Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

There are only two reasons why Itadori Yuuji does not complain. 

One, because he's not rich. 

Two, because he's not.. well, rich. 

Growing up and raised by a very grumpy, short-tempered grandfather, Yuuji learned early on what to say and what to keep to himself. And it wasn't because his grandfather threatens or intimidates him to act in such a way, no, his Grandpa have never been one for excessive violence. Well, at least when you're not eating his roasted peanuts, but.. that was beside the point. The old man was never the type to discipline harshly and brutally with a heavy hand nor had he been an admirer of gentle parenting like babying Yuuji. Suppose, his Grandpa has his own special way of leading and taking care of Yuuji so that he sees the world not only through a narrow, selfish perspective but with a wider, broader one. He brought Yuuji up to be someone who has a higher level of understanding, who will think critically and respond efficiently while still being deeply empathetic towards others. Thus, during his upbringing, Yuuji learned what it takes to get the sense of purpose by being strong and resilient and that a life that is fulfilling and meaningful should not be spent wondering a million times if it was easy or not because life has never been about luxury or ease.

That's precisely why he doesn't really waste his breath on complaining. 

But did that mean he's always thankful about everything? Absolutely not. 

Okay, maybe that was a bit harsh but sometimes life feels.. a little too much for him. There are days where he just wants to bed rot all day and scream every pent-up complaint in his lungs but then swallow it the next five minutes because he still needs to get up and work at least two to three jobs that day just so he can make ends meet. Survival for him, in some days, meant picking up something edible at whatever scraps of food he had left in his tiny kitchen while trying not to think what dinner he'll be able to afford later after he works his bones to the limit. Where he's in the middle of doing something while trying not to think what jobs he can do after this since he can't afford to sit idly because being lazy isn't the type of luxury he can afford. 

Yuuji wants so badly to complain, alright, he wanted to shout his frustrations to the universe but he also knew it wouldn't change a damn thing. Because it's not like the world will stop spinning for him if he does. It wouldn't pause and suddenly be fair just because he howled out his struggles. Even if Yuuji dies from starvation, even if he gets beaten up on some dark alley on a random street, even if it feels like he won't be able to survive anymore and just decides to give up, the world won't really care. It won't blink and life certainly would just go on without mercy. Because just like his grandfather had always told him, "It's not just you that's suffering. Be thankful that you are a healthy boy who can function properly so you can fend for yourself. Not everyone has the same privilege as you do." 

So, yes, even if he does want to complain and wallow in self pity, he just bites his tongue and swallows it down greedily like a piece of fried chicken he buys once a month in that tiny shop down the street. 

Ah, now he's suddenly craving it. Damn it. 

"Are you okay?" Megumi probes gently when he sees Yuuji staring at the wall again while munching his cheap protein bar he bought a while ago that expires in three months but still tastes surprisingly decent. And even though Yuuji can afford to buy new snacks, they're still Yuuji's favorite and he refuses to let them go to waste.

Yuuji looked at his best friend. Fushiguro Megumi has been his friend ever since they were kids and if he were to be completely honest, Yuuji can't really exactly remember how they even managed to be friends. It was strange, really. Yuuji knew he's the kid that's always very cheerful, talkative and friendly while Megumi was the exact opposite of how he was. Megumi didn't really have friends when they were still young because he had a reputation of being too quiet and reserved and he didn't seem interested in making friends with the other kids too. As a matter of fact, it was rumored that Megumi beat people up when they tried talking to him.

However, that was never the case when Yuuji decided to befriend him. He half expected that the raven boy would give him an annoyed glare or a cold shoulder but Megumi didn't seem like he was irritated or anything to Yuuji and before he knew it, the two of them naturally started to spend time with each other. They always walk together everyday going to school and hang out after as well as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Since Megumi just lives five houses down from where Yuuji's house was, it helped whenever they wanted to meet up. Looking back, he often asks himself how he never knew and noticed Megumi before. Probably because his grandfather never really lets Yuuji wander far away at their old home. The park was just in front of their house too so there was never a reason for Yuuji to explore his neighborhood too much and it was fine. Sure, he was always alone and he never got to play with kids the same age as him but it didn't really matter since his grandfather always watches him when he's playing and indulges him sometimes. 

Of course, those days of childhood had faded as they aged and those carefree playing in the park was replaced by the typical interests of teenagers. As Yuuji and Megumi became closer and grew together, they also started doing things that most teens enjoyed such as playing video games, watching movies, going to arcades. Megumi was more into books while Yuuji liked music since he loved to sing and dance. And whilst Yuuji preferred track and baseball because of his physical prowess, Megumi had a passion for archery and chess because of his intellect and focus. They had different interests, hobbies, personalities and yet, for some reason, they just... fit together, effortlessly. Yuuji never really understood why, but he had always felt that Megumi was someone he felt connected with so deeply despite their differences.

"Yeah, I'm just thinking about what gig I'll do next after this," Yuuji responds as he sighs while resting his cheek against the desk. His eyes followed Megumi who was wiping down the tables with practiced ease. "I've got the whole night free, so I might as well do something productive to earn a few more bucks."

They were both working at a high-end coffee shop that usually stays open late, the kind of place that caters to overworked students and workaholics. However, their boss, Kugisaki Nobara, decided to close the shop early today after she had announced earlier, with a bright grin, that she was heading off on a vacation for a week, and since she wouldn't be around to relax somewhere, she figured she might as well let Yuuji and Megumi enjoy an early break too to have some free time for themselves. 

Any normal employee would say this is a dream come true and would be overjoyed on the idea of extra tips and an early night off. But for Yuuji, not exactly. 

Megumi halted mid-wipe, turning to give Yuuji a pointed stare. "Are you serious? Nobara gave us extra tips today. That should be enough to make up for the lost hours later. Shouldn't you at least take this chance to rest?"

Yuuji let out an amused breath. "It's fine. I only sleep about five hours a day anyway. I'd just be wasting time if I don't do something with my extra free time later."

Megumi stared at him as if he had grown a second head. "I'm surprised you're able to walk at this point. Have you tried getting a full eight hours of sleep for once?"

"I have. When I was a kid." 

"That's not what I meant," Megumi rubbed his temple. "Just... take it easy tonight. Rest. Can't you just do that for once?" 

Yuuji smiled softly, his amused expression tugging at the corners of his lips. Megumi always had this way of acting a little too paranoid, too concerned when it came to him whenever he thought Yuuji is doing too much and overworking himself. And while some people might find it annoying and tiresome, Yuuji never did and if anything, he appreciated it. It wasn't always that someone looks out for him like this except for his grandfather, to actually worry about his well-being. Not that he really needed it, he was taught early to function efficiently while still keeping his own limits in mind. But just knowing that someone cared enough to notice already meant something for him.

"I can't afford to rest. Grandpa's bills are piling up..." Yuuji's voice dropped lower as he tapped his fingers on the table. "And working nonstop helps me too, you know? It distracts me from thinking about my problems. At least when I overwork myself, I'll be able to sleep quickly when I get home without overthinking." 

It had been two years since his Grandpa was hospitalized due to his illness. And for those two years, Yuuji did nothing but forcefully throw himself to an endless cycle of work to afford and keep up with his grandfather's medical expenses. And although his stubborn old man told him that he didn't need hospitals or any machines, Yuuji refused to listen because he himself witnessed how his Grandpa's health was slowly deteriorating day by day and swallowing a few pills and drinking herbal teas every day just won't cut it for him anymore. 

Yuuji still wants to hear his daily grumbles, you know, even when they're overbearing sometimes.

"You know you can always borrow money from me, right? I've always told you that." Megumi walked towards him as Yuuji stared at him. 

Megumi is actually born from a family known for its generational wealth and rigid traditions. Zenin. Megumi was.. without a doubt, a child of legacy. But unlike any other person who's born into such privilege, Megumi never acted like one and he never flaunted it. In fact, Megumi rarely even acknowledged it. He told Yuuji that his connection with the esteemed clan was already strained long before he was born, thanks to his father, Fushiguro Toji, who had long since been cast out and disowned by the clan.

However, even with their history, Toji still managed to arrange a small inheritance under Megumi's name before disappearing completely in his son's life when he was eight years old. The money was left untouched not because Megumi was forbidden to but because Yuuji can see Megumi didn't had that 'need' in him to use it. Maybe it was pride because Megumi had always been fiercely independent. He learned to be. Or maybe because he didn't want any connection towards his father anymore or the clan. Maybe both. Either way, the sum sat untouched. 

So when Yuuji opened up about his problem and the heavy costs tied to it, Megumi was quick to offer his help without hesitation. He told Yuuji that he can borrow that 'damn, useless inheritance', or so Megumi calls it. Yuuji, of course, refused. 

"You don't even want to reach out to your dad's family. I wouldn't want you to do it just for my sake." 

"I don't need to reach out to them for you to be able to borrow from me. Toji has his own legal guy. I can just contact him for you." 

"Hmm, no thanks," Yuuji giggled. "I appreciate the thought, Gumi. Still, I don't want you to touch your father's money just to give it to me." 

"I'm not giving it to you. You can just pay me back in installments. No rush." 

"Still no..." Yuuji smiled. 

Megumi leaned back with a sigh. "I don't even know why you're being so stubborn. The only reason I don't touch it is because I'm already earning enough money to get by. Plus, I don't plan to enter college just yet so it's useless for now." 

"Why?" Even though Yuuji already knew the answer. 

Megumi arched a brow. "Because I want to go with you." 

When Yuuji's grandfather got diagnosed with a serious heart condition two years ago, everything about his life.. changed from them on. College became a distant dream for him and clearly, it's not because he hates studying. Yuuji had always been bright and very motivated to learn new things. He loved school. But with the medical bills and daily expenses mounting up, he was quick to realize that education had became something that's out of his reach. Not when survival was already a struggle. On top of that, it will be impossible for him to juggle his time properly between working and studying and he doesn't think his body will be able to cope and survive the dual work everyday. Yuuji is already in a constant battle against time. Unlike Megumi who only works one job, Yuuji has to do at least two-three jobs a day, back to back, whenever his body and schedule allowed it, sometimes without a proper meal or sleep. 

This was a choice he wasn't happy about but it was also a choice he was willing to make despite his feelings. 

"You don't have to wait for me, you know," Yuuji stared at his emo friend. "I'm not even sure if I'll ever make it to college."

"We're still eighteen. Don't talk like it's already the end of the road for you."

Yuuji laughed. "Can't I be dramatic for once? Just let me spiral for five seconds." 

Megumi rolled his eyes as he removed his apron and tossed it aside. "Whatever. Let's just go to that ramen shop down the street. I'm treating you today."

Yuuji's eyes brightened. "Really?" 

"Hm," Megumi hummed. "Nobara left us with generous tips today and I don't need this much. Figured we both deserve something tasty for once." 

"Heck yeah!" Yuuji raised his arms as he beamed at his best friend though he frowned afterwards. "Though, why do you think Nobara is giving us so much money?" 

"I heard she has a boyfriend overseas." 

Yuuji's eyes widened as he also removed his apron. "Really? Is that why she's suddenly going on a vacation for a week?" 

"Seems like it. I think she's found herself a sugar daddy." 

Yuuji blinked. "A sugar... what?" 

"A sugar daddy," Megumi stared at Yuuji with a knowing look. "Basically, it's someone who's older than you that pays for everything that you need. And I mean, everything you really need."

Yuuji's brows furrowed. "That's a thing?" 

"Yeah. And in exchange, you need to be in a relationship with them and make them happy. Offer them companionship, sometimes emotional... Mostly physical..." Megumi sighed. "But our boss seems in love with her new boyfriend right now so I don't think she's not entirely doing it for the money. She's been smiling like crazy these days." 

"She always smiles crazily though," Yuuji stared at him cautiously. "And I think she does. You know how money hungry our boss is..." 

His best friend went silent for a minute. 

"... You're right," Megumi said before grabbing the keys on the counter as he beckoned Yuuji. "Anyways, let's go?" 

"Yeah! Just a minute!" 

When Yuuji first told Megumi that he was planning to leave for the city to be more closer to his hospitalized grandfather and because he had also thought that it's way more efficient to find jobs that pays better than the countryside ever could to support his piling expenses, Yuuji really didn't expect Megumi to come with him without hesitation. His best friend just simply decided to pack his things and follow him, just like that. 

Of course, a little argument happened on that very same day. Yuuji can still remember how he tried so much to convince Megumi and insisted that he should stay in their hometown, not because Yuuji didn't want him around, no, of course not. Yuuji loved Megumi dearly, and he always wished they would always be friends forever and never be apart. But Yuuji had also always known about Megumi's open distaste for the city. Megumi had said to him when they were still kids that the city was too loud, too artificial for his type of lifestyle and that he wasn't interested in living in a place full of people with no manners and too little patience just like he was. 

Yuuji didn't want to drag his best friend and make him suffer through a life he clearly didn't want just because he was worried for someone else. Just because he was worried about a friend. Just because he feels obligated to follow him, whether it be out of concern or loyalty. Yuuji can take care of himself, he always had. Even as a child, he was taught early to figure things out on his own and that wasn't a problem for him to learn because for Yuuji, he always preferred to keep his problems inside and solve them as quietly as possible. He didn't want Megumi to think that he needed to intervene every step of the way or be a bodyguard figure. But for someone like Megumi, loyalty wasn't something you picked up on a whim because circumstances were one way now. When he cared, he would stay. He would show and he would protect. No matter the inconvenience. That's always been the kind of person he is. 

Still, despite knowing that Megumi isn't trying to help him out of pity and that his best friend cared deeply for him and genuinely just wants to be a helping hand, Yuuji can't shake this unease and lingering guilt that's crawling in his nerves, clinging to him and making him think he's taking more than he should. Megumi had already been so generous of him not just with his time but also with his presence. Taking his money too wouldn't sit right with Yuuji. He's already grateful that Megumi is here with him. His silence, his understanding and those subtle ways he had shown Yuuji that he will always be here even when words aren't exchanged, that was already enough for him. Yuuji hates the idea of being a burden, of becoming someone Megumi constantly has to worry about or feel responsible for like some pitiful case. Yuuji knows that's not really the reason why Megumi is trying to help him but feelings are just so hard to control, no matter how irrational they can be. It's making him feel as if he was just always sucking from a well that he never could refill. And that was one of the worst things for him to have to deal with. To be dependent. Like a burden. Like someone who always needed to be rescued. It wasn't pride, exactly.. it was more of not wanting to be the type of person who always receives but never gives back.

And in Yuuji's case, he still can't give something back. Not even his time. He doesn't even have time for himself, how can he give some to others? He wants to be there for the people he also cares about but how do you exactly pour from an empty cup?

"I'm ready!" Yuuji grinned as he latched his hand on Megumi's arm before they pulled down the shutters of the shop together.

The streets of Tokyo had settled into that calm lull that comes just before the night fully takes over. The crisp autumn air wrapped around Yuuji like a gentle whisper. Cool but not too cold and just enough to make you tuck your hands into your sleeves. The sky was beginning to darken and the last hints of golden orange sun dipping beautifully below the skyline paints the pavements in warm hues of amber and red. Leaves rustling softly as they gently drifted down the quiet sidewalks, people strolling by with slow steps while having hushed conversations. Streetlights flickering to life one by one casting that soft honey-colored glow over the narrow roads. 

It was peaceful and serene, unusually so for a city so vibrant like Tokyo, but it was beautiful nonetheless. 

"Are you really planning to work tonight?" Megumi asked quietly as they both walked along the familiar path that leads to their go-to ramen spot. The evening breezed brushed past them and Yuuji feeling a little tired, leaned his head against Megumi's shoulder as he stared on the pavement beneath his feet. 

Yuuji had been fortunate to secure his job at Nobara's coffee shop thanks to their long and unexpectedly deep online friendship that they formed years ago when they crossed paths in a niche anime forum. They only casually bonded over their favorite shows which eventually led to hours-long chats about everything under the sun. Over two years of talking to Nobara constantly, they became something close to soul friends. So when Yuuji decided he'll move to Tokyo to find a job, it didn't feel strange to ask Nobara for help. 

And at that time, Yuuji's timing couldn't have been better. 

Nobara didn't hesitate to hire him because she said she had just fired her last worker for being lazy so she was in need for an extra pair of hands. It honestly couldn't have been more perfect. Not only did the job come with a decent hourly rate, but thanks to the upscale nature of the shop and its wealthy clientele, the daily tips were often generous and hefty enough to cover more than just the basics. So, naturally, the job became Yuuji's main source of income. His main financial lifeline, if you can call it that. 

His workday would start at ten in the morning and wouldn't end until nine at night. By the time he clocks out, Yuuji would immediately go to his second job, food delivery. Tokyo is a city that never sleeps so it is needless to say that there's always someone looking to order food late at night. Yuuji would stay up until two in the morning before he goes home if he couldn't pick up a third job to squeeze into the remaining hours. That was basically his life. Day in, day out. 

And now that Nobara had told them that she'd be closing the café for a week to take a vacation and even when she promised that their salaries won't be affected by it, Yuuji still couldn't bring himself to relax. A whole week without trying to actively earn something is a waste. Not when he had bills to pay, mouths to feed and a future that demanded every second of his effort. So even when he wants to take it easy, this was the perfect opportunity to hustle even more. To find another job for the time being and make a bit more money. He can't afford to wait around because every second he spends doing nothing is a second he could've been earning. So yes, of course he was going to work tonight. 

That's just how it had to be. 

"Yeah," Yuuji grumbled under his breath. "Well, it's only six, Gumi. I can't just waste the rest of my evening doing nothing. Besides, the shop hasn't been that busy lately, so it's not like I'm overworked or anything." 

Megumi side-eyed him. "Right. Says the guy who's been nodding off on my shoulder at this moment. You're acting like it's a crime for you to rest, Yuuji. These jobs you have are stacking up and it's taking a toll on you. Learn to slow down sometimes. Everyone needs a break now and then." 

Yuuji straightened up as he made a face. "Ugh, come on. Not the nagging again." 

"I mean it," Megumi said seriously before he heard a heavy sigh afterwards. "Alright, how about this... I'll help you find a temporary job you can take for this week tonight. I have a few acquaintances I can contact in the city. I'll ask if any of them need help with anything but.. you have to promise me something in return." 

"What?" Yuuji's mind got confused.

"You take tonight off. You rest. No running around delivering-" 

"Wait, wait, hold on. Acquaintances?" Yuuji briskly lifted his head from Megumi's shoulder as he narrowed his eyes suspiciously to his best friend. "You mean... friends? You actually have friends here in Tokyo?" 

Megumi grudgingly averted his gaze as he kept his expression as neutral as possible as he stared right ahead and kept his eyes trained on the sidewalk. That, naturally, only made Yuuji more curious. Every time Megumi was secretive like this, Yuuji was sure that there was something worth prodding at. His best friend wasn't exactly a social butterfly, after all and he didn't exactly pick up friends wherever he went... if at all.

Actually, since they had arrived in Tokyo, Megumi had hardly spoken with anyone outside their small group. The only exception was Nobara, and even that had only occurred because Yuuji had introduced them. So learning that Megumi had managed to accrue "acquaintances" in secret? Yes, that was certainly suspicious.

"Wow, I feel kind of betrayed..." Yuuji puffed his cheeks dramatically. "How come I didn't know about these secret friends of yours, huh?" 

"They're not friends." 

Yuuji leaned in with mischief in his eyes. "Hmm? Then what are they? Can I meet them?" 

"No. Absolutely not." 

"What? Why not?" 

"Because.." Megumi uttered, cutting Yuuji off with a cold look before those usually blank gaze looked away again reluctantly. "Because they're part of the clan. My cousins." 

Yuuji's mouth parted surprisingly. "You've been talking to your cousin?" 

Megumi let out a low grunt. "Only since we came to Tokyo. And I wouldn't call it talking. They're just the ones who keep bothering me. I had to give them my contact information because they said that if I didn't, they'd keep dropping by my apartment uninvited and I can't have that, obviously." 

Yuuji blinked, stunned into silence for a minute before letting out a small, gentle hum. "Well... that sounds.. good? I think?" 

"None of that is good," Megumi grumbled with a scowl. "You already know how much I hate dealing with those greedy assholes. The only reason I'm even thinking about this is because the relatives who've been calling me aren't totally insufferable. They despise the clan drama just as much as me, so I can kind of stand them. Still boggles the hell out of me, though." He paused for a second, then continued, "That being said, they are dependable. They can give you work for the week and you'll be paid fairly well. That I can guarantee."

Yuuji stared at him. 

He's doing it again. Megumi was doing it again. Doing the things he hated for the sake of Yuuji. 

To see and comprehend the extent of self-abnegation was a cruel form of emotional exhaustion for someone like Yuuji. It wasn't so much the overt actions of self-sacrifice that are most harmful but the seething undertone of discontent that came with them that Yuuji can, oh so intensely, feel, and it's taking an emotional toll on him. Multifaceted and highly destructive, even if unintentional. It's more than just guilt, really.. it's a tangled mix of opposing feelings that gradually break down the perception of one's self. 

"Thank you, Gumi. But really-"

"I know where your head is at," Megumi interrupted firmly before Yuuji could get out the rest. "Don't do it. You don't need to feel guilty and you're not a burden. Whatever I choose to do, I do it of my own free will. Your happiness doesn't need to be bought at the cost of suffering alone. Any friend who has a functional conscience would do what they could to help make your burden lighter. And I'm your friend, Yuuji. There's nothing shameful about needing support every now and then."

"But-"

"I don't wanna hear it," Megumi cut in again. "I'm calling them up tonight to see if they can take you in for the week. I don't even have to see them so stop worrying your head about it. Just take the help and quit being so damn stubborn."

Yuuji pursed his lips, glancing over at Megumi as if seeking any hint of irritation or suppressed resentment in those serene, calculating eyes. But he saw only a silent sort of weariness and... a touch of concern. After a deep breath, Yuuji finally surrendered with a gentle nod.

"Okay.." 

Megumi exhaled like that single word was all he'd been waiting to hear all day. Yuuji faintly smiled. 

"Now can we have dinner in peace? I'm starving."

Yuuji didn't say anything, instead, he just slipped his hand around Megumi's arm again and held him tighter as they walked and entered the wide and bustling ramen shop. The savory, thick scent of simmered beef and roasted chicken broth immediately wrapped around them like a comforting invitation too tempting to resist, coaxing them further inside. It was just about dinner time so the restaurant was buzzing with customers and was beginning to fill up.

The store was exactly what you'd expect when you imagine a vintage, home-style ramen shop. The walls were paneled with weathered wood that has slightly dulled from the years of oil and steam. Paper lanterns hung low above the tables, gently glowing with a warm gold light that extended throughout the area. Every table came with stools, small and looked a bit worn but still durable. The counter ran along one side with an open view into the kitchen where steam curled from boiling pots and cooks yelling friendly hellos to diners. Pictures of happy customers, signed napkins and posters of classic festivals adorned the walls. It definitely was the sort of place that warmed you up even before the first spoonful reached your lips.

Once they ordered, Megumi promptly focused on his phone as he typed furiously with his fingers. Yuuji, who's observing him in silence could only cock a brow. He was sure Megumi was texting his cousin about the job. 

"Gumi, are you really sure it's okay to ask your cousins for help with this?" 

Megumi didn't even glance up at him. "I told you already, I've got it handled." 

Yuuji can only pout back in response, puffing out his cheeks ever so slightly before looking away. His eyes wandered around the room without purpose until they fell, quite unfortunately, on a strange couple seated a couple of tables away. A beautiful young woman who's radiantly beaming in her over-the-top designer dress and glittering gold jewelries, sat gracefully with several high-end shopping bags arranged around her feet. Seated in front of her, however, was an older gentleman. He was utterly.. how do you say it exactly? Uh, unremarkable, perhaps even a bit plain, aside from the crisp, overpriced-looking suit that looked like it cost more than Yuuji's entire wardrobe that he wore as a badge of significance.

Yuuji blinked. 

Oh. 

"Should I just get a sugar daddy?" Yuuji suddenly blurted out loud enough to make his best friend choke on the water he was sipping. Megumi was then coughing violently, snatching a napkin from Yuuji who passed it to him with innocent eyes. "What?"

"You should get what now?" Megumi glared. 

Yuuji blinked slowly then looked back towards the fancy couple. "I said maybe I should get a sugar daddy. It was just a joke though. Kinda..." 

Megumi's scowl deepened. "Don't be ridiculous. You barely accept any help from me and now you suddenly want someone who's willing to sponsor your entire life?" 

