ordinary sentence left a strange weight in their chest.

They stepped back into the summer heat.

Isamu smiled like always.

Yasu shoved his hands into his pockets.

Neither of them brought it up.

The shopping bags swung gently between them as they wandered down the busy street.

"Where to now?" Isamu asked.

Yasu shrugged.

"Anywhere."

Isamu's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Oh!"

He pointed across the walkway.

A small photo booth stood tucked beside an arcade, decorated with colorful stickers and sample pictures.

"We're doing that."

"No."

"Come on."

"No."

"I'll pay."

"No."

"Please..?"

Yasu turned away, "Fine."

The booth was much smaller than either of them expected, as the curtain closed behind them, the screen lit up, telling them to select a pose.

"Pose?" Isamu blinked.

"You don't know either?"

"I've never done one before."

Neither of them moved, as the countdown began.

Three..

"It's fine just smile!!"

Two..

"I am smiling!"

One..

Flash!

The first picture came out with Isamu grinning naturally...

...As Yasu to the right looked like he had just been sentenced to prison, he'd make a great mugshot though.

Isamu burst into laughter, "You look miserable!"

"I wasn't ready!"

The machine began counting down again.

"Yasu for real!"

"On it."

They both gave awkward peace signs.

Flash.

"Well, it looks better.."

The third countdown started.

"Now what?"

"I don't know."

Without thinking, Isamu leaned a little closer, not much but they were already so close. Now they were much more.

Yasu froze.

"..."

Flash.

They both stared in silence.

Yasu's ears slowly turned red.

"I wasn't ready."

"You say that every time."

One photo remaining.

Both of them looked at the screen.

"..."

"..."

At the last second...

Yasu looked at Isamu instead of the camera.

Isamu noticed.

And he laughed.

Flash.

After all the strips finished printing from the machine, Isamu tore them in half.

"You and I will keep one."

Yasu quietly slipped it into his wallet.

"Okay."

The sun was beginning to set by the time they left the photo booth, the streets weren't as crowded anymore, but the summer heat still clung to the air.

Isamu looked down at the shopping bags in his hands.

"Today was fun."

Yasu glanced over, "Really?"

"Yeah."

Isamu smiled.

"I don't usually get days like this."

Yasu's expression softened, but before he could ask what he meant, Isamu pointed ahead.

"Ice cream."

Yasu followed his gaze, "...Seriously?"

"What?"

"You just ate lunch."

"That was hours ago!"

"It was not."

"It was."

"It wasn't."

Isamu ignored him and walked toward the shop anyway.

They sat outside the store, ice cream in hand. Isamu had picked a flavor Yasu expected him to choose.

Something sweet, something colorful, rainbow sorbet.

Yasu, on the other hand, chose something simple.

"You always pick boring things."

Yasu looked over, "It's ice cream."

"Exactly. Ice cream should be exciting, you literally picked vanilla."

"...A classic." Yasu laughed quietly.

Isamu paused.

Yasu used to barely react to anything.

Now he laughed, again.

Because of him.

Their conversations would drift into meaningless things, childhood stories, things they hated, things they wanted to try, favourite foods and more. Nothing important and nothing Isamu would remember, however Yasu would, he would remember everything.

The way Isamu smiled.

The way his hair moved in the summer wind.

The way he held his ice cream like it was the best thing in the world.

Isamu stared up at the sky, "The festival is in six days."

Yasu nodded, "Yeah."

"I'm excited."

"Me too."

Isamu smiled at him, "I'm excited because I get to go with you."

Yasu looked away.

His heart felt strangely heavy.

Because for some reason, he couldn't stop thinking about how little time they had left.

July 16th

Yasu and Isamu made eachother a promise, once school ended they'd rush home and meet again at the festival by five o' clock. They would be spending around four to five hours there, depending on the time and where they'll end up. Yasu’s mother and father helped him get ready alongside him. His mother carefully brushed his hair while his father ironed the wrinkles out of his yukata. Since this was Yasu’s first festival in Japan, they wanted to make it special.

Well, they tried. There wasn’t much they could do besides help him get ready and give him some extra money, but Yasu appreciated it anyway.

He stood in front of the mirror, staring at his yukata.

A small smile formed on his face before he could stop it.

He hated how easily Isamu could affect him.

A few months ago, he was counting down the days until he could leave.

Now...

He was counting down the minutes until he could see him again.

 On Fridays, Isamu didn't have any extracurriculars, so that meant he could get ready as soon as he got home. Senzai remarked that he looked like a prince in his yukata that Yasu helped him choose, and Isamu couldn't help but smile warmly. His heart melted, Isamu was so excited he couldn't wait, this was his first festival he wouldn't spend alone after three years.

Yasu arrived first and kept repeatedly checking his phone, because Isamu wasn't there yet.  

Impossible, he made me wait.

A small smile tugged at his lips despite himself.

"You're really counting the seconds, aren't you?"

Yasu immediately looked up.

Isamu ran around the corner, hair messy, breathing hard, all with a ridiculous smile on his face. Yasu couldn't help but gape at the sight, he realized he didn't seen Isamu in a yukata that shopping day because he never ended up trying it on, just taking Yasu's word for it. The warm light shined on the two of them, they both were mesmerized by each other, Yasu was struck out of thought as Isamu grabbed onto his hand.

For a moment, the festival around them disappeared.

Because this was Isamu.

The same Isamu who smiled at strangers.

The same Isamu who helped everyone.

The same Isamu who somehow found his way into Yasu's life.

But tonight...

He was here for him.

"Let's go!"

"Right."

After some minutes of walking, Isamu's eyes landed on a shooting game he wanted to play. 

Shot one

Isamu missed, he groaned. Yasu couldn't help but smile, if the perfect boy had something he was bad at, it was this.

Shot two

Isamu missed again, but this time, he turned his head toward Yasu.

"Yasu! I will win you this!"

Yasu is immediately skeptical.

"You say that like you aren't about to lose."

Shot three

Bullseye!

Isamu actually wins.

Because of course he does.

He’s athletic, has good aim, and got way too excited over it.

He ended up winning an ugly huge, ridiculous stuffed animal, Yasu couldn't even tell if it was supposed to be a fish.. Or a bear.

It did not fit his elegant prince like yukata at all.

"I thought it was for me."

"I'm just borrowing it! Where's my applause?!" Isamu held the stuffed animal up proudly, a huge grin spreading across his face.

Yasu stared at him.

The stuffed animal was almost the size of Isamu himself, its awkward expression making it look even more ridiculous.

"...You're proud of that?"

"Very."

"Why?"

"Because I won it."

Yasu sighed, but the small smile on his face betrayed him.

"You're impossible."

Isamu laughed, adjusting the stuffed animal under his arm as they continued walking, but that didn't last long until something catched Yasu's eye.

"Isamu."

"Hm?'

"Let's go eat some taiyaki."

...

"Seriously? How much did you buy?"

"I love taiyaki!"

"You cannot eat all of that."

Isamu grinned, "Watch me."

...

Isamu never ended up finishing and gave his taiyaki to the children passing by.

"I told you, you couldn't eat all that."

"No! I'm just saving my stomach for more food! I'm making space, Yasu!"

Yasu stared at him, "You bought six."

"Seven."

"That's worse."

"I was hungry."

Yasu glanced to the side, "Goldfish scooping?"

"Yes! Yasu, let's do it!"

"Wait! I was just making an observation!"

...

Isamu absolutely sucks at that game.

So much so that even folks from other stalls came to watch him fail, also the kids Isamu gave his taiyaki to, also joined in on making fun of him, little backstabbers.

Isamu had a crowd around him in minutes, the 'perfect boy' apparently sucks at goldfish scooping. 

"Okay.. I need to be gentle."

His paper immediately broke.

It took Isamu a while to recover, especially because the people who gathered around stood by just to talk to Isamu for a bit, many just stayed just to tease him.

Yasu chuckled, "You lost in three seconds."

"The fish was too powerful."

"They were goldfish."

Soon after, they moved on to food again, this time they shared a candy apple and shaved ice. Taste testing each other's foods, they settled on another game again.

Ring toss.

"I'm getting you something." Yasu said, he was doing too much for a guy just playing ring toss.

Isamu chuckled, "You don't have to."

"I know."

Attempt one.

Nothing, infact Yasu missed by a great distance.

Attempt two

The ring bounced off the bottle, landing straight on the floor.

Attempt three

…

Well it was the thought that counts, Yasu managed to score zero points, however Isamu managed to find a way to lighten the mood.

He ended up bribing the guy to hand the prizes for free, Isamu recognized the guy who was running the stall, he owned a restaurant pretty close to main street which Isamu had visited a couple times before, and each time the guy would ask Isamu to help his daughter with her math homework. Everytime, he did it. 

"Where did you get those..?" Yasu asked.

Isamu had brought them two matching keychains, one with a bunny and one with a frog, Isamu held them close to Yasu's face.

"You can have the bunny!"

"I won't even ask why."

...

"Isamu."

"Huh?"

"Hold my hand, for a while longer, the crowd-"

"Of course!" Isamu giggled.

...

Isamu looks at the keychain, swinging it lightly, "Do you think you'll keep it?"

Yasu glanced over, "What kind of question is that?"

"I don't know." Isamu laughed softly. "I just mean... sometimes days go by so fast. You don't realize they're important until they're already gone."

Yasu stayed quiet.

The words shouldn't have bothered him.

But they did.

Because recently, every happy moment with Isamu felt like something he wanted to hold onto forever.

"You remember everything, don't you?"

Isamu tilted his head, "What?"

"Everyone you meet. Everything you do. You remember all of it."

Isamu smiled, "I try to."

"Why?"

Isamu looked out toward the festival lights, watching people pass by, "Because... I think everyone deserves to know they mattered."

Yasu's chest tightened.

Of course he'd say something like that.

Of course Isamu, someone who had hundreds of people around him, would still worry about making one person feel important.

"...You're weird."

Isamu laughed.

"You say that a lot."

"Because you are."

"But you still hang out with me."

Yasu looked away, "...Yeah."

A comfortable silence settled between them.

The noise of the festival surrounded them, children laughing, people calling out from stalls, music playing somewhere in the distance.

For a moment, Yasu forgot.

Forgot about America.

Forgot about July.

Forgot about the time he had left.

...

"The fireworks are about to start soon, wanna get some cotton candy?"

"Yea, let's go."

They stop by a nearby stall, eating cotton candy. Yasu noticed, Isamu had gotten sugar over his face without even realizing. So Yasu, without thinking, reached over and wiped it away, he didn't think much of it until Isamu started laughing.

"What..?"

"You're so cheesy sometimes, Yasu!" 

"I didn't even say anything!"

"You didn't have too!"

Isamu laughed, the sound mixing with the festival music surrounding them. Yasu looked away, pretending not to care, but the small smile on his face betrayed him.

"You're laughing at me."

"I'm not!"

"You are."

The festival seemed brighter than before.

The lanterns hanging above them swayed gently in the summer breeze, casting warm light over the crowd. Children ran past them with their prizes, couples walked together holding hands, and voices from the stalls called out to passing visitors.

Yasu watched all of it.

He wanted to remember everything.

The sound of Isamu laughing.

The way he held the stuffed animal like it was a treasure.

The small frog keychain hanging from his hand.

Everything.

"Yasu?"

"Hm?"

"You're staring again."

"I'm not."

"You are."

"You're just easy to look at."

"...Did you just say something nice?"

"No."

"You did!"

"Forget it."

"No way! I'm remembering this forever."

A few moments later, more and more people began drifting toward the center of the festival. Families gathered together, children tugged excitedly on their parents' sleeves, and couples searched for the best place to watch the fireworks. The chatter around them grew louder with each passing minute.

"We should go."

Just as he took a step forward, a hand wrapped gently around his wrist.

"Yasu!"

He turned around.

Isamu was smiling.

"I know a spot."

Before Yasu could ask where, Isamu had already started walking, still holding onto his hand.

They left the brightly lit streets behind, weaving through smaller paths that gradually became quieter. The lively festival music faded with every step until it was nothing more than a distant melody carried by the warm summer breeze. The lanterns became fewer, the voices disappeared.

Soon, the only sounds left were the gentle rustling of leaves, the soft chirping of cicadas, and the rhythm of their footsteps against the stone path.

