Chapter Text
It was a Friday morning. The sun was shining, classes for the day had already ended, and everyone was getting ready to leave. Hirose Aiki was sitting at his desk, packing up his things and chatting with Oomori Tsukasa, a longtime friend. During their conversation, he invited him to a family party. Oomori family parties were always incredibly lavish; Hirose had attended only a few and didn't even know the exact reason for the celebrations—it was something about tradition, though Hirose personally believed it was just an excuse to party. This year, however, there was a twist: all guests were required to attend a masquerade ball in costume. Seriously, who came up with these stupid ideas? The party was that very night, so Hirose wouldn't have much time to devote to his costume.
"It'll be just like last year. You don't even need to try very hard. You can invite someone if you want."
"Do I really have to go? Damn it, I wanted to stay up Friday night playing games."
"Oh come on, Hirose. I don't want to be alone. I'll buy you ice cream later."
"Okay, I'll go. But only because it's you, if it were someone else I'd tell them to fuck off."
Almost immediately, Hana—Aiki’s girlfriend—showed up. Don't get him wrong; Hana was kind, a good person, and pretty too, but Hirose didn't like her quite as much as he felt he should.
"Hi, Aiki-kun!"
"Hey, Hana."
Hirose felt Tsukasa’s gaze on the two of them; unlike his other friends, Tsukasa looked awkward, unsure of what to do.
"Aiki, are you going to ask Hana to come with you?"
"Hm? Ask me to go where?"
Damn it, Tsukasa—you should’ve just kept your mouth shut. That’s what Hirose thought. He had reluctantly invited her to the dance, yet something in the back of his mind kept making him think about asking someone else... but never mind that; who else would he even ask?
"A masquerade ball? Wow, I’d totally love to go! Oh my god, I need to figure out an outfit... It sounds like it’s going to be so much fun!"
"Yeah, totally. Shall we get going?"
"Oh, I actually stopped by to let you know... a friend of mine from another school invited me to go shopping today. We haven't seen each other in a while, so I said yes. You don't mind, right?"
"Okay. Just send a text next time."
"But I wanted to see you!"
"You still could've sent a text."
"I'll message you later to ask about tonight! Bye, Aiki-kun! Bye to you too, Oomori." Sakamoto left just as quickly as she’d arrived, leaving the two of them behind.
"You're staying at school, right? Club activities and all that..."
"Yeah... I'm sorry. Are you going with Takeuchi and Mukai?"
"Nah, don't worry about it. They've already left." At that moment, Hirose just wanted to go home in peace, in the company of someone who was easier to talk to. A sudden thought made him stop and turn around. And that was when he saw him.
Nakamura Okuto—one of his classmates. They had been growing quite close; Hirose enjoyed his company and felt he could talk to him about anything, everything felt more easier with him. At first, he admits, he was afraid of him and thought he was a bully; but as time went by and they got to know each other, Hirose realized he was just very shy—maybe he had social phobia?—He just wanted to be friends with him, that made him think that was kind of... cute? But why would he think that about him? Anyway... but recently Nakamura had suddenly pulled away, avoiding him and shying away from conversation. It was as if things had gone back to how they were at the start of the year. The light-haired young man felt bad about the distance between them, so seeing him there all alone gave him a slight pang in his heart. He made a lame excuse to his friends and approached the shy boy.
"Nakamura! It’s been a while since we went home together. Why don’t you come with me today? We can stop by a cafe and grab something to drink." Hirose hoped Nakamura would say yes; he really enjoyed his presence and—though he wouldn't admit it out loud—missed him. But the dark-haired boy lowered his eyes and stammered before speaking.
"I can't today, I'll be busy. See you later, Hirose."
His voice sounded a bit choked, as if he were holding something back. Oh God—what if something had happened to Nakamura, and that was why he was acting so distant? Hirose wanted to say something but couldn't; he wasn't sure if they were close enough, he just watched the boy leave. This morning couldn't get any more frustrating; now he would have to go back home alone! He decided he would sleep all afternoon before going out at night.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Nakamura Okuto is a shy gay boy nursing a broken heart after the love of his life got a girlfriend. But on that particular day, the sense of helplessness and loneliness he’d been feeling for weeks was temporarily overshadowed by incredible news! His favorite manga, Lovable Lunches, had just announced a deluxe edition! Nakamura needed that edition—he’d do anything to get it! He’d already faced disappointment in love; he couldn't let that happen in fiction, too! It used to be common for Nakamura to spend the day trying to get closer to Hirose, but now that Hirose was seeing someone, Nakamura wanted to avoid having him in his line of sight at all costs—anything to spare himself further suffering and keep from bursting into tears again. Even though he told himself that only his beloved's happiness mattered, his heart ached and his eyes welled up with tears every time he saw Hirose and Hana together. So, he decided to stay out of sight all day and just read his BL all over again.