"But it's not the same when it's you because you're my best friend!" Yuuji protested as he poked Megumi's arm. "And, anyway, didn't you go on about something... about doing something for people who do something for you? What was it again?"

He dramatically gazed up at the ceiling, feigning thought before snapping his fingers. "Ah! Companionship, right? I'm excellent at that! I'm a good listener, I provide good advice, and physically, well... don't roll your eyes, I'm an elite hugger. You know that!"

Megumi was unimpressed. "You're naive if you think that's the only thing someone like that would want from you." 

"I mean... It's not like I'd mind being a caretaker either. I used to do it all the time for Grandpa. I can clean, cook, wash, everything. I'd make an amazing maid, you know! What do you think, huh? Huh?" 

"You are not selling yourself, Itadori Yuuji." 

"How scandalous, Gumi! Don't make it sound as if I'm a prostitute!" 

Yuuji never really saw the concept of having a sugar daddy as something... repulsive, or bad. At least not like how Megumi made it out to be. To him, he didn't see it as something ridiculous like being some helpless damsel in distress that needs to be spoiled or coddled. No. To him, it's more like a trade. A transaction for a clear exchange of services. A balance. There's a silent agreement within it, an agreement that had more sense to it than the vague expectations which came with so-called "normal" relationships. And for Yuuji who doesn't like the uncertainty of kindness, the silent expectations, the choking feeling of owing someone something he would never be able to pay back, he didn't exactly disagree with the idea. Not when being kept meant being useful. 

He despised being treated like a charity case. Resented the silence that followed benevolence, the kind that made him wonder if he owed and couldn't pay. At least in those types of arrangements, the terms were defined. There was no pity and no tiptoeing around guilt. 

"Well, it's not like there's anyone out there who'd actually want to be my sugar daddy anyway," Yuuji whispered under his breath as his eyes glanced back toward the beautiful woman. 

Yuuji knew that he wasn't anything out of the ordinary or unique in the looks category. Not ugly but certainly not someone who turned heads or called attention from left to right either. Just... well, average. The only thing that ever truly caught people's attention about him, he noticed, was his hair. A pale sakura pink that he'd gotten and inherited from his deceased father. Whenever someone laid eyes on him for the first time, their gaze would nearly always immediately land on his hair. They'd ask whether it was dyed, where he got it done, what brand he used or if it was natural. And once they received their answer, the discussion would die down to something else. Nobody looked interested in his eyes that were plain brown. His physique wasn't anything to boast about either. He wasn't hulky or chiseled, just naturally lean with a slight hint of muscles from all the manual labor he did. His abs were hardly visible and just starting to appear. None of the fancy or gym-toughed variety. Primarily because memberships were outrageously expensive for the likes of him and he hadn't got a lot of time for that either.

Yuuji knew he was courteous, gentle, and even reliable on a good day. But that didn't seem to amount to much. Nowadays, people appear to be more concerned with appearance, status, aesthetics and not the real soul behind the skin.

"There's one," Megumi said suddenly, breaking Yuuji's silent spiral of self-doubt.

Yuuji blinked, confused. "O-One what?"

Megumi shot him a look. "A sugar daddy. You've already got one hovering around you."

"Huh?" Yuuji tilted his head as his brows furrowed. "Who are you talking about?"

"You know who. That old man who's constantly around you."

Yuuji's brain scrambled for information, running over everyone he could think of. Then, his eyes slowly grew wide as he realized something. He softly smacked Megumi's arm, laughing and shaking his head. 

"Oh come on, Gumi. You mean Suguru-san? He's not an old man! He's only 28!"

Megumi rolled his eyes. "That's a whole decade older than you, Yuuji. And he's always hanging around you like some creep."

Yuuji playfully glared at him. "Don't be rude! He just likes buying coffee from our shop every day."

"And he just happens to spend an entire hour there every time, sitting with you and asking you all these kinds of personal questions?" Megumi furrowed his brow. "He's a well-known professor, isn't he? Busy as hell but somehow, he always manages to find time to hang out and flirt with you? Explain to me how that isn't strange."

Yuuji's cheeks flushed with soft pink as he felt embarrassed. "He doesn't flirt with me, alright? He's just... he just happens to be nice. He just asks me about what I'm planning for my future because he really cares. He has also been encouraging me to go back to school, that's all. Please don't call him a creep, Gumi. He is not. He really is kind."

Megumi didn't seem to be convinced. Yuuji, on the other hand, looked back to his drink as he tried not to think too much about Geto Suguru's gentle smiles and how he always managed to look so genuinely interested in what Yuuji had to say. 

Yuuji's lip twitched as he hid a smile. 

"I'm just trying to tell you to be cautious. You've only known this man for a few months and he's already getting way too familiar and comfortable with you. I don't know what it is exactly but I just have this gut feeling that something about this guy isn't right." 

Yuuji exhaled sharply. "But you say that about everyone though? Literally every single person that comes or breathes near me ends up on your 'suspicious' list immediately." 

"This one's different," Megumi clenched his jaw. "I'm serious. There's something off about him, Yuuji. He doesn't feel safe to me. He feels dangerous in a way that's hard to explain." 

Yuuji's shoulders drooped a little as he gazed at Megumi, obviously frustrated. 

"Gumi, please..." he started, scratching the back of his ear. "I understand. I really do. You never liked Suguru-san and honestly... I've lost hope that that will ever change. But can you just try to dial it back a bit with the accusations? You're always speaking as if he's some sort of criminal and he hasn't done anything wrong. Not one thing." 

"Not yet, he hasn't." 

Yuuji started to protest, the beginnings of a rant already forming on his lips but as soon as he caught sight of that fleeting, biting look of disapproval on Megumi's face, he immediately clamped his mouth shut. That bothered face, the one Megumi sported so naturally when he was sure something wasn't right, was enough. It reminded Yuuji that when it came to interpreting people's intentions, Megumi was never wrong, rarely anyway. He'd always been the conservative one, the one to double-glance while others did so once. Even back when they were still children, barely out of childhood, Megumi had been instinctively protective of him as if he were his older brother despite them being practically the same age.

Yuuji, however, had always been the more free and easy-going of the two. He greeted everyone with a smile, however strange, intense, or out of place they appeared. He didn't easily judge and he had the tendency to give people the benefit of the doubt even when he probably shouldn't. Of course, this made him a magnet for every kind of personality out there. Some are good, some odd and some just flat-out toxic. But Megumi had always been there for him, weeding out the worst of the worst before they were able to actually cause any damage. Yuuji wouldn't even know someone was bad until Megumi quietly revealed them to him, stripping away their charm or facade to reveal what actually lay beneath.

That's why Yuuji trusted him deeply. If Megumi said, "He's bad news," that was usually more than enough for Yuuji to believe it without a second thought. Megumi's instincts had never steered or proved him wrong before.

But this time... felt different.

Yuuji couldn't just simply accept what he was being told, not when his heart was whispering him otherwise. There was just something about Geto Suguru that sparked a deep sense of certainty inside Yuuji. A warmth, tranquility, and this unspoken kindness that felt really genuine. When he was around Geto, Yuuji didn't feel the urge to question or put up walls around him and he always felt at ease. Perhaps that was why, for the first time, he found himself second-guessing and doubting Megumi's judgment.

Because in Yuuji's eyes, Geto Suguru didn't come across as a threat at all. Instead, he felt like a gentle breeze following a storm. Soft, careful, and incapable of causing any harm. 

Still, despite all the give-and-take and the tension between them right now, Yuuji knew without a doubt that if it ever came to choosing sides, he'd still choose Megumi. Always. Don't get him wrong, that didn't imply he didn't like Suguru. Not by a long shot. The man was actually one of the most kind-hearted, gentle-minded people Yuuji had ever had the pleasure to meet. He had a soothing, matronly aura, always soothing and never aggressive. But Megumi... Megumi was different for Yuuji. He wasn't just a mere acquaintance he'd picked up along the way. Megumi had been a part of his life for ten straight years, longer than anyone but his family. They'd survived childhood brawls, teenage tantrums, late-night ramen excursions and all the stuff in between. By comparison, the one year he's spent coming to know Professor Suguru only felt like a blink.

So yes, even if Yuuji sometimes found himself a little too trusting of Suguru's calm presence and comforting nature, he'll still try to take Megumi's words seriously. At the end of the day, he realized, that Megumi's intuition had saved him more times than he could count.

"Alright," Yuuji gave in eventually to defuse the tension that was starting to hang heavily between them. He offered a small smile as he spoke with a quiet pout. "I'll be extra careful around him, okay? I get what you're trying to say. And yes.. if he ever starts acting off or says something weird or anything, I'll be sure to tell you right away." 

Megumi let out a skeptical snort. "Sure you will. Like you ever notice those things. You've always been way too trusting and too damn oblivious for your own good." 

"Gumi!" 

"Whatever. Just know that I'm keeping my eye on both of you. The moment he steps out of the line even for a little bit, he's done. So you better make sure he behaves himself because I'm not gonna be polite about it," Megumi replied flatly with a dry expression. However, that aggressive cold glare in his eyes towards the cup in his hand as though it had personally offended him, didn't escape Yuuji's gaze. "It wouldn't be the first time I've beaten up some old creep for trying something stupid on you anyway." 

A shiver crawled down Yuuji's spine despited the warmth inside the restaurant as he let out a small, nervous laugh. Megumi's sharp words made him flinch a little, and it's not exactly from fear, but from the sudden rush of memories that he remembered vividly. 

A very really, very dark memory. 

It actually happened when they were in middle school when Yuuji had been dismissed from class early after a neighbor appeared at school with some urgent news that his grandfather had fainted and someone needed to go check on him right away. Of course, Yuuji's panic was immediate and immense that despite being a fast runner, his fear had him racing through every shortcut he knew to get home as quickly as possible. 

And that's when and how it occurred.

Some intoxicated dude, who was likely in his early 30s, staggered and stumbled into the dark narrow alley and began pursuing him, saying all these gross things and obviously having the worst of intentions on him. Yuuji had been more irritated than scared, to be honest. He wasn't that afraid since he could run pretty quickly and if necessary, he could fight back. But before he was able to make a move for it at that time, when the man caught up to him grabbed him by the back of his shirt, he never had the opportunity to do so. Because Megumi suddenly appeared out of nowhere. 

Like a storm. 

Yuuji didn't even get the chance to scream. One moment, the drunk man was right behind him, then next, Megumi was already smashing a bottle against the guy's head with scary accuracy. Then the punches started, again and again like stopping wasn't an option. Yuuji had to physically pull him back, shouting for him to stop before it all went too far. He could still remember that broken bottle in Megumi's hand, glinting menacingly under the streetlight. For a second, he honestly thought that Megumi was actually going to stab the guy right in the face with it.

If Yuuji hadn't intervened, that man might've ended up in a coma or... worse.

So when Megumi said he'd beat up Geto Suguru who's a decade older than them, if he even hinted at stepping out of line... Yuuji believed him. Wholeheartedly. With a slight fear in his heart. Because he knows Megumi will really do it for him. 

"Okay..." 

The evening didn't turn out exactly as Yuuji had wanted it to but it wasn't bad either. By the time the two of them returned home to their apartment building, it was already ten in the evening. After eating their dinner earlier, they didn't really go home immediately. Instead, they walked leisurely around the park adjacent to their street, talking about nothing and everything, sharing random stories, and enjoying ice cream under the light of the street lamps. It was serene and quiet, exactly the sort of little thing Yuuji valued on days when the world just seemed too much. The soft, gentle hum of nightfall had surrounded them by the time they agreed it was getting late and finally decided to call it a day. 

Typically, at this time, Yuuji would have only just started his second job. However tonight was an exception because the little family restaurant he worked part-time at was closed for the night to celebrate the owner's birthday. It was the rare kind of break Yuuji didn't often get.. though, tomorrow everything would be back to normal and he'd be working again like usual.

"I'll walk you to your room." 

Yuuji flashed a cheeky smile as he quickly shook his head before interlocking their fingers. "Nope. No way. You already spoiled me today. It's my turn to do the walking tonight. No buts."

They shared the same apartment complex but their apartments weren't exactly next door to each other. Megumi was two floors below Yuuji. It would have been best if their apartments were side by side, Yuuji would often daydream about how convenient and enjoyable that would be, but when they were still searching for a place two years ago, this was the best option they could get. Luckily, the building still had two units available at that time with affordable rent that were up to their budget so they immediately jumped at the chance. They both agreed that it wasn't ideal but it worked. 

Living together wasn't an option either since the units only have barely enough space to accommodate one person to live comfortably. On top of that, Yuuji never wanted to intrude on Megumi's personal space or his downtime. He understood how much Megumi cherished his peace after a long day and Yuuji definitely didn't want to be the reason his best friend lost that. Not when he's already dealing so much outside, everyday. 

"I'll give you a call either tonight or tomorrow as soon as my cousin gets back to me about the job," Megumi said, stopping right in front of his door. Then he shot Yuuji a look that meant business. "And you better not go sneaking off tonight to look for more work. I mean it, Yuuji."

Yuuji couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. 

"Yes, sir," before throwing in a playful salute.

"I mean it," Megumi narrowed his eyes. "Don't do anything stupid. Just get some decent rest for once. You've been working too hard lately.. and honestly, those bags under your eyes are starting to freak me out."

"Are you saying I'm not cute anymore?" Yuuji shot back as feigned offense, pouting a bit.

"I never claimed you were cute to begin with," Megumi replied with a dry tone. 

"You still love me anyway," Yuuji sang playfully before he stuck out his tongue like a little kid. He started walking backward toward the elevator with that familiar mischievous grin on his face, the one he always used to annoy Megumi ever since they were young. "I'll sleep early tonight, I promise. Even if your cousin won't put in a word for me with a job, I still have the restaurant tomorrow. But hey, give me a call if something comes up, okay? I'd love to take on more work if it's available." 

Megumi's expression softened a bit as he watched Yuuji retreat. "Alright. Good night."

"Night!" Yuuji shouted, waving just as the doors to the elevator swung open. "Thanks for the food, by the way!"

Having reached the elevator, he pushed his floor button and turned just quickly enough to catch a glimpse of Megumi disappearing into his apartment and closing the door. As the elevator rose, Yuuji released a tiny sigh and glanced at his reflection in the gleaming metal wall. A small, serene smile pulled at his lips. 

Yuuji also noticed the faint shadows creeping under his eyes and his hair was a bit tousled, probably thanks to the breeze at the park earlier. He definitely looked like he could use a break. Maybe Megumi was right. Perhaps he really did need to take it easy tonight. A good night's sleep is just what he needs and tomorrow.. he'll make sure to have a hearty breakfast to power through the week ahead with a bit more energy. Yeah, that's what he'll have to do. 

The moment the elevator doors opened however, and he moved around the corner to his unit, the easy smile on his face vanished. He gazed at the tall figure leaning comfortably against the wall next to his apartment door.

Yuuji's footsteps.. slowed almost instantly.

There, standing like a shadow chiseled from elegance and strength, was a tall figure. Still, statuesque.. and utterly relaxed. The man was resting against the wall, his back against it with eased confidence. Arms folding loosely across his chest as if he had all the time in the world. A black dress shirt clung to his muscular frame, every fold of his cloth pressing tightly against a chiseled chest and powerful shoulders, suggesting the hard-won muscle beneath. The sleeves were rolled up just a little, revealing toned forearms sprinkled with veins, the sort that told of both strength and inner control.

His dark, thick hair had been pulled back into a low, loose ponytail, but some rebellious hairs had escaped to fall around his face. Jawline that's sharp and defined, cheekbones high, lips full but pressed into a straight line. His skin was perfect, unblemished under the soft hallway lights, and his stance gave off the kind of earthy calm that made anyone feel as though the world had just paused.

But it was his expression that truly captivated Yuuji. Calm and distant. His eyes were closed as those long lashes created soft shadows on his cheeks. Even with his eyes shut, there was a subtle intensity radiating from him. It felt like he wasn't just resting, more like.. listening. Waiting. And Yuuji can admit he looked incredibly good while doing it.

The black, shiny dress shoes gave his entire look a final hard edge, buffed to a high shine like everything else on him. He resembled a man from a high-end cologne commercial-one foot in sophistication, the other in something much more sinister. Dangerous. 

And when those eyes finally opened, slowly and deliberately, dark purple irises blinked back at Yuuji, causing him to catch his breath unexpectedly. 

Geto Suguru tilted his head just a bit, a gentle, familiar smile playing on his lips. An enigmatic expression that sent a flutter of nervous excitement through Yuuji's chest, leaving him feeling a bit bewildered.

"Yuuji?" 

Geto Suguru's voice sounded low, rich, and smooth.. nearly like velvet. It had in it a kind of unspoken confidence that gave Yuuji a momentary stop in his steps. For reasons he didn't know how to explain, his breath lodged in his throat for the second time, the instant he heard it. As if for an instant his lungs had forgotten how to work. That voice always did this to him, something quiet and yet unmistakably disturbing. He blinked quickly, as he realized he'd been staring, immobile, eyes fixed on the man down the hall.

"S-Suguru-san?" Yuuji stuttered, shaking himself from his thoughts as he hurried over hastily to the older man. His steps were quick and a bit awkward, driven by a sudden rush of embarrassment for being caught off guard. As he got closer, he saw Suguru pushing himself off the wall he had been leaning against. The movement was smooth, almost lazy.. but there was a certain grace to it that made Yuuji's heart race once more.

He swallowed hard. Standing this close, he had to tilt his head back just to meet Suguru's gaze. The top of Yuuji's head barely brushed against the man's chest. The height difference was striking now that they're closer to each other, and being so near reminded him just how physically imposing the older man was. Suguru's scent immediately enveloped him. An earthy, smoky aroma with a hint of spice. It was subtle yet powerful, the kind of fragrance that lingered in the air and left a mark, much like the man himself. It suited Suguru perfectly.

And despite them having known each other for well over a year now, having shared so many conversations and gotten somewhat close, being face-to-face with Suguru like this still made Yuuji nervous. That intense amethyst stare was like looking right through him, stripping away every defense he had effortlessly. Under such a piercing look, Yuuji felt strangely tiny.. like a student before an unforgiving professor, or a moth flying towards a flame too hot to handle.

"What are you doing here?" Yuuji asked softly, his voice raspy as his eyes darted up at Suguru's face, attempting to meet his gaze but not being able to keep it for more than a few seconds. Suguru cocked his head to one side, a raised brow responding to his question.

"Did you not receive my message?" Suguru asked politely. Without skipping a beat, the older man removed his phone from the breast pocket of his long coat and waved it before Yuuji, the screen flashing for a moment as evidence. "I texted you twenty minutes ago. I figured you'd be out longer."

"Twenty minutes ago?!" Yuuji echoed as his eyes widened. 

His heart dropped at Suguru's statement. He had been waiting for Yuuji for twenty whole minutes?

Flustered, Yuuji struggled with his own phone, quickly pulling it out of his pants pocket. He poked at the screen, unlocking it in a hurry, and was only greeted by the message taunting him in front of his eyes. Suguru had indeed sent him a message. Yuuji inwardly groaned. Naturally, he hadn't seen it. His phone was on silent mode the entire time, it's a work habit he had established to avoid distractions. And after leaving his shift earlier, he was having such a good time with Megumi-talking, strolling, laughing-that he totally forgot about checking his notifications.

"I'm so sorry!" he blurted out, his voice high with guilt as he looked up at Suguru's amused expression.

"It's alright, I didn't want to bother your time either." 

"But still.. you could've been waiting here for who knows how long. You should've just called me.." Yuuji whispered in protest as guilt washed over his features. 

Suguru tilted his head just a fraction, as if he were truly intrigued about Yuuji's words. His purple eyes that are impossible to read, locked onto Yuuji's face as if trying to decipher something. 

"I'm allowed to do that?" he asked softly. "I can call you?"

Yuuji felt a sudden tightness in his throat. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something about Suguru's tone, so calm and almost too gentle, that made his heart race in an unsettling way. There was no accusation in those words and no hint of anger in his tone either... but there was definitely something there. Something hidden beneath that soft expression.

"Y-Yes," Yuuji stammered softly as he offered a small nod. "Of course you can..."

A small smile spread on the man's lips. It was faint, almost serene.. and yet it carried an unspoken.. sinister.

"Alright," he replied smoothly. "I'll be sure to remember that."

Yuuji turned away, suddenly acutely self-conscious. He nervously played with his fingers as his eyes wandered over Suguru's looks once more. The man was tall and refined in the thin, dark corridor, dressed in a sharp button-down shirt tucked into a smooth, high-end-looking coat. Composure and elegance were written all over him. He seemed like he was meant to be in some upscale office tower.. not in this dingy apartment complex with chipped walls and flickering lights at times. Certainly not standing next to someone like Yuuji, who was dressed in a faded yellow hoodie, baggy black shorts, white knee-high socks, and his scuffed Converse shoes. Next to Suguru, he only appeared like a boy who had just returned from getting into innocent mischief in the city.

"You're back sooner than I expected," Yuuji remarked softly, trying to lighten the heavy silence starting to hang between them. "I thought you said that your teacher seminar was going to last two weeks?"

"There was some issue..." Suguru answered, his tone smooth, nearly too calm. "So it ended early. I drove back as quickly as I could hoping to meet you at the café and perhaps get a cup of coffee but it was already closed when I got there. So..." his eyes rested on Yuuji, "I came here right away. I thought I'd take a chance and hope you were home."

Yuuji rubbed his cheek, feeling suddenly tiny. "Ah... Sorry. I was out after work with my best friend earlier. I always leave my phone on silent while I'm on duty and.. sort of forget it. I was having too much fun, and I hadn't gotten the chance to check until just now..."

There was something that flashed over Suguru's eyes. Swift and keen, like a shadow darting past too fast to catch. Yuuji couldn't interpret it, but it definitely raised the hairs on the back of his neck. Nevertheless, before he had time to consider much, a thought sparked. 

"Wait.. you said you wanted some coffee, right?" Yuuji perked up straight as an attempt to change the mood. "I could make you some here, if you'd like. It's not gonna be as good as the one at the shop since I don't have everything the ingredients we have there but I can make you something decent. As a kind of.. peace offering. You know, for making you stand outside for twenty minutes."

Suguru's eyes narrowed slightly, a small flash of something colder, harder, surfaced in them before that same soft, gentle smile reappeared. It looked soft... but it didn't really feel soft.

"Sure," he smiled with his eyes closed. "Thank you for inviting me in then." 

As Yuuji reached for his door, he suddenly remembered Megumi's earlier words that lingered in his mind. Wasn't it a bit strange to invite someone they or rather, Megumi, had just labeled as suspicious? He quickly shook his head to dismiss the thought. After all, this wasn't a complete stranger. Sure, it was Suguru's first time standing outside his apartment, and it would be the first time he'd actually come inside, but that was okay. They were friends and they had already known each other for a year now.

It'll be okay... right?

Steeling himself with one final look at the man standing in his back, Yuuji pushed the door open-and let him in.

Chapter Text

Itadori Yuuji never really had the privilege of growing up under his parents' guidance, and while most children could rattle off tales of the gentle kisses their mother gave before bed or their father's silly jokes, he didn't have none of that. No moments or memories, no smells or sounds to hold on to. He didn't feel the warmth of being cradled in his mother's arms or walk by the guidance of his father's voice. However, he wasn't that entirely clueless about them. He, at least, had an idea of what they were like, courtesy of a pair of worn, faded photographs and the occasional anecdote his grandfather had told him when he was old enough to appreciate the fundamentals of the world he lived in.

He recalled that particular day vividly where his grandfather had sat him down one time and finally revealed the truth to him. It wasn't a melodramatic moment like in films. Instead, it was subdued and serene, uttered over a cup of tea while the television hummed softly in the background. Delivered in that direct yet oddly kind manner Itadori Wasuke always used when speaking about serious matters, he was direct and straightforward with it. Yuuji's mother had passed away during childbirth. Which meant that she never got to hear his first cry or witness his small fingers curl up. His father, on the other hand, had only managed to take care of Yuuji for a brief period—only one year—before he died in an unexpected accident. In an instant, both his parents were lost to him, and all that remained were secondhand memories and only the weight of possibilities.

Maybe that's why he never really felt the hard, intense yearning others expect from him. No painful flashbacks to the times they'd spent together, for there were never any to exist in the first place. No lullabies. No tucking into bed and soothing words on stormy nights. There was nothing but emptiness where memories should have existed. So, in a sense, it made it simpler not to fall apart each time he thought of them. After all, how do you miss something you never had to begin with?