Yasu looked around. "...Where are we?"

"We're almost there."

A few more steps.

Then the path opened into a small shrine overlooking the festival.

It wasn't crowded.

In fact,

nobody else was there.

From the top of the hill, the rows of glowing food stalls stretched across the town like tiny stars scattered across the ground. The paper lanterns flickered softly in the darkness while distant laughter floated upward toward them.

A cool breeze brushed past as they sat down. They didn't talk, they just watched whatever they could see. Children continued running between the stalls, people lighted up lanterns, others tried finding spaces among crowds.

Yasu looked up at the midnight sky, "Are they delayed?" he asked.

"Seems like it," Isamu tilted his head back, staring at the empty sky.

The night stayed quiet.

No fireworks.

No announcement.

Just the distant sounds of the festival below.

Isamu rested his chin on his knees.

"But, I don't mind."

Yasu looked over, "Hm?"

"If they're delayed." A small smile crossed Isamu's face, "It just means we get to stay here longer."

Yasu's grip tightened around his bunny keychain, Isamu had bribed won for him.

Longer. That's a strange word.. Why does his heart hurt so much?

"I've been thinking.." Yasu muttered.

"What about?"

"Nevermind."

"You always do that!"

Yasu raised his eyebrow, "Do what?"

"You chicken out on what you are gonna say!

"I don't."

"You do."

Yasu didn't laugh, but an amused smile spread across his face. Isamu was right, Yasu was a chicken, a very scared one.

"Isamu."

"Now what?"

His voice got stuck in his throat, he should have practiced saying this. 

Say it.

Say it, Yasu.

Isamu waited, patiently, staring at Yasu. He looked worried.. Why did he look worried? Was Yasu taking too long to say something?

"I'm leaving."

...

Isamu blinked, "Leaving..?"

Yasu nodded, staring at his hands. He couldn't even face Isamu at that moment, "I'm going back."

"Back where..?"

"America."

Silence.

Isamu didn't utter a word, but his heart started to ache, Yasu? Yasu was leaving?

"When..?"

"Soon." Yasu swallowed, "Six days.."

"How long have you known..?"

Yasu looked up, their eyes met. Isamu's eyes were glossy, it was like any moment he'd cry, Yasu could feel his face burning up too, if Isamu were to cry, he was bound to cry along with him.

"Before I met you."

Isamu stared at him.

His lips parted.

But nothing came out

"...You're kidding."

Yasu couldn't answer.

"...Right?"

Still nothing.

The smile on Isamu's face trembled.

Yasu lowered his head, "I'm sorry."

And that's when Isamu finally breaks.

He grabbed Yasu's wrist, pulling on it. He wasn't harsh, nor did his grip hurt, but it pained Yasu, because it was his heart that wouldn't stop hurting.

Why didn't you tell me?"

Yasu couldn't answer.

"I would've..."

His grip tightened.

"I would've never..."

The words wouldn't come out.

Tears finally spilled down Isamu's face.

"I would've spent our time differently."

Isamu cried, sobbing between breaths. Yasu's tears spilled out too, despite that, he didn't even try to take his eyes off Isamu. Nor did he try to pull away from Isamu's grip on his wrist, to Yasu, it would have pained him more.

"You..." Isamu's voice shook, "You should've told me..."

Another sob escaped him.

"You should've told me before..."

His fingers tightened.

"...before I had the chance to fall in love with you!"

Isamu kept crying, he didn't even pause. Yasu knew Isamu meant to say that.

His grip slowly loosened and ended up letting go of Yasu's wrist. One his hand covered his mouth while his other dropped down to their seats, the small concrete blocks they sat on.

Yasu's eyes widened.

Love.

...

So that's what this feeling was.

The aching in his chest whenever the calendar changed.

The jealousy whenever strangers stole Isamu's attention.

Waiting outside the gym after judo.

Wanting to hear his voice every day.

Buying the yukata.

Keeping the photo in his wallet.

Wanting time to stop.

It wasn't admiration.

It wasn't attachment.

It was love.

Yasu laughed.

Just once.

A broken, trembling laugh.

"...I'm in love with you too."

Yasu placed his hand on top of Isamu's and leaned in closer.

"Isamu, from the first day we met to now, I have never stopped thinking about you."

His breath hitched.

"I think about your smile every day."

"The way you can walk up to anyone and make them feel like they've known you forever."

"The way people gather around you... not because you're popular."

He smiled through his tears.

"They just genuinely want to be with you."

Yasu pressed his forehead against Isamu's.

"They way you look so effortlessly breathtaking no matter whatever you do, and the way your hair gets caught in the wind as you laugh, or the way you light up a room wherever you go."

He paused.

"That's what I want, that's all I want you to do."

He wiped Isamu's tears, even though his kept pouring.

"Because all I want is you."

Isamu tried to fight back but smiled in response. No matter how much Yasu tried, his tears wouldn't stop.

"You wait until I confess."

His voice cracked.

"And you confess better."

A small laugh escaped him, even though tears continued falling.

"Yasu."

Isamu pulled Yasu's hands away from his face but gently held on to them.

"Sometimes, I'm so in love with you I feel like I could die."

Yasu froze.

Isamu looked down at their intertwined hands.

"All the time, all I want to do is be with you."

"On the phone. Walking to school. Sitting on the train."

His fingers tightened around Yasu's.

"It doesn't matter what we're doing."

"I don't care if we're just sitting there doing nothing."

A small smile appeared.

"I just like being with you."

The festival lights reflected in his eyes.

"I've spent my whole life surrounded by people."

"Everyone knows me. Everyone wants to talk to me."

"But somehow..."

He looked back at Yasu.

"You were the first person who made me feel like I didn't have to do anything."

"You didn't need me to be funny."

"You didn't need me to help you."

"You didn't need me to smile."

His expression softened.

"You just wanted me."

That's right.

Out of everyone, Isamu chose him.

Isamu could have had anything he wanted.

Girls.

A partner.

A best friend.

But he chose Yasu.

"Do you remember when you told me my sad face didn't suit me?"

Yasu looked up.

"I think... I finally understand why I liked hearing that."

Isamu's smile trembled.

"Because you weren't telling me to smile."

His thumb brushed against Yasu's hand.

"You were telling me I didn't have to hide."

Isamu giggled as Yasu kept shedding tears, choking back sobs that escaped from his mouth. He just couldn't stop crying, he tried to hold it back, tried to keep himself together, but every breath came out uneven.

And Isamu just watched him.

To Yasu, Isamu may have been the prettiest boy he'd ever seen.

The boy everyone looked at.

The boy everyone wanted to be around.

The boy who seemed like he belonged under every spotlight.

But right now...

But right now,beneath the dim lights of the shrine, his face was illuminated by the warm lights that flickered upon his face, Isamu's face flowed with multiple colors, the reflection in his eyes shined, sparkling even.

The warm glow painted over his features.

His warm hand held on to Yasu, and Yasu seeked the warmth more than ever.

Yasu thought he had seen every beautiful side of Isamu.

He was wrong.

This was the most beautiful he had ever been.

...

That smile was the reason he forgot what he was about to say.

For once, he didn't push aside his feelings, nor did he try to make an excuse or hide anything he was about to say.

Yasu moved closer, giving Isamu all the time in the world to pull away.

Every chance to laugh it off.

Every chance to pretend this was just another moment between friends.

But Isamu didn't move.

He stayed.

His hand remained wrapped around Yasu's.

So, after everything left unsaid, after all the moments they almost confessed and all the times they were too afraid...

Yasu finally stopped running away.

He finally stopped chickening out.

He leaned in.

And kissed him.

Nothing that was cancel worthy, just a tender press to the lips.

Gentle.

Soft.

Loving.

And Isamu kissed him back, never letting go of their hands in the moment.

The fireworks sprung out above them, but they didn't look.

They already had the best view in the world.

6 days left

Isamu and Yasu were awkward.

Painfully awkward.

Especially because of the kiss they shared last night. Despite that, Yasu showed up to Isamu's house the next morning and ended up getting dragged along to soccer practice. That's what he got for forgetting Isamu's ridiculously busy schedule.

Isamu laughed with his teammates, joking around and doing basic drills, but he ended up glancing over after a couple minutes. His eyes would drift over to the sideliness, to Yasu. Every time he would score or make a good play, he would look towards the grass, toward him. Their eyes would meet for a second and Isamu would just grin before turning back to the game while Yasu would have to pretend he wouldn't smile as well.

Soccer didn't last too long, and Yasu was thankful it was the only thing on Isamu's schedule that day, so after practice, Isamu ran over, breathing heavily, crouching down to Yasu's level.

"Did you watch?"

"I was kind of forced to."

"You liked it."

"It was... alright."

"...You watched the whole thing."

"I had nothing else to do."

"...Liar."

Yasu looks away.

"I wanted to."

Isamu freezed for a second, then smiled so brightly Yasu immediately regretted saying it out loud.

"Yasu!" Isamu beamed, grabbing both of Yasu's hands in his own. "Tell me! How should we spend the rest of the day together?"

Almost instantly, a few of Isamu's teammates turned their heads, some of them grinned, others exchanged knowing looks and even the coach glanced over before pretending not to notice.

He sighed, "I got no idea."

"Then we shall figure it out!"

...

Isamu and Yasu walked to the convenience store, they didn't plan anything special, but since soccer was quite a walk away from main street, all they wanted was to sit down and eat.

Once they arrived, Isamu grabbed basically anything he could land his eyes on.

"Didn't you just eat breakfast?"

"That was two hours ago."

"I literally saw Senzai give you basically a meal for two."

"I'm the one who spent an hour and forty minutes running after a ball, not you."

Isamu rolled his eyes playfully.

"Seriously, when we are older will you let your husband starve?"

"Maybe, if he eats too much food."

"Yasu!"

Isamu had bought the weirdest snacks that not even Yasu was willing to try. But with a little convincing Yasu ended up eating them as well.

They sat together, underneath a tree's shade. Their shoulders touched but neither of them were willing to move, where did the awkwardness from the morning go? It had practically vanished, maybe because this was always how they were, the only thing that changed was that now, neither of them had to pretend anymore.

Isamu opened another snack, taking a bite before immediately making a face.

Yasu looked over, "That bad?"

"No."

"Your face says otherwise."

"I was just surprised."

"Because it tastes horrible?"

"Because it's... unique."

Yasu stared at him, "You hate it."

"I don't hate it."

"You hate it."

"...Maybe a little."

They laughed, just sitting there. Trying all the different snacks they bought, and making faces when they were good or horrible.

"Tell me more." Isamu said, turning toward Yasu.

"About what?" He asked.

"America."

Yasu smiled, "Sure."

...

The wind passed through the trees above them, carrying the sounds of people walking by and distant cars passing on the road. Yasu talked, it had probably been the most he'd ever said to Isamu, but Isamu didn't mind as Yasu continued to ramble about his home life, his friends, his school, anything that came to his mind and Isamu listened. For the first time, it wasn't Isamu who talked, it was Yasu himself.

As Yasu finished talking, most likely thinking of something else about America he could share, Isamu had gotten distracted.

"Oh."

Yasu looked over, "What?"

Isamu points ahead, "There's a bookstore."

Yasu followed his gaze, "...You want to go?"

Isamu smiles, "Why not?"

The bell above the bookstore door rang as they stepped inside.

Immediately, Yasu noticed the difference.

It was quiet.

No loud music from the streets.

No people calling Isamu's name.

No one stopping him every few minutes.

Just the soft sound of pages turning and footsteps against the wooden floor.

"Wow."

Yasu glanced at him, "What?"

"I don't think I've ever been here before."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"How?"

Isamu shrugged, "I guess I never had time."

That answer made Yasu pause.

Of course.

Even something as simple as wandering around a bookstore was something Isamu never had time for.

Isamu and Yasu stuck together for a little while in a bookshop, they both looked at magazines, decor, textbooks and much more. Yasu started to think more thoroughly, and began deciding whatever books he should buy. That was the reason why he ended up separated from Isamu.

Yasu began looking through aisles, he'd probably walked around the whole store by now, except for the children's section.

Of course Isamu would be there

Isamu sat on a squared seat that was meant for an adult, while the children sat on a mat. He read a book to the children, a book about a frog and a bunny on a journey. So Yasu walked over, and sat beside the children, right in front of Isamu. Isamu had to pause and couldn't help but laugh, the children began laughing along too, moving in closer to meet their new awaited guest.