Although he believed that reading his comfort book would calm him down, he couldn't stop thinking about the one he loved. Since the fateful day his heart was shattered, he had lied to himself, telling himself he would remain friends with Hirose, yet he couldn't even bring himself to look him in the face. The day passed like any other; by the end of it, he saw Hirose chatting with so many people—friends and his girlfriend—and wished he could be right there in the mix, but that wasn't Nakamura's place. It never was. It was merely a fleeting happiness that had already come to an end. The first year was drawing to a close, and Nakamura still didn't have anyone he could truly trust. How could he be so pathetic as to end up all alone?
His self-deprecating thoughts were interrupted by a nearby presence. It was Hirose, smiling in that cute way that gave Nakamura butterflies in his stomach. What could he be doing here?
"Nakamura! It’s been a while since we went home together. Why don’t you come with me today? We can stop by a cafe and grab something to drink."
What? Was he inviting Nakamura to go home with him? No. Nakamura couldn't handle that—no way! Yet, undeniably, he wanted it so badly, even though he told himself it would only hurt him more. He had to think of a way to turn Hirose down. Ah! He couldn't go home with Hirose because he had to stop by the manga shop to buy the deluxe edition of Lovable Lunches! It was the perfect excuse, but he couldn't tell Hirose that—what would he think if he knew he read BL?
"I can't today, I'll be busy. See you later, Hirose." then immediately stood up after saying that and headed for the exit to avoid further embarrassment. "See you later?" Who says that to someone they know they won't see??
He hated having to turn down a chance with Hirose. But it was a way to protect himself, wasn't it? He pushed the thought aside and focused on getting to the manga shop as quickly as possible; there was still a risk they might have sold out! Fortunately, when he arrived, the shop was busy but not so crowded that he couldn't move around. There was a dedicated display for Lovable Lunches, so he took the opportunity to snap plenty of photos. He picked up the deluxe edition box and examined it closely. The box was designed to look like a small bento box; the transparent "lid" revealed a collection containing all the compiled volumes, keychains, pin badges, and more! He was so excited about it all that he didn't even bother checking the price before heading to the register to pay.
The attendant was stunningly handsome. He was tall and slender, with a face and mouth that held a faint rosy hue—though no pinker than his hair, which was a light, slightly faded shade that curved softly around his cheeks. Had Nakamura’s heart not already belonged to Hirose, he would have fallen for him right then and there. He had a calm, composed air; as Nakamura approached, he seemed to know exactly what to do, offering a reassuring smile before stating the price of the product.
"That will cost 11,300 yen!"
The handsome guy's magic vanished. 11,300 yen? Eleven thousand three hundred yen?! Nakamura didn't have that kind of money! What came with this deluxe version? Did Taku come with it? He was so shocked that the clerk noticed and let out a little laugh, revealing a gap between his front teeth. Despite his appearance, Nakamura would soon realize he was sassier than expected.
"A lot of people thought it was pricey too, but I think it's justified since it's a deluxe item... After all, it's almost sold out."
Almost sold out? Nakamura would have to wait until next month to have enough money—and there was no way it wouldn't be sold out by then! Someone up there was definitely conspiring against his happiness... He muttered a quick "thanks" to the clerk and said he’d come back later—which was a lie. A very obvious lie. Before he could leave the store, the pretty clerk grabbed his arm and turned him around, holding him by the shoulders.
"Hey, kid. You really need money, right? I heard there’s a party tonight and they need waiters. Apparently, the pay is great; I’ll give you the number."
"What? Huh? What do you mean?"
"Ugh, what a drag. I sort of work there, but I don't want to go. You go and work in my place."
"That sounds super sketchy. I don't even know you!"
"I'll set aside an exclusive edition for you."
"Give me the number."
Was that possible? Was the cashier an angel sent to Nakamura? He took the number and thanked him profusely. He ran home and texted without thinking much; he needed that money, and he needed it fast! His heart nearly leapt out of his chest when he received a reply. He read the instructions carefully: he would work from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM, earn 8,000 yen, and would need to be discreet and wear the uniform provided on-site. It seemed simple enough—he just had to deliver the food to the right place. Plus, he’d be in disguise! So, if he did anything embarrassing, no one would recognize him! It seemed things were looking up for Nakamura—at least, outside of his love life.