But although he wasn't tormented by their presence, that didn't imply that he was also oblivious to the pain of their loss. No. If truth be told, the pain would seep in quietly, most often when he was least prepared for it. During school functions such as Family Day, where kids darted up to their beaming parents and hugged them so tightly. Yuuji would be quietly sitting in a corner or next to a teacher, feigning that he didn't care and that he was getting used to it but the fact was, he did notice them. He always noticed and he had always observed. Watched. 

It would hit him, in little, mundane moments such as when he spots a father picking up his son to reach the top shelf at the grocery store, or a mom softly bundling her child's scarf closer on a cold winter day. Those small actions always produced a strange, empty sensation in his chest. Occasionally, in those quiet times, the "what ifs" would creep into his ear. What if my mother lived? What if my dad had lived another day? Would I have become a different person? Would I smile more and cry less? Would my world have been warmer?

Even so, for all of that, Yuuji would never complain of being lonely. Not really. His grandfather made sure to take care of that.

The old man wasn't the most pleasant person to live with. He was loud, obdurate, and had an opinion on everything—whether Yuuji wanted to listen or not. He was overbearing at times, theatric, and just plain infuriating at best. They rubbed each other raw most days. Fights in their home were like everyday routines, both of them always shouting over rooms or during meals. But none of that ever meant anything negative, really. As a matter of fact, it was their method of demonstrating they cared. Yuuji can say that it was somehow their love language for each other. 

And as Yuuji grew, two other individuals came into the small group that comprised his existence. Megumi and Nobara. They weren't merely friends for him, they became family in all matters that counted. They laughed with him, fought by his side, stood up for him even when he was stupid, and never made him feel inadequate simply because he lacked what everyone else had.

So, in a life of loss and unanswered questions, Yuuji had his little pieces of forever.

However.. despite all of those constants, despite the knowledge that he was loved in his own messy, unconventional fashion, Yuuji couldn't shake the feeling at times that it still wasn't enough.

It wasn't that he was not thankful. No, not even close. He loved his grandfather. He would risk his own life headlong for Megumi and Nobara without hesitation. He had people. He had connections. But somehow, in the depths of his soul, hidden behind the wide smiles and boisterous laughter, there was an insistent hunger that he never quite learned to silence. A yearning that arose when no one was around.

Because even with everything he had, Yuuji couldn't shake the feeling that he was perpetually stretching.. perpetually reaching.. for something more. More togetherness. More human contact. More nice words, soft caresses, careless touch given out like candy among friends. He absorbed every bit of it like a hungry sponge whenever someone was kind to him, no matter how little.

A pat on the head. A hug that was held a little longer than was strictly necessary. A hand on his shoulder. Praise, reassurance, even good-natured teasing.. it all meant something to him. Perhaps more than it should.

He never knew what it felt like to be loved so fiercely that it hurt, but in a good way. The type of love that catches you even when you are pushing it away, the love that will fight to remain even when all else is crumbling. He did not have soft pats or whispered words. No one had ever kissed his forehead for no reason at all. No one ever regarded him as something he was worth protecting merely because he was. There were no open arms to run into when the world was brutal. 

That's probably why he always felt like he was running after something that never existed. Like no matter how much love he received, it will never be sufficient. Because on a deeper level, there was always a part of him that needed something. That wild, all-consuming type of love. The one that does not wince when you bleed. The one that stays despite it all. He longed to be loved so intensely it bruised him.. not from the pain, but from how tightly someone holds him. 

So when he encountered one Geto Suguru, a refined man who gave affection as cheaply as it comes, Yuuji.. didn't simply take it. He grasped it. Like a lifeline tossed to a lost boy who didn't even know, was drowning. And in the year they've been together, Yuuji came to understand that Suguru never demanded anything back. He didn't make Yuuji change, didn't reprimand him when he acted too stubborn, didn't ask him to get rid of being "too much" or "too soft" or "too intense." He was simply... there. 

Yuuji was not accustomed to that. He wasn't accustomed to someone tracing the back of his hand with a thumb simply as if all they wish is to touch him. Or saying his name in that rumbling, considerate tone as if it were something he couldn't afford to lose. Suguru had this manner of addressing him—softly, purposefully—as if Yuuji was a delicate piece of glass kept together by sheer force of will. As if he knew precisely where all the cracks were and refused to press on them. As if he wanted Yuuji to know that a boy like him is easy to handle. 

It honestly shook him to his core. 

"My bad for the mess in here... My apartment's been all over the place lately," Yuuji gave a rushed reply with some embarrassment as he held the door wider for Suguru. "I haven't had time to clean because things have just been... hectic for me." His voice trailed off as he scurried inside, dropping down to search for a pair of house slippers for Suguru to use.

The instant Suguru entered, Yuuji carefully put down his bag by the doorway and turned back to face him, heart beating a little too hard in his chest. He couldn't help but feel this growing nervousness wracking him from within, particularly under Suguru's serene, expressionless gaze as he regarded the sight of Yuuji's small, spartan apartment. Yuuji was aware that Suguru was unlikely to say anything unpleasant or rude, but even so, he looked so put together and sophisticated in his sleek coat and refined clothes that he was totally out of place in Yuuji's modest, worn-down apartment. Yuuji suddenly felt a bit small because of it.

But then Suguru turned to him with a small, knowing smile and said, "It’s alright. It smells like home, Yuuji. Smells like you."

Yuuji was taken aback by that response, but in the most gentle way. He couldn't stop the smile that tugged at the corners of his lips as something warm pulled at his chest. His hands reached up to assist Suguru in taking off his coat, almost instinctively. He didn't even give it much thought. Driven by something he didn't fully comprehend, his body moved before his mind could stop him. Suguru made no attempt to resist or stop him. Yuuji's hands trembled a little as he felt Suguru watch him intently with those sharp but curiously soft eyes. 

As his fingers touched the delicate fabric, Yuuji moved slowly and carefully, as though the coat might come apart at the first sign of carelessness, or worse, as if he might. Without interjecting once, Suguru let him fumble through the action of sliding the coat off his shoulders. After Yuuji handed him the slippers when the coat was finally off, Suguru calmly removed his polished shoes and placed them neatly next to the wall.

"Thank you," Suguru's voice rumbled softly. 

With a gentle nod, Yuuji lowered himself to retrieve his own bag once more and proceeded cautiously in the direction of the compact living space. As though viewing his apartment through Suguru's eyes, he looked around at the worn-out couch with its faded cushions, the simple coffee table covered in coasters and small scratches from daily use, and the used TV that Nobara had given him the previous year. He ate his meals at a narrow counter with two mismatched stools that separated his kitchen, which was just a few steps from the living area. It wasn't big. It was all little. However, it belonged to him.

He had one bedroom on the left, with a small balcony that could accommodate a potted plant and a chair. Beside it was a tiny bathroom, barely larger than a closet. He washed his clothes in the communal laundry room located behind the building. Yuuji carefully set his bag on the counter and hung Suguru's opulent coat from the only hook beside his crammed bookshelf. Then he turned back to Suguru and smiled at him, a little embarrassed.

"Um… My apartment’s not that big," he admitted, his voice unsurely quiet. "But… the couch is really comfy. You can sit there if you want."

Suguru eyebrows went up, his face slightly changing in what appeared to be amusement, a mixture of mild curiosity and that same serene affection. He didn't chuckle or make fun of Yuuji, but his eyes softened as though Yuuji's shy demeanor was the cutest thing he had seen all day.

"All right," Suguru said in that silky, velvety voice of his, the word barely lingering in the air before he walked two silent, easy steps and sat down on the couch. Or.. to be more precise, he attempted to get comfortable on the couch. 

Yuuji blinked. 

Naturally, it wasn't as if he had never really seen Suguru before. He has actually given him a lot of attention, watched him chatting, laughing, even as far as stroking his hair. Yuuji actually became comfortable with him as time went by even though he always felt as if he didn't deserve to be standing next to him. However, something about watching this polished and refined Suguru, dressed in pricey fabric and moving with the same quiet, self-assured grace, sink into Yuuji's simple, used couch made his entire apartment feel as though it didn't deserve to be in the same dimension.

Suguru looked.. wrong here. 

Not in a bad way, no.. no really. More like an oil painting that had been haphazardly framed using duct tape. Like a crystal goblet had been inadvertently put in a drawer of mismatched mugs. He was too poised and too immaculate. Nothing about his well-groomed hair, his deliberate hand movements, or the sharp line of his jaw belonged in a place that smelled like cheap vanilla candles and fabric softener. Not here, not next to Yuuji's well-worn yellow hoodie, the dirty coffee table, and the rumpled throw pillows.

In Yuuji's opinion, he was extremely attractive, and not just in the traditional sense. Something magnetic and impervious to touch emanated from Suguru. He was well beyond the confines of the small apartment. Even though he was sitting on the couch, he somehow looked as though he should have been featured in a luxury magazine, not among ramen-stained counters and broken floor tiles.

And Yuuji.. well, Yuuji felt like a smudge at his side. A smudgy, sun-drenched, everyday smudge. Soft boyish features and calloused fingers, wearing shorts and a hoodie, with socks that fall halfway down his ankles. He felt as though he was an incorrect puzzle piece inserted into someone else's exquisite painting.

Suguru looked up at him and smiled knowingly, eyes gentle. "Yuuji, you alright?" His voice cut softly through the dense silence as he asked.

Yuuji flinched, a little too fast, and nodded. “Yeah! I just.. uh.. couch. You fit. Barely. But… you fit.”

With his hand still resting on the ends of his hoodie, Yuuji stood clumsily, tracking the way Suguru leaned back with all that quiet confidence, his dark hair cascading over his shoulder as if it had its own will. The couch gave a slight creak under his weight, the cushions clearly dipping as they slightly.. too tightly, encased his body. His arms were resting on either side of the couch, his fingertips grazing the edges as if he could reach both ends without even stretching, and his long legs hardly had room. Suguru occupied it, filled it, made it look like it had somehow shrunk in size since the last time Yuuji sat on it.

Suguru chuckled, a low rumble of a sound that sent shivers down Yuuji's spine. His voice was as smooth as warm silk. 

"It is small," he conceded, his gaze wandering over the intimate nooks of Yuuji's apartment. "But you were correct about it being cozy. It has a certain charm to it." 

Although Yuuji was grateful for the kindness, he wasn't totally persuaded by the compliment. There's a part of him that questioned whether Suguru could truly mean that, especially for someone like him, who was dressed in high-end clothing and exuded a sense of belonging in a suite with golden light and velvet walls. However, Yuuji simply turned to the kitchen and said, "Okay, I'll go ahead and start on your coffee," with a little nervous laugh.

"Mind if I watch?" Suguru asked casually as if he didn’t already know Yuuji would say yes.

"Of course not," Yuuji beamed, cheeks warming. "Make yourself comfortable."

He didn't have a very large kitchen. It was a basic set up, nothing fancy or luxurious, just small and functional but it contained everything he needed to survive. That's how Yuuji liked it. It was easy to move about in, tidy, and well-organized. Opening the cupboard, he selected the most decent mug he had, one with only a small chip on the rim, and carefully placed it down. He then started the procedure he had committed to memory over the years, reaching for the jar of espresso beans.

Suguru always ordered the same thing from the café: a strong, clean Americano. Just pure espresso mellowed with water, no milk or sugar. Although Yuuji's coffee wasn't imported and he lacked the café's sophisticated equipment, he could at least attempt to come close. Something well-known and warm. 

He sensed that look once more as he manually ground the beans. Heavy, but not in a burdened sense. Yuuji looked to the side as his breath caught a little. As it turned out, Suguru had taken a seat on one of the counter's stools, resting his elbows on the surface and silently observing him. Although his face was composed and unreadable, Yuuji felt seen in a way that was both flattering and overwhelming because of the softness in his eyes. He smiled back, hesitantly.

"I think…" Yuuji began, voice a little shy than before, "you might want to think about picking a different café this week."

Suguru raised a brow. "Is that so?" he said, "Why's that?"

"Well, just temporarily," Yuuji quickly clarified. "We’ll be back open in a week. Promise."

Suguru leaned forward just a little. "Closing down? What happened?"

With a laugh, Yuuji started dousing the grounds with hot water, the scent wafting up between them like a warm curtain. "Boss decided to go on a vacation with her boyfriend overseas. Romantic getaway, I guess. Which means we’re all getting an unexpected week off."

"Oh?" 

Yuuji glanced over at him, amused. “Yeah. Shocking, right?”

Suguru hummed thoughtfully and tilted his head. “So that means… you’re not working at all this week?”

"Well... I really shouldn't be working during my time off, but... you know how I am," Yuuji softly shrugged and laid the freshly brewed coffee in front of Suguru. "I'm not the kind of person who prefers to rest and sit still. It's a waste of time when I just do nothing." 

Suguru didn't immediately reach for the cup, even though the smell of the coffee rose between them. Rather, he stayed silent, his dark eyes gazing thoughtfully at Yuuji, causing the younger man to fidget a little.

"You mentioned before that you only have two jobs, right?" Suguru asked evenly. "So now that the café is temporarily closed, what are you planning to do during the day? Where are you going to work for a week?"

Yuuji let out a hum as he tapped his fingers against the countertop. "Well… I don’t exactly have anything just yet. But Gumi told me he’d try to help out. He said he has some ‘acquaintances’ who might be looking for someone. So, there’s a chance I’ll pick something up through him tonight. As for the restaurant-" Mid-sentence, Yuuji suddenly halted, as if a realization hit him like a brick wall. His brows drew together in confusion. "Wait.. now that I remember, how did you know I wasn’t working late tonight?"

His voice came out slower, more carefully. He's only realized this now but it's kind of strange that Suguru waited for him here knowing he has to work two jobs everyday and he usually comes home very late. If Suguru had come straight to his apartment after work, unannounced and without checking, and expected to see him home… then that meant he already knew Yuuji wouldn’t be working tonight. Which was.. weird. 

Suguru, though, appeared unfazed. 

"Did you forget? You mentioned it on the phone. You said your restaurant job was closed tonight because the owner was celebrating his birthday," he said with ease.

Yuuji blinked. "I.. did?" 

Suguru chuckled quietly then nodded, his lashes grazing his cheeks as his eyes melted into a closed-lipped smile. "Yes, Yuuji. You did."

Yuuji continued to stare, trying to go back in time to their previous conversations but his mind failed. He was certain that he only learned about the birthday this morning after they exchanged texts. There was something strange about that timeline, but Suguru appeared so confident and composed that Yuuji chose not to push it. Perhaps, he really did forget about it. After all, his days have been a blur lately. 

"Well, okay.." Yuuji replied eventually, but there was a sense of uncertainty in his voice. Nevertheless, he coaxed his self-conscious smile back onto his face as he moved on hastily. "Anyway.. would you like to eat something? I've got bread, or I can just make something quick for you?" 

Suguru shook his head slowly. 

"No need. I'm not really hungry at the moment," he said, finally bringing the cup of coffee to his lips. He took a cautious sip, enjoying the taste, and a small smile spread onto his face. "Your coffee is perfect, as always. I might not be hungry myself, but I imagine your food would be just as divine."

Yuuji giggled, a little bashful at the compliment. "I’m pretty confident when it comes to my cooking. I know my way around the kitchen, you know."

Suguru let out a gentle hum, thoughtful. "Well, if that’s the case.." he began, a playful edge to his voice, "would you consider cooking for me, then? Be my... personal chef? Just for a week?"

Yuuji blinked before his eyes widened in disbelief. 

"You-you mean..." 

Suguru nodded slowly. 

"Yes. Work for me. For a week. Now that the café's close for a week, I'm assuming you don't have any work during daytime, correct?" he asked, turning his head ever so slightly to the side. He leaned forward, crossing his arms on top of the counter so carelessly that the veins on his forearms became prominent under his skin. It was such a small thing, but Yuuji’s gaze flickered down before quickly looking away, his face warming with sudden fluster.

"I have a house sitter who also requested the week off, so I could really use some assistance," Suguru continued. "I'll pay you generously. You'd only have to tidy up around the house a bit and watch the girls."

That last part made Yuuji’s eyebrows lift sharply. 

"Girls?" he repeated, blinking in confusion before he let out a gasp. "Wait.. you have kids?!"

The assumption made Suguru chuckle. 

"Not quite," he said with a hint of amusement.  "They're actually my dogs. Two of them. I've raised them since they were puppies and I treat them like family. And because I work all day, I always need someone I can rely on to take care of them." 

Yuuji's body relaxed as he released a breath he hadn't even realized he was holding. Dogs. Not kids. That was more logical. Nevertheless, he was still taken aback by that information. He's now learning another thing from Suguru again. 

He had never known that about Suguru. During all the time they'd spent talking at the coffee shop, he'd never once said he had pets, much less two dogs that he looked after. Suguru had always lived alone, was how Yuuji assumed it was, especially after hearing about what happened to both his parents. He never really envisioned him as the kind of person to have pets either, but perhaps that was just a measure of how little Suguru told him.

It made some sense now that he considered it. Suguru always appeared serene, classy even, but also.. isolated. Perhaps he adopted those dogs in order to have a warm and cozy companion when he returned home because of the quiet emptiness there. Yuuji experienced an inexplicable sensation that pulled in the middle of his chest. 

And given how much time Suguru's schedule took up, hiring a house sitter made sense. Yuuji knew personally how little time the man had. He used to come into the shop during his break, always in a rush, drinking his coffee in peace for perhaps half an hour before hurrying off to whatever work required him. Yuuji had paid attention to that. Suguru usually leaves early before his one hour break comes up. And at night, he'd text Yuuji much later than most would even be up, implying that he worked late into the evenings. 

As for Yuuji, well.. he wasn't against the idea in the least. If anything, it was sort of adorable. Like he'd said during dinner earlier, he trusted his cooking and cleaning skills. Taking care of dogs is new. That would be something different, but something he wasn't concerned about. He'd never had any pets in his life, but he adored dogs. He always did. Just hadn't gotten the opportunity to have one of his own. So it sounded like something he could really enjoy, even for a week.

However.. there was also Megumi to consider. 

"Hmm, that’s a really tempting offer," Yuuji admitted, scratching lightly at his cheek, "But I should probably ask Megumi first if he already has something planned for me. He did offer to help me out first, and it feels wrong not to check in with him before accepting something else."

"Of course. That's fair." 

Yuuji reached over and took his phone out of his jacket pocket, unlocked the screen, and then held it up momentarily to Suguru. Silently hoping the other boy wasn't already asleep, he tapped on Megumi's name after scrolling through his contacts. It was likely that Megumi would still be awake because he typically stayed up reading late, whether it was a heavy book or a historical novel.

The line rang only twice before it connected.

"Gumi!" Yuuji called with bright enthusiasm. 

"Yuuji?" Megumi’s calm voice came through the phone. "You called? Is everything alright?" 

For a brief moment, Yuuji's gaze shifted to Suguru, who was quietly drinking coffee next to him. The older man appeared totally relaxed, concentrating only on the mug he was holding. Yuuji leaned forward against the counter, feeling slightly more tense than usual.

"Yeah, uh… sorry for calling so late," Yuuji began sheepishly. "I just wanted to ask you something real quick."

"What is it?" 

Yuuji hesitated for a moment, then got straight to the point. "Did you already find a job for me? You know, the one you mentioned earlier?" 

Even though there was only a brief silence on the other end of the line, Yuuji felt as though it lasted much longer. Then Megumi sighed, sounding exhausted.

"Tss, you're being hysterical again," Megumi said bluntly. "Didn't I just tell you to relax and stop worrying about your jobs for tonight? Give yourself a break, even if it's only for a day." 

Yuuji let out a silent laugh, almost embarrassed, and scratched the back of his neck.

"About the job.." Megumi added with another sigh, "Maki told me she won’t be in Tokyo for the next three days so she's out of the list while Mai still hasn’t replied to my messages. The twins are the only connections I’ve got inside the clan right now, so I need to wait until Mai gets back to me before I can set up anything for you. Why? Did something come up?"

"Uhm, well.." Yuuji said, hesitantly fidgeting with his fingers as he gave Suguru a sideways glance, who had just finished taking another huge swallow from his coffee cup. The man's very deliberate movements made Yuuji even more anxious. 

Because how could he possibly confess the truth to Megumi?

He couldn’t. Not without things blowing up in his face.

Megumi had already made it clear earlier that he didn't trust Suguru. In fact, they'd argued about it earlier. Megumi had always believed the professor was trouble—trouble, period—and if he discovered Yuuji not only hanging out with Suguru but was actually in his apartment right now taking a job from him, he'd most likely go crazy. And knowing Megumi, he wouldn't even rant on the phone either. He'd get up, come on over, and make a big scene right in the middle of Yuuji's apartment.

That was not what Yuuji wanted. Definitely not. It would not only be extremely disrespectful to Suguru, who had done nothing wrong, but it would also be humiliating for him. Yuuji didn't want to ruin this. He didn't want things between them to be awkward.

So, instead, he did what he had to do. Something he'd never done to Megumi before. 

He lied.

"Uh.. it's just that.." Yuuji began slowly, nibbling a little on his lower lip before going on, "Nobara called me just now and offered me a house sitting job. She said her friend is going away for a week and they need someone to take care of their house." He made an attempt to get a casual tone into his voice, attempting to make it seem nonchalant. "I thought…I should talk to you first before I said yes. Since you offered to look for a job for me and all, I didn't want to just take something else without telling you."

He could feel Suguru's eyes on him as soon as he finished speaking. Sharp and unreadable, those deep amethyst eyes snapped toward him. Yuuji almost recoiled when he caught the glimpse out of the corner of his eye. Something briefly appeared on Suguru's face. Strong but short-lived. It disappeared as quickly as it had appeared as the older man silently placed his now-empty mug on the counter. It honestly made Yuuji.. suddenly nervous. 

Yuuji swallowed hard and averted his gaze, not meeting Suguru's eyes. However, he could still sense the pressure of it bearing against his skull. Suguru is undoubtedly wondering why he was lying. He wasn't a moron. He's most likely curious as to why Yuuji chose to fabricate a story and lie. But what was Yuuji going to do? Tell Suguru directly that Megumi didn't trust him? That Megumi believed he was dangerous and would never approve of them sharing the same room, let alone working together?

No. It would have been cruel. Impolite. It would have made things extremely uncomfortable. Yuuji didn’t want to put Suguru in that position. He'd much rather bite his tongue, tell a small lie, and pray that it wouldn’t come back to bite him later. It's only for a week anyway. Yuuji's just gonna worry about this later. 

"House-sitting? For who?"

"I’m not really sure yet. Nobara just mentioned it earlier. She said I’d meet the person tomorrow. So, uhm.. will it be okay for me to say yes?"

As he was about to finish speaking, Yuuji saw Suguru abruptly get up from his chair, movements deliberate and fluid. Uncertain whether the older man needed anything, he stepped forward. Suguru, however, also stepped forward before he could ask, his presence towering, a bit overwhelming, and without a word, placed a warm but firm hand on Yuuji's waist. He moved Yuuji sideways with unexpected ease, his touch sending a shiver up Yuuji's back. His breath caught involuntarily, and Yuuji was left speechless and wide-eyed as Suguru mouthed the words "Excuse me" and smiled silently.

Then Suguru turned away and faced the sink in front of him as though nothing had happened. As Suguru rolled up his sleeves and started to wash his coffee mug with practiced ease, Yuuji's jaw nearly fell to the ground in shock. There was something beautifully ridiculous about it, the manner in which he moved as if he'd done this a hundred times himself, as if it weren't peculiar at all for a guest—or the host, for that matter—to be breezily washing dishes mid-conversation.

Flustered, Yuuji moved forward to stop him out of instinct, thinking it was unnecessary, but Suguru simply smiled and shook his head slightly, as if to say, “It’s okay, I got it.” Yuuji then froze, still holding the phone, suddenly reminded that Megumi was still on the line and likely waiting for a response.

He coughed awkwardly. "A-Ah, right. Sorry. You were saying, Gumi?" 

Megumi's voice came after a small sigh. "I said, I don’t have anything for you at the moment, so I guess it’s alright. House-sitting doesn’t sound too bad either. You’ll probably get some rest while doing it and you'll still get paid decently. I’ll just tell Mai nevermind if she ends up replying." 

Even just rinsing out a coffee mug, Suguru seemed.. put together. Firm. The muscles in his forearms tensed and relaxed beneath his skin with each movement. Lean, firm lines that made him stand out when he moved his hand in and out of the water. His long fingers closed around the ceramic as if it were second nature to him, scrubbing with a facility that didn't exactly suit the task. There was something so elegant about it, something deliberate and measured. As if this wasn't merely him washing a plate, this was him being mindful with every movement, every movement of his wrist and rinse under the water.