Later, the librarian came back, she only asked Isamu to entertain the children for a bit before and was surprised when another guest had arrived, getting his cheeks pinched, his hair pulled and his shoelaces untied, sitting in the middle of all the kids. Isamu continued to laugh, snapping pictures with filters and recording videos of Yasu getting toyed around with. Yasu couldn't keep a bothered face, not for long either. He smiled, teasing and playing with the children as well, he didn't expect to have fun as the children pestered him, but he did.

...

"Did you find anything you liked?"

Yasu nodded, "Yeah, I did."

Yasu walked to the seat where Isamu was sitting at and picked up the book he was reading, the one about the bunny and the frog he read a little to the children.

"It matches our keychains so-"

"Yasu!! You're so adorable!!" Isamu giggled, but his eyes shined onto something.

"Yasu." 

"Hm?"

"Buy me this."

Isamu picked up a book, a travel book specifically.

One, about America.

Yasu stared at it, before he took it from Isamu's hands, "I have an idea."

Isamu stared. Yasu picked up a couple of markers, all the different colors as he walked back to the children. He apologized for interrupting the librarian, but he placed the children's book on the mat along with the markers. He made every child sign their book. Some wrote scribbles, others wrote their names and some drew smiley faces and little drawings. In the end, he bought it.

"Isamu." Yasu said at the checkout, waiting until he looked over, "This one is yours."

He handed him the travel book.

Isamu blinked.

"What?"

"Open it."

Slowly, Isamu flipped through the first page.

And there it was.

A collection of messy drawings.

The children's signatures, little hearts, little stars, the frog and the bunny.

And in the corner...

Yasu's name.

Isamu stared at the page.

For once, he didn't immediately say anything, he let his eyes go over the page over and over again.

"You made this for me?"

Yasu shrugged.

"You wanted to know about America, didn't you?"

Isamu looked down again.

"But..." His fingers brushed against the page.

"That's why I made sure you had something."

Isamu smiled, "I'll treasure it forever now."

...

They walked down the street, they didn't have much to do, but their hands were certainly warm. Yasu stared at their intertwined hands, it was a habit for Isamu to grab on to people's hands, no matter who they were, but Isamu would end up letting go after a second, he would never hold anyone's hand for longer than ten seconds, even Yasu's. He was always dragging Yasu wherever he could go, but would let go after they'd reached their destination.

"Yasu."

"I'm not going."

"To the arcade!' Yasu groaned.

...

"You're horrible at this, aren't you a soccer player?'

"That doesn't mean I have rhythm!" Isamu shouted, "Why is this game so hard?!"

...

"Isamu, I will win you something!"

"Why are you so randomly motivated now?"

"Cheer me on! Claw machines got nothing on me, I won so many back home you'd be shocked how many I can win you now."

Attempt one

"That was a fluke."

"Sure it was."

Attempt two

"I'm just getting ready-"

"Are you?"

Attempt three

"They rigged this! I'm out!"

"Right my turn, I'll win myself something, because you can't!"

"I'll win you something else!"

...

Yes, they ended up walking away with nothing. They both agreed that the claw machine was broken, and walked away, until they stopped to watch a kid try it. They both chuckled to each other, they were sure the child was gonna win nothing and run to his parents crying.

...

The kid ended up winning three stuffed animals from the claw machine that day.

"Alright you know I'm done with the arcade!"

"Me too," Yasu nodded, "Lets get outta-"

"Excuse me-" A little voice spoke out, the kid tugged on Isamu's sleeve.

Isamu smiled, "Hello, what's your name lil guy?" He crouched down to the kid's level, ruffling his hair. Acting like he wasn't betting on the child to lose a couple minutes ago.

"Kyota... Here, " The kid held out his hands, revealing two stuffed animals, "For you."

Isamu's eyes lit up, "For us?"

"No, for you."

Isamu chuckled as he took the stuffed animals from Kyota's hands, "Thank you Kyota, I'll treasure them alright?"

Kyota nodded, he glanced at Yasu, with a cheeky smile as he ran back to his parents after giving Isamu the gift.

"I hate kids now." Yasu remarked, upset after he didn't get a gift.

"You were just hanging out with them at the library!"

"In my next life I hope I'm born as a pretty boy that is loved by everyone like Isamu."

"Yasuuu! Don't be upset!" Isamu whined.

...

Isamu looked down at the stuffed animals Kyota had given him.

One was a small bear and the other was a little penguin.

He held them carefully, almost like they were something fragile.

Yasu glanced over, "You know you could've given one to him."

"Hm?"

"The kid."

Isamu tilted his head, "He gave them to me."

"Yeah, but..."

Yasu looked away, "You're always getting things from people."

Isamu was quiet for a moment, then he smiled,

 "Actually..."

Isamu held out the smaller plush.

"This one's yours."

Yasu stared, "You just said you wanted to keep them."

"I do."

"Then why?"

"Because you look jealous."

"I wasn't."

"You were."

"I wasn't."

"You were."

...

The train ride back was quieter than usual, not uncomfortable, just peaceful.

The kind of silence they had grown used to sharing.

Isamu sat beside him, the stuffed animals resting carefully in his lap. His eyes were already growing heavy, the exhaustion from the long day finally catching up to him.

Yasu watched as Isamu slowly leaned closer.

And just like before...

His head fell onto Yasu's shoulder.

Yasu looked down.

A small smile tugged at his lips, "You're really comfortable doing this now, aren't you?"

No answer.

Isamu was already asleep.

Yasu shook his head quietly, but he didn't complain.

He remembered the first time this happened.

How his heart raced.

How he didn't know what to do.

How he spent the entire train ride wondering why something so small affected him so much.

But now...

Now he knew.

Yasu carefully adjusted himself, making sure Isamu stayed comfortable.

He didn't care if his shoulder got sore.

He didn't care if the ride ended.

For once, he didn't want time to move faster.

He wanted the train to keep going.

Just a little longer.

The train stopped at another station.

People got on.

People got off.

The world continued moving around them.

But Yasu stayed still.

Because right now...

Isamu was right beside him.

And that was enough.

5 days left

The morning started well... ish?

Yasu sat at the table, eating his scrambled eggs. His mother and father sat in front of him, sipping coffee as they chatted while eating. Yasu looked all around his house, the neatly packed boxes, the empty countertops and the smiles on his parents faces.

"Mother. Father. I have something to tell you."

Keiko and Daku paused mid convo, staring at Yasu, not expecting their son to address them so formally, which he never does. They glanced back at each other, then back at Yasu. Keiko laughed first, trying to reset the mood.

"What's wrong Yasu? Are you excited we are leaving?"

Daku nodded, "You said you wanted to leave as soon as we arrived in Japan, I bet you're excited aren't you?"

Yasu stayed quiet, fiddling with his breakfast, Keiko and Daku glanced back at each other again, worried.

"Yasu, is something wrong..?" Keiko asked.

"Isamu is my boyfriend."

The room went silent.

For a moment, nobody moved, if ya listened closely you could hear a pindrop.

Yasu's fingers tightened around his fork, he knew they weren't angry, they hadn't said anything.

But somehow, that made it worse.

Because his mind was already filling in the silence with every possibility.

What if they don't understand?

What if they think this is just because we're leaving?

What if they think it's unfair to Isamu?

Keiko blinked, "Isamu?"

Yasu finally looked up.

"Yes."

A smile slowly formed on her face.

Yasu could also hear his heart beating rapidly outta his chest, his face and ears quickly turned into a shade of pink. He didn't look up at them, but he could already tell their reactions..

They paused again, before Keiko started laughing, Yasu looked up at her again.

"Please mama, I know we are leaving, but even after we go, I wanna stay with him."

"Yasu."

"Hm?"

"Do you love him?"

"...Yeah."

"Then, I want you to stay with him."

"What?"

"Come on, I have met him before, alright? Top student, athletic, talented and a pretty face? If you hit the jackpot, why would I stop you from receiving your prize?"

Keiko looked at Daku, signaling him to say something as well.

"Well," Daku searched for the right words. "I support you, I've never seen you talk about anyone the way you talk about him."

He paused.

"Stay with that boy son, he's a really good kid. Who knows, maybe he'll put our Yasu in place."

"Dad!"

...

That afternoon, Yasu stood outside the basketball gym, waiting, he wasn't sure how long he had been there.

Five minutes.

Ten.

Maybe longer, normally, waiting wasn't something Yasu minded. But today felt different, today, his heart refused to calm down, the sound of footsteps caught his attention.

Isamu appeared in the distance, carrying his bag over his shoulder, his hair slightly messy from baseball practice, despite it ending hours ago.

The moment he saw Yasu, his expression immediately brightened.

Then confusion replaced it.

"Yasu? Why are you here?"

"I was waiting for you."

Isamu blinked, "You came all the way here before me?"

Yasu nodded.

That alone was strange enough. Usually, Isamu was the one waiting for him.

"Come with me."

Isamu tilted his head, "Come with you where?"

"Anywhere."

A small laugh escaped Isamu, "Yasu, basketball starts in a few minutes."

"I know."

"Then I can't."

Yasu looked at him.

"Isamu."

The way he said his name made Isamu stop.

"You can skip for one day, can't you?"

Isamu opened his mouth, ready to argue.

Practice.

His schedule.

Everything he was supposed to do.

But then he noticed something.

Yasu looked nervous.

Not the usual quiet Yasu.

Not the Yasu who pretended everything was fine.

Actually nervous.

"What's wrong?"

Yasu looked away, "I told my parents."

Isamu froze, "...About what?"

Yasu swallowed, "About us."

For a moment, Isamu didn't respond.

His eyes widened slightly, almost like he wasn't sure he heard correctly.

"You did?"

Yasu nodded.

"And?"

"They're okay with it."

A smile slowly formed on Yasu's face.

"They support us."

Isamu stared at him.

Then his expression softened.

Because he knew how much that must have taken, Yasu wasn't someone who easily shared things. Especially something this important.

"You really told them..."

"I did."

Silence.

Again Isamu smiled, "I'm proud of you."

Yasu immediately looked away, his face heating up, "Don't say things like that."

"Why?"

"Because..."

He paused.

"Because you always make me embarrassed."

Isamu laughed.

Then Yasu looked back at him.

"Let's go grocery shopping."

Isamu blinked.

"Huh?"

"When we get back, we'll cook with my parents." A small smile appeared. "I want you to meet them properly."

Isamu's eyes shifted back and forth.

The gym doors behind him.

His teammates were already inside, some of them stretching while others called out to each other. His shoes were still in his bag, his uniform ready, his schedule already planned out like every other day.

He had practice.

Oh and tutoring.

...

Yasu and Isamu strolled into the supermarket hand in hand, passing through the automatic doors as the cool air washed over them.

For once, neither of them was in a hurry.

"You know," Isamu began, letting out a quiet laugh, "I don't think I've ever skipped practice before."

Yasu raised an eyebrow, "Not even once?"

"Not even once."

Yasu stared at him for a second before a grin spread across his face, "I guess I'm your partner in crime now."

Isamu rolled his eyes, playfully, "Shut up."

...

The bakery section smelled warm and sweet, fresh bread lined neatly across the shelves. Isamu lingered there longer than necessary, eyes wandering over every pastry before reluctantly pulling himself away.

He'd already promised they were cooking dinner.

That didn't stop him from sneaking a small bag of melon bread into the basket when he thought Yasu wasn't looking.

Yasu did in fact notice.

He just chose not to say anything.

...

In the refrigerated aisle, they debated ingredients without saying much. Every so often one of them would quietly place something into the basket, only for the other to swap it out moments later. Before long, the basket held a strange mix of Yasu's practical choices and Isamu's impulsive ones.

It somehow worked..?

...

They paused in front of the drink refrigerators, the cool air brushing against their faces whenever someone opened a door nearby. Isamu reached automatically for a sports drink before stopping himself.

He wasn't going to practice today.

After a second's thought, he put it back and picked up a bottle of lemonade instead.

Yasu noticed the tiny hesitation but said nothing.

...

Soon, their shopping came to an end. The grocery bags were a little heavier than expected, filled with ingredients they'd picked out together. By the time they left the supermarket, the sky had begun to fade into soft shades of orange and pink.