As he mentally prepared himself to face a crowded venue, he wondered what it would be like to take Hirose to a party like that—seeing him dressed up in a more elegant style, the two of them dancing together on the floor... but he had to push that kind of scenario out of his mind; after all, that sort of thing would never happen. At the very least, he could forget about Hirose for a few hours and focus on his objective.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Night fell like any other. The streets were growing quiet as people left work and arrived at the comfort of their homes. The full moon illuminated the most remote areas, while the rest received light from the streetlamps flickering on one by one. Meanwhile, in a house large enough for four people, the Hirose siblings were arguing over what seemed to be an endless issue...
"Oh, come on, Aiki! I promise that if you just add this one thing, it’ll look really cool!"
"It's fine the way it is; it's just a silly party. There's no need to try so hard."
Aiki hadn't really put much effort into his costume; he was just wearing a high-collared button-down shirt, dress trousers, and shoes borrowed from his father. His sister, Saho, insisted on a black vest, saying it would "define the character"—whatever that meant... He had only asked Saho to pick up a cheap mask from a costume shop, yet now he had been stuck with her for nearly an hour while she got him ready. At least he wouldn't have to pick Hana up at her house; he couldn't bear the embarrassment of meeting her parents while dressed so ridiculously.
"But what if you meet someone interesting?"
"I already have a girlfriend, did you forget that? And even if I didn't, I'm only going because Tsukasa invited me."
"I always forgot you have a girlfriend now, you barely talks about her. And besides... I don't think you even—"
"Stop being so annoying! Give me that stupid vest and take me to the stupid party already!"
The older Hirose simply shrugged, satisfied with the victory of getting her brother to wear the outfit she wanted. The younger one, however, was bothered by the fact that he didn't even need to hear the rest of his sister's sentence to know what she was going to say—or that she was right. He ruffled his hair, and while looking in the mirror, he noticed that the mask concealed his face quite well; perhaps he could have some fun with that. He took it off, tucked it inside his vest, threw a casual jacket over his outfit, and headed downstairs.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Nakamura Okuto was a bundle of nerves. He was trembling and sweating as he paced back and forth in his room. The outfit he’d been given was humiliating. It consisted of a shirt with ruffles at the sleeves and neck, a suit jacket, straight-cut trousers, and dress shoes. And it was all black! But the worst part was the mask. It covered his entire face except for his mouth and nose, but it was incredibly uncomfortable, and it was hard to see clearly while wearing it. He shouldn't have accepted the offer; he should have found another way to make money. What had he been thinking? He took a deep breath and glanced at the manga stacked on his nightstand—he’d been reading them all afternoon. He reminded himself why he was doing this and took another deep breath. He took a quick shower and... decided to pack the outfit into a backpack so he could put it on once he got there.
It wasn't a long ride from his house. He grabbed his bicycle and headed out, calling out a quick goodbye to his mother. As he pedaled, he began to think—and his thoughts drifted back to Hirose, as they always did. Nakamura was already nervous, and thinking about Hirose only made him feel more so. He started daydreaming about what it would be like if Hirose were coming to work with him; he would probably look really cute in the waiter's uniform. Before he knew it, he had arrived at the banquet hall ten minutes early. He tucked his bicycle away in a secluded spot and entered through the back door, where he was to meet the person who had hired him.
The person who attended to him was a serious-looking, middle-aged man who treated him exceptionally well. He pointed out the changing area where Nakamura could get ready and told him to return to that same spot in about three minutes. There were others who had also chosen to change in the banquet hall; they all seemed to know one another and understand how things worked—something Nakamura had no clue about. He put on his uniform somewhat clumsily, and as he was heading toward the meeting point, a young woman wearing an outfit similar to his—but with a long skirt instead of trousers—stopped him. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun, she appeared extremely impatient.
"Excuse me, are you perhaps the new guy? You costume is a bit messy, let me fix it for you real quick." Nakamura almost had a heart attack. He feared he had already messed up and would be fired right there. But the lady was surprisingly talkative and gentle.
"Seriously, I know exactly who gave you Roger's number. Roger? Roger’s that guy out there—he looks tough, but he’s a sweetheart. Anyway, what was I saying? Oh! I can't stand that irresponsible bastard who was always bailing on us at the last minute. Did you know he’d walk off the job in the middle of a shift just to hang out with the guests? Doesn't he have any professional ethics?"