The veins that ran up his forearm seemed more chiseled now, particularly with his sleeves rolled up. His hands were clean and muscular, like they were accustomed to gentleness and toil. And perhaps it was foolish, perhaps it was foolish to think someone could appear this good just standing near a sink, washing a mere mug, but Yuuji was fairly certain not everyone could pull it off the way Geto Suguru did.

"I—uh—yeah, okay…" he finally stammered, remembering he was still on a call. "I’ll tell Nobara I’m accepting the job then. Thanks, Gumi."

There was a beat of silence before Megumi replied, "Are you washing dishes right now?" 

"H-Hmm?" Yuuji cleared his throat again and turned away quickly before he got caught ogling. "Y-Yeah, I drank a cup of milk. Anyways.. I'm going to sleep now, Gumi. Thanks again. Goodnight!" 

"Goodnight. Tell me about tomorrow." 

"Will do! Bye!" 

He hung up quickly, nearly fumbling the phone in his hand, heart still thumping like he’d run a marathon.

Just then, Suguru clicked off the faucet, placing the newly cleaned mug in the place where Yuuji had first picked it up. Yuuji stood and observed Suguru systematically shut the kitchen cabinet. The older man then picked up a towel draped over the edge and started to dry his hands, each stroke slow and controlled. Yuuji, growing more and more uncomfortable with the air around them, hastily turned his head away and shifted on his feet, nervously fidgeting as he attempted to calm his breathing.

"You really didn’t need to do that," Yuuji mumbled softly, "I could’ve washed it myself, you know."

"Why were you lying?" 

Yuuji froze before his head jerked up to meet Suguru's serene but unreadable face. The older man continued to use the towel to gently dry his hands while his unsettlingly focused gaze remained fixed on Yuuji. Yuuji opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. His lips parted and pressed together in a silent stammer as his mind frantically searched for an explanation, any rational one, and he closed it again almost instantly. But for a while, he wasn't sure if he could speak the truth that weighed so heavily on his tongue.

However, it seems that he didn’t have to as Suguru looked like he had already figured it out.

Suguru gently set the towel down, then turned to face Yuuji fully, folding his arms with a calmness that felt too composed.

"Let me guess," he said with a hint of dry amusement. "Your friend hates my guts?" 

Yuuji’s eyes widened at the bluntness. He stuttered.

"N-No, not exactly hate, it’s just that—" He paused. Who was he kidding? Megumi definitely hated Suguru. His denial of Suguru's presence being here on the phone earlier was already proof.

Suguru let out a soft, humorless chuckle.

"It’s quiet alright, Yuuji. I’ve sensed it for a while now. Every time I talk to you at the café or try to spend time with you, I can practically feel your friend’s eyes boring into the back of my head. He doesn’t hide his dislike very well." He gave a tight, almost resigned smile. "Still, I didn’t want to make anything awkward. That’s why I never brought it up. I didn’t want you to feel caught in the middle." He paused. "And I know how important he is to you. That’s also why I’ve made a conscious effort to not stir the waters, to avoid any scenes or tension between us. The last thing I’d want is to make things harder for you."

Yuuji’s chest tightened with guilt. He looked down at the floor, then back at Suguru. "I’m… I’m really sorry about that."

But Suguru merely shook his head softly, dismissing it. "There's no need to apologize. I know where he's coming from. He's the type who keeps people close to his chest, doesn't trust anyone easily. And since he's a friend of yours, a best friend, at that, it only makes sense that he'd be that protective."

Yuuji let out a heavy sigh and nodded, slumping his shoulders. "Yeah… that's just the way he is. He always jumps to the worst conclusion about people, especially with me. He's always spying, always questioning motives. Sometimes it can be a bit tiring, but I guess I've just grown used to it after all these years. That's just Megu-"

"But Yuuji, you don’t see me the same way he does… do you?"

He hadn’t even finished when Suguru’s voice cut in gently but also something.. seething, underneath it. Yuuji blinked up at him in surprise. 

Suguru's face lacked the gentleness Yuuji was used to, instead firming into a tight smile, his eyes hard and glinting. "I don't particularly care what your friend has to say about me. I'm not working to win him over or beg his approval. He is not the one I wish to be close to. It's you, Yuuji. It's your opinion I care for. So tell me, honestly, do you feel uneasy in my presence?"

Ever since Yuuji had known Suguru, he'd always thought the man was a bit… odd. But not really in an unpleasant or off-putting sense. It was more that Suguru seemed to have about him an elegance, a reserved confidence, and an air of control that seemed almost unattainable for someone like Yuuji. While Yuuji was boisterous, impulsive, a bit clumsy and blunt to the point of fault, Suguru was tranquil, elegant, and collected—as if everything he did was planned and thought out. In a sense, it made Yuuji feel as if they lived in two totally different worlds.

But even with that stark difference between them, Yuuji had never once felt uneasy around Suguru. Never once had he ever felt any sense of danger or ill will coming from the man. True, he'd gotten flustered occasionally—well.. fine, maybe more than occasionally—when Suguru would lie his hand on his arm, brush his fingers up his back, or keep their hands together for a moment too long. And then, of course, were the times when Suguru would say something gentle, sweet, and soft, something that could leave Yuuji gasping for air in his chest if he wasn't cautious. Those were the times when he was left breathless, yes, but never scared.

So no. Yuuji didn’t feel wary around Suguru. Not even a little.

Suguru was intense, yes, possibly a bit too much to bear sometimes with how overwhelming his presence was, but he had never once given Yuuji cause to question him. If anything, Suguru had never been anything but kind, kind and warm and considerate in all their interactions. He treated Yuuji respectfully, patiently, never crossing any boundaries, never making him feel inferior. So whatever Megumi had seen in him, whatever reason his best friend had for not trusting Suguru, it didn't measure up to what Yuuji had come to understand about the man himself.

Taking a deep breath, Yuuji looked Suguru in the eye. "No, Suguru-san. I don’t feel uncomfortable around you. In fact… I think you’re an amazing person. And I honestly don’t think I’d ever feel unsafe when I’m with you."

And he meant it. 

Furthermore, Suguru was a professor. A man who had dedicated his life to mentoring and taking care of young people. It was simply his nature to care for students, to provide aid, mentorship, and counseling when necessary. Yuuji knew that he couldn't possibly be the only student Suguru had reached out to, assisted, or comforted. There were probably dozens upon dozens of others who had been benefited by that same kindness, that same willingness to help. Still, it didn’t make what Yuuji received from him feel any less personal.

To Yuuji, Suguru was the very picture of compassion, someone who genuinely cared. And to know that filled Yuuji with a quiet smile to himself, a warmth springing up in his heart.

Suguru gazed at him wordlessly for a moment or two, as if he was committing Yuuji's expression to memory. Then suddenly his lips rose in a slow, satisfied smile. "Well now," he said playfully, "aren't you just the sweetest boy, Yuuji? Saying things like that to make me happy.

Yuuji chuckled. "I was just telling the truth, Suguru-san."

Suguru stepped forward with a playful glint in his eye and gently tapped Yuuji’s forehead with his finger. "And boys who tell the truth deserve the biggest rewards," he said with a soft smirk, "I'll give you your reward soon." 

"Seriously? That easy?" 

"That easy." 

Yuuji laughed again, shaking his head in disbelief. "I don’t need a reward for being honest, but… alright, I'll bite, Suguru-san. You’ve got me curious now."

"Good. Look forward to it then." 

Yuuji did not precisely take Suguru's comment of rewarding him seriously. He was well aware that Suguru often said what he meant in the form of a smile that provoked teasing and a tone in which it was difficult to determine if he was joking or not. Still… he has a good feeling that if he did a good job taking care of Suguru's house, kept everything in working order and intact, love his dogs, perhaps even cooked something really delicious, then maybe, just possibly, he'd get a few extra tips and even a sincere thank you. That alone would be more than enough reward for Yuuji. 

Suddenly, the thought of cooking for Suguru made his chest flutter a little. He couldn’t wait for the professor to try his food. He hadn't prepared food for anyone else in such a long time, much less someone he genuinely wished to impress. With him and Megumi both being busy all the time with work, the kitchen was more of a stranger to him than it was when he'd considered it his comfort zone. He hardly had time or energy to make something warm up these days. Convenience store food had been his go-to recently, so to be able to step back into the kitchen and cook something warm and homemade again was like a small flame of joy being relit in his chest.

He suddenly couldn't help but miss the good old days, when he cooked in his Grandpa's company on a regular basis. The tiny kitchen in their house was usually abuzz with the rattling of pots, the aroma of cooking broth, and the occasional humming of a tune Yuuji would sing under his breath as he stirred a pot. He missed the way his Grandpa sat at the table, acting like he wasn't paying attention while Yuuji cooked, growling under his breath about how Yuuji should be studying or playing rather than cooking for him but always consuming every bite with a contented grunt.

Remembering this, Yuuji made a mental note to visit his Grandpa tomorrow to bring him some home-cooked meal after he's done at Suguru's house before going to his second job. Perhaps some soft tamagoyaki and a small bowl of miso soup since his Grandpa used to enjoy those. He knew he'd receive an earful again for "wasting time" visiting, most likely with a glare that indicated 'You should be out in the world, not loafing around some old man in a hospital bed,' however, Yuuji had already grown used to it. The scolding never fazed him because he knew despite all those complaints, his Grandpa secretly and genuinely cared. After all, despite the grumbling, he always ate whatever Yuuji brought him, and Yuuji had even spotted him a couple of times tweaking the small flowers Yuuji brought for him in the vase beside his bed. The old man was simply too proud to admit he liked them.

The memory brought a fond smile to Yuuji’s face.

Suguru didn't stay for much longer. Their talk about the house-sitting job only lasted for a few more minutes, just going over the basics as to where it was, when to arrive, things to keep an eye out for. And then Suguru was already grabbing his jacket, slipping it over his shoulders in fluid ease, and crouching down to tie up his shoes. Yuuji stayed in front of him, silently observing while he finished. There was something very reassuring about Suguru's presence being here and seeing him do something as ordinary as wearing a jacket and slipping on his shoes. He didn't know but he always liked watching when Suguru is doing something. 

Which is.. very weird. 

A soft smile spread across Suguru's face as he eventually straightened up and turned back to face him. Regaining that familiar warmth in his chest, Yuuji replied with one of his own.

"I’ll be sure to come early tomorrow morning," Yuuji beamed, rubbing the back of his neck. "So I can make you some breakfast before you head out to work."

Suguru’s eyes softened as he nodded. "Wonderful. I’m genuinely looking forward to tasting your cooking, Yuuji." Then, with one hand on the doorknob, Suguru paused and looked back at him. "Thank you, by the way. For the coffee… and for letting me spend some time here."

Yuuji waved his hand. "Oh, no problem at all!" 

"I’ll be off then," Suguru echoed as he opened the door, stepping halfway into the hallway before glancing over his shoulder once more. "You won’t have any trouble finding my place tomorrow, will you?"

Yuuji quickly shook his head. He had memorized the address Suguru had given him earlier, even repeating it to himself in his mind just to make sure it stuck. "No worries, Suguru-san! I’ve got it! I’ll see you tomorrow!"

"Smart boy. See you tomorrow, Yuuji. Sleep well."

"Goodnight!"

Yuuji lowered the hand he had been waving with slowly as the door behind Suguru clicked softly shut. But his smile remained unwavering. It lingered, in fact, soft, slightly dazed, and subtly excited.

He never imagined that one day Geto Suguru would be sitting on his couch, sipping his coffee, and requesting his assistance with something. In the best way possible, it felt unreal. Yuuji's heart raced in an odd but joyful rhythm at the thought of spending the week cleaning Suguru's place, sharing meals, and perhaps even having coffee together once more.

He smiled. 

This week was already shaping up to be something special.

-

Meanwhile, somewhere in the darkest, dirtiest corner of the city, where only the dim streetlights dared to breathe and gasoline and stale sin filled the air, a black, sporty car sat parked in an alley. In it, the driver drummed his thumb slowly against the steering wheel before he picked up his phone. His fingers were steady as he navigated through his contacts with seasoned ease. There was one person he could call in such a case, only one person he reported to, even when the hour was well past respectable.

He pressed the name and lifted the phone to his ear. It only rang three times before the call was answered.

"G-Geto-san?" the man greeted nervously, voice shaking already.

"Ijichi," came the answer.. low, cold, and sharp like frost on metal. Geto Suguru's voice held a sinister that sent a chill straight down Ijichi’s spine. "I need you to do something for me."

Ijichi glanced at the clock on his office, it was already past 11 p.m. He cleared his throat, already knowing he had no way out of it. "T-This late, sir?"

There was a pause. Then, the ice in Geto’s voice deepened. “You got a problem with that?”

Ijichi’s breath hitched. He shook his head automatically even though Geto couldn’t see it. Not that it mattered, of course. "N-No, sir. No problem at all. What do you need me to do?"

“Good,” Suguru rumbled smoothly, pleased by Ijichi’s obedience. "I want two dogs delivered to my house. Tonight. Females. Not puppies, grown dogs. I want them gentle, well-behaved, and no history of aggression. Something sweet. Understood?"

Ijichi blinked. Dogs.. were not among the many items he expected being requested to him in the middle of the night. There was silence for a moment, then he coughed uncomfortably and tried to gather his thoughts. 

"S-Sure, I can get that arranged, Geto-san. I just… If I may ask.. why do you need dogs? Especially now, at this hour?"

"I need them ready for tomorrow."

Ijichi blinked again. "Tomorrow? What for, if I may ask?"

Back in his car, Suguru glanced down at the photo tucked between his fingers. A tiny candid photo of Yuuji, laughing, likely oblivious that it had been taken at all. Suguru's lips twisted into a grin, but it was a nasty one. It was a smile that threatened destruction covered in velvet.

"Silly, Ijichi," Suguru's voice dropped to a whisper edged with amusement. "For research, of course.." 

Ijichi stilled. He felt his heart plummet down into his belly. His hands clamped around the phone, and a small breath escaped him as he didn't want to think anything too.. disturbing. He'd worked for Suguru long enough to understand that research could be anything.. and usually something that no ordinary man would care to imagine.

Still, Suguru hadn’t raised his voice or threatened him. Which means he's probably still in a good mood. Probably.

“R-Right. Of course. I’ll handle it immediately.”

“Good. I trust you won’t disappoint me,” Suguru replied in that deceptively calm voice before ending the call.

The line died but the weight of it remained. Unsure whether to scream or sigh, Ijichi gazed at the phone for a considerable amount of time. At last, he exhaled and sagged back in his chair.

"Who is it this time?" he muttered aloud to no one in particular, eyes still wide with disbelief. "Who… Who the hell caught that crazy monster's attention again?"

Whatever or whoever it was, he didn’t want to be the one to find out. Not this time. Because the last time he intervened, he almost gouged his eyes out. 

Never again. 

Chapter Text

The first time Yuuji met Geto Suguru, it was in the most common and ordinary fashion, like any normal encounter you would find in everyday life. There was nothing too dramatic or sudden about it. Just one of those subtle moments that seemed to pass into his mind and, for some reason, stayed longer than necessary.

Yuuji was always the type of person who just intuitively leaned more towards being a people-pleaser. It wasn't something he tried to deny or even felt guilty about. In fact, he was extremely conscious of it. If anything, he embraced it as an irrevocable aspect of who he was. He felt greater peace and contentment in bringing joy to others than ever before when people did the same for him. There was this odd unease that always simmered just below the surface whenever someone did something kind for him, something in his chest that told him he didn't quite deserve it. It was like regardless of how benevolent the act, he couldn't help but feel as if he didn't deserved it, that the generosity would have been better placed elsewhere. Giving came to Yuuji as second nature. Receiving, on the other hand, was like stepping off the beat.

He enjoyed being the giver. Whether it was his time, his effort, a kind word, or even a simple smile. He preferred to be the giver of good things. It came naturally, like breathing. He'd go out of his way to show kindness, no matter the hour, location, or situation. Even to those grumpy, obnoxious customers at the shop where he worked. Costumers who would hardly look his way or drop their money on the counter with not even a word, he still attempted to greet them with the same cheerful attitude. He'd try to crack silly comments, even jokes to make people smile. Though, realistically, somewhere around 70% of those people hardly even responded. Most didn't even flash a smile. A few even gave him the blank stare as if they hadn't heard him at all. Nevertheless, he continued trying because they had never deterred him. He had no idea if it was optimism or delusion, but he hoped his charm created even a small impression.

Thus, on that day that Yuuji first saw Suguru, he was quickly affected by him. The man had this presence around him, seething and oppressive, much like the looming silence before the storm breaks out. However.. he looked.. tired. Not merely worn out physically but something more profound, deeper than that. Suguru wore a type of exhaustion that transcended sleepless nights and days spent at work. It was carved into the manner in which he stood, into the shadows that clung about his eyes, into the manner in which his shoulders looked too accustomed to the burdens no one could see. If Yuuji were to try and put it into words, it was like one wrong move around this man, one careless word, one foolish mistake, could shatter the very thin thread of patience he was hanging onto. Suguru reminded him of a bear, the kind that looked calm at first glance, but one wrong poke and you'd be torn apart.

However.. despite Suguru's menacing demeanor and his seeming darkness and derangement, Yuuji couldn't help but notice something else.

Geto Suguru was, undoubtedly, breathtakingly handsome.

From the way his dark hair was swept up in that low, near-lazily tied bun and a lone side bang slanted softly across his right cheek, to the dramatic shape of his eyes. Those deep purple irises that seemed oddly lovely, even with the heavy dark circles underneath them. It was difficult not to gawk. His lips were pale, as though he hadn't had a decent drink of water in days, as though he'd been walking some psychological wasteland all his life. There was something hollow to his face, something dull to his eyes, but none of it softened his features. If anything, it made him more so. More haunting. He seemed so distant and unattainable, as if in a painting on the wall of a museum. A work sculpted in sadness and loneliness.

Yuuji paid great attention, but he had no idea why. Perhaps because Suguru had the appearance of someone who had been carrying too much for too long. Or perhaps because he stood tall despite how heavy he looked. Still calm. Still striking.

"Hello! Welcome to BrewBerry Bliss! What can I get started for you today?" Yuuji smiled warmly, flashing one of his brightest smiles as the man approached him. He didn't know the man at all, but something in him awoke with the desire to improve his mood. Even if only slightly. Especially for this specific man, who now stood staring at him with an intensity that made the air slightly denser.

Nevertheless, Yuuji kept his grin firm, not backing down. He even escalated matters, opening his eyes in the most pitiful, softest manner possible. His classic puppy-eye trick. That appeared to get through to the stranger. His eyebrows rose, and he blinked, the slightest twitch pulling at the corner of his lips.

"Well, what do you recommend?" The man's voice was quiet, deep, and velvety as he asked. Yuuji laughed softly at the sound.

"Oh, I'm so glad you asked!" he exclaimed like a puppy. "It kind of depends on what you're feeling today. Like, are you in the mood for something sweet and cozy? Or maybe something with a bit of a kick to it?" Yuuji leaned slightly forward, speaking with animated hands and eyes that sparkled with enthusiasm. "If it's sweetness you're after, I highly recommend our Vanilla Dream Latte. It's creamy and mellow. It's basically my cup of comfort and it pairs so well with our Honey Butter Croissant. Or! If you're feeling adventurous, we have our Caramel Apple Fizz. It also goes insanely well with our Cinnamon Whirl Muffin. It's my favorite combo!" 

Yuuji's words spilled out with rapid fire excitement, but the man didn't seem bothered by it. In fact, he was still watching him, closely, with a small smile playing on his lips.

"If you want something more relaxing," Yuuji continued with a soft giggle, " for drinks, our Lavender Milk Tea is really calming, the Matcha Cloud Cake is so good with it too! But if you just want a taste of everything, the Mini Dessert Box is perfect. You get to sample a little bit of this, a little bit of that. It's ideal for someone who can't decide."

He paused for a moment. "And don't worry if sweets aren't your thing.. we've got plenty of warm teas, smooth lattes, and these really good croissant sandwiches. Just tell me what kind of vibe you're going for, and I'll help you find your perfect match!"

One of the reasons BrewBerry Bliss was always busy wasn't just because of the food and drinks but also the place. Nobara, who was an interior design major, had put her heart and soul into the design of the café. She made it like everybody's idea of a cozy, inviting place, no matter the taste or style. For Yuuji, working there wasn't so much a job. It was his comfort zone, his tiny haven. Despite balancing other work and feeling completely exhausted, there was always something about entering that place that put his nerves at ease and rejuvenated his soul. Seeing people enjoy good food cooked by their own hands and seeing them smile because of it, that was all that kept the exhaustion manageable. Being tired was certainly there, but so was happiness. And for Yuuji, that happiness was definitely worth it.

"Those are wonderful recommendations," the man replied in a low, reflective tome. "But... I'm not too big on sweets, to be honest. Tea sounds tempting, but right now, I think I'm in the mood for something simple. Just a cup of black coffee. I'll save the rest for another visit."

Yuuji let out a bubbly laugh, and the man's lips curved slightly more into a smile.

"Of course!" he beamed.

"Oh... and that croissant you mentioned? The honey butter one? I'll take that too."

"Coming right up, sir! I'll make sure it's prepared with lots and lots of love!" Yuuji said with a playful wink.

"Suguru," the man suddenly added, just as Yuuji was about to input the order. The younger barista paused and looked up again. The man had tilted his head slightly, a soft smile lingering on his lips as his eyes met Yuuji's. "Geto Suguru. That's my name. And yours?"

Yuuji's grin widened until it practically stretched from ear to ear.

"Itadori Yuuji! Nice to meet you, Suguru-san!"

After that initial encounter, Suguru would come to the café each afternoon, staying there for thirty minutes up to an hour, and Yuuji was always the one to take orders from him and serve him. That's how their friendship slowly came to grow. At first, they exchanged little more than short pleasantries with each other, mainly at the counter while Suguru ordered. But gradually, the situation changed. If the café was not very crowded, Yuuji would stay behind after serving his drink, catching up with him for a few extra minutes. Those few minutes became daily 20 to 30 minute to an hour conversations, particularly as Suguru had gotten into the habit of getting him a drink as well.

Most of their conversations centered more about Yuuji. Even though they were drawing closer, Yuuji found he didn't really know that much about Suguru. What he did just know was that Suguru is a professor of Psychology and Mathematics at Tokyo High University, Tokyo's most elite school, and although he'd only been teaching for four years, he already ranked as one of the best professors there. Suguru had attended college in America and then came to Tokyo in search of a more peaceful, quiet life. Yuuji also learned that Suguru had lost both of his parents in a plane crash at the age of nine and had been raised by their loyal secretary until he was mature enough to inherit their estate. He now lives alone in a high-end neighborhood with two dogs. Aside from that, however, Suguru was a complete enigma.

On the other hand, Suguru knew all about Yuuji. His grandad, why he worked so many jobs, why college had to be put on hold, his plans and aspirations in the future. And Yuuji never felt awkward telling him all that. Suguru never judged him. He listened attentively and gave little pieces of advice when necessary, and that only made Yuuji feel more comfortable and relaxed in his presence.

After seven months of their developing friendship, however, Suguru suddenly told him that he had to take a monthlong flight overseas to handle some of his family's business matters. That's when he asked for Yuuji's phone number before departing, stating that he still wanted to stay in contact. Yuuji gave it to him without question. They continued messaging frequently after that. For the most part, it was Yuuji sending updates. Adorable text and everyday musings, photos of the café, where he went, or even just a stunning sunset. He particularly sent more texts at that time because prior to his leave, Yuuji had noticed that Suguru had been acting strange.. or more like distracted, upset, as though something was bothering him, like a problem on his mind. He never said a word at that time, and Yuuji didn't feel like prying, so instead he comforted him the best he knew how, with kindness, words, and tiny acts of consideration.

Whatever it was, it clearly worked. Because when Suguru came back after a month and a half, he was noticeably lighter and more serene. The faraway look in his eyes was gone. Now he laughed more openly, smiled with greater radiance, and even became physically more intimate with Yuuji. Gently stroking his hair, taking his hand, touching his cheek, or softly complimenting him with an affectionate smile. The change was clear and obvious. So whatever was troubling him previously, maybe he settled it at last. Since then, that far-off expression he had never came back.

Yuuji remained frozen in place at the entrance gate, his skin caressed by the chilly morning air as his breath caught softly within his throat. His large eyes followed each of the sharp, foreboding edges of the mansion in front of him. It bore no resemblance to the cozy, traditional houses he was accustomed to. No. This building remained tall and resolute, as if it had been cut from darkness and metal, attired in quiet majesty. Dark wood panels hung from the walls outside, precisely framed by glinting silver trimmings that glimmered subtly beneath the soft light of morning. All edge, all corner, was brutally sharp, as if someone had penned the entire building with a knife rather than a pen. 