It was nearly five o'clock, which was also around the time Isamu's tutoring session would have started.

The two of them walked side by side, their hands intertwined as usual. Their route back took them past the tutoring center.

Isamu's footsteps slowed, and without realizing it, his grip around Yasu's hand tightened.

He glanced toward the familiar building. The lights were already on. Students hurried inside, greeting one another as they disappeared through the entrance.

Normally, he would've been one of them.

Yasu followed Isamu's gaze.

He didn't say anything. He simply gave Isamu's hand a gentle squeeze in return.

Isamu smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

Even though skipping today had been his own decision... Even though he didn't regret spending the afternoon with Yasu...

A small knot of guilt settled in his chest.

Because he knew.

By now...

His father had already found out.

...

"I'm home!" Isamu called cheerfully as he stepped through the front door, lifting the grocery bags a little.

Almost immediately, Keiko peeked out from the kitchen, and her face lit up, "Isamu!"

Before Isamu could even answer, Daku appeared from the hallway as if he'd materialized out of nowhere.

"It's good to see you again, Isamu."

Isamu laughed sheepishly, "It's good to see you too."

Meanwhile, Yasu quietly slipped off his shoes.

"...I'm home too."

Neither of them responded.

Yasu stared.

"Hello?"

Keiko finally glanced over, "Oh." She waved a hand dismissively, "You're here too."

"What do you mean, 'me too'?"

"You live here."

"That doesn't mean I don't deserve a greeting."

"You'll survive."

Yasu sighed dramatically, "I've been replaced."

Keiko was already walking toward Isamu, "Come on, Isamu! Show me what you bought."

"Okay!"

Isamu hurried after her with the grocery bags, laughing the whole way.

Yasu stood alone in the entranceway for a second, "...Traitors."

Daku patted him on the shoulder as he walked past, "You'll be alright."

"I don't think I will."

...

Yasu glanced over his shoulder, Isamu was standing by the sink, carefully washing the dishes and wiping down the counter even though they weren't finished cooking yet.

"Why are you cleaning?"

Isamu froze for a second, looking back at him, "Hm?"

"The kitchen." Yasu pointed toward the counter, "You've been cleaning for the past ten minutes."

Isamu looked down, suddenly realizing what he was doing, "Oh."

A small, embarrassed smile crossed his face, "Well... I don't really know how to cook, so I thought I could at least help somehow."

The way he said it made Yasu pause.

Before Yasu could respond, Keiko turned around from the stove.

"Isamu."

He looked over.

"Come here."

"Huh?"

"We'll show you."

Isamu blinked, "You don't have to-"

"I know." Keiko smiled. "But you want to learn, don't you?"

For a moment, Isamu didn't answer.

Then his expression softened.

"...Yeah."

"Then come on."

She handed him a wooden spoon, "The first rule of cooking is tasting."

Isamu immediately brightened. "That's the first rule?"

"Yes."

Yasu looked over, "That sounds suspicious."

Keiko ignored him, "Second rule is don't let Yasu boss you around."

"Mother."

Isamu laughed, "I like this rule."

Yasu stared at the two of them.

Somehow, in less than an hour, Isamu had already teamed up with his mother against him.

Again.

...

"Isamu, at that rate, you'll chop your fingers." Daku said, pointing to Isamu's cutting board with his knife.

"Gah! Sorry I'll-"

"Relax, have you never chopped vegetables before.?"

"Sorry I can-"

Isamu paused, he was unsure what he was apologizing before. Isamu wasn't used to cooking, he tried to help out Senzai or his mother a couple times before but they would always shut him down. So Isamu was dependent on the people around him to do basic tasks. 

"I can-"

Daku didn't point it out immediately. He just reached over and gently adjusted Isamu's grip on the knife.

"You're holding it too tightly."

Isamu looked down, "Oh."

"Loosen your hand."

Isamu followed his instructions, "Like this?"

"Yes."

A small silence passed.

Then Daku continued cutting his own vegetables.

"There's no need to apologize every time you make a mistake."

Isamu froze, "Huh?"

Daku glanced over, "You apologized three times in the last minute."

Isamu opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

He hadn't even noticed.

"...Sorry."

Daku raised an eyebrow.

Isamu immediately covered his mouth.

Keiko, who was nearby, let out a small laugh, "He's a little stubborn."

"I'm not."

"You just apologized again."

Isamu looked away.

"...Maybe."

He looked away, smiling, his voice held no malice to it. He was just joking with his boyfriend's parents.

Daku turned back to the cutting board, "You don't have to know everything."

Isamu looked at him.

"Everyone thinks you do."

The knife stopped for a moment.

"That doesn't mean it's true."

Isamu stayed quiet as Daku continued.

"Yasu is similar."

That caught his attention.

"He tries to figure everything out alone. He doesn't like asking for help."

Isamu smiled faintly, "Yeah. He does."

"And you?"

Isamu blinked, "Me?"

Daku nodded, "You seem like the opposite."

A pause.

"But you're the same."

Daku stopped cutting, turning to look at Isamu again.

"You both think being needed is the same as being loved."

Isamu stared at him, wide eyed, the words didn't hurt. That was the strange part because they should have, but instead, they felt like someone had finally put a name to something he had been carrying his entire life.

Isamu had spent years trying to be useful.

Helping others.

Solving problems.

Being someone everyone could rely on.

And he never stopped to ask why.

How could Daku figure it out in less than an hour when Isamu couldn't understand it himself?

"Try again."

Isamu looked surprised, "You trust me with this?"

"Not completely."

"Daku!"

"But I think you'll be fine."

A small laugh escaped Isamu, "You're kind of mean."

"I've been told."

...

After a while, the kitchen became quieter.

Not silent, just calmer.

The sauce was finished, the pasta was ready, and the four of them moved around each other naturally.

Yasu noticed something.

Isamu wasn't acting nervous anymore. Earlier, he had been asking permission for everything.

"Can I help?"

"Should I do this?"

"Is this okay?"

Now?

He was standing beside Keiko, arguing about how much cheese belonged on pasta like he'd been there a hundred times before.

"Too much."

"There is no such thing as too much cheese."

"Isamu, you're putting half the bowl in."

"It's called improvement."

Yasu shook his head.

Impossible

...

They all sat at the dinner table, the pasta was amazing, it was like nothing Isamu had ever eaten before. Not because it tasted good, that was partially true, it was because Isamu got to eat with people that talked, made jokes, fought around at the dinner table. It was a huge contrast to Senzai and Isamu who would sometimes have to eat in fear because of their father. This was warm, the kind of feeling that Isamu didn't want to end. Everyone laughed, everyone joked, everyone talked, this was exactly where Isamu wanted to stay.

"How many sports do you play, Isamu?" Daku asked.

"Many! I play soccer, basketball, baseball and do judo on the side! I used to run track and play volleyball! Though I had to stop because a lot of it was too much for me."

"That's alot." Keiko shot up, "Aren't you tired?"

"I've gotten used to it!"

"Isamu, what do you see in Yasu?"

"Mom! Dad! Stop asking him this stuff!" Yasu demanded.

Keiko only laughed, "What? I'm curious."

Yasu covered his face with his hands, "Please don't encourage her."

Daku looked at Isamu, a small amused smile on his face.

"Well?"

Isamu blinked.

He wasn't expecting the question.

Not because he didn't know the answer.

Because he knew it too well.

His eyes drifted toward Yasu.

Yasu, who was currently looking anywhere except at him.

A small smile formed.

"He's kind."

Yasu froze, "That's it?"

"No."

Isamu laughed softly.

"That's just the first thing."

The table grew quieter.

"Yasu was the first person who didn't expect anything from me."

Yasu looked up.

"He didn't care if I won something, or if I was good at something, or if everyone else liked me."

Isamu played with his fork.

"He just cared about me."

Isamu could feel his face heating up.

"I thought people only cared for me, because I was good at sports, I was above in classes and made sure everyone had help when they needed it."

He laughed softly, but there was something bittersweet behind it.

"I didn't mind it. I liked helping people."

His eyes lowered.

"But sometimes I wondered..."

He paused.

"If I stopped being useful, would people still want me around?"

Yasu's expression softened.

Isamu looked back at him.

"He's the first person who liked me more than my achievements."

Daku's fork completely missed his mouth, Keiko's hand froze, the pasta slipping from her fork and falling back into her bowl.

Neither of them expected that answer.

Not from him.

Not from the boy everyone talked about.

The boy who seemed to have everything.

The boy who was good at every sport he tried, who helped everyone without hesitation, who smiled so easily that people naturally gravitated toward him.

This was the boy that Yasu fell in love with.

Yasu glanced over "I didn't tell him to say this by the way-"

"Yasu!"

...

After dinner, they all took their responsibilities and Isamu insisted on helping them clean.

Nobody asked him to.

Nobody expected him to.

But he did anyway.

Yasu watched as Isamu carried the plates to the kitchen, carefully stacking them together before washing each one, it was almost funny.

Even after everything they had talked about, even after Daku had pointed it out, Isamu still found little ways to make himself useful. Except this time, it felt different, he wasn't doing it because he was afraid of being a burden, he was doing it because he wanted to be there.

Keiko washed the remaining dishes while Isamu dried them beside her. Daku wiped down the table, and Yasu packed the leftovers in containers, making one extra full to give to Isamu on his way home.It was ordinary,so ordinary that Yasu wished he could remember every second of it.

The sound of plates being moved.

The smell of pasta still lingering in the air.

His parents laughing quietly.

Isamu standing in his kitchen like he had always belonged there.

...

"Thank you for having me."

Keiko smiled,"Come visit again."

 he smiled.

"I will."

...

Isamu walked home that night feeling lighter than he had in a long time.

His heart felt full.

Not because of the food, or because the day had been exciting, but because of the small moments he got to experience. The laughter around the dinner table, Yasu's parents teasing him, the way nobody expected anything from him except to simply be there. It was a feeling he wanted to keep forever. For once, Isamu wasn't thinking about his next practice, his next assignment, or the countless things waiting for him tomorrow. He was just able to be happy, by the time he reached his house, it was already around nine o'clock, the lights were still on.

Isamu opened the door, still carrying the same smile from earlier.

"I'm home!"

The words barely left his mouth before he stopped.

Standing in front of him was his father.

The warmth he had carried all the way home disappeared almost instantly.

Because he remembered.

He had forgotten.

His father was waiting for him.

Isamu's face was quickly drained out of all color, he glanced quickly to the side where Senzai stood, looking frightened. Isamu couldn't say anything, in fact he couldn't even look at his father at the moment. Isamu was freaking terrified.

"Isamu."

Isamu swallowed hard, "Yes father."

"Where the hell were you.. This entire day?"

Isamu couldn't respond, but his hands trembled, and sweat raced down his face.

"Isamu."

His father spoke.

"I asked you a question."

Isamu's eyes began to water, "Sorry I-"

His breath hitched.

"I just wanted to-"

"You cannot come home so cheerfully, and not tell us can you?" His father's voice remarked sarcastically, turning to Senzai before bringing his attention back to Isamu.

"Father.."

"Do not. 'Father' me. Tell me, where you were."

Senzai glanced at Isamu, "Father, he wasn't-"

"Stay out of this."

Senzai immediately went quiet.

Isamu's chest tightened.

Even now, his brother was trying to protect him.

"Isamu. Speak."

"I'm so sorry-" Isamu tugged at his fathers shirt, "I- was with Yasu."

"Yasu..?"

"Yasu?" Senzai asked.

"You missed tutoring and basketball, for Yasu..?"

Isamu nodded, the tears he tried to desperately to fight back spilled down his face. His gaze remained on the floor, looking anywhere but at his father.

"Just because you wanted- to hang out with a little friend."

The words sank deeper than Isamu expected.

A little friend.

That was all Yasu was to him in his father's eyes.

Someone he had chosen over his responsibilities.

Someone who wasn't important enough to change his schedule for.

Isamu's lips parted, but no words came out.

Because part of him still wondered if his father was right.

"I wanted to spend time with him father."

"Do you understand how much I pay for you? How much money I have spent on sports, studies, tutors among these years? And you just stab me in the back like this?"

"Father please-!"

"Stay out of it Senzai!"