Nakamura let out a laugh; her confidence and the way she spoke about the handsome attendant were strangely welcoming. She talked a lot, though. Nakamura offered a quiet word of thanks when she finished.
"You're nervous, aren't you? Don't worry, no one pays attention to us anyway. Just serve the drinks and the food, compliment them, pretend you have some personality and you'll do fine."
The job was truly simple. At the start of the party, all Nakamura had to do was walk among the guests offering appetizers. Handling alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages was left to the more experienced staff members of legal drinking age. Once dinner was served, the staff could grab a bite to eat and take turns resting. Since he was a minor and merely filling in for someone else, he would be free to leave once the dance floor opened up.
From outside the back area, one could already see the guests arriving. Some wore elaborate costumes and extravagant masks, but the majority wore standard formal attire and cheap masks. The murmur of voices and laughter signaled that enough people had gathered to begin. Nakamura took a deep breath and put on his mask.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
At night, they appear unbidden. By day, they vanish without being stolen. What are they? Stars—or so they say. Two small, lost stars find themselves in the same ballroom—so different, yet so alike. They differ in how they shine: one is so radiant that no one truly stops to observe it, while the other is so understated and tiny that only those who look very closely can see its glow. They share a single trait: both are searching for someone who sees them as they truly are. In the ballroom, a clumsy waiter draws attention with his gentle, attentive manner toward the guests; he moves among them with appetizers and kind words, leaving behind adults in better spirits and young people giggling happily. There is only one person the mysterious waiter seems to avoid: a young man with slightly wavy brown hair and round eyes—someone the waiter would recognize anywhere.
It was frustrating for the young man with brown hair to be ignored by someone who commanded so much attention; surely, the other must harbor some resentment toward him. Little did he know, however, that the reality was quite different: he stirred feelings in the mysterious waiter worthy of a romance—feelings that drove the latter to avoid him to prevent any potential disaster. And so the event unfolded, with tension mounting between the two. Hirose Aiki didn't really want to be there, yet he wanted to discover the identity of that figure. Nakamura Okuto, on the other hand, wanted it all to end as quickly as possible so he could escape from his beloved.
Hirose had indeed foreseen what would happen; it was the same routine as always. He sat with Oomori's cousins and talked about trips he had never actually taken—although, this time, at least he was accompanied by his girlfriend, Sakamoto Hana.
"Aiki-kun... it's crowded here. Don't you want to go get some water over there in the back with me?"
"Why? Go alone, there's no danger." He wasn't an idiot; he knew what she wanted, but pretended not to understand so he would have to go through this. He didn't even know the reason—after all, they were a couple, so it should be something natural—but the mere insinuation made him uncomfortable.
Nakamura was counting down the minutes until the ball. How could fate be so cruel as to present him with the terrifying prospect of running into Hirose—of all people? He kept stepping out to get water and steady his breathing. Perhaps because of his mask, no one noticed his unease. During one of these breaks, he heard someone calling him from the back of the garden. He slipped out quietly to look around and spotted the handsome manga shop clerk hiding there.
"Hey there. How's it going?"
"Why are you here if you aren't working?"
"I told you, I don't want to work! But anyway, has anyone been talking about me?"
"A nice lady called you an 'irresponsible basta—'"
"Okay, I don't need to hear the rest. But what about you? Find anyone interesting?"
"What? What business is that of yours? I'm going back to work..." Nakamura rolled his eyes and turned away.
"You could try forgetting about that guy who's on your mind—just for tonight, at least."
Nakamura spun around, startled.
"How do you...?! I... I don't have anyone on my mind!"
"Uh-huh. I'll pretend I believe that."
"There's no way you could know; I don't even know you!"
"I know a lot of things. Like how there are some nice boys keeping an eye on you..." His sentence conveyed an obvious emphasis on the word "boys."
"Really? Me...?" The young man's cheeks flushed slightly.
"You attract a lot of attention when you aren't hiding, heh heh."
"Okay, but what am I supposed to do with that information? I just want to finish my shift."
"There's a hidden door that leads to a room with a staircase; go up it, and you'll find a balcony with an amazing view. I can leave it unlocked for you when you get off work..."
"Why are you telling me this? I don't want to run into anyone!" "I didn't even say anything... it's really cool and breezy there; you can relax. Trust me!"
"I... you're weird." This time, Okuto turned away without looking back; he didn't have time to think about that.