Sleek. Cold. Impossibly perfect.

The thin, tall glass windows reflected the early morning sunrise and the soft golden color of the sky, but behind the glass, nothing moved but shadows, faint movements that made one feel the house was breathing. There was no cozy warmth in the appearance, no gentleness in the welcome it extended. Just stark, unadorned power. As if the mansion wasn't constructed for a man who was dangerous, but by one who was aware they were invincible.

Yuuji swallowed the nerves gathering in his throat, not knowing if it was the early cold biting at his skin or something much more profound. An unseen pressure bearing onto his spine, as if the mansion's very presence itself glared down upon him.

With the fingers shaking a little bit, Yuuji reached up and pushed the button on the intercom. He tried to remember his small orientation he was given by Suguru last night. It was still 5:30 in the morning. He made sure that he came earlier than needed. As per his recollection, Suguru would normally depart for work at 7:30 a.m., meaning Yuuji had two complete hours to start work and get going before the house is his to take care of. He'd gone out of his way to ensure everything was just right this morning. Had pushed himself to bed early the night before, getting at least six hours, and even stopped for a quick breakfast on his way to work. He was ready. 

As his hand descended from the intercom, he suddenly heard soft, measured footsteps coming from the other side. A thrill of excitement tickled him, and before he knew it, his feet gave a small bounce back and forth, tension buzzing beneath his skin.

Slowly, with a slight creak, the gate opened, and Suguru came into view. Yuuji's breath caught once more, but this time for a completely different reason. The older man had a striking appearance that came naturally. He wore gray sweatpants and a tight white shirt that fit his solid torso like a second skin, but otherwise he was not dressed formally. The way his long hair fell freely over his shoulders and framed his face gave him a softer, but no less dangerous, appearance. He had the beauty and masculinity of a painting that had come to life, and there was something both ethereal and composed about him.

Yuuji's eyes lit up, and a bright grin spread across his lips as he stepped forward. "Good morning, Suguru-san!" he said cheerfully, voice light with genuine joy.

Suguru's serene smile widened ever so slightly as he pushed the gate open further to let Yuuji in. "Good morning, Yuuji."

"Had a good night's sleep?" Yuuji prest as he hurried inside and Suguru silently eased the gate shut behind him. Yuuji allowed his gaze to wander, observing the outside world again from this fresh perspective. Just a few carefully placed potted plants and a broad rock platform leading up to the massive front doors of the mansion were the only decorations on the grounds. No clutter, no lawn. Everything was reduced to its most basic components.

"I did," Suguru replied smoothly behind him. "And you?"

Yuuji was about to respond when he felt Suguru's hand lightly rest on the small of his back. When he looked up, Suguru was already staring at him with that same unreadable expression in his eyes, but his breath caught, just a slight, barely noticeable reaction. A blend of serenity and interest. Even though Yuuji's ears turned pink, he smiled eagerly and nodded.

"I did too!" he said brightly. "I'm super excited to meet your dogs!"

"They're inside," Suguru answered, lips curving again in that soft, amused way.

As they walked side by side, Suguru kept his hand lightly resting on Yuuji's small back. Their footsteps were slow against the rock platform. He gave Yuuji a gentle, steady, and lingering touch without using any force, as though he wanted him to feel safe and in the present.

As they came near a pair of large wooden doors, Suguru talked. "This house has four bedrooms," he started, pushing the door gently open with a soft click, "five bathrooms, one office, one sitting room, and a gym. I've got only one living room and one kitchen."

The inside of Suguru's house was like the outside. Sleek, minimalist, and functional. The floors were black, highly polished marble, cool and smooth under their feet, casting faint shadows from the tall windows that rose up towards the ceiling. The walls were pale slate gray, almost charcoal in some areas, punctuated only by the rare dark painting in subdued colors, abstract forms that blended into each other like ideas left uncompleted.

The room was open, but nothing in it seemed vacant. Each piece of furniture had been selected with care. A low, simple obsidian couch occupied the middle of the living room, its back against the wall, its surface unadorned, facing a wall screen with no apparent cables or debris. A black glass coffee table stood nearby, its surface containing only a single silver vase, drained. No family pictures, no framed memories, no discarded trinkets or tokens of daily life. It was sterile, devoid of emotion. But not really.. dead.

A stairway spiralled silently up in a sharp, clean curve, metal and glass and reflected dim ceiling lighting. Even the lighting was muted-recessed lights built into the architecture like secrets, spreading a gentle glow rather than a harsh glare. It was all so peaceful, almost meditative... and beneath it all something pulsed with quiet intensity.

Dark colors dominated the color scheme. Dark navy, black, ash gray, and silver. Spotted about were warm browns in the presence of dark wooden bookshelves or muted accents, a reminder of comfort hidden under the precision. There were no carpets, no drapes, no extra textures to shatter the clean lines. It was as if strolling through the house of a person who required serenity and order to survive.

And it had a subtle scent of something familiar, like the sweet, smoky incense outside, with a hint of sandalwood and old books.

"Wow," he whispered before he could stop himself. "Your home is really... cool."

Suguru chuckled lowly beside him, still gently guiding Yuuji forward with his hand on the boy's lower back. "I'm glad you think so. Most people find it a bit too cold."

Yuuji shook his head hastily, his eyes darting across to a sleek black corridor of closed doors. "No, no! I think it's. sophisticated. Elusive. It's like... your home has secrets but it's manners enough not to reveal them."

That made Suguru laugh. "That might be the most accurate description I've ever heard."

Yuuji beamed.

"Come," Suguru murmured. "The dogs are in the sitting room. You'll like them."

They walked a little bit more before Suguru opened another door. The cute scene that was waiting inside behind it captured all of his attention as soon as the door opened.

His eyes widened in delight as he saw two little dogs curled comfortably on a beautifully patterned rug in the middle of the room. One had the lengthy sausage-like body and telltale floppy ears of a Dachshund, while the other had the soft, short-legged body of a Corgi. They wagged their tails with instant excitement, and they pricked up the moment they saw him.

"Oh my goodness!" Yuuji exclaimed, restraining himself no longer. His feet became a rapid scurry as he dashed across the room in an instant and knelt beside the small dogs. "Hi there, girls! It's so wonderful to finally meet you!"

Both dogs excitedly wriggled their tiny bodies and leaned in to sniff and lick Yuuji's face affectionately as the Corgi barked loudly, seemingly in response. Yuuji gathered them into his arms and held them against his chest while giggling. His heart felt incredibly full from the warmth of their tiny bodies and the soft thump of their waving tails.

"They're so cute!" he said breathlessly, eyes shining with joy as he looked up at Suguru. "What are their names?"

Suguru remained silent for a moment. Yuuji, still holding the dogs close, tilted his head in confusion as the silence dragged on for a little while. 

"Suguru-san?" He blinked up at the older man as he prompted softly.

Suguru seemed to snap out of some internal thought. He blinked slowly and gave Yuuji a faint smile. "Ah... their names..."

Yuuji looked back down at the dogs and narrowed his eyes a little in interest. "Well? What is it?" His gaze wandered over their necks, looking for a hint. "Oh, they don't have collars?"

"No," Suguru replied a little slower than usual, like he was thinking as he spoke. "Actually, I took their collars off yesterday. I'm having new ones custom-made for them."

Yuuji chuckled as he buried his face briefly between the dogs' heads. "Aww, spoiled girls, huh?" he teased playfully. "They're living like royalty already."

Suguru's smile grew a little at that. "They deserve it."

"Alright then, mister dog dad," Yuuji grinned, shifting the pups gently in his arms as they both tried to climb over each other for attention. "So? Are you going to tell me their names now?"

"Right, their names..." Suguru echoed, his voice thoughtful as he stepped closer. "The one on your right is Bam, and the one on your left is Bub."

Yuuji blinked. A small, amused smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he glanced down at the dogs and then back up at Suguru. Bam and Bub? That was surprisingly.. simple. 

He had actually imagined something slightly more... elaborate. Perhaps flowery names or mythological themes. But then again, this was Suguru. He realized that simple, uncomplicated names like Bam and Bub somehow suited the man just right. Simple and a bit out of the ordinary, but not without charm.

"Huh..." Yuuji said with a soft laugh. "That makes sense. I never really pictured you giving your dogs sparkly names like Princess or Cinnamon."

Suguru chuckled lowly. "Too much effort," he said. "Bam and Bub are easy to say. And they respond to it."

Yuuji nodded, still smiling as the two dogs happily squirmed in his arms. "Well, they suit them," he said, pressing a light kiss to each of their heads. "They're perfect."

Yuuji had actually long held this silent yearning in his heart. A tiny, delicate expectation of having someone or something waiting for him at home. Something to come back to. Something to make him feel as if he belonged somewhere. Before, it had been his grandfather who had stood in that position in his life. Coming home was once synonymous with being greeted by the reassuring presence of the one individual who mattered most to him. The mere fact that someone is waiting, was more than enough to make a place feel like home.

But times had changed for him. Life had taken its turn, and now, for the past two years, Yuuji hadn't really had anything - or anyone - to look forward to at the end of the day. He had no pets to greet him, no welcoming smile waiting behind a door. Not that he didn't want to, but that he just couldn't. Caring for animals took time, money, stability. Things he didn't have. His existence was a string of side gigs and changing shifts, constantly moving just to get by. Unlike Suguru, who prospered and clearly was wealthy, Yuuji couldn't afford to hire assistance or even own his own home. He didn't even have a stable home, not to mention the means to stock it with living things.

That's why this opportunity, this fleeting duty to take care of Suguru's dogs, seemed somehow significant to him. It felt like a precious present. Perhaps he didn't own the dogs, and the house wasn't his either but for a brief time, he was permitted to know what it was. To feed, to tend, to be necessary. It filled him with a small spark of pleasure he hadn't experienced in ages.

"Come," Suguru said quietly, breaking Yuuji's thoughts, "Let me show you the kitchen."

Yuuji nodded in agreement hurriedly and trailed behind Suguru as he walked into another room. The kitchen, like the rest of the house, was sleek and modern. It exuded refinement but had a clear masculine feel to it. Dark colors, matte surfaces, sparse decor. It was more like a display kitchen than one actually in use. In fact, it seemed almost untouched, as if it was there merely to be gazed at.

"I made sure the fridge is fully stocked," Suguru said as he gestured casually to the stainless steel doors of the large fridge. "You should have everything you need here."

Yuuji stepped forward, his hand running over the hard, glassy surface of the countertop. It reflected the soft lights and was smooth and clean. He nodded slightly and smiled. "Okay. I'll go around later and check things out and get used to everything. Is there anything else I should know?"

Suguru leaned back a fraction and crossed his arms. "Nothing much, really. You can just go around the house as you please and clean up wherever you feel needs cleaning up," he stated before pausing, his face changing to slightly more serious. "There's just one place I'd prefer you not to enter. My office."

Yuuji immediately nodded. "Got it. No problem."

"The rest of the house.. you can use for free," Suguru went on. "You can watch a movie in the sitting room if you ever get bored. Make yourself at home. The password for the Wi-Fi is on the middle table in the living room. And don't mind using the air conditioning however you like."

"Alright," Yuuji said softly, storing the details in his mind like mental sticky notes. "Do you have any allergies I should watch out for?"

"None."

"What about food preferences? Favorite dishes?"

Suguru shrugged slightly.."To be honest, I don't particularly have a favorite. But I already know whatever you make will be special, Yuuji," he smiled genuinely. "So whatever you prepare, I'll appreciate it."

Yuuji chuckled softly, obviously enjoying the praise. 

"Suguru-san is always hyping me up. I'll accept that challenge and give it my all!" He inclined his head inquisitively. "What about the dogs? Where do you store their food?"

Suguru's eyes flicked upward, as if recalling something for the first time, and there was a pause. "Ah, about that.." he said slowly. "I actually just ran out yesterday. It was already pretty late when I got home, so I couldn't stop by the store. But I ordered a delivery first thing this morning. It should arrive in about an hour."

"Okay, I'll keep an eye out for it," Yuuji nodded and placed his backpack on one of the barstools beneath the kitchen island. With practiced ease, he caught an apron that was hanging neatly on a nearby hook, looped it over his head, and tied it behind his waist.

"Well then, Suguru-san," he said with a bright smile and a clap of his hands, "I'll stay here and get started while you go get ready for your day." He winked. "I'll make you a proper breakfast and a cup of coffee so good it'll make you forget you ever needed caffeine in the first place."

Suguru chuckled. "You're too kind. Thank you, Yuuji."

Yuuji gave him a thumbs-up as he turned to face the stove. "Anytime. It's my pleasure."

Yuuji wasted no time when Suguru vanished down the corridor. Like a man about to go into battle, he gave a single clap of his hands, inhaled deeply, and then cracked his knuckles.

"Alright, let's do this," he whispered to himself with a grin.

He began with the rice, of course. A traditional Japanese breakfast would not be worthy without it. He found the rice cooker, scooped two cups of short-grain rice with practiced hands, washed it again and again under running water until it ran clear, and set it cooking. Meanwhile, it steamed away, he walked over to the stove and pulled out the dashi stock he discovered in the refrigerator to prepare miso soup.

He filled a pot with the dashi, slicing soft tofu into neat little cubes with ease. He added a scoop of dried wakame seaweed, and in the time it took it to rehydrate, chopped a green onion and threw that in. He stirred slowly, the steam rising up to envelop him like a warm mist.

Then he rapidly scooped out a few eggs and beat them with salt and sugar, whipping them up into a pale, frothy mixture for tamagoyaki. He filled the rectangle pan with the mixture and started the meticulous layering process, carefully turning each thin slice of egg neatly, over and over, until a flawless golden log developed. He set it on a cutting board to cool before cutting it into the thick, fluffy rectangles.

Yuuji continued. He began searing slices of salted salmon that he had discovered in the refrigerator, wrapped and labeled. He basted it with a little soy sauce and mirin for extra richness as the skin crisped up and the fat sizzled and bubbled as it cooked. Yuuji's stomach complained as the rich, savory aroma of the grilled fish filled the kitchen.

Still, he was on a mission.

He brought out umeboshi, or pickled plums, from a tiny ceramic jar and a small side of tsukemono pickles, which Suguru had somehow managed to keep in a perfectly orderly bento-style container. He swiftly prepared a goma-ae side dish by grabbing some cherry tomatoes and blanched spinach from the refrigerator and sprinkling it with a sesame dressing that he had made by whisking together sugar, soy sauce, and ground sesame seeds.

As he waited for the finishing touches, he opened a cupboard, discovered sheets of seaweed, and meticulously made a little dish of seasoned nori to go with the rice. Then, unable to resist, he reached for a mandarin orange, peeled it in one flawless spiral, and cut it into tiny pieces for a juicy, vibrant palate cleanser.

By the time the rice cooker gave out its gentle beep, the whole kitchen was filled with the scent of heaven. Yuuji gently plated it all onto a big, wide breakfast tray: a steaming bowl of white rice, a bowl of miso soup with the tofu exactly centered on its surface, golden slices of tamagoyaki fanned out artfully, salmon grilled with crispy skin, pickles, spinach goma-ae, a serving of nori on the side, umeboshi, and the small slices of fruit topped with a very small sprig of mint to give it flair.

He even made a new pot of drip coffee using a smooth roast he discovered hidden in the corner. The aroma of it blended with the miso and griddled fish, making a curiously domesticated fusion that caused Yuuji's chest to puff out in pride.

"I said hearty, and I meant hearty," he smiled to himself, his hands on hips. The dogs barked in the sitting room as if urging him on, and Yuuji chuckled. "Wait 'til he sees this..."

Yuuji carefully balanced the breakfast tray properly in his hands as he brought it over to the small, round dining table that stood near the open windows. The table was nothing fancy-just an informal, simple setup but Yuuji ensured that he set everything on it with care and consideration. He carefully put down the bowls, rearranged the chopsticks, and even cleaned the surface one final time to ensure everything was tidy. He hummed softly to himself, absorbed in the beat of laying out the table, when he heard the faint footsteps behind him.

Before he could turn around, Suguru's breath was so close to the top of his right ear that it made his skin prickle. 

"Hmm, that looks fantastic...and it smells even better, Yuuji," Suguru whispered, his voice soft and silky against Yuuji's skin.

Yuuji's cheeks flushed deeply at once, and he couldn't help but giggle nervously as he turned to face the older man and gazed up at him with hopeful, bright eyes.

"Really?" he asked, eyes wide with shy excitement. "Well, I did promise you that you'd be eating well this week, didn't I?"

"You did," Suguru replied with a soft chuckle, his eyes scanning the table, clearly impressed. "And I can already tell you're keeping that promise."

Yuuji's smile grew broader with pride as he motioned toward the table. "So, then, why don't you sit down and help yourself, Suguru-san? It's already 6:40," he said, glancing down at his wristwatch in haste. "That should leave me well more than enough time to begin preparing your lunch as well. I'll pack you something to take with you."

He was just going to step away and go back to the kitchen when he felt Suguru's hand reach around his arm to halt him in his steps. Yuuji turned back at him.startled, looking up at the man in quiet perplexity. Suguru's face was serene, loving, and inscrutable all at once as he spoke.

"There's no need to worry about bringing me lunch, Yuuji," he said softly, stroking the back and forth of his thumb in a calming rhythm along Yuuji's arm. "I'll come home to you later this afternoon. I've only got online classes today, so I'll be staying home."

It took Yuuji a moment to process the words, but once he did, they struck a powerful chord. Coming home... to him? Suguru's words caused his chest to flutter unpredictably. His cheeks were immediately flushed with color once more, and his eyes widened slightly. After timidly fumbling with his fingers and biting his lower lip, he managed to nod softly.

He muttered, "O-Okay," and then plucked up the courage to glance up at Suguru once more. "Would you like me to prepare anything in particular for when you-you know, come home to m-me later?"

Something warm and knowing softened Suguru's eyes. His eyes gleamed with that unreadable charm once more as he grinned. 

"Surprise me.." 

Yuuji gave a small, bashful smile. "Okay, Suguru-san. I'll make sure it's something really good."

Suguru hummed in satisfaction before raising a deep navy-blue tie in his hand. "Think you can help me with this?" 

Yuuji nodded quietly, running his hand down the front of Suguru's dress shirt to straighten the collar as he moved slightly forward, lowering his eyes in focus. 

"Yeah, I do know how," he spoke softly. With delicate fingers, he freed the silky material of Suguru's tie from his grasp and wrapped it around the older man's neck.

Suguru remained silent, but his eyes stayed fixed, long and unflinching, tracking every movement Yuuji made. Yuuji used to do this to his Grandpa when he was younger, although it had been a long time. Nonetheless, the action was instinctive to him, his fingers flowing in fluid, practiced creases.

He whispered to himself, "One over," and pulled it through the neck loop after looping one end over the other. Yuuji's brows furrowed slightly in focus,"Then under once more... and through here, in that manner."

Yuuji's hands lingered a moment longer than required, adjusting the tie's line and smoothing it into place as he tightened the last loop and repositioned the knot in the middle of Suguru's collar. He froze for a second as his knuckles touched Suguru's chest, sensing Suguru's heartbeat beneath the cloth, not out of fear. Steady. Calm. Present.

Yuuji could feel the heaviness of Suguru's eyes on his face as he cocked his head slightly, his long hair grazing Yuuji's shoulders. Though not uncomfortable, the silence between them was heavy enough to cause Yuuji's cheeks to heat up.

When he looked up at last, Suguru was staring down at him with a warm, loving face. His eyes were tender and amused, but there was also a deeper flicker beneath them that Yuuji was unable to identify.

"You're good at this" Suguru said, voice like honey warmed by the morning sun. "You've done this before?"

Yuuji laughed softly, lowering his hands. "Yeah. I used to practice it with Grandpa every chance I get, someone told me it builds character." He grinned. "Though, I'm not sure how that worked."

Suguru chuckled and it sent a little flutter through Yuuji's chest.

"Well," the older man said, straightening with a satisfied look, "your Grandpa would be proud. It looks perfect than when I do it." 

Suguru laughed again, more freely this time, and patted the top of Yuuji's head with an affectionate ruffle.

"Thank you, Yuuji."

Yuuji turned to face the kitchen to hide his warm cheeks again, hands already gathering empty containers and utensils he had used earlier. "Okay, while you're eating... I'll just go ahead and clean up a bit." 

But before he even had a chance to take one more step, Suguru's voice stopped him. 

"Clean? No. Sit down and eat with me first. You cooked all this delicious food and you're not going to join me?" He asked as his eyes shifted to the table, where there was most obviously only one plate and one bowl set out intended for him.

Yuuji blinked at him, smiling sheepishly. "Oh, I'm fine, really. I already had something earlier."

Suguru shook his head. "Don't refuse me, please. It's not just for the food, Yuuji. I think it would be lovely if we have this breakfast together. Especially because it's the first time you're over at my home. Let's make it our first meal together properly, hm?" 

That did it. 

The sincerity of Suguru's statement caused Yuuji's eyes to widen slightly. It was considerate rather than demanding. Kind. And it gave Yuuji the impression that this moment was more important than he initially thought. 

"A-Alright, Suguru-san," he nodded quickly, cheeks warming. "I'll go get myself a plate, just give me a second."

"I'll help," Suguru replied almost immediately.

As Yuuji went to the adjacent cabinet to retrieve a plate, a pair of chopsticks, and some utensils, he saw that Suguru had discreetly poured him a drink. The older man had gone to the refrigerator, taken out a bottle of cold orange juice, and was now filling a tall glass with it.

After untying his apron and putting it back on the rack, Yuuji and Suguru went back to the table. They took a seat together, and Yuuji took over with a smile, quickly putting food on Suguru's plate. He was practically glowing with pride and satisfaction and couldn't help but smile. He moved fluidly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. For others, he looked like someone who truly enjoyed caring for other people.

Suguru said, "Thank you, Yuuji," as he sat down and raised his coffee cup to take a slow sip while observing him thoughtfully.

"You're very welcome, Suguru-san!" 

After Suguru had taken a bite of everything, Yuuji remained seated in silence, not yet eating. His eyes fixed intently on the older man with anticipation and nervous eagerness. He observed Suguru chewing slowly and deliberately, then humming contentedly in appreciation. The man's eyes opened some moments later and came to rest upon Yuuuji with a warm, soft smile.

"It's delicious, Yuuji." he said with a softness that made Yuuji's heart flutter.

Yuuji blushed, waving his hand humbly. "Thank you! I had a lot of fun making everything. You have so much stuff in your kitchen, I just kept picking up whatever I saw. It was like being at a playground."

Suguru smiled as he grabbed another piece of tamagoyaki, apparently relishing it. "All of this is yours to use, Yuuji. You can use whatever ingredients or equipment you find here. However, whenever you want."

As he talked, he took the tamagoyaki again to his lips, took another bite, and chewed with a smile of satisfaction. Then, pausing for a brief moment, he looked at Yuuji with something more light-hearted and teasing shining in his eyes.

"You know," he said suavely, "you make something so plain taste divine. It's a hard talent to find. Truly, I think you'd make an incredible wife someday." 

Yuuji was mid-chew.. and completely unprepared.

He stiffened in his seat, eyes widening in surprise as his chopsticks hovered in mid-air. A flush spread up the nape of his neck, spreading quickly across his cheeks. He stared at Suguru as if he'd just spoken something ludicrous, though Suguru, unruffled as ever, merely raised an eyebrow and grinned like it was the most natural thing in the world to say.

First, he wasn't even certain he heard it correctly. His mind attempted to repeat the words simply to ensure that it wasn't just his imagination. Wife? Him? As a wife? His heart skipped a beat again, then pounded a little too vigorously in his chest, as if it tripped over the word and didn't know what to do with it. 

His eyes dilated just a bit as heat immediately rushed again to his cheeks, a faint pink dusting them as he hastily dropped his eyes to his plate. The humble breakfast he had prepared, nice little pieces of tamagoyaki, grilled fish, hot miso soup, and rice suddenly looked just too formal, too intimate. Had he gotten carried away? Did he look like he was trying too hard? He only wanted Suguru to eat nicely...

His fingers gripped the chopsticks slightly harder as his mind ran in circles for a moment. He wasn't accustomed to teasing like that. Not the sort that suggested something domestic, something sweet, something that sounded more like it would happen in a home, in a shared home.

Wife..

Unable to think of anything else, he pressed his lips together and chuckled nervously to himself.