Akihito turned his eyes back to Isamu again, who was still tugging on his shirt.

"Who is this boy to make you act like this?"

"This boy, is my boyfriend."

Akihito and Senzai stood there in shock as Isamu cried, Isamu had a boyfriend. But he was also crying. The first time in years, Isamu had cried, no matter how much Akihito shouted at him, Isamu leaned in to his father, grasping on like his life depended on him. This was something silly, this was serious.

Isamu had let go of his father, but he still kept crying, he crouched down with his hands on his knees. Hiding his face as best as he could. 

Where did the Isamu go who would cheer up Senzai and his father after their mother and wife died? Where was the little boy who was always said to be the easy child? Where was the kid who was naturally talented and caught the eyes of many who walked by?

Senzai stared at his younger brother.

He had seen Isamu smile through injuries.

He had seen him push through exhaustion.

He had seen him comfort others when he was the one who needed comfort.

But he had never seen him cry.

Not like this.

Not when nobody was watching.

Not when he couldn't force himself to smile anymore.

The 'easy child.'

That was what everyone called him.

The child who never caused trouble.

The child who always listened.

The child who always knew what to say.

But Senzai suddenly wondered...

Had Isamu really been easy?

Or had everyone just gotten used to him carrying things quietly?

Akihito's expression changed.

For the first time that night, he didn't look angry.

He just looked at his son.

The same son who had once been small enough to hold his hand.

The same son who tried so hard to make everyone around him happy.

And somehow, somewhere along the way...

He forgot that Isamu was still allowed to need someone too.

Akihito went down to Isamu's level, "Isamu."

Isamu heard his father call out his name but he didn't look.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know-"

He stopped himself.

Because the truth was painful.

He thought his father would be disappointed.

Akihito watched him carefully.

"I was worried."

Isamu looked up slightly.

"You were gone for more than half of the day. You missed your schedule, and nobody knew where you were."

"I know-"

His voice trembled.

"I know, I'm so sorry."

Akihito pressed his head against Isamu's, "So when will I meet him?"

"Huh?"

Isamu blinked.

The question caught him completely off guard.

Akihito looked away, almost awkwardly.

"I didn't know you had time for this romance stuff- when will I meet him?"

A small laugh escaped from Isamu before he could stop it, even with tears still on his face.

"You make it sound like I'm doing something terrible."

"You skipped basketball."

"Once."

"And tutoring."

"Once."

Akihito looked at him. "...Still."

Isamu smiled slightly, "He'll come over for dinner tomorrow."

He wiped his face.

"I'll make sure of it."

...

"You aren't angry?" Senzai asked, leaning on Isamu's doorframe.

Akihito gently stroked the sleeping Isamu's hair, he didn't respond to Senzai's question immediately. He just sat beside Isamu, studying his face and wiped away tears that would automatically run down his face, "He really does look like Tamae, doesn't he?"

Senzai froze, "Mother..?"

Akihito nodded, for a moment, neither of them spoke.

The room felt different, the posters of games Isamu liked but barely had the time to play, the plants around his room that were dying, the medals and trophies that took over the shelves, they didn't feel the same anymore.

"It isn't his fault."

Senzai looked at him.

Akihito lowered his gaze.

"I spent so much time thinking he was strong because he never complained."

His voice softened.

"But maybe he never complained because he thought he couldn't."

He glanced back at Senzai.

"I'm upset, not angry."

He sighed.

And Senzai looked away, because he knew. They both knew.

After their mother passed, Isamu was the one who smiled first.

The one who joked first.

The one who tried to make the house feel normal again.

And everyone accepted it.

Because it was easier to believe Isamu was okay.

Akihito stood up and faced his son. He crouched down, gently pushing aside Isamu's bangs. For once, he wasn't looking at the athlete.

Or the top student.

Or the person everyone expected him to be.

He was just looking at his son.

He pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

"...Good night 'Samu."

4 days left.

Isamu woke up that morning, by Senzai of course, but for some reason, he felt light. The sun still shined, the birds still chirped but Isamu felt strangely different. His cheeks tinted red after he realized the scene he caused yesterday, it was embarrassing the way he cried yesterday, all he could remember is telling his father that Yasu would come over for dinner. Yeah, Yasu wouldn't react too happily.

The bright morning light shined down on him and he could hear the loud songs that birds sang on his roof. Now it was time to get ready for school, after that, eventful weekend.

He got dressed, he wore what he usually wore, his beige vest, white collar up and his regular pants. He brushed out his hair, only to shake it out again. For some reason, in such a long time, he was happy to deal with a morning like this.

"Senzai! What have you cooked up for me today!" Isamu chirped, excitedly walking up.

"Toast with butter, eat quickly alright? You'll be late."

"Kay!"

The kitchen was quiet for a while. The only sounds were the clink of dishes and the occasional crunch as Isamu ate. Isamu sat, eating at the table. However, it was starting to get uncomfortable with how much Senzai was looking at him.

Slowly, Isamu looked up, and wow Senzai hadn't even touched his own breakfast.

He was just watching him.

Isamu paused mid bite, "What?"

Senzai rested his chin on his hand, "So, how's Yasu doing?"

"Aniki!" His face flushed bright red.

"What?"

"You know exactly what!"

Senzai couldn't help but smile, "I'm just asking."

"No, you're teasing me."

"...Maybe a little."

...

The day had peacefully gone by, for Isamu at least. Yasu stared at Isamu, in a state of shock and fear.

"My father wants to meet you tonight."

Isamu had said it so casually that Yasu wondered if he had imagined it.

He hadn't.

Yasu spent the entire day unable to focus. Every lesson blurred together as his mind kept wandering back to the same thought.

Isamu had so casually announced that Yasu had no choice but to meet his father that night, and Yasu felt like he would die before that. Isamu had tried convincing him that it wouldn't be that bad, and said so himself that he ended up telling his father everything just like Yasu that day. So it was natural for the father of a naturally talented and top student child, to wanna meet his 'interesting boyfriend' that ended up stealing his perfect son's heart.

By the time school ended, Isamu disappeared to judo while Yasu made his way home. The hours passed much slower than usual. When eight o'  clock finally arrived, Yasu was already waiting outside the tutoring center. The evening air was cool against his face as students slowly filtered out of the building.

Then he saw him.

Isamu smiled the moment their eyes met, without a word, he walked over and slipped his hand into Yasu's.The familiar gesture calmed Yasu more than he cared to admit, so, together, they made their way toward Isamu's house, Neither of them spoke much, 

they didn't need to.

The quiet between them was enough.

With every step they took, the houses became more familiar.

Soon...

They were standing in front of Isamu's front door.

Yasu stared at it for a moment.

His heart pounded so loudly he was convinced Isamu could hear it.

Isamu turned toward him, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"You ready?"

Yasu let out a long sigh.

"Hell no."

He nudged Isamu lightly with his elbow.

"...Just open the door already."

...

Senzai opened the door, letting them inside. He stood at the entry way as they took off their shoes, teasing Isamu and making jokes about Yasu. For a moment it felt peaceful, before Yasu even had the chance to look around, the rich smell of curry drifted through the house, warm and comforting after the cool evening air. Yasu had been here a handful of times before. It had always been quiet, almost too quiet, as if everyone inside was careful not to disturb the silence. But that night, it was different, it was a home.

As they joked and teased (mostly Senzai) a new presence had appeared.

Isamu straighten up, "Father!"

Akihito stood in the doorway, right beside Senzai, still dressed neatly despite having returned from work hours ago. His posture was straight, his expression calm, and there was a quiet authority about him that made the room seem just a little smaller.

Before meeting him, Yasu had only heard stories.

The father Isamu spent years trying to impress.

The man whose approval meant more to Isamu than anyone realized.

Akihito gave a small nod in Isamu's direction before his gaze settled on Yasu.

He cleared his throat, "You must be Yasu."

Yasu immediately bowed, "It's nice to meet you, sir. Thank you for inviting me into your home."

Akihito waved a hand dismissively, "The pleasure is all mine, let’s go eat. We don't want the food to get cold, do we?"

Yasu shaked his head, "No sir."

As they made their way toward the dining table, Isamu gently nudged Yasu with his elbow. Yasu immediately glanced over, convinced he had already done something wrong. Instead, he found Isamu smiling, meaning Yasu eased his worries.. For now.

Maybe he didn't mess up after all.

They sat at the dinner table, silent. 

In very awkward silence. 

The only sounds in the room were the clink of spoons against bowls, the soft hum of the lights above them, and the occasional scrape of a chair. Every now and then, Isamu, Yasu, and Senzai caught one another's eyes, only to quickly look back down at their plates. Yasu quietly slipped the carrots from his curry onto Isamu's plate, and without a second thought, Isamu ate them.

Neither of them seemed to notice what they'd done.

Senzai did.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth before he returned to his meal.

Then...

Akihito set his spoon down.

The faint clink echoed around the table.

Everyone looked up, curious what he'd do next.

"So." Akihito said, staring at Yasu, "What are your intentions with my son?"

"To- stay with him..?"

"Yasu!"

"What?"

Isamu covered part of his face, already embarrassed.

Senzai looked away, trying not to laugh.

Akihito remained silent for a moment.

"I see."

"Come on father, don't tease them too much."

Senzai laughed, trying to ease the tension.

Akihito shook his head, "I'm just saying, his first impression was to make Isamu skip his practice and tutoring. I have to know what all the fuss is about."

"Sorry father-" Isamu lowered his gaze, embarrassed.

Akihito sighed softly and shook his head before looking back toward Yasu, "What's so special about you?"

The question caught Yasu off guard.

For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

But his heart pushed for him to say something.

"I love him."

Silence.

Isamu's face immediately turned bright red, "Yasu!"

"What?"

"Do you not hear yourself?"

Yasu blinked, "Am I saying something weird?"

"Yes! Yes, you are!"

Senzai covered his mouth, failing to hide his laughter.

An amused smile appeared on Akihito's lips, "That's all?"

Yasu took a deep breath.

"I don't see Isamu only because he's smart. Nor do I see him because he's talented. I see him, because he's the most special thing to my eyes-"

"Stop!" Isamu pleaded.

"No, keep going, Yasu."

"I don't need a reason to love my boyfriend, I just love him."

For a moment, nobody spoke.

The room fell silent.

But this time, it wasn't uncomfortable.

Everyone's eyes were on Yasu.

"I'm leaving for america in a couple days-"

Akihito and Senzai's eyes immediately shot up, "America?" They said in unison.

Yasu nodded.

"I'm American, sir. My parents and I only came to Japan temporarily."

His hand tightened slightly around his chopsticks.

Yasu glanced at Isamu, "But even so-"

He paused.

"I wanna stay with Isamu."

Silence.

"Even after I leave."

He looked back at Akihito.

"Please, I know I'm asking for a lot."

His voice softened.

"But I don't want what we have to end just because I'm going away."

Senzai paused mid bite, switching his gaze between Isamu and Yasu back and forward. Isamu could see what was written all over his face but all he could do was look at Yasu. So bravely talking to his father like nothing else mattered to him.

"Do you know what you're asking him to go through?"

"Yes."

He stared at his hands.

"Because I'm going through it too."

"Can you two please stop talking about me like I'm not here!"

Isamu's face had probably covered fifty shades of red by then, Yasu couldn't help but giggle.

"You are literally the topic." Senzai stated.

"I know!"

A small smile appeared on Akihito's face before he turned his attention back to Yasu. "And what will you do when staying becomes difficult?" Akihito asked.

Yasu didn't hesitate.

"I'll call him."

A pause.

"I'll write to him."

Another pause.

"I'll make time."

His eyes pleaded with Akihito's.

"I'll do whatever it takes."

Finally, he nodded, "Alright."

Isamu looked up immediately.

His eyes widened slightly.

Akihito looked between the two of them, "I understand why he chose you."

The words caught Isamu off guard.

Yasu smiled, "Thank you sir."

"Thank you father." Isamu said quietly, wiping the tears that would steam down his face, "I'm so happy I think I could cry."

"You are crying!' Akihito said, "Senzai grab him some tissues."

Senzai immediately stood, though the small smile on his face gave away that he was amused.

Isamu laughed quietly through his tears.

But this time, he didn't hide.