But now, Nakamura felt more confident about his reputation. He was attracting people's gazes... the gazes of boys? That was something that had never even crossed his mind. He never thought that he—a gay, painfully shy boy—could catch the eye of other boys who seemed so much higher up the social ladder than him. But once he started paying attention, he realized it was true. Some boys seemed to be watching him more closely.
Despite being happy about the attention, Nakamura didn't want to risk losing his pay. So, he made it clear—without saying it outright—that he wasn't interested. However, one boy, who looked a bit older than Nakamura and kept calling him over to serve him and chat, pulled him aside. No one was wearing masks yet, so Nakamura could make out some of his features. He had reddish-orange hair—perhaps he was a foreigner, given his light-colored eyes—and he looked at Nakamura with intense interest.
"You're very handsome, waiter."
"Thank you."
"How about we dance together?"
"I can't; it's against the rules."
"Shall we go out after you finish, then?"
"I'm sorry, but I have to go home."
"Can you tell me your name, then?"
"That's against the rules."
The boy looked disappointed, and his persistence was starting to get annoying. Yet, he didn't seem ready to give up.
"You know, my father is friends with the host of this party. That's why I came. I love masquerade balls; I go to them often. But only people close to me—people I like—attend the ones I go to."
"And?"
"And I'd like you to come as a guest. If I can't dance with you while you're working, maybe I can dance with you as a guest."
"Look, I'd love to, but I..."
"I'll give you my number; I'm going to invite the host's son, too. Don't forget to message me, okay?" And so, he left after writing his name and number on a piece of paper and slipping it into Nakamura's pocket. He felt like he was being watched, and when he turned around, Hirose Aiki was standing there talking to Oomori Tsukasa and Sakamoto Hana. He wasn't even paying attention to the conversation; his gaze was fixed on him.
"Something wrong, Aiki? You seem a bit spaced out."
"Huh? Sorry, I was thinking about how I'm going to wear my costume."
Dinner had finally ended. The women headed to the dressing room to make a few adjustments to their outfits for the dance, while the men removed their jackets and retrieved the masks they had set aside. Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a voice over the microphone announced that it was time for everyone to put on their masks and mingle! The dance was about to begin! Taking advantage of the low light, Hirose Aiki removed his jacket and put on his mask; he intended to stay out of sight for the duration of the dance. Nakamura, on the other hand, was gathering his things to head home, smiling as he looked at a check for 8,000 yen.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Low murmurs could be heard as people moved through the hall. The music began to swell, rising in tandem with the lights. No one there recognized one another—or at least, they intended not to. Not far from the main hall, up the stairs in an adjoining room, the entrance to a balcony was visible. A boy with black hair stood there, a backpack resting at his feet. He should have been on his way home, but word had leaked about this hidden balcony, which offered a perfect view of the sky and a pleasant level of music. The wind blew gently against his face, a soothing relief for the intense emotions he had felt throughout the day. He closed his eyes and felt the cold air. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the balcony door opening. It was a masked boy. The two didn't recognize each other immediately, both seemed surprised by each other's presence.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was here..."
"It's alright, I was just leaving..."
"No, no. Don't worry about it, man. I just want to clear my head a bit."
Strangely enough, the encounter wasn't unpleasant. Both were tired of interacting with people, so they remained silent for a few moments—until one of them broke the quiet.
"You're that waiter everyone was talking about, right? Shouldn't you be downstairs, like, serving people?"
"What? Oh, no. I got off early; I can't work shifts that long."
"Seriously? Why?"
"I'm underage—I'm sixteen. I'm just filling in for the night."
"Sixteen? I'm fifteen! We're practically the same age, heh! You look older, though. What grade are you in?"
"I'm still a freshman, haha."
"Me too. What a coincidence, heh."
A sense of familiarity hung in the air, even though they were meeting someone new. They felt no need to be anything other than themselves—perhaps it was the effect of the mask. The two talked about various things, about their differences and similarities, about what they liked and disliked, until they lost track of time. The background music played incessantly, and the air grew colder, but none of that really mattered.
"But tell me... why were you avoiding me all night, huh?" the younger one asked in a casual tone, though he really did want to know.
"Avoiding you...? Well, I don't know who you are, so I can't say... but I don't think it was on purpose. Sorry."
"I'm just messing with you—relax. You had so many people after you! By the way, what's your name?"
For some reason, saying their name felt awkward, as if it might break the spell.
"I’d rather not say. It is a masquerade ball, after all! That would spoil the fun."
For a moment, he thought he had said something foolish, but was surprised when the other person laughed warmly.