It wasn't that he hadn't overheard people joke about each other using that term before. It's just that nobody had ever said it to him before. Nobody had ever pictured him in that position. Home. Cooking. Caring. Getting someone fed, warm, happy. Loved. It was a foreign sensation but also somehow... nice.

His thoughts drifted for a moment, bringing up an unexpected image that slowly developed in the recesses of his heart like sunlight dripping through a window.

He pictured himself once again at the kitchen counter early in the morning, humming away as he was doing now, gently cutting vegetables with the gentle patter of footsteps coming up behind. Suguru's voice from the hallway. A gentle hand around his waist, a soft goodbye kiss on the temple. Coffee and laughter. A message from Suguru at lunchtime that he already missed his cooking. And then Yuuji waiting once more, a home-cooked dinner in the oven, lights turned low, the warmth spilling out into the hallway as the door opened and Suguru stepped inside once more-wait. What?

No!

Yuuji blinked, eyes snapping back to the real world as if he'd merely leaned too far into a dream. His cheeks were now completely flushed, glowing a bright, unmistakable pink. He gave a short, tiny gasp of breath and hastily stuck a piece of fish into his mouth just so he wouldn't have to talk right away.

Nope. Not going there. He was just being weird. Must be due to the lack of sleep. Or perhaps the lighting. Or perhaps the fact that Suguru was just too kind and had a very dangerous voice saying too many nice things in just the right pitch.

With a quick swallow, he forced a laugh and glanced at Suguru from under his lashes, trying to grin modestly. 

"T-Thank you, Suguru-san," he murmured, sounding a bit more shy than usual. "That's... really nice of you to say. But I wasn't exactly trying to be anything like that. I just... I just really like cooking. It makes me happy. Especially if the people I cook for like it too."

He hesitated, twiddling his napkin's edge before continuing more softly, "I don't know if I'd be a good wife or anything like that, but... I'd be happy if I can at least brighten someone's day a little bit."

Suguru took another sip of his coffee, a soft expression still resting on his features, and he gave a little hum of amusement.

"I think you just did," Suguru whispered softly.

Yuuji lowered his head once more, suppressing another sheepish smile, his own heart racing against his chest as though it didn't know what to do. He prodded at his rice and chewed another bite, not so much for eating, but to keep himself from smiling too obviously.

This breakfast suddenly felt a lot more meaningful than he expected.

When Suguru finished his breakfast, he took his time collecting his belongings before getting ready to go out for the day. Yuuji followed him to the front door, standing next to him like a faithful little assistant, and waved him off with the same enthusiasm and warmth he always used. While Suguru put on his shoes and buckled the strap of his bag, he reminded Yuuji kindly, "I'll return home before one o'clock. In case something goes wrong or you need assistance, just text me. Also, the delivery for the girls should be arriving anytime soon."

Yuuji nodded cheerfully. "Got it, Suguru-san! I'll take care of everything!"

Suguru waved goodbye with a small gesture and a last smile before departing. Yuuji remained in the doorway, waving wildly with both arms and a wide grin on his face until he heard the distant rev of Suguru's car leaving the driveway and slowly disappearing into the distance. He didn't close the door behind him until then, the wooden creak echoing strangely through the quiet majesty of the mansion.

The moment the door closed, Yuuji breathed in and suppressed his thoughts, particularly a certain embarrassing incident a while back which made his ears flush at the mere mention of it. Don't, he warned himself severely with a tiny head shake, as if physically shaking the thoughts off. There is work to do, Yuuji. Get it together. 

With that, he went immediately back into the kitchen, bent on finding ways to be of use and keep himself occupied. For the entire hour, he moved around. Washing dishes, wiping every surface, tidying up the pantry a bit, and even shining the smooth counters until the marble glowed like glass. He worked thoroughly, humming to himself quietly and soaking up the silence of the house as he worked. By the time he was done, the whole kitchen gleamed. So clean that it nearly sparkled in the morning light streaming in through the tall windows.

Yuuji patted his hands dry with a gentle towel, pleased with himself, just as the clear ring of the doorbell echoed throughout the house. His eyes flew up at the sound and he rapidly checked the time on his smartwatch. It had been nearly an hour since Suguru departed, and that meant the dog supplies would be arriving now. Just in time.

Not losing another moment, Yuuji sprinted through the corridor and to the front door. He opened and unlocked the gate and was greeted by the appearance of two delivery workers just beyond it. One-a large man with wide shoulders, had two half sacks of dog food carried in each arm. The other, thinner man grasped a large-sized cardboard box held tightly against his body.

"Hi there!" Yuuji greeted them with a cheerful wave as he opened the gate wider for them to enter.

"Delivery for Geto Suguru?" 

"Yes! He just left a few hours ago, but I'm currently watching the house. If there's anything that needs signing, I can do that," Yuuji offered politely.

"No problem," replied the taller man with the sacks. "We'll bring everything inside."

Just as Yuuji was about to move aside and let them pass, something, or rather, someone grabbed his attention and forced him to halt in the middle of his stride.

Standing a few feet behind the delivery men was another individual. A tall, slender man wearing a dark, immaculately pressed business suit. His dress was stylish, his mid-back length black hair shone sleek and parted at the forehead, casting a pale, angular visage. His eyes were thin, small, and pitch black behind a pair of rectangular glasses. There was a hollowness in his cheeks, a weariness in his stance.

The man remained expressionless. He met Yuuji's gaze without even blinking. Although his face was unreadable, his eyes were sharp as if he were examining Yuuji's soul and breaking him down to the bone with a single glance. Yuuji's happy face wavered a little, and a shiver of unease ran down his back.

Still, Yuuji tried to keep the mood light.

"Hello there," he greeted, stepping forward slightly while still maintaining a friendly tone. "I'm Suguru-san's house sitter. You are?"

The man stared at him for too long, silently examining Yuuji with his eyes. It was the sort of look that itched your skin. 

"My name is Kiyotaka Ijichi," he replied coolly. "I am Geto-sama's assistant. I've been tasked with ensuring all of his dogs' necessities arrive as scheduled today."

'Geto-sama?' Yuuji thought to himself. 'Wow. So formal...' It just hit him how really high-class Suguru was. Not only was he residing in this enormous, beautiful house, but he even had a personal aide to deal with things like dog food deliveries. He really is living in another world.

Ijichi's icy gaze swept over him once more before he spoke in a tone that was somewhat accusatory but also dry. "And you're his... housekeeper?"

Yuuji blinked, then smiled politely again. "Yes, only for a week, though! Suguru-san was kind enough to offer me a temporary job."

Ijichi snorted softly at that, though Yuuji wasn't sure if it was in disbelief or disapproval. After carefully adjusting his tie with his fingers, the assistant walked past him without saying anything and entered the house with slow, purposeful steps that conveyed the message, "I belong here more than you do."

Unsure of how to react to that odd encounter, Yuuji stood there for a while, keeping the gate open. Even though Ijichi hadn't said anything particularly offensive, Yuuji felt like he was being watched closely by the way he moved and looked at him.

He turned slowly around after silently locking the gate behind him.

That guy was weird, Yuuji thought, a small frown tugging at his lips as he followed the delivery men inside. Seriously weird.

As Yuuji entered the house, he was met with the view of one of the delivery guys carrying the two heavy bags of dog food into the large pantry off the side of the kitchen. The second delivery guy had already set the large box down on the counter carefully, aligning it with the marble edge nicely. Ijichi lingered just beside him, hands carelessly crossed over his chest as he regarded the two men in a wordless survey. When he granted a crisp nod, it was as if leave had been given to go on.

Yuuji came near the box with an inquisitive stare, eyebrows slightly knitted as he tilted his head. He had not expected anything other than food to be sent, and seeing a closed box caused his curiosity to peak.

"I was thinking it was just going to be the dog food that will be delivered today..." Yuuji muttered to himself aloud.

The delivery man leaning against the counter, a middle teenager or someone in their early twenties with a cheerful face, looked up and smiled lazily at Yuuji.

"Oh, there's more than food. That box has other dog supplies. Stuff like food bowls, an automatic water feeder, litter boxes, some chew toys, and some brand-new beds."

Yuuji blinked, taken aback for a moment. That looked like an unnecessary buy for pets who already had everything they could possibly want, at least from what he expects because Suguru said he's been taking care of the girls since they're still puppies. He leaned his head to the side. "That's strange. Why would Suguru-san just buy things-"

"Geto-sama replaces his pets' necessities on a weekly basis," Ijichi cut him off in a flat tone. Yuuji flinched at the interruption, his shoulders freezing up. He faced the man who was once again giving him that same bland, calculating stare he'd been sporting before.

Ijichi went on, "Everything the dogs need is contained in that package. Geto-sama is particularly generous when it comes to them. He insists on providing only the best. As for their collars, they'll be delivered tomorrow. They were custom-made, of course, and the old ones had worn out their use, so Geto-sama saw it fit to replace them." 

He sounds so.. defensive.

Yuuji gave a slow nod, his expression a little puzzled but intrigued nonetheless. "Right... Okay."

A few steps away, one of the delivery men yelled to Ijichi, requesting assistance on where to put the last bags. Ijichi strode over without a word, quickly issuing directions with the urgency of someone accustomed to getting things done effectively. Yuuji observed him leave, eyebrows furrowed with contemplation before looking back at the box on the counter.

Pushing aside the odd aura Ijichi had about him, Yuuji moved over to a drawer and pulled out a set of scissors. He carefully sliced through the seal on the cardboard box, pushing up the flaps with a thrill of excitement in his chest. Even though he wasn't the intended receiver of the gifts, there was just something about new stuff, particularly for pets, that made him get all lightheaded. He took out one by one every single thing, examining them with a shining glint in his eyes. The toys were plush and colorful, the bowls sparkling and the new beds plush and amazingly snuggly-looking.

He couldn't help his smile. Even if he wasn't the one getting spoiled, he was equally thrilled to be the one to set it all up. As he was standing there looking at the collection, however, he didn't notice that one of the delivery guys was observing him in a silent, amused smile.

“Um… is there something on my face?” Yuuji asked, breaking the silence as he finally noticed the man staring.

The young man chuckled sheepishly. “No, sorry. I was just wondering… are you Geto-san’s boyfriend?”

The question caught Yuuji completely off guard. His mouth fell open slightly in surprise before he quickly closed it again and shook his head.

“N-No! No, I’m not. I’m just here as his temporary house sitter,” he replied hastily, cheeks tinged pink as that single word—boyfriend—bounced around his head like a ping-pong ball.

That flustered sensation came back in all its glory when his mind drifted to that embarrassing remark Suguru had made during breakfast. The "you would make a good wife" one. Ugh. He shook himself mentally, very much attempting to maintain his neutral expression.

“House sitter, huh?” the man repeated, nodding slowly. “Well, that’s kind of odd… but I guess it’s also kind of nice.”

Yuuji paused mid-motion. “Odd and nice? What do you mean?”

"Huh?" the man blinked, catching himself that he'd actually spoken out loud. "Oh, I just meant… this house. It always seemed too cold and empty to me. I've made delivery here a few times before, and every time it just seemed to have this really… gloomy vibe. But now you're here, it feels like someone's actually living in it. I don't really see Geto-san when I'm here and this is the first time he hired-"

"Hans!" 

The ringing call had both Yuuji and the man—presumably Hans—jump back instinctively. Yuuji held the dog toy in his hand more tightly as he faced the direction of the voice, a scowl on his lips. Ijichi was near the edge of the kitchen, his face stern and his body stiff.

"That’s enough chit-chat," Ijichi barked it echoed slightly off the high ceilings. "Geto-sama is paying you to work, not to make friends. We still have plenty left to do, so focus."

Not waiting for an answer, he spun sharply on his heel and headed out of the kitchen. His footsteps quick and ringing in the corridor. The room fell silent once more for a brief moment.

The other delivery man, who'd remained quiet till then, emitted a slow breath and placed a reassuring hand on Hans's shoulder. His face was sympathetic as he turned to Yuuji.

"I’m sorry about that. Ijichi-san’s been a little tense lately. He’s not usually this bad, but his mood’s been… off these past few days."

Yuuji nodded slowly, though he didn’t fully buy the excuse. 

"It’s okay. I understand. Thank you both for your hard work, though. I really appreciate it." He offered them both a kind smile. "Take care and have a good day."

Since it was obvious that Ijichi was familiar with the house like the back of his palm, Yuuji saw no need to escort them all the way out or even see them off at the gate. He just waited by the front door until he heard the car engine roar to life and the tires crunch softly on the driveway stones, announcing their departure. It was only when the sound disappeared into the distance that Yuuji finally moved. Now with his sights focused on the day that lay before him. There was still so much he had yet to do, so many things to clean up and organize, no matter how strange things had gotten earlier.

The first item on his mental to-do list was, naturally, the dogs. He got everything they'd require with care, stocking their food bowls with the new supply and their litter boxes, setting out their new automatic water feeder, piling up the newly arrived beds, and sprinkling a couple of toys around just in case they felt like playing. The image of them happily nibbling or wagging their tails as they played with the new toys brought Yuuji a small but warm feeling of satisfaction.

He took care of the dogs first then moved on to the rest of the house. He wasn't going to get lazy, not when Suguru-san was nice enough to leave this place in his hands. Yuuji was happy to make the best of the situation and to see Suguru's money wasn't wasted. With that thought, he began with the first floor.

The house wasn't really messy. In fact, it was surprisingly clean for a house of this size. Still, the cleanliness was the kind that resulted from not being lived in too intensely. Surfaces were spotless on the surface but the edges and corners betrayed that certain pieces hadn't been moved in weeks. There was occasional dusting of ash in some areas, as if incense had been lit many times but not cleaned on the way through.

Yuuji traversed from end to end of the floor, carefully wiping down each and every table, shelf, and countertop he could locate. He cleaned the sleek floors with a vacuum and then with a careful mop, buffing the marbled floor until it shone softly in the natural light pouring through the tall windows. The clean lines of the house, though lovely and contemporary, also meant that everything must be immaculate in order to maintain its sheen. And Yuuji was more than happy to maintain that level of cleanliness.

Once he was pleased with the shining cleanliness of the first floor, he brought his equipment up to the second. He had his doubts that the second floor was any filthier, but he wasn't the kind of person to do half a job. If Suguru-san trusted him enough to let him reside here, Yuuji wished to pay that trust in return.

Upstairs, he found three bedrooms. All reasonably average in size, although each had its own en suite bathroom for visitors. He started by shaking out the bedclothes to make them plumper, ironing the sheets, and fluffing up the pillows until each bed was picture-perfect. He cleaned and wiped down all surfaces. The dressers, bathroom counters, and closet handles until they were sparkling. Although nobody appeared to visit these rooms often, he cleaned them with as much vigor and care as he would his own.

Eventually, only Suguru’s bedroom remained.

Yuuji approached forward slowly, double doors looming tall and silent at the end of the hall. There was something about entering Suguru's private space that seemed uncomfortably intimate, as if crossing some sort of boundary.. but he told himself he wasn't snooping. He was here to clean and the room was a part of that. Yet, when he pushed open the doors with careful deliberation, it seemed like entering a Suguru world meant for few.

Immediately, Yuuji was surrounded by the fragrance of the man. Slightly musky, clean, warm. It was soothing, like the lingering residue of cologne on a coat. Involuntarily, Yuuji closed his eyes and breathed in slowly. Something in his shoulders eased. Suguru's presence permeated everything here. Nevertheless, out of courtesy, Yuuji decided that he would not do much, just some minimal cleaning. He wouldn't dig around or handle things unnecessarily.

He was vacuuming the carpet and wiping down the nightstands and low dresser when he noticed something on the bedside table. A lone framed photo proudly sitting next to a small pile of neatly placed books.

Tentatively, Yuuji stopped vacuuming, turned off the vacuum, and carefully lifted the picture frame from the table with both his hands.

It was... a picture of Suguru, but obviously a younger version of him. That familiar smirk curled on his lips as his hair was pulled into a low bun, loose strands falling the same way they did now. However, the young man standing next to Suguru caught Yuuji's attention even more. The other boy was... striking. He had pale, ghostlike skin and a wild, white mane of hair that seemed spiky. He was grinning with bright, alive eyes, a vivid blue that seemed to sparkle even through the glass. He was leaning near Suguru, their arms over each other's shoulders like it wasn't a big deal at all. They also wore identical sweaters. 

Yuuji blinked. They appeared to be inseparable. Not friends... but something more profound. As if they had a bond too deep to describe. Perhaps soulmates. In that picture, the chemistry was almost visible.

Yuuji turned the picture over and looked for dates or names. A small hint as to the identity of this individual. However, there was nothing. No dedication, no date, and no label. There are just a few handwritten words, "4ever brothers," etched across the picture's bottom border.

Yuuji blinked again.

Suguru has a brother?

He was a bit surprised. Suguru had never, not even casually, mentioned having a sibling. For the past few months they have spoken daily, Yuuji was well-informed about some of Suguru's life. However, this individual, this boy with the brilliant smile and white hair, Suguru had never mentioned him to Yuuji.

He looked at the picture once more, attempting to compare the features. In any case, their physical appearances were completely different. However, there was something special about the warmth and ease with which they stood together. It was about bond, not blood. They were obviously close.

After staring at the picture for a moment longer, he carefully returned the frame to its original location. Despite his curiosity—and my goodness, was he curious—Yuuji chose not to pursue it any further. It was probably something very personal if Suguru hadn't brought it up by now. Painful, perhaps. Furthermore, Yuuji had no intention of pressuring him. Yuuji would be willing to listen if Suguru ever wanted to share that aspect of his life. He would respect his silence until then.

Yuuji took a final look at the happy faces in the picture before getting back to cleaning, mind gently racing with questions. 

Two whole hours had gone by since Yuuji completed cleaning the last of the second-floor bedrooms, and he was now in the kitchen, completely dedicated to cooking their lunch. The aroma of boiling broth and fresh vegetables wafted through the air, and he was humming quietly to himself as he stirred a pot on the stove. He was half done plating one of the side dishes when he suddenly heard the throaty roar of an engine stopping just outside the gate. That deep, familiar purr of Suguru's vehicle caused his heart to jump a little in anticipation.

In a swift motion, he cut the gas off and dried his hands with a clean kitchen towel before all but ran to the door. As he opened it, the front door opened, and there stood Suguru, stepping in with that same quiet yet authoritative demeanor he always had. His hair was a bit mussed from the wind, and he looked effortlessly elegant, even in his slightly rumpled state from work.

"Suguru-san, welcome home!" With a cheerful greeting, Yuuji clasped his fidgety fingers behind his back to prevent an awkward wave. His smile was genuine and bright.

"I'm home," Suguru replied with a gentle, loving smile. His voice was warm as his eyes stayed on Yuuji with a quiet affection. Before Suguru could step further inside, Yuuji had already come forward to assist, carefully unfastening Suguru's jacket and hanging it over his own arm.

Suguru emitted a soft laugh, clearly entertained by the action. "Well, I could get quite used to this."

Yuuji let out a modest little laugh in response before he turned around and started walking in the direction of the living room with steps light as air. "How was work, Suguru-san?"

"Busy, as per usual," Suguru shrugged with a casual but not complaining tone. "But it's nothing new."

Suguru abruptly stopped as they were walking and cocked his head, taking a deep breath as the aroma of Yuuji's cooking filled the air from the kitchen into the living room. "Smells good." 

Yuuji perked. "Well, why don't you go get changed into something comfortable and I'll plate everything else up while you do? Lunch will be ready for you when you get down."

"Our lunch," Suguru corrected gently. He reached out and lightly touched Yuuji's ear with his finger, making it featherlight. Like a happy cat, Yuuji automatically leaned into the gesture, his eyes flickering closed for a moment before opening wide once more.

“I’ll go wash up and meet you down here in a bit. Sound good?”

“Okay, Suguru-san,” Yuuji replied, cheeks warm.

He watched Suguru go to the upstairs room before returning to the kitchen in haste, devoting all his focus to laying out everything on the table exactly as he had imagined. He set the dishes on each plate with care, ensuring that everything seemed inviting and appetizing. Two glasses were filled up, one with ice water and the other with fruit juice. The table seemed almost like a painting when he took a step back to appreciate his efforts. And sure, he prepared a plate for himself as well. Suguru had invited him, after all. It was impossible to decline such hospitality.

As he was adjusting the final plate, he caught the sound of returning footsteps and the telltale voice of Suguru mumbling something into his phone, which he then shoved into the sweatpants pocket. He sat down in the same spot where he had sat that morning, furrowed brow, still absorbed in thought.

Yuuji approached gently. "Is everything alright?"

Suguru blinked into focus at him, tugged from his thoughts. "Hm? Ah. Some work reminders. Nothing important," he reassured as his eyes went soft. "Did everything arrive earlier like it was supposed to?"

Yuuji nodded, putting his hand on the back of his own chair before he spoke. "Yes. I was really surprised when I saw the girls receiving brand new things. But Ijichi-san told me that you spoil them and replace their things on a weekly basis."

"... Ijichi? He came today?" 

"Yeah…" Yuuji replied slowly, though his happy grin slowly gave way to something more reserved. Suguru's eyes immediately picked up on the change.

"Yuuji?" he asked, his tone lower now and more serious. "Did something happen with Ijichi?"

When Yuuji looked up and saw the change in Suguru's expression, his fingers clenched around his hand. The easy smile had vanished; his brows had creased into a frown, and his tapping motions against the tabletop had a controlled, piercing tension. The room's temperature seemed to drop a little, and Yuuji suddenly felt uneasy about the possibility that saying the wrong thing could have unintended consequences, especially for Ijichi.

Suguru's rapid reaction surprised him. There was a part of him that thought he would sigh and perhaps offer a polite apology. However, Yuuji felt a sudden pressure in his chest the way Suguru's eyes narrowed and his tone darkened.

"I-It’s not anything bad," he defended quickly, forcing a small smile. "Ijichi-san was just very... formal. Strict, maybe. It just caught me off guard because you’ve always been so warm and kind, Suguru-san. And he was kind of the opposite."

Suguru took a while to reply. He continued to watch him. Too still. Too intent. Yuuji could feel his anxiety rising, so he continued quickly. 

"But I wouldn't say he acted badly. Not at all. After introducing himself politely, he immediately got to work. I suppose it was just his personality. Not much to be concerned about." 

He made no mention of the odd conflict between Hans and Ijichi. He didn't mention the awkward, icy gaze or the fact that Ijichi appeared more annoyed by Yuuji's presence more than anything else. It didn't seem necessary..Yuuji didn't want to cause trouble, especially if it would result in someone losing their job. He wasn't the kind to ruin someone's career.

"Are you sure?" Suguru asked slowly.

Yuuji nodded quickly, even though he wasn’t sure what exactly Suguru would do if he said otherwise.

"I’m sure," he repeated with a soft, reassuring smile, hoping that would be the end of it.

Fortunately, Suguru's expression softened a bit, and the room's subdued tension started to subside once more. Trying to concentrate on the lunch he had made, Yuuji exhaled slowly through his nose, picked up his glass, and took a sip.

The remainder of their dinner was spent in comfortable silence. They chatted lightly, exchanging easy smiles and words between mouthfuls. Notably, Suguru asked Yuuji about what he had been up to while he was gone, and Yuuji matter-of-factly responded with a list of cleaning, cooking, and preparing things for the dogs. Nothing extraordinary, it was a straightforward list of activities. But as he explained, he caught something slightly unusual. Suguru looked.. like he was expecting something... As if he was waiting for Yuuji to say something else. Something more. But Yuuji just couldn't guess what that might be.

Whatever it was, Suguru appeared to feel more at ease when Yuuji didn't bring it up. The older man's shoulders slightly shifted, and his jaw slightly relaxed, as if some invisible tension that had been present beneath their conversation had subtly evaporated. And even though it had occasionally crept in during the meal, it never really weakened the warmth between them.

Suguru and Yuuji got up immediately after they had finished eating and started to collect the dishes. Without hesitation, Suguru helped carry them over to the sink and worked quietly, almost domestically, next to Yuuji.

"You've already cleaned the entire house," Suguru suggested as he placed the last plate on the sink. "I think you should rest for the time being. Join the girls in the sitting room to relax. There isn't much more to be done here."

Yuuji looked up at him, blinking at the suggestion. “It’s okay. I don’t want to just laze around in your home. I’ll find something else to keep myself busy while you’re working.”

Suguru, however, shook his head gently while maintaining a composed tone. "Yuuji, I asked you to house-sit so you could watch the dogs and.. cook for me. All of this extra work is unnecessary for you. I usually hire a professional cleaning crew once a week. And since I'm barely home and I don't get visitors, the house isn't really that dirty." 