Akihito's voice carried no disappointment, no frustration, no anger.

he wasn't upset. Isamu was crying. Because for the first time, after so long, Isamu felt like he could cry around him.

Senzai wiped away Isamu's happy tears while pretending to be annoyed, Yasu laughed more freely than he had all night, and Akihito simply watched everything unfold.The table that had started with silence was now filled with voices.

"Your curry is getting cold."

Isamu froze, "Father, that's your concern?"

"Yes."

"I'm crying."

"And you're also letting your food get cold."

"Father!"

...

It was the best dinner the Uchimi family had shared in years.

Not because of the food.

Not because of the occasion.

But because, for once, nobody was trying to be anything other than themselves.

...

"Are you sure I shouldn't walk you home?" Isamu asked, watching Yasu put on his shoes.

Yasu stood up and smiled.

"See you."

Isamu watched him leave, a small smile resting on his face.

And then moment the door closed,

"Damn, Isamu-"

"Senzai, don't even start."

3 days left.

It had brought Isamu to shock that morning when he woke up, his father had told him that Isamu didn't have to go to any after school activities until next monday. When asked, his father turned him down and wouldn't give him an exact answer, he just told him to not worry about it and enjoy the week he had free.

For people who didn't have much time left, they sure liked doing absolutely nothing. Once again, after school they hung out at main street, like they always did. They walked around in silence, hand in hand while listening to music together. Sure, it was peaceful, but it was boring. That was until Isamu's eyes landed on a restaurant.

"Yasu! There!"

Yasu raised an eyebrow, "A restaurant..?"

"I know the owner! He'll probably give us a discount, should we go?"

Yasu nodded, "Yeah, let's go."

As they walked in, Isamu was immediately recognized.

"Isamu!"

A familiar voice called out.

Yasu froze slightly. Because he remembered him.

The man from the summer festival.The one running the ring toss. The same one where Yasu had confidently promised he would win Isamu something, only for Isamu to somehow walk away with the prizes instead. His ears warmed at the memory. He also remembered, Isamu never gave him a clear explanation how he got the keychains that day. But now, he was suspecting that this guy had a part in it.

The man behind the counter smiled.

"Still bringing friends around, huh?"

Isamu laughed, "Of course."

The man was an ordinary middle-aged man, with brown hair, a beard, and a young daughter sitting beside him.

"Morning, Aiko."

Isamu walked over, gently ruffling the girl's hair.

"How's math?"

Aiko immediately looked away.

"Still giving you trouble?"

She nodded.

Isamu smiled, "Alright. Show me what you're stuck on."

He called Yasu over to sit with them, and Yasu quietly watched. Isamu explained every problem carefully, never rushing her or getting frustrated when she didn't understand. He wrote examples in her notebook, gave her practice questions, and celebrated every small thing she got right.

Yasu didn't say anything.

He didn't need to.

Because this was another side of Isamu he wanted to remember.

...

They ended up wasting an hour there, Yasu checked his phone, it was four thirty as they walked out. They both thought that they would spend the rest of their hours just walking nowhere, however, it felt as if everyone needed Isamu's help that day.

"Ms. Yuzuki! Let me help you with those." Isamu called out as he noticed an elderly shop owner struggling with several heavy boxes.

"Oh, Isamu. Aren't you a sweetheart?" She smiled as she handed them over.

"It's no problem."

Isamu turned around.

"Yasu, come help!"

Yasu sighed but followed anyway, "You know everyone here?"

Ms. Yuzuki looked over at him, surprised, "Everyone here knows Isamu."

Yasu paused.

The way she said it wasn't like she was talking about a famous athlete.

She said it like she was talking about someone who belonged here.

Someone who had always been there.

...

After they finished helping, Ms. Yuzuki thanked them by handing them each a lollipop.

Isamu immediately smiled, "Thank you!"

Yasu looked down at the candy in his hand, then back at Isamu.

Somehow...

Even the smallest things turned into memories with him.

...

As Isamu and Yasu continued walking, people did call out to Isamu. Asking him to hang out, why he didn't come to practice and many more questions. Every couple of minutes they'd be stopped, but soon after they managed to come across a park with children playing. And guess what? Isamu was recognized, again.

"Isamu!" 

The children ran over, with soccer balls in hand, asking him to play.

Isamu grinned, "Yasu, join me." He held his hand out.

Yasu chuckled, "You're on."

...

It was no surprise that Isamu's team ended up winning, they had a talented soccer player on his team. And Yasu's team just had an American boy who hadn't touched a ball in four months.

"That is completely unfair," Yasu complained.

Isamu only laughed, "Practice more."

"I hate you."

"No you don't."

"Alright! How about I treat everyone to ice cream?"

Yasu's eyes lit up, and Isamu couldn't help but notice.

Isamu bought twelve popsicles that day, ten for the children, one for himself and one for Yasu. They sat on the bench, watching the kids play a rematch without them.

Yasu looked around.

At the children laughing.

At the people passing by.

At Isamu sitting beside him.

And he realized something.

Isamu wasn't loved because everyone knew his name.

Everyone knew his name because he had spent years making people feel loved.

...

The sun slowly began to set, painting the park in warm colors. The children continued playing in the distance while Isamu finished the last of his popsicle.

Yasu sat quietly beside him. For once, he didn't know what to say.

"Isamu."

"Hm?"

"Do you ever realize how many people know you?"

Isamu looked confused, "What?"

"Everyone today... they all knew you."

Isamu shrugged, "I guess."

Yasu stared at him, "That's all you have to say?"

Isamu laughed, "What else am I supposed to say?"

Yasu looked back toward the children.

"The way they talk to you... it's not because you're good at soccer."

A pause.

"They just like you."

Isamu went quiet.

Yasu smiled slightly, "I think you forget that."

"I didn't do anything special, I do what I always do."

"Exactly."

...

The sun was beginning to set when they finally left the park. The streets were quieter now, the noise of the children fading behind them.

As they walked, Yasu suddenly stopped, "Wait."

Isamu turned around, "What?"

Yasu pointed toward a small cat sitting near the side of the street.

It watched them carefully, its tail curled around its paws.

Without hesitation, Yasu crouched down,"Hey."

His voice was softer than usual, he never even talked to Isamu like that. The cat slowly approached him, allowing him to gently scratch behind its ears.

Isamu stared.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Yasu looked up, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Isamu smiled, "I just didn't know you were good with cats."

Yasu shrugged, "Animals are easier."

"Easier?"

"They don't ask questions."

Isamu laughed, "That's probably why they like you."

Yasu looked away, slightly embarrassed.

"Here lemme pet it!"

Isamu reached his hand, attempting to pet the cat. The cat immediately jumped up and ran off.

They stood in silence, before Yasu chuckled.

"Gosh! I'm out!"

Isamu shouted, storming off with Yasu trailing behind him.

"I didn't know you were so bad with cats."

"Shut up!"

2 days left.

 The school hallways buzzed with their usual morning chatter as students hurried to their classrooms. Friends called out to one another, and teachers attempted to keep everyone moving before the first bell rang. Isamu and Yasu sat in their classroom, Isamu talked with classmates, joking and teasing. Some asked him why he stopped showing up for practice, others already started assuming that Isamu had gotten a girlfriend. Which was somewhat true.

Yasu had his fair share of people talking to him as well, because tomorrow was his last day of school. For the first time that semester, Yasu had boys and girls chatting with him, some even planning to bring gifts for him. Yasu found himself wondering if Isamu would buy him a goodbye gift as well, his heart ached at the thought of leaving so he pushed past about thinking of the flight back. But it was pretty hard ignoring it when everyone just wanted to talk about him leaving.

Once class began, everyone scrambled back to their desks before the teacher could complain. Lessons came and went as they always did, but Yasu and Isamu were hardly paying attention. Whenever one of them looked away, the other would quietly steal a pencil, slide a note across the desk, or mouth exaggerated impressions of the teacher until the other had to hide a laugh.

It was just the same moments they would share during class that would mean much.

Later those scenes would take them to the end of the school day. However it would take a while for them to have some alone time...

'Isamu, why didn't you come to practice anymore?'

He turned his head back.

"I will soon!"

'Isamu do you have the notes from today?'

"I'll send them to you as soon as I get home!"

Students from completely different classes stopped Isamu in the hallways just to say hello, ask a question, or wave him over for a conversation. Others gathered around Yasu, reminding him to enjoy his last day tomorrow or promising they'd bring him something before he left. Every few steps, someone else would call one of their names.

They were together.

Yet somehow...

They barely had a moment alone.

...

The afternoon breeze brushed past them as they stepped onto the sidewalk.

For the first time that day...

Neither of them was in a hurry.

Isamu smiled to himself before quietly changing directions.

Yasu noticed.

He didn't ask where they were going.

He simply followed.

They ended up at a convenience store, but one that Yasu had never been to before. Without much discussion, they wandered through the aisles, picking out a handful of snacks before paying and continuing on their way. The walk wasn't long, and before they knew it, the sound of waves replaced the noise of passing cars. A quiet beach stretched out before them. The two exchanged a glance,  neither of them needed to ask. A small nod was enough, they agreed.

This was where they'd spend the rest of their afternoon.

They had done basically everything, collecting seashells, attempting to make sandcastles with no supplies and secretly threw handfuls of sand at each other whenever the other wasn't looking. Isamu took countless pictures, most of them of Yasu at his silliest. At one point, he managed to convince Yasu to run into the water with him. By the time they stumbled back onto the shore, laughing, their uniforms were completely soaked, but neither of them minded. As long as they had fun it didn't matter.

They sat on the sand, watching the sun finally go down. The sky was filled with many shades of yellow, orange and pinks,

Yasu quietly lifted his phone and snapped a picture. The click of the camera faded into the sound of the waves.

"Hey Yasu."

"Yeah?"

Isamu didn't answer immediately, his eyes stayed fixed on the sunset.

"I think I'm ready to tell you now."

Yasu turned toward him, "Tell me what?"

A small breeze drifted between them.

"My mom."

Yasu stayed quiet.

"She was really sweet, you know? She would’ve really liked ya, but I haven't thought about her for a while."

He smiled.

"Not until you came."

Yasu blinked.

"After she died, it was like everyone lost themselves. Senzai stopped going to school, my father started coming home later and drunker, and I had no idea what to do."

Isamu reached over, and placed his hand above Yasu's.

"I remember all my sorry excuses for cooking breakfast because Senzai couldn't, I remember how many times I went grocery shopping alone because my father and brother weren't up to it, I remember all of it."

He laughed quietly.

"I don't blame them, but I was grieving too."

Yasu expression softened.

"I thought I had to be okay."

Isamu looked down at the sand between his fingers.

"Senzai needed someone. My father needed someone. Everyone was already hurting, so I thought..."

He paused.

"If I was sad too, then who was going to help them?"

Isamu's fingers traced small patterns in the sand, his eyes staying focused on the waves ahead of them.

"So I did everything I could to step up to be the perfect son, I got good grades, I played in multiple sports, I helped out as much as I could just because I wanted to feel useful."

Even while talking about something that hurt him, Isamu still sounded like he was trying to make the situation easier for everyone else.

"Senzai eventually got back on his feet, but he refused to leave the house, not even to attend school. So he took classes at home. I'm glad he made it back, he's preparing to take college entrance exams right now. Though he refuses to tell me which ones he's selected."

Isamu pouted and Yasu laughed a little.

"I hid alcohol bottles from my dad, or I used to replace sparkling water inside. He noticed my efforts, so with some time, he stopped shouting and actually started to drink whatever I would prepare for him."

The words came out softer than the ones before.

"I'm still not good with loud noises though, my dad doesn't yell at me anymore but I still remember everything, especially getting yelled at for something so small."

Yasu stayed quiet.

For once, he didn't know what to say.

Isamu had always been the person who noticed when someone else was struggling. The person who offered help before anyone even asked. But somehow, nobody noticed when he needed the same thing.

Yasu looked at him.

The same boy who laughed with strangers, helped children with homework, and carried everyone's problems like they were nothing.

He had been carrying them for years.

Alone.

"You say that like it's something you should be embarrassed about."

Isamu blinked.

"What?"

"Being scared."

Yasu looked back at the ocean,

"You went through something scary."

Isamu turned his gaze back to the waves as well.

"Guess I did."