"Fair enough, you win that argument. I won’t tell you my name either!"
In the background, slow music began to play. It signaled that the ball was coming to an end... just how much time had they spent there? How long had they enjoyed each other's company without even knowing each other's identities? But in reality, none of them wanted it to end. Yet the end was near, and they decided to stay anyway. It was certain that something was taking shape—something that went beyond mere pleasant company. No, it was something more. Neither of them knew exactly what it was yet, but the presence of that something was undeniable.
"The sky is pretty tonight."
"Your hair is a lot like the sky, very dark and shiny!"
"Really? I never thought of it that way. Your hair is really nice, too."
"You don't have to compliment me back. I'm sure you get plenty of compliments in your daily life!"
"Actually, no... people hardly even notice I'm there. I've never received so many compliments as tonight."
"What? SERIOUSLY? Man... if I were like you, I'd be unstoppable! I'm all small and soft, and you're all... tall and brooding!"
"Well... even though I can't see your face very well... I think you're pretty cute."
A faint flush appeared on both their cheeks; unconsciously, their bodies drew closer and their voices grew quieter. Then, a voice over a distant microphone announced the last songs of the night. And the same thought crossed both their minds.
"Do you wanna dance with me?"
They both laughed as they spoke. The shorter one stepped forward and placed his hands on the taller one’s shoulders, while the taller one held him by the waist.
"You... have really strong shoulders."
"You should stop complimenting me that much... I'm not like that at all."
"I'm just saying the truth!"
When the music started, the lovebirds’ movements were awkward and stiff. But as they loosened up, the dance became lighter and more natural. They were terrible at it—stepping on each other’s feet and laughing, losing their focus only to regain it a moment later. At one point, they were confident enough to do bolder moviments, the older one pulled the younger one close and spun him around.
"Hey! What are you-" A startled gasp escaped him, followed by laughter from both of them.
The spinning stopped, they looked at each other and, for the first time, looked deep into each other's eyes. What they wanted most at that moment was to know who the other was, but they couldn't risk ruining it all. While being held in the waiter's arms, the other rested his head on his shoulder and let out a sad sigh.
"Isn't that wrong? We’re both guys, and I’m taken."
"Oh, I don’t think it’s wrong for two guys to be like this. I... I’m gay, so... but I didn’t know you had a girlfriend!"
"I don’t even like her. I mean, she’s cool and all, but... I don’t like her enough to date her, you know? I only said yes because... I don’t even know why."
"Break up with her, then."
He looked up, incredulous. Yet, he didn’t pull away from the other’s arms.
"Do you think it’s that easy to break up with a girl?"
"I don’t know. I’ve never dated one!"
They both laughed again at the silliness of the conversation.
"I didn’t want this night to end. I can’t be like this outside of here. God, my friends would tease me forever if they knew what I’m like right now. They can be real jerks sometimes."
"I agree. I don’t talk much out there. And I’ve never had the chance to hold someone in my arms like this, even though I wanted to."
"Is there someone you like?"
"I used to have. We can’t be together, so I’m trying to get over it."
"I’m sorry, that must be awful."
"But it’s okay. I’m not even thinking about him anymore. Not after today."
They fell silent for a few moments, and their faces drew closer until their lips met. Despite the cold wind, their skin was warm; they felt shivers in their stomachs, and their embrace tightened. Even so, it didn’t last long. They knew it was late and the music had already stopped. It was a goodbye kiss. The one with black hair sighed heavily.
"Will we see each other again?"
"I hope so."
And with that, they let go of each other. The waiter was the first to leave; he picked up his backpack from the ground and walked away, casting one last glance at the boy he had met. He stood there lost in thought, gazing at the stars and thinking about the waiter, until he went to find his friends so they could go home.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
In the reception venue's gardens. A pink-haired guy was sipping a glass of champagne after the party had already ended. He sat at a central table, waiting for someone. Eventually, a woman approached and sat down; her hair was pulled back into a tight bun that had already come slightly undone.
"You have to stop doing this."
"Why? You guys found a replacement who was way better than me."
"That’s not what I’m talking about, you moron. I’m talking about manipulating people's destiny. That’s why you had that kid come work in your place."
"Me? Manipulating someone's destiny? Oh, give me a break. And what’s the harm? I’m just giving things a little nudge."
"I’m curious to see how this turns out. How are they supposed to know who the other is, huh, genius?"
"Relax, they aren't the only silly, romantically desperate teenagers I help."
"By 'help,' you mean sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, right?"
"Trust me, you'll see. "