Yuuji cocked his head in contemplation. That was true. The house was pretty immaculate from the beginning, now that Suguru had brought it up. Much of the house appeared to have been barely lived in, more like a model home than a cozy, active home, with dust only collecting in a few uninhabited areas. Every inch that might require attention had already been vacuumed, mopped, wiped, and scrubbed by him. Perhaps Suguru was correct. There wasn't much more that could be done.

After a moment, Yuuji gave a small nod and smiled up at him. “Alright. I understand.”

Suguru grinned back, then made a lingering, well-known motion by lightly stroking Yuuji's waist. 

"Good boy," he said gently, and Yuuji's face warmed up. He looked away quickly, too flustered to answer.

"I’ll be in my office," Suguru added as he turned to leave. "If you need anything, don’t hesitate to knock on my door, hm?"

"Okay," Yuuji replied with a nod. "Would you like a cup of coffee once I finish up here?"

"That sounds perfect," Suguru said with a smile. "I’ll be looking forward to it."

After Suguru vanished down the corridor, Yuuji turned back to the kitchen. He cleaned up what was left over from lunch as fast as he could, wiping down the counters, sweeping the floor, and washing and drying the remaining dishes. He started making Suguru his coffee the way he liked it after the area was tidy and clean once more. Even though it was a simple task, Yuuji handled it with the same attention to detail as if he were preparing a fine meal. When it was prepared, he carried it gingerly down the silent hallway in a cup with a saucer.

The door was already slightly open when he got to the office, so he knocked softly to let Suguru know he was here. Suguru looked up from his laptop and raised his hand, signaling Yuuji to come in, but he said nothing. The first thing Yuuji noticed was how different Suguru appeared at that precise moment, with his hair all down and drooping over his shoulders and around his face like a silky curtain. His intense gaze was framed by a pair of sleek glasses, and despite his casual attire, he still had the appearance of a polished professor. Suguru's eyes glowed softly from the laptop, and Yuuji found himself standing motionless for far too long.

He entered the office cautiously, walking lightly on his toes to avoid interfering with Suguru's focus. In order to avoid looking at whatever was open on the screen, he placed the coffee on the desk's corner where it wouldn't interfere. Before leaving, he turned to face Suguru and mouthed the words, "Have a good work," with a soft, reticent smile.

Suguru glanced at him and nodded subtly, his eyes flitting with gratitude and affection. Yuuji turned and slipped back out the door without a word.

Since he had nothing else to do, Yuuji headed to the sitting room where the dogs were lying comfortably on their fluffy beds. He played with them for a few minutes, laughing quietly as they rolled over, pushed him with their wet noses, and insisted on cuddles. Their happy eyes and waving tails were enough to break the silence in the house.

Eventually, he switched on the television and flipped through a few channels until he found something light and easy to watch, something that made noise in the room without requiring much thought. His eyes grew heavier as he leaned against the soft couch, tucked between two throw pillows, a blanket draped casually across his lap. The television's warmth, softness, and hum... It was all too comforting.

At some point, without even realizing it, Yuuji had fallen asleep.

The last thing he remembered was the slight rustle of movement close by, followed by the distinct sensation of being gently but firmly lifted into someone's arms. Arms that are steady and strong. He whimpered at the abrupt movement and stirred slightly, half asleep and bewildered, but a gentle hush brushed against his ear like a whisper.

"Shh, go back to sleep, baby.." 

So he did. He allowed himself to be carried away, deeper into rest, wrapped in warmth and comfort, without asking why or where he was being taken. Because, somehow, he knew in his heart that he was safe.

--

When Yuuji gradually came awake from his sleep, a cloudy confusion wrapped around him like a mist. His body subsided deeply into the strange softness that cradled him. A bed much softer than he was accustomed to. It took him a moment to recognize his surroundings, the slight change in lighting, the lingering aroma in the air. As he blinked out the last of the sleep and rubbed at his gritty eyes, he turned towards the window.

The sky outside had already melted into twilight. Deep blue, fading into a canvas of night.

His heart skipped a beat.

It was already evening.

Yuuji gasped and sat up, his chest exploding with panic. He had intended to rest for a few minutes at most, but hours had gone by and he had lost all sense of time. Suguru-san! He thought in alarm. He hadn't even checked on the dogs or prepared dinner.

However, the door creaked open slowly before he could swing his legs off the bed and run out, and Suguru was standing there, tall and calm, with a glass of water in his hand. Immediately, Yuuji's guilt flared.

"S-Suguru-san, I-I’m really sorry I fell asleep. I didn’t mean to—"

Suguru stepped inside and spoke in a soft, even comforting voice. "Yuuji, it's okay. Take your time getting up. You just woke up and if you move too quickly, you'll feel dizzy."

Yuuji, still overwhelmed with guilt, pressed his lips together to steady his breathing in an attempt to gather himself. With an understanding look on his face, Suguru offered him the glass of water. "Here. Drink this. Your throat must be dry because you've been asleep for a few hours." 

Yuuji accepted the glass without hesitation and sipped it slowly. Then another. And another. Then, the water was gone before he knew it. Although the shame was still in his chest, it did help a little because he felt more grounded now. Unsure of where to start, Yuuji, holding the empty glass in his hands, looked shyly at Suguru, then quickly looked away again, then back at him.

"I-I’m really sorry I slept so long, Suguru-san,” he began in shame. "I promise it won’t happen again. What time is it now? Are you hungry? I can cook something right away—"

But Suguru stopped him softly, putting a firm hand on his shoulder. "Yuuji. Breathe. It's all right. You don't need to apologize for something your body obviously needed. You've been working non-stop since you arrived. It's only natural that you'd be exhausted. And I did say it, didn't I? To rest. To make yourself at home." His voice was soothing. "There’s not much work to do around here anyway, and you’ve already done more than enough."

He pulled his hand back and sat up a little bit, still gazing at Yuuji with a gentle gaze. "I found you sleeping around five in the afternoon when I just finished my last meeting. You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to disturb you. It's already eight now. I'd already dealt with the dogs and fed them and put them to bed. They're all sleeping. As for dinner, I ordered some Italian food for us to eat. I hope that's okay."

Yuuji looked at him in shock, his heart twisted at Suguru's continued consideration, even when Yuuji thought he had failed in his responsibilities.

"Suguru-san…" he whispered, his voice thick with guilt. "I should’ve been the one to feed them. I should’ve made dinner for you right now. I can’t believe I fell asleep like that. I’ve inconvenienced you, and I’m really, truly sorry..."

But again, Suguru just gave him that same patient, gentle look.

"Yuuji," he stated with a small smile, "you didn't trouble me at all. Truly, I was glad to take care of things while you rested. It warmed me to have you trust my house so completely to sleep so peacefully. It means more to me than you can imagine."

And then his face changed, just slightly mischievous, as he leaned back and touched Yuuji's forehead with a light finger. "Now, if you do want to pay me back properly, how about joining for some pizza and pasta tonight? What do you say?"

Yuuji stared at him for a long time, overcome by the kindness he didn't believe he deserved. He closed his eyes slowly, inhaled deeply, and then nodded, a worn-out but genuine smile curling the corners of his lips.

“That... that sounds lovely, Suguru-san,” he murmured. However, the following idea in his head dimmed that happiness. He looked at his smartwatch and sighed. "But I do need to go out by 9:30. I still have my delivery job at 10, and I also need to go to the hospital to check on my grandpa…"

"I'll drive you," Suguru volunteered with ease. "And perhaps we can take him a share of our meal, too."

Yuuji blinked, caught off guard by the offer. "Wha—Suguru-san, that’s too much. I couldn’t possibly ask that of you—"

But Suguru just arched a brow. "You just said you wanted to make it up to me. Then we do it my way. It would make me very happy if we can spend a bit more time together, Yuuji. Let me help you."

Yuuji felt his heart thumping in his chest. Suguru really was too nice to him. Despite his best efforts to control his feelings, he couldn't help but smile as the warmth blossomed inside of him.

"Okay, Suguru-san… Thank you. Thank you so much, really. I promise I’ll do my best to be the best house sitter you’ve ever had this week," he said with a quiet laugh, "and the best bartender you’ll ever see next week."

Suguru chuckled softly at that, but didn’t comment. Just smiled knowingly.

"Oh, right," he added after a moment. “About that second job, your phone actually rang an hour ago. I happened to see the name and it's someone from the restaurant. I figured it might be important. You might want to check it."

Yuuji rolled his head towards the bedside table and saw his phone lying there. Curiosity got the better of him, so he picked it up and unlocked it. Indeed, there were two missed calls and one message from his other boss.

As he read the message, his face slowly dropped.

> Yuuji-kun, you don’t have to work tonight or any night this week and the next. My father won a raffle for a fully paid trip to Indonesia, and we’re all going with him. The restaurant will be closed during this time. Don’t worry, you’ll still receive your full pay for this period. Rest well and see you soon!

Slowly, Yuuji lowered his phone and gazed at the screen in stunned silence. Shouldn't he feel relieved? Full pay and a vacation from work?

But the knot in his stomach told a different story.

The reality was, that cafe work paid him on a monthly fixed rate, and every penny of it went directly to his grandfather's hospital expenses. The money he actually spent on his daily living—food, transportation, essentials—came completely from his night delivery job. And now, with no job to sustain him for the next two weeks, things would be tight. Very tight.

His heart sank further.

“What’s up with people and their vacations?” he muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else. “It’s not even summer…”

This is so inconvenient.. 

At times, it seemed as though life was a series of abrupt twists and turns. There were some good days, even manageable ones. At other times, however, it felt like you were trying to juggle too many things at once, only to have another issue added. His timing is always the worst and the weight of it was wearing him down. Gradually. With little to no awareness.

But what choice did he have? 

All Yuuji had ever done was deal with it. He lacked the luxury of stopping and waiting for a better moment. He adjusted if something went wrong. He gripped harder and continued to walk if things became heavy. It's just always been that way.

But he had to think quickly. Going without money for two weeks was a long time, especially for someone who wasn't accustomed to depending on others.

Maybe I can ask Megumi?

"Are you all right? What's going on?" Suguru asked softly as he reached over and cradled Yuuji's cheek with gentle fingers. The tender touch almost made Yuuji purr into it if not for the fact that he had a problem, a real one, and the brunt of it had just slammed into him full strength.

"T-The restaurant… my delivery job," Yuuji stuttered, looking away with shifting eyes. "I… I won't be able to work there for the next two weeks. They told me my salary won't be deducted, but…" He couldn't make himself go on. The rest didn't need to be spoken.

Suguru hummed thoughtfully as he considered the situation. "I suppose the money you earn from that job is your daily spending allowance, isn’t it?"

After a brief pause, Yuuji slowly nodded. With Suguru staring at him that way, as if he already understood, there was no use in acting otherwise.

There was silence before Suguru tilted his head and leaned back a little as he thought about something. After a moment, he spoke as if he had already decided what he wanted to say.

"How about this then? What if you just work for me.. full-time?" 

Yuuji's breath caught in his throat. He looked at Suguru in shock, as if he had misheard, and his eyes widened a little. His face was awash with confusion as he glanced up at the older man, and his heart was slowly filling with guilt.

"...me? Work here? Full-time?"

Suguru nodded slowly. "Yes. Just for a week. Until the café opens and your schedule returns to normal. I'd like you to remain here, Yuuji. You'll keep an eye on the house, walk the dogs, cook all you like, sleep when you please, rest when you must. And for that, I'll compensate you on a daily basis for your services."

Yuuji gazed at Suguru as if the man had just handed him a parachute when he was falling out of the sky. The offer, basic as it was, was verging on too good to be true. A job, in a peaceful, tidy house, with food and snuggly dogs and a man who smiled at him like he was something. That, and daily pay for the position. That was more than generous. It was very thoughtful. 

"I-I mean… that doesn’t sound like a bad deal at all, Suguru-san. If anything, it sounds too good for someone like me..."

Suguru’s gaze softened immediately. "Why do you always say that?"

"Huh?"

"That line. 'Someone like me.'" Suguru extended his hand once more, lightly grazing a knuckle beneath Yuuji's chin to bring their gazes together. "You talk as though you are unworthy of kindness."

Yuuji flushed as he bit his lip. The words stuck in his throat because, honestly.. he didn't know how to say it. When you have spent your life scrounging for scraps, keeping your dignity in one hand and weights in the other, it's second nature to believe that comfort is something you work hard for, not something you're freely offered. 

"I'm just… not used to people offering me things with no expectations," he muttered, his fingers bunching into his palm. "So I always feel like I owe them, like I owe it to them. Work harder. Do more. Just so I can avoid being a bother."

"You're not a bother, Yuuji." 

And it caused a painfully warm sensation to tighten in Yuuji's chest.

Suguru smiled softly. "So? Is it a deal then? Full-time, week-long job. Payment at the end of every day. You can cook, sleep, play with the dogs, and nag me if I forget to eat. That's the job description."

Unable to control the smile tugging at his lips, Yuuji quietly laughed again. "Okay. Deal. But only if I get to make your meals exactly how I want it.”

Suguru smiled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Suddenly, the burden on Yuuji's shoulders started to gradually lessen. Perhaps life was still a puzzle with pieces missing, or perhaps things were still challenging, but for the time being, he had a job to do, a place to stay, and someone who valued him without asking. For him, that was more than enough. 

However, what Yuuji didn't see was the change that took place as soon as Suguru turned around and went outside to get the takeout.

In an instant, Suguru's face lost its warmth. Something much darker blossomed in its place, his eyes narrowing with an eerie glint that lacked the softness they once possessed, and his lips curling into a slow, deliberate smirk.

There was no sign of goodwill in those features. 

Ah. Everything was falling into place. 

Perfect. 

Chapter Text

"Yuuji, we're here..." 

A light touch tapped against his shoulder, fingers caressing lightly as a voice was spoken just above a whisper. The hand was warm. A bit firm, but gentle, as if the owner was attempting not to alarm him. Yuuji slowly came awake, eyelids blinking lazily as he roused himself from the fog of sleep. His mind was cloudy at first, mind slow and disjointed until a familiar face gradually resolved into view.

Suguru.

Yuuji's breath hitched softly.

Suguru's face was in close proximity. Far too close. His dark hair fell loose over his shoulders once more, just as before, and his piercing eyes, normally inscrutable, were brimming with something soft and affectionate. The way the lines of his mouth curved softly, the smooth, even tone of his voice, it all instantly brought Yuuji back to where he was.

Oh. 

Suguru's car. 

He sat in the front passenger seat, buckled in. The inside was smooth and spotless, much like the man next to him. The dashboard was softly lighted by the blueish light of the car's screen, sending a dim reflection to the shiny surfaces. Inside the car smelt of cedarwood and something uniquely Suguru. Pungent, high-end, and warm.

Blinking away sleep's leftovers, Yuuji gradually turned his gaze towards the window. Outdoors, the world was still, wrapped in nightfall. Streetlights shone softly, their reflections curving over the gleaming glass slabs of the building across the way. Directly in front of them towered the hospital-tall, clean, and humming softly with artificial lights that hummed in contrast to the quiet street. The windows glowed softly in the black sky, and the faint shapes of human movement behind the glass gave the building a sense of life despite the time.

"Suguru-san? I... fell asleep again," Yuuji whispered softly, his voice still drowsy-tasting like he were a delicate baby bird just waking from a nap. His eyelashes fluttered as he blinked up at the man sitting next to him, his own head still a bit heavy with sleep. He had no idea why it always did, but whenever he was near Suguru.. his body felt like it could finally relax. As if it could simply... rest. As if Suguru's mere presence comforted him so much, it rocked him to sleep without struggle. His muscles would relax, his thoughts would calm, and before he could even realize, sleep would claim him. It was embarrassing how secure Suguru made him feel. 

The man next to him rumbled a low laugh. Yuuji could tell Suguru was grinning without even looking. However, the fact that he had gotten so close that Suguru's warm breath had ghosted over Yuuji's cheek caused him to flinch a little. Yuuji felt a chill as it gave him a slight tickle.

"Yeah. I guess you must've eaten too much earlier... which is probably why you passed out again," Suguru teased gently before lifting his hand, his thumb raised for Yuuji to see. "Look, you were drooling..."

Yuuji's face instantly went warm. "Eh?!"

He quickly reached up to wipe it away in embarrassment, but Suguru was faster. With ease, Suguru leaned in to brush the small trail of drool at the corner of Yuuji's mouth with his thumb. Just as Yuuji was about to ask why he did it, Suguru... took the thumb to his own lips-and slowly, sinfully, slipped it into his mouth. 

Yuuji's jaw dropped.

"S-Suguru-san!" he gasped, his cheeks exploding into heat as he instinctively grabbed the older man's wrist. "T-That's dirty! You can't just-!"

Suguru, however, didn't even bat an eye. Calm, devilish, and amused, he smirked and consciously pulled the thumb away from his mouth, but not before licking it clean in a slow, sensual motion that made Yuuji's ears ring.

"Nothing about you is dirty, Yuuji," Suguru said, voice low and teasing, as he leaned in even closer. His breath brushed over Yuuji's lips. "In fact... you taste very sweet."

Yuuji thrashed slightly in his chair, his hands covering his face as though to blot out the rising heat. "S-Stop teasing.." 

"Am I?" Suguru raised an eyebrow, pretending to be innocent, but the sparkle in his eyes showed how much he was taking pleasure in this. Then he added, "Mmm. But I was being honest. You do taste sweet... makes me wonder just how much sweeter you'd be..."

He leaned close to Yuuji's ear and spoke in a husky, rough tone.

"... if I got to really taste you." 

That made Yuuji squeak. 

Crossing his arms tightly on his chest, he turned away scowling in a pout. "I'm pretty certain I don't taste so good. Are you hiding the fact that you're a cannibal or something, Suguru-san? You keep going on and on about eating me."

This time, Suguru's laugh was slow, deep, and wickedly amused. "Oh, Yuuji..." He reached forward and gently touched Yuuji's cheek, saying "I'm far worse than a cannibal, sweetheart. You'll find out soon enough, though, so don't worry."

Yuuji was about to reply when he heard a faint click and looked down to see Suguru taking off his seatbelt. Startled, he looked up again.

"Come now," Suguru said suavely, his hand brushing against Yuuji's arm. "Let's go see your grandfather before I lose my head and remember where we're going and want to keep you for myself the rest of the night."

Flustered beyond measure, Yuuji huffed. "Well.. that's not very nice, Suguru-san.." 

"Ah, but you let me do it anyway.." Suguru flashed a lazy grin as he opened the door. 

As they entered the hospital, Yuuji couldn't help but let his mind stray for a bit. His thoughts drifted towards the bizarre change in Suguru's demeanor since earlier that day. There was something about the manner in which the older man had been behaving that seemed to feel completely out of place, more intense. More... direct.

Although Suguru had always been calm and gentle, his teasing had become unusually vocal today. Yuuji's heart was all twisted and fluttering because the older man had been lavishing him with affection ever since he had woken up from that accidental nap in Suguru's bed. More often, Suguru had leaned into his own space, whispered softly close to his ears, and pressed his fingers to his arms or cheeks as if it were instinct. Yuuji wasn't accustomed to this level of intimacy. It warmed him from head to toe.

He could recall very vividly when he was washing the dishes, he didn't have a view of Suguru at his back, but he could feel the presence of the older man's eyes on his spine like a burning brand. He did not need to turn around because, in his case, he knew that he was being stared at with great concentration, as if Suguru was seeing through his flesh and into his mind. The strain of being stared at like that almost made his knees give out from under him. It was nearly too much to bear when Suguru finally came forward to assist him in drying and putting away the dishes while occasionally, jokingly, touching Yuuji's waist. With the warm kitchen lights and the soft clinking of plates, they almost appeared to be lovers in that intimate domestic moment.

Yuuji shook his head quickly.

No, no, no! What are you even thinking, Yuuji?! That's your boss! Your employer! Get a grip!

He sighed deeply, attempting to get his thoughts straight. Getting sucked into that jumble of emotions was pointless. Right now, there were more pressing matters to attend to.

When they arrived at the front desk of the hospital, Yuuji stepped forward and smiled broadly at the nurse. 

"Hello I'm here to pay Itadori Wasuke a visit," he said courteously.

Lumi, the nurse behind the desk, brightened at the sight of him. "Oh, Yuuji! Good evening! You're visiting again, huh? Your grandfather is really lucky to have such a sweet and thoughtful grandson. Always showing up with that big smile."

Yuuji rubbed the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly at her. Being here five times a week had made him somewhat of a regular, so he already knew most of the nurses. Over the years, he had shared enough jokes and stories with them to be regarded as a member of the hospital's extended family.

"Yeah, well, you know how he gets whenever I come by," Yuuji chuckled as he scratched his cheek.

Lumi laughed back at her, though, and then her gaze shot wide a little when it darted to the person standing next to Yuuji. She cocked in a little, her face curious.

"Oh, you didn't come alone?" she asked, seemingly surprised-and a bit nosy, too. Her smile spread bigger when she said, "Not with Megumi this time, huh?"

Yuuji was already rushing to think of an excuse when he opened his mouth, but the unexpected weight that suddenly hung around his waist briefly diverted his attention. Suguru had put an arm around him nonchalantly. Yuuji's heart skipped a beat as his eyes shot upward.

Suguru was smiling at Lumi with that proper, polite face he assumed whenever he had to interact with strangers-but Yuuji knew. He always knew when Suguru was pretending. The smile had the same taste to it as the one he offered Megumi now and then, simply out of social duty.

Still flustered, Yuuji offered Lumi a weak smile. "Uhm, yeah. Megumi's pretty busy today."

It appeared to quench her curiosity, for the time being, at least. She nodded and then turned her focus back to her computer. But Yuuji knows better. He's always known Lumi being chatty and inquisitive, and the fact that she'd caught him with someone else would absolutely mean she'd bring it up again if she spotted him with Megumi the next time around. He could already picture her asking him questions about Suguru.

Which is why Yuuji had intended to steer clear of any introductions to begin with. If Lumi never heard Suguru's name, there'd be no means in which she could draw any conclusions. It was an easy, risk-free solution to sidestep any future issues. Too bad Suguru had other ideas.

Before Yuuji could apologize and head away from the front desk, he sensed Suguru's arm contracting somewhat about his waist-and then the older man moved forward holding out his other hand.

"My name is Geto Suguru," he said smoothly.

Yuuji's eyes widened in disbelief. What is he doing?!

Lumi took Suguru's hand with a merry laugh, obviously taken in. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Geto-san," she teased, her voice smooth. "Guess I'll be running into you more and more, huh?"

Suguru's mouth curled up in a simple smile. "Hopefully." 

Yuuji could sense Suguru's attention turn his way-and when he glanced up, he almost forgot how to breathe.

The older man was gazing at him with warm, gentle eyes. There was something unsaid in that loo. Heavy and filled with meaning. Yuuji could feel his cheeks flush almost instantly, and he had to look away before Lumi could notice how red he'd become. His heart was pounding so hard, he could feel it pounding in his throat.

He clamped his lips together and softly grunted a thank-you to Lumi before rapidly steering Suguru along the corridor, his mind a knotted mix of humiliation, suspicion... and something uncomfortably close to affection. 

Only after they were able to escape did Yuuji's heart gradually and finally stop racing.

"So," Suguru started, his voice soothing and inquiring as they reduced their steps in the now emptier hospital corridor, "you always visit here with Fushiguro-kun?"

The sterile white halls were almost empty now, save for the faint reverberation of distant footsteps and the gentle buzz of fluorescent lights. Suguru had placed one hand in his coat pocket and the other one was holding the carefully packaged food they had brought for Yuuji's grandfather. His slow pace easily kept up with Yuuji's.

A small crease of surprise appeared on Yuuji's forehead as he tilted his head up at him, but then his eyes fell away once more. His fingers gently pulled at the hoodie's edge, a subconscious fidget he frequently engaged in when he was feeling a little shy or thoughtful. 

"Well... not always," he acknowledged softly, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "But yeah, Megumi's usually the only person I take with me when I go see Grandpa. Nobara came once, but just once though."

There was a pause, reflective and heavy, and Yuuji's lips twisted up in a slight smile-nervous, almost melancholic.

"Grandpa doesn't actually trust others that easily," he clarified. "He's always been quick-witted. Rather intense, in fact. He reads others too well sometimes-like he's always prepared for the worst from all people." Yuuji smiled quietly to himself. "He's as careful and serious as Megumi, if I'm honest. I think that's the reason why they were so compatible.". Grandpa's always spouting things like, 'Stick with that brooding friend of yours, he's got a good head on his shoulders.'