"Isamu-"

"Thats why I got so upset with that boy, remember? At soccer when he badmouthed Senzai? He said it, like anything I went through meant nothing. Like Senzai wanted to stay locked up in the house for half of his teenage years."

Yasu looked back at him.

"I wonder how different my life would have gone, if my mom-"

Isamu's voice faded.

He didn't finish the sentence.

He didn't need to.

Yasu understood.

The wind brushed past them, carrying away the words Isamu couldn't bring himself to say.

"If she was still here, maybe Senzai wouldn't have had to struggle so much. Maybe my father wouldn't have changed. Maybe I wouldn't have felt like I had to grow up so quickly."

Isamu smiled faintly.

"But I know that's not how things work."

His fingers dug slightly into the sand.

"I can't change what happened."

A pause.

"I just... sometimes wonder who I would've been."

"Isamu."

"Hm?"

"I don't think your mom would be disappointed in you."

Isamu froze.

"She would probably be proud."

Yasu looked at him.

"Not because you became good at sports. Or because you're smart. Or because everyone knows you."

A small pause.

"Because you're still kind."

Yasu placed his head on Isamu's shoulder, and Isamu leaned in to the gesture.

"Thank you for telling me."

Isamu looked over.

"That's it?"

Yasu shrugged.

"I don't know what else to say."

A small smile appeared.

"But I know I wanted you to know that you didn't have to tell me everything alone."

Isamu stared at him for a moment.

"Yasu."

"Yeah?"

His voice was quieter this time.

"I just wanna stay like this forever."

Yasu looked back at the ocean.

"Me too."

And for a little while, they pretended tomorrow wasn't coming.

1 day left.

 Yasu woke up that morning to his mother's voice reminding him that it was his last day of school in Japan. The words felt strange to hear. He had known this day was coming for a while, but now that it had finally arrived, it felt almost unreal. Keiko helped him get ready just like she had on his first day in Japan. She carefully buttoned his shirt, straightened his tie, and made sure his beige vest was neatly ironed along with his grey pants. His blazer was still perfectly placed over his shoulders, despite the heat outside.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Yasu almost felt like he was seeing the same person he had been months ago. Except he wasn't the same anymore. On his first day, he had arrived knowing almost nobody. Now, he was leaving behind friends, memories, and someone who had changed his life.

When he reached the station, Isamu was already waiting for him. Just like he always did. The two of them boarded the train together and sat beside each other in their usual seats. The familiar scenery passed by outside the window, but neither of them spoke at first.

They both knew what day it was.

After a few moments of silence, Isamu finally turned toward him.

"Yasu."

Yasu looked over.

"This is our last train ride."

For a moment, Yasu only stared at him.

Then he nodded quietly.

"Guess it is."

...

Yasu hadn't expected to find his desk covered in gifts, chocolates, and handwritten letters when he walked into the classroom that morning.

He blinked in surprise. He had always thought he only talked to Isamu and a handful of classmates, so he never imagined he had left much of an impression on anyone. Apparently, he had been wrong.Before long, several classmates gathered around his desk. Some handed him small gifts while others simply wanted to wish him good luck. Isamu stood nearby, laughing as Yasu, who usually kept to himself, actually joked around with everyone.

Yasu hadn't realized spending time with his classmates could be so... fun.

That was only the beginning.

Throughout the day, more letters found their way onto his desk. Some were decorated with little hearts, others came with homemade chocolates or tiny gifts. A few girls, who had barely spoken to him all semester, suddenly found the courage to confess that they thought he was cute. Isamu watched the whole thing unfold with an obvious pout. Yasu tried reassuring him more than once, but it only seemed to make Isamu sulk even harder.

By the time the final bell rang, nearly half the class had stopped him before he could leave. Some thanked him for helping during group projects. Others laughed about embarrassing moments they had shared together. A few simply wished him a safe trip back home. Each conversation only lasted a minute or two. Yet somehow, every single one stayed with him. As Yasu listened to everyone, he couldn't help but wonder if he had spent too much of his time in Japan keeping to himself. He had come here expecting to leave without much to remember.

Instead...

He was leaving behind people he was going to miss.

…

"I still haven't finished the travel book yet."

"Of course you didn't."

Isamu and Yasu walked into the bookstore, greeting the librarian who immediately recognized them. The place looked almost exactly the same as it had before. The same shelves lined the walls, the same decorations hung around the room, and the same peaceful atmosphere filled the store. They wandered around like they always did, inspecting books, pointing out interesting decorations, and teasing each other over the smallest things.

Eventually, they found themselves sitting with the children again as the librarian read to them. Isamu quickly became the center of attention. He joked with the kids, played along with their games, and let them drag him into whatever activity they wanted. Yasu sat back and watched with a small smile, occasionally joining in just to tease Isamu alongside the children.

Of course, Isamu always found a way to tease him back. Together, they painted, drew pictures, and built towers out of blocks until the afternoon slowly slipped away.

When it was finally time to leave, the children's expressions immediately fell.

"You're leaving already?"

Isamu laughed softly, "Don't worry. We'll come back one day."

Yasu looked back at the bookstore one last time before following Isamu outside.

He wondered how many people Isamu had unknowingly left an impression on.

...

Their next stop was the aquarium.

Except this time, they weren't two friends trying to figure each other out. They were boyfriends.Their hands stayed intertwined as they walked through the exhibits, pointing at different fish and immediately comparing them to each other. It wasn't anything extravagant. They simply laughed, argued over which animals were the cutest, took pictures with the silly cutout boards, and bought unnecessary merchandise they definitely didn't need. Yasu stopped at every information board, reading every single detail like his life depended on it.

Meanwhile, Isamu stood beside him, pretending to be different sea creatures in an attempt to pull him away.

It worked.

Eventually.

After Yasu finished reading everything.

 ...

"Where are we going?" Yasu asked.

Isamu only smiled, continuing to pull him along, "You'll know."

The two of them rushed up the stone steps, the familiar path leading them higher and higher until the sounds of the city slowly disappeared. Then Yasu stopped. His eyes widened. The shrine. He knew this place. How could he forget? This was where everything had changed. The summer festival where they first spent time together. The place where their feelings became something more. The place where they finally admitted everything they had been too scared to say. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

They simply stood there, taking in the familiar scenery.

Then Isamu stepped forward, "This is our place."

Yasu looked over at him, "Our place?"

Isamu nodded.

"Yeah."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"This is where everything started becoming real."

Yasu stayed quiet, looking around the shrine. He remembered how different everything felt. They were both so unsure. So afraid of what would happen. Yet somehow, they still ended up here.

Together.

"So..." Isamu said, suddenly breaking the silence, "Lets leave something behind."

Yasu raised an eyebrow, "What?"

Isamu pointed toward the wooden plaques hanging nearby, "Something that proves we were here."

Yasu followed his gaze before laughing softly, "That's such an Isamu thing to say."

"Is that a compliment?"

"No."

"Wow."

Despite his answer, Yasu was smiling. They each picked up a wooden plaque and sat beside each other, writing quietly. Of course, Isamu immediately tried looking over.

"Hey."

"What?"

"You're looking at mine."

"I'm just curious."

"That's cheating."

"You haven't even finished writing."

"That doesn't matter."

Yasu rolled his eyes, but he couldn't hide his smile. After they finished, they hung their plaques beside the others. Isamu looked at Yasu's and immediately paused.

"..."

"What?"

"Why does yours say Y + I?"

Yasu froze.

Then he looked away.

"It stands for me plus you."

A few seconds of silence passed.

Then

"Yasuuuu."

"What?"

"That is so embarrassing."

"You asked!"

Isamu laughed, shaking his head. But he couldn't stop smiling. Because somehow, something as simple as a few letters felt important. A small reminder that this place had belonged to them. That for a moment in time, they had something they could call theirs. The shrine stayed quiet around them. But neither of them minded. Because they knew they would remember this place. They would remember every laugh, every argument, every moment they spent here.

No matter how far apart they ended up.

...

After leaving the shrine, the two of them continued walking through the familiar streets. They had spent the entire day revisiting places they had been before, but somehow, every location felt different now. Maybe it was because they knew this was their last time doing this. Or maybe it was because they finally understood how much those ordinary moments meant. Eventually, a familiar smell reached them.

Yasu looked up at the familiar building and immediately recognized it, "Again?"

Isamu looked over at him, confused, "What?"

"The restaurant."

Isamu glanced toward the entrance before shrugging.

"It's good."

Yasu stared at him, "That's your reason?"

"Yes."

Yasu laughed quietly, shaking his head. Somehow, even on their last day together, Isamu was still the same. The bell above the door rang as they entered, and before they could even greet anyone, a familiar voice called out.

"Isamu!"

The owner immediately recognized him and walked over with a smile. Yasu looked at him in surprise, even though he probably shouldn't have been anymore.Everywhere they went, someone knew Isamu.

"You came back again?"

Isamu smiled, "Of course."

Yasu looked around the restaurant, taking in the familiar tables, the decorations, and the same warm atmosphere he remembered from before.

The owner brought over their meals without needing to ask what Isamu wanted. Yasu watched quietly as Isamu thanked him, chatting casually like they had known each other for years.

It was strange. Isamu always treated his kindness like it was nothing special.

Helping someone carry boxes, tutoring a child, spending time with people who needed him—he never thought twice about it. But everywhere they went, Yasu saw the proof that those small actions mattered. People remembered Isamu. People cared about Isamu. And somehow, Yasu had become part of that world too.

"You're staring."

Yasu blinked and looked back at him, "What?"

"You've been looking at me for a while."

Yasu looked away, "I was just thinking."

"About what?"

A small smile appeared on Yasu's face, "Nothing."

Isamu narrowed his eyes, "You're bad at lying."

"So are you."

For a moment, neither of them said anything. Then they both laughed.

And for a little while, it felt like any other day. Like there wasn't a countdown. Like tomorrow wasn't waiting for them.

...

After leaving the restaurant, the two of them continued wandering through the streets. Yasu expected them to eventually head home, but Isamu suddenly stopped. A familiar sound caught his attention. The sound of a soccer ball hitting the pavement. Yasu followed his gaze.

The soccer field.

Before he could even say anything, a group of children noticed them.

"Isamu!"

Almost immediately, the kids ran over, soccer balls in their hands.

Yasu couldn't help but smile.

Of course.

Even here, Isamu was known.

"You're late!" one of the children complained.

Isamu laughed, "Late? I never said I was coming."

"But you always come."

That made Isamu pause for a moment.

Because somehow, even the children had noticed his absence.

Yasu stood off to the side at first, watching Isamu run around with the children.

He had seen Isamu play soccer many times before.

He had seen him compete.

He had seen him win.

But this was different.

Here, Isamu wasn't trying to prove anything.

He wasn't trying to be the best.

He was just laughing.

When it was finally time to leave, the children immediately complained.

"Already?"

"Come back tomorrow!"

Isamu smiled sadly, "I'll try."

Yasu noticed the way he hesitated, because both of them knew.

Tomorrow wasn't promised.

...

After leaving the soccer field, the two of them continued walking without saying much.

The sun had begun to set, and the streets were slowly becoming quieter. The excitement from earlier had faded, leaving behind a comfortable silence between them.

Eventually, Yasu noticed a familiar building ahead.

The convenience store.

He smiled slightly, "Again?"

Isamu looked over, "What?"

"We come here all the time."

Isamu shrugged, "Because it's convenient."

Yasu stared at him, "That was terrible."

"It was accurate."

Despite his response, Yasu laughed as they walked inside.

...

"You're quiet."

Yasu looked over, "I was thinking."

"That's dangerous."

Yasu rolled his eyes, "I'm serious."

Isamu smiled, "About what?"

"How weird it is." Yasu looked at the convenience store behind them.

"What is?"

"That a place like this became something I would remember."

...

The convenience store was only a short walk away from the arcade.

Before Yasu could even suggest heading home, Isamu had already changed directions.

"You planned this."

"Maybe."

"You've been planning this all day."

Isamu only smiled, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Liar." Yasu laughed.

The familiar neon lights greeted them as they stepped inside. The sound of machines, music, and excited voices immediately filled the air. The basketball machines were still occupied, children crowded around the claw machines, and the racing games were just as loud as Yasu remembered.

"So..."

Isamu reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of coins.

"Loser buys dinner."

Yasu stared at him, "We already ate."

"Loser buys dessert."

"That's better."

The two of them split up almost immediately, insisting that they would meet back in ten minutes with the highest score they could manage. It quickly turned into complete chaos. Every time Yasu finally beat one of Isamu's scores, Isamu somehow managed to beat it again a few minutes later. When Yasu won a plush from the claw machine, Isamu claimed it didn't count because it wasn't a game of skill.

"It absolutely is."

"No."

"I earned this."

"You got lucky."

"You sound jealous."

"I am jealous."

Yasu laughed before tossing the plush directly at Isamu's face.

"Cry about it."

"Finally you won something for me."

...

The sky had begun to melt into shades of gold and orange by the time they reached the beach. Neither of them had suggested going there. Somehow, they had both simply walked in the same direction.The ocean greeted them with its familiar rhythm, the waves rolling gently onto the shore before retreating once more.

It hadn't changed. Just like the first time they had come together.They slipped off their shoes without saying a word and walked along the shoreline, letting the cool water wash over their feet. Isamu eventually bent down, picking up a seashell.

"Look." He held it up proudly.

Yasu glanced over, "...It's broken."

"It has character."

"It has a crack."

"It has personality."

Yasu chuckled, "You're impossible."

They continued walking.

Sometimes they talked.

Sometimes they didn't.

Eventually, they sat down in the sand, watching the waves stretch endlessly toward the horizon.

The sun was beginning to disappear and Yasu reached into his pocket before pulling out his phone.

Click.

Isamu turned his head, "You've taken a lot of pictures today."

"I know."

"You usually hate taking pictures."

"I do."

"Then why?"

Yasu looked back at the ocean, "So I don't forget."

Isamu didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he leaned his head against Yasu's shoulder.

"I don't think you'll forget."

Yasu smiled faintly, "Nah."

"I don't think I will either."

The breeze carried the scent of the ocean around them. Somewhere nearby, children laughed as they chased each other through the sand. Seagulls drifted overhead.Everything continued as if tomorrow wasn't coming. Isamu watched the sun slowly sink below the horizon.

"I'm glad."

Yasu turned toward him, "For what?"

"I'm glad..."

A small smile found its way onto Isamu's face,"...that it was you."

Yasu felt his chest tighten. He reached over and quietly intertwined their fingers.

"I'm glad it was you too."

Neither of them said anything after that.They simply sat together until the last bit of sunlight disappeared behind the sea. Eventually, Isamu stood up first. He brushed the sand from his uniform before holding out a hand.

"C'mon."

Yasu took it.

"One more place."

...

"We were here this morning."  Yasu stated, looking around the station like it suddenly was this new place.

The familiar announcements echoed overhead as trains arrived and departed. Commuters hurried past them without a second glance, completely unaware that this ordinary station had become the most important place in two teenagers' lives.

"I know," Isamu replied, refusing to let go of Yasu's hand.

Yasu looked at him, "Then why are we back?"

Isamu smiled softly.

"Remember?"

He looked down the platform where they had met all those months ago.

"This is where we first met."

Yasu followed his gaze. Back then, he had been nothing more than a lonely American exchange student trying to find his way around an unfamiliar country. He never could have imagined that one conversation would change everything.

A small laugh escaped him, "And somehow... We ended up coming here every day."

"Exactly."

Isamu squeezed his hand.

"It only feels right that we end where we first started."

The words settled between them. Neither of them wanted to admit what "end" really meant. Another train rolled into the station. Yasu stared at it for a moment before quietly speaking.

"You'll get on this train alone now."

Isamu smiled, although it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"...Guess I will."

2 hours left

Isamu woke up on his own that morning at five o'clock. He had already told his father and brother that he would be heading to the airport to see Yasu off before making his way to school afterwards, just like he always did. So imagine his surprise when he walked downstairs to find Akihito already waiting in the kitchen.He was fully dressed for work, despite the fact that he didn't have to leave for another five hours. "

I'll drive you," Akihito said, rubbing the back of his neck as he deliberately avoided Isamu's eyes.

Isamu blinked, "Father... work doesn't start for another five hours."

"I know."

"...Then why are you awake?"

Akihito shrugged, "I wanted to make sure you got to see Yasu before his flight."

For a moment, Isamu didn't know what to say.

So he simply smiled.

"Thanks, Father."

Akihito nodded awkwardly before grabbing his keys. As the two of them reached the front door, another voice suddenly echoed through the hallway.

"Wait!"

Footsteps hurried toward them. Senzai appeared, slightly out of breath as he stopped beside them.

"I'm coming too."

Silence.

Both Isamu and Akihito stared at him.

Senzai had never willingly asked to leave the house before.

Not unless he absolutely had to.

Yet there he stood, already wearing his shoes, holding his jacket in one hand.

"...You don't have to," Isamu said quietly.

"I know."

Senzai looked at him before smiling.

"But I want to."

For just a second, Isamu felt his eyes sting.

Not because Yasu was leaving.

But because his family was healing.

Little by little.

One step at a time.

...

The moment Isamu stepped into the airport, he froze. Morning sunlight poured through the enormous glass windows, painting the polished floors in soft shades of gold. Suitcases rolled across the tiles as families hurried from one gate to another. Children laughed, flight announcements echoed overhead, and countless conversations blended together into one steady hum.

The entire airport was alive. Yet, somehow, Isamu only searched for one person. His eyes darted through the sea of travellers until..

"Yasu!"

Without another thought, he broke into a run.

People stepped aside as Isamu weaved between luggage carts and sleepy passengers, his heart pounding harder with every step. Standing beside the towering windows was Yasu, the rising sun glowing behind him as he looked out at the planes waiting on the runway. For a brief moment, Isamu didn't call his name again.

He simply slowed to a stop.

He took in everything.

The golden morning light catching in Yasu's hair.

The suitcase resting beside his feet.

The small penguin plushie and the ugly one from the summer festival resting on top of it.

The quiet smile that appeared the moment Yasu turned around and found him.

It suddenly became painfully real.

This was the last time he would see Yasu before he boarded that plane.

"You came."

"Of course I would."

Isamu glanced over his shoulder for only a moment. A little further away, Daku and Keiko were talking with Akihito and Senzai. Their parents had somehow fallen into conversation, quietly giving the two boys the space they needed.

But Isamu's attention didn't stay there for long..  All he could do was take in Yasu's precious face, acting like it was his first time looking at it. He wanted to remember everything.

"Gosh..."

His voice cracked.

"You really are leaving."

Yasu gently took Isamu's hand in his own.

"I am."

The words hung between them.

Neither of them knew what to say next.

Four months.

Four months had somehow become a lifetime of memories.

Neither of them had imagined that the day they met at a train station would lead them here, standing in an airport with only minutes left.

"Please call me when you land," Isamu whispered.

Yasu nodded, "I promise."

That was all it took.

The tears Isamu had fought so hard to hold back finally slipped free, rolling quietly down his cheeks. Yasu felt his own vision blur. He reached up with his free hand and gently wiped away one of Isamu's tears with his thumb.

"Hey..."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"Don't cry."

"You know I can't do that."

Yasu let out a quiet, watery laugh.

"Yeah..."

Yasu smiled through his tears.

"I know."

Neither of them let go.

Their hands remained intertwined, holding onto each other just a little tighter, as though they could somehow stop time from moving forward.

Suddenly, Isamu's eyes widened. "Shoot..."

Yasu blinked, "What?"

"I was supposed to bring you a goodbye gift." He let out a frustrated laugh, wiping at his eyes with his free hand. "I spent all this time planning yesterday that I completely forgot."

Yasu shook his head, "You don't need to get me anything."

"But-"

Yasu gently squeezed his hand, "Just give me a kiss before I go."

For a second, Isamu simply stared at him. Then, despite the tears still clinging to his lashes, he laughed.

The kind of laugh that only Yasu could pull out of him.

"That has got to be the cheesiest thing you've ever said."

Yasu shrugged, "I've got a reputation to maintain."

Isamu smiled, "That I can do."

Isamu stepped closer until there was barely any space left between them. He cupped Yasu's face with both hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had gathered beneath his eyes.

"I'll miss you."

"So will I."

Their foreheads rested together for a brief moment.

Then Isamu closed the distance.

The kiss was sweet.

Unhurried.

Despite how little time Yasu had, they were in no rush.

When they finally did, they stayed close enough that they could still feel each other's breath.

Isamu jabbed Yasu's chest, already knowing Yasu would say something so cheesy again, they both would be left in second hand embarrassment, "Shut up, Yasu."

There wasn't a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Only affection.

Yasu smiled through watery eyes, "Best gift I've ever gotten."

...

You are the right one

And I'm just the boy who is lookin' at you.

 Bonus!! ◝(ᵔᗜᵔ)◜

Yasu sat on the couch alongside his friends, listening as they complained about how boring the summer had been without him.They were happy he was back. After four months away, they had expected him to have countless stories to tell. They wanted to know about Japan, the food, the places he visited, and everything he had experienced. A movie played quietly in the background, but none of them were paying attention.

Because there was something bothering them, Yasu hadn't mentioned Japan once.

Kayla, Daniel, Cecil, Leon, William, and Jason exchanged glances. To them, that was suspicious.

"You're finally back, and you haven't told us anything," Cecil said, crossing her arms.

Yasu looked over,"There's nothing to tell."

"Righttt," Jason replied, clearly unconvinced. "Four months in another country and you come back with nothing? I don't buy it."

Yasu rolled his eyes, "There isn't anything."

William removed his headphones, letting them rest around his neck, "Then explain that."

He pointed toward the table. Everyone followed his finger. Yasu's wallet sat there. And sticking out slightly was a small strip of photos.

Yasu immediately stood up.

"Wait—"

Too late.

Daniel grabbed his ankle, slowing him down just enough for Kayla and Leon to reach the wallet.

"Sorry," Kayla said, not sounding sorry at all.

They opened it.

Silence.

The kind of silence that made Yasu regret ever owning a wallet.

Kayla slowly pulled out the photo strip.

Her mouth fell open.

"Uh..."

Everyone leaned closer. The pictures showed two people.

Yasu, and a boy they had never seen before.

The first photo showed Yasu completely frozen, his face caught somewhere between confusion and embarrassment, while the other boy leaned close beside him with the biggest smile.

The second photo was even worse.

Yasu wasn't looking at the camera.

He was looking at him.

And the boy beside him was laughing.

Even through a tiny, blurry photo, it was obvious.

They looked happy, really happy.

"What the hell is this?" Leon asked, staring at the picture.

Kayla slowly looked up, "Yasu..."

A pause.

"Is there something you want to tell us?"

Yasu didn't answer immediately. His eyes stayed on the photo. For a moment, his expression softened. Then, as casually as ever, he said,

"That's my guy."

The room went silent.

"...Your guy?" Daniel repeated.

"Yeah."

Cecil immediately sat up, "Since when do you have a guy?"

Yasu shrugged, "I don't know."

The entire room exploded.

"YOU DON'T KNOW?!"

Bonus 2 (੭ ;´ ⌂ `;)੭♡

The afternoon sun beat down on the streets as Isamu walked alongside a few of his friends after basketball practice.

The heat was almost unbearable, but none of them seemed to mind. They walked slowly, sharing snacks and complaining about how exhausting practice had been.

Isamu took another bite of his popsicle as one of his friends glanced over at him.

"Isamu."

"Hm?"

"Aren't you sad that Yasu is gone?"

The question made him pause slightly.

The others exchanged looks.

Anyone could tell how close they had been.

Isamu and Yasu were always together. At school, after school, during breaks, it was rare to see one without the other.

"Anyone would be," one of his friends added. "You two were basically glued to the hip."

Isamu looked down at his popsicle, a small smile appearing.

"Of course I am."

His friends waited for him to continue.

"He was my best friend."

A pause.

Then Isamu looked back up.

"And my boyfriend."

The group stopped walking.

Completely.

Isamu continued for another few steps before realizing nobody was beside him anymore.

He turned around.

"What..?"

His friends stared at him.

"Yasu was your boyfriend..?"

Isamu grinned, turning his back on his friends as he continued walking, "Still is."

"ISAMU YOU CAN'T SAY THAT AND WALK AWAY!"

He laughed, "Why not?"

"BECAUSE WE HAVE QUESTIONS!"

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