Yuuji chuckled again, though a bit more brightly as he turned to look at Suguru. "It's sort of comical now that I think about it. It's like having two old businessmen discuss combining their businesses whenever those two are around each other." He smiled. "Seriously, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Megumi's just an older copy of my grandpa in disguise."

Suguru hummed. His half-lidded, cool eyes stayed on Yuuji, but there was a glimmer of something harder hidden in their depths. Something tightly coiled beneath the surface of his courteous mask, like the low hiss of a knife being drawn from its sheath.

Nevertheless, his lips relaxed into a well-practiced smile. 

"I see," he said, almost too softly. "So your grandfather has good eyes."

Yuuji smiled with a sparkling grin, utterly oblivious to the cold shock in Suguru's voice. "Yeah! He's such an observant guy. Kinda annoying at times, but it's because he's such a good person, you know?"

"Sure." Suguru's tone was suave, silky even-but icy, like a silk glove holding a fist.

He spoke not another word and simply walked in silence alongside Yuuji with the same slow, measured pace, the food container held firm in his hand. But there was something in his eyes that did not sit right with the gentleness of his voice, eyes had darkened just a little, narrowed a little too much.

"Well," Suguru spoke up eventually, tone warming once more and all but admitting that nothing had changed, "I'm just glad I'm here with you this time."

Yuuji's face brightened like sunshine bursting through gray clouds. "Me too, Suguru-san. To be honest, I've already spoken with Grandpa about you, so I'm positive he'll be just as eager to meet you!"

"Is that right?" Suguru tilted his head slightly and grinned. He had the ideal expression. Warm, courteous, and pleasant. But if you looked closely, you could see that it was too exact. The edges are too sharp. "I guess I'll just need to leave a really good impression then."

They kept walking until they came to the elevator at the end of the corridor. Just to fill the silence between them, Yuuji pressed the button and started humming a familiar, soft tune under his breath. The elevator's low hum accompanied them as they climbed inside after the doors had slid open. When they eventually arrived at the correct floor, Yuuji perked up. 

The elevator was only a short distance from his grandfather's room. As Yuuji took a step forward, a subtle sort of excitement settled in his chest.

He tapped softly on the door, not wanting to disturb anything too rudely. 

"Grandpa?" he whispered softly, just loud enough for the older man to heart Then he edged the door open slowly and beckoned to Suguru to follow him, sharing a soft smile with the older man.

"Come in, Suguru-san," he whispered. "Let's go greet him."

Yuuji became excited as he approached and saw his grandfather sitting on his bed, still awake.

"Grandpa!" 

"Quiet, boy!" 

Already accustomed to his grandfather's rough-around-the-edges style of affection, Yuuji couldn't help but laugh. He walked across the room without missing a beat and put his arms around the older man, who gave him a firm pat on the shoulder and a halfhearted grunt in return.

But Yuuji noticed his grandfather's eyes were no longer on him as he took a step back, still grinning. Over his shoulder, it was trained in the piercing, strategic manner that only Wasuke Itadori could gaze at a person he hadn't yet assessed. When Yuuji looked back, he saw Suguru standing just inside the doorway with the food bag in one hand.

"Grandpa," Yuuji began with a gentle smile, "I brought someone with me today."

Wasuke did not respond immediately, merely let out a short grunt.

"I can see that well enough myself," he grumbled dryly, still staring at Suguru as if attempting to look through him.

Yuuji gave a small whine, "Grandpa..."

Turning around completely to stand facing Suguru, Yuuji extended a hand to take a light hold of his wrist, moving him forward so they stood more in line with each other. Suguru's face was still unrevealing but polite-his characteristic cool mask, refined and unreadable.

"This is Suguru-san," Yuuji introduced brightly, not noticing the subtle shift in the air. "He's my temporary boss this week. I'm staying at his place as his housekeeper."

Wasuke watched them silently for a long moment more. He never took his narrowed eyes off Suguru. He maintained a stiff, doubtful stance, as though he was waiting for the older man to make a single mistake.

Suguru made a small, respectful bow without flinching or hesitation. "Good evening, Itadori-san." 

There was something in the manner in which Suguru spoke it that seemed to float in the air like an unspoken challenge. Polite on the exterior, but further beneath than that, there was another thing. A muted claim of mastery. Of ownership. Wasuke didn't respond to the greeting immediately. He instead glared at Suguru with narrowed, measuring eyes. The room was quiet, like time itself had slowed to a crawl for the express purpose of allowing these two men to size one another up in silence. At last, Wasuke adjusted his position on the bed. 

"So," Wasuke finally grunted, the corner of his lip barely twitching. "You're the professor.. Geto Suguru, is it? The one Yuuji's always mentioned to me."

"Yes, sir," Suguru answered with steady composure.

Wasuke narrowed his eyes further. "You strike me as someone who's used to getting what he wants."

It wasn't a compliment. It wasn't even really a question.

Yuuji's heart twitched. He instantly looked between the two men as his eyes widened a bit. He recognized that tone. Wasuke applied the same tone to Megumi when they first met, when he wasn't entirely sure if the boy could be relied upon.

Suguru didn't even show a hint of annoyance. With a faint smile, he seemed to anticipate the challenge. "I try to treat things with dignity. But I don't deny that I do pursue what matters to me."

"And my grandson happens to be one of those things?"

The room fell into a suffocating pause. Yuuji's jaw dropped slightly. 

"G-Grandpa!" he stuttered, face burning. But neither man was looking at him.

Suguru stood his ground against Wasuke's glare without flinching. "There are some things in life I hold dear, sir. And yes," he asserted, "Yuuji is one of them."

Wasuke breathed out through his nose, unimpressed. "You've got a silver tongue, Geto-san. But smooth words are cheap. They don't impress me." 

"I agree. Which is why I prefer to let my actions speak instead." 

And then there was a second silence. This one more dense than the first. It was not a hesitation between sentences. It was a hesitation brimming with tension that was left unspoken. A battle of wills that was fought in silence. Two men standing in a silent hurricane, each unwilling to back down first. The tension hung heavy with challenge and shared respect, the kind shared only between men with hearts that were guarded.

And between them Yuuji stood nervous, blushing, and totally out of his depth. He cleared his throat and attempted a nervous laugh, struggling to shatter the tension swirling around him.

"U-Uhm! We brought dinner, Grandpa!" he said, voice a bit too loud. "It's pasta, your favorite! We thought you'd like something different tonight!"

His voice mellowed the jagged edge of the room for an instant. Wasuke at last looked away from Suguru, shifting back into his pillows as if brushing aside the tension for the time being. Suguru did the same, glancing sideways at Yuuji with a nearly amused look.

Yuuji sighed internally. 

Wasuke arched a brow at his grandson, his face stringent and a little peeved. "I've told you already to quit all this fretting over me," he advised sternly. "You ought to be out there living your youth while you can. And at this time of night, you should be in bed sleeping, not running around hospitals with a takeout." 

Yuuji pouted theatrically but didn't protest further. He went to the edge of the bed and pushed the little rolling table towards them, setting it down gently in front of his grandfather. As predicted, the old man complained that he wasn't hungry, but Yuuji wasn't paying attention. He was already unpacking the food they had brought with them.

Wasuke's room had a tiny microwave installed, which Yuuji promptly used. He put in the pasta to heat it up, even knowing his granddad wouldn't be able to eat much. It wasn't about eating-it was about demonstrating that he cared. Yeah, his grandpa couldn't consume a lot of this type of food anymore, but a bite or two of something good here and there was permitted. A little treat. A little comfort.

As the microwave beeped and hummed quietly in the distance, Suguru had already prepared two chairs and pushed them next to Wasuke's bed. Yuuji smiled kindly at him. When the food was ready, he carefully took the containers out and set them on the tray table in front of his grandfather with a warm smile.

"Eat well, Grandpa!" 

Wasuke squinted at the food, then at the two men beside him. "You can't afford this junk," he muttered flatly. "So I'm guessing it was Geto-san who paid for all this?"

Yuuji immediately puffed out his cheeks in embarrassment. 

"Wow. Thanks for outing me like that, Grandpa," he mumbled, flustered, as he sat down beside Suguru. "I was actually going to cook dinner for you tonight, but..."

"I told you to stop bothering yourself with things like this."

"And I told you that I'm going to keep doing it, whether you like it or not!" Yuuji huffed. "So deal with it!"

Wasuke snorted, but he didn't continue to argue. After a moment, he took a tiny bite of the pasta as his focus shifted to the food before him. Yuuji watched him chew in silence, and his eyes softened.

"So," he said gently, "how was your day today, Grandpa?"

Wasuke didn't look up. "Same as always. I sat here doing absolutely nothing."

Yuuji blinked and tilted his head slightly. "You didn't take your walk today?"

"No.." 

Yuuji only needed to hear that one word to feel a tiny wave of anxiety. His lips formed a line and his brows knitted. "Did.. did you have another attack?"

Wasuke scowled at the question and dismissedly waved his hand. "That's enough of that. You worry too much. I've already explained it to you-I'm an old man, and old men fall ill. You should learn to expect these things rather than overreacting like it's the world's end every time."

"Grandpa!" Yuuji said, visibly upset now.

Then, Wasuke looked at Suguru, his face firming up once more as he spoke. "Most of the time, this grandson of mine is incredibly obstinate. Once he makes a decision on something, it's virtually impossible to persuade him out of it. He'll dig in his heels and remain there regardless of how much sense you use on him. So if you ever have to deal with that aspect of him, Geto-san, go ahead and let me apologize beforehand.

Yuuji gave an exaggerated sigh. "Seriously? You're talking about me like I'm not even here..."

Suguru released a quiet laugh. "I don't worry about that, Itadori-san. Yuuji is a good boy. And actually, I don't mind his stubborn streak one bit. It's part of what makes him so special... lovable, even." 

Wasuke narrowed his eyes slightly. "You don't even deny it, do you?"

Suguru shook his head slowly. "No, sir. I don't."

Yuuji sat in his chair, looking bewilderedly between the two men. He began to get the impression that they were discussing him as though he weren't there. Even so, what were they discussing? He's not sure if he should be flustered or flattered. Most likely both.

Wasuke began again. "I assume you live alone?"

"I do, sir."

"Do you often entertain guests in your home?" 

"Grandpa, why would you ask something like that?" 

"It's a fair question," the older man snapped back hard, eyes never leaving Suguru's face. "A bachelor man... suddenly getting a housekeeper, bringing a young man like you into the confines of his home. It raises some eyebrows, don't you think?"

"W-What?" Yuuji gasped softly, flustered by the insinuation. His grandfather was not making sense at all. 

"Not usually," Suguru answered smoothly. "But I do have exceptions... for those I think it's worth inviting."

There was a weight to what he said that Wasuke obviously picked up on it, and Yuuji blushed as he attempted to decipher the tone behind his words.

"Hah, and I take it once again that you consider my grandson one of those... special exceptions." 

"That is correct." 

"You seem awfully invested in someone who's just cleaning your house and feeding your dogs."

Yuuji gasped. 

"There are so many reasons why I feel so deeply connected to Yuuji. He's one of those infinitely rare people who acts with true kindness and an unbreakably honest heart. It's not something that you see much.. especially not in a world that seems to be slowly rotting from the inside out. People like Yuuji... they're the kind of people anybody would be lucky to have in their life, even just for an instant."

"A decaying world, huh? And are you certain you didn't contribute a hand in making it that way?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if I do. In fact.." Suguru gazed at Yuuji softly, "I think that's precisely why I feel closer to someone like him. Because on a deep level, perhaps I'm reaching out for something I no longer possess, a warmth I lost too long ago. And selfish as it sounds, I think I want to be closer to that light... just a little longer."

Yuuji blinked, stuck in place as if someone had pressed pause on his body but not his mind. Suguru's words lingered in his mind. Low, soothing, laced down by something underneath. Called him pure. Described him as a light. Something like that can't just spring from nowhere, can it? People don't say things like that to anyone, do they?

His chest was constricted-too tight-and his heart was performing this strange, awkward stutter like it was learning to beat all over again. Heat spread across his cheeks and rushed down to his neck, even his palms felt too hot. He clapped them together, then ran them against his pants, trying to do something to center himself. But there was nothing to do. Because Suguru told him that he wanted to be by his side. Because he was reminded of something he had lost long ago.

What does that even mean? Yuuji thought, frantically trying to make sense of it while very much failing.

Suguru wasn't the kind to just... talk like that. All his words had the taste of something deeper behind them. This time, however, tasted almost intimate. As if Suguru had stripped away a part of himself for a moment too long, just long enough for Yuuji to glimpse behind the suave self-assurance and the silent smiles that lay someone a little bit lost. Someone hurting.

And it made Yuuji ache in the strangest way.

He wanted to say something. Anything. But each word wilted and died on his lips. Because how could he react to that? He'd never thought of himself like that before. He was just. doing his best. Trying to be good. To compensate for the things he couldn't help. But Suguru made it sound like he was something special, that Yuuji possessed something rare just by existing.

That thought.. terrified him. 

Because if Suguru actually meant that... if he did see Yuuji as some kind of light, some precious hope in a world that has been decaying from the inside out-then Yuuji was suddenly afraid of letting him down. Of not being sufficient. Of failing to live up to that reserved, hurt hope that Suguru laced into his words.

But he felt something stirring beneath the heat, the hammering heart, and all the panic.

He looks at me like I'm something he doesn't want to lose.

And maybe that was the part that made Yuuji's chest tighten the most. Because suddenly, he didn't want Suguru to lose him either.

Not at all.

Wasuke, however, wasn't someone you so easily convinced. "You talk like someone who has experienced far too much for their age."

Suguru met his gaze evenly. "I've had my share of experiences," he replied. "And I'm still living them."

The older man drummed his fork against the side of the plate, the quiet metallic ring clear in the quiet room. He leaned in a little more, speaking lower now. "I've lived long enough to recognize when a man wears more than his share of layers. You clothe yourself in courtesy, Geto-san. You speak with precise words and calm voices. But I perceive something else beneath it. You seem to be a man who's keeping secrets."

Yuuji laughed awkwardly. "Grandpa, have I told you Suguru-san is a professor? He's-" 

"Professor or not," grunted Wasuke, "I can see what sort of man he is."

Yuuji blinked. "What do you mean?"

Wasuke's eyes never strayed from Suguru. "The silent kind. The thinking kind. The kind who keeps his intention behind a tranquil face."

Suguru finally chuckled softly. "That's a flattering assessment."

"It's not a compliment."

Yuuji felt the tension rising once again and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Okay, G-Grandpa, maybe you should take your meds already? You're starting to act weird again.." 

Wasuke finally turned his gaze to his grandson. As if he was thinking about something, he let out a hum. "That's a good idea. Why don't you bring me the nurse? I'll take my meds and get some sleep already. It's getting late anyway." 

"Okay, I'll hurry up," Yuuji sighed in relief, wanting to get out of the uncomfortable, heavy atmosphere surrounding the room. He caught Suguru's eye, then leaned in slightly. "Would it be okay if you waited here for me to go get the nurse? I'll be back immediately, I promise. And, if Grandpa says anything rude, sorry in advance. He can be a bit, uh, overbearing."

Suguru gave a gentle smile and squeezed his hand reassuringly. "It's alright, hurry along. Your grandfather needs his rest. I'll be just fine."

Yuuji nodded appreciatively and gave his grandfather one last grin before turning to leave the room. He let out a deep breath as the door clicked behind him, finally releasing the tension that had been coiling in his chest like a spring.

Inside the elevator, he leaned against the mirrored wall and glared at his reflection. Something was odd about that entire exchange. He couldn't quite place his finger on it, but it was something greater than a normal personality conflict. Something unsaid went back and forth between his grandpa and Suguru. Something biting and inflexible beneath all the courtesy.

Still with his frown, Yuuji dug into the hoodie pocket and retrieved his phone. He had texted Megumi when he got to Suguru's earlier, just to let him know. Now, there were two unread texts.

> Take care and good luck on your job.

> You home?

Smiling faintly, Yuuji quickly typed back. 

> Still at the hospital. I'll be home late.

There was no reply. Then again, Megumi wasn't one to stay up late, and it was almost ten o'clock. He most likely went to bed already.

Yuuji was still absorbed in his phone as the elevator doors slid open with a gentle chime,He was so preoccupied with reading Megumi's message a fifth time and contemplating whether or not to send another one that he didn't even look up as he moved forward. His shoulder slammed against something solid-no, someone-before he could even react.

His own body shook from the impact, balance failing, but before he could stagger back or humiliate himself further, a firm arm fell smoothly and protectively around his waist, holding him still.

His breath caught in his throat. He slowly looked up, heart thudding.

Blonde hair, carefully trimmed. Hazel eyes. A firm, angular jawline and high cheekbones that gave the man an air of having stepped right out of the big screen. Tall, broad-shouldered, with clean, crisp white hospital scrubs and a clipped ID tag on his chest.

Definitely a doctor. And definitely ridiculously good-looking.

"I-I'm sorry! I wasn't watching where I was walking," Yuuji babbled out, his face burning hot. He couldn't help but feel how embarrassing this was.

The gentleman nodded curtly and released him gradually, speaking in a calm professional tone. "It's okay. Are you all right? You're not injured or anything?"

"N-No, I'm okay! Really! Thanks for catching me, though," Yuuji replied, his cheeks still flushed. He bowed a bit stiffly and quickly circled the man, almost power-walking away from the humiliation.

His cheeks were aflame. He felt the blush traveling from his ears up his neck. Could he possibly be more careless?

He slapped himself gently on the cheek, muttering softly, 'Get a hold of yourself, Yuuji.'

Shaking off the uncomfortable pause, he moved over to the front desk and waved when he saw the familiar face of a nurse.

"Hi, Lumi! My grandfather said that it's time for his meds. Could I request a nurse to visit his room?" he asked attempting to be nonchalant.

Lumi, typing something on the computer, glanced up at him with a smile-but then slowed, furrowing her brow. "Hi, Yuuji. Evening meds? That's strange. He already had those ones before. He's okay to sleep for tonight."

Yuuji blinked, puzzled. "Really? Huh. Okay. Thanks, Lumi."

He slowly turned, returning to the elevator with his furrowed brow in contemplation. His steps were slower this time, more introspective. Why would his grandpa ever lie about something like that?

Was it.. just a harmless excuse to be alone with Suguru for a few moments? Did he intend to confront him? Test him? 

Yuuji breathed a soft sigh. No. His grandpa was strict, yes. Stern and blunt for the most part, but he was never the kind to lie for no reason. If anything, he was painfully truthful. Perhaps he just wanted to measure Suguru as a person. For after all, Megumi and Nobara were the only two he ever stood to tolerate hanging around Yuuji-and Suguru was an entirely new face.

And someone he'd been spending a little too much time with lately...

His cheeks burned once more as his mind betrayed him, bringing the memory of Suguru leaning in the car, teasing and gentle all at the same time, with eyes that could strip away every layer of his heart. Yuuji slapped his cheeks again harder this time.

Stop it. You're being weird again.

Taking a deep breath as the doors opened, he stepped out, attempting to calm himself down. He rushed to his grandfather's room, knocking twice before opening it.

As he entered, he saw both Suguru and Wasuke sitting, their faces toward each other. It seemed that whatever heated debate they were engaging in had just ended.

Yuuji lifted an eyebrow and scowled. "You had to lie to me, Grandpa?"

Wasuke didn't even blink. "You were just stupid enough to believe it," he grunted.

"Seriously?!" Yuuji sighed in disbelief.

Wasuke didn't answer directly to that and rather glanced Suguru's direction. "Geto-san, would you please step outside for a little while? I'd like a word with my grandson."

"Of course," Suguru replied graciously, standing up from his chair. Stepping away, he lightly patted Yuuji's arm, fingertips grazing fleetingly down his sleeve. "I'll be waiting outside for you."

Yuuji nodded, seeing him off. He didn't even know he was staring until the door closed behind Suguru. He turned to his grandfather, furrowed brows. "What were you and Suguru-san discussing?"

"Something that doesn't concern you yet," Wasuke replied bluntly, patting the side of the bed, nonverbally instructing Yuuji to sit.

With a sigh, Yuuji sat down next to him, arms still crossed in mild annoyance.

"Are you certain that you're just working for him temporarily? Just one week?"

"Yes," Yuuji said, with a slight nod. "The café is temporarily closed, and I had to find a means to earn. Suguru-san gave me a housekeeping job until then."

Wasuke blew out air from his nostrils, looking distinctly unhappy. "I don't like him."

Yuuji slumped his shoulders. This again? Megumi had complained first, and now his own grandfather as well?

"But he's really nice," Yuuji protested. "He's not done anything bad, Grandpa."

"He's too nice, Yuuji. And in a way that doesn't feel right to me," Wasuke replied firmly. "There's something about him that feels too perfect. I don't see sincerity in his eyes. I see intent."

Yuuji looked down at his hands. "But he's been so generous. He helped me when I didn't know what to do. He's looked after me too. He even let me sleep when I was supposed to be working earlier..."

"That's the whole point," Wasuke replied. "He's too accommodating. There has to be lines. Boss and employee. You two are crossing that line far too fast."

"But I already feel safe around him. We've known each other for a year now," Yuuji replied softly. "I can't help that."

"Yuuji, it's easy to get comfortable. However, people aren't always who they seem. I'm not saying he's a monster. I'm stating that he is a man with unclear intentions and that makes him unpredictable." 

Yuuji didn't react immediately. His thoughts strayed back to all those moments. Suguru's gentle voice, heated touch, the unobtrusive comfort of his presence. He had already crossed the boundary Wasuke had warned him about. He couldn't pretend otherwise.

But... he also couldn't force himself to think that Suguru was bad. 

He just.. couldn't. 

"Just keep your distance a bit," Wasuke said, tone softer now. "You don't need to cut him off. Just.. don't give everything away so easily. You're still a kid but be a little more guarded, won't you?"

Yuuji turned away, pressed lips into a line. He did not want to think Suguru was withholding something. He did not want to question someone who made him feel safe. But more than that, he did not want to admit his grandfather's worry had inched under his skin.

Finally, he forced a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Fine," he said softly. 

A lie, whispered for the sake of peace.

Following another few minutes with his grandfather-filled with good-natured badgering, some firm scolding, and a mandatory reminder to return earlier next time than this late of the night-Yuuji at last saw his way out. He hugged his grandfather warmly and longingly, and promised, as ever, to return soon. The old man muttered something under his breath about him "visiting too often" and "not enjoying his youth life correctly," but Yuuji just laughed and hugged him closer before he slipped out of the room.

He had anticipated that Suguru would be standing around, perhaps leaning against the wall with that impassive calm face, or sitting somewhere by the hallway, deep in thought. What he did not anticipate was to catch the man half-way through a conversation-with someone Yuuji immediately recognized.

The tall, blond stranger from earlier.

Yuuji froze just a couple of steps from the door, eyebrows rising minutely as he processed what he saw. The two men stood there, facing each other, and while their faces were politely drawn, the tension between them was thick with an awkward sort of weight. Not exactly hostile, but certainly something. It was a subtle thing, and if Yuuji hadn't been made so tuned-in by the previous awkward run-in, he might have overlooked it.

Suguru listened to the quiet click of the door falling closed behind Yuuji and turned, his eyes focusing on the boy. His gaze hung for a fraction longer than normal and then a gentle smile spread across his lips. He lifted his hand slightly, a silent command summoning Yuuji closer.

Yuuji approached him hesitantly, eyes still flicking between the two of them in curiosity. By the time he reached Suguru's side, the older man set a resolute but light touch on the small of his back and pushed him closer, speaking to the blond stranger.

"You ready to leave?" Suguru asked Yuuji, but his voice changed as he looked over his shoulder at the other man. "I was just saying hello to an..." he paused for a breath, "..old friend." 

A friend? That guy? Suguru's friend?

Yuuji blinked in surprise. He turned to see the stranger better and, now face to face with the man, saw just how gorgeous he was. His face was clean-cut, elegant. That chiseled jaw, perfectly coiffed blond hair, and athletic, tall build gave him a model look rather than a doctor's. His serene, cool nature only served to enhance the professional appeal.

"H-Hello," Yuuji said hastily, bowing in apology, cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "S-Sorry again about before. I wasn't watching."

"You've already met?" Suguru inquired smoothly, his voice light but cool.

"Y-Yeah," Yuuji scratched the back of his head embarrassedly. "I ran into him before in the hallway when I was on the phone. It was all my fault."

"Is that so?" Suguru hummed softly, and Yuuji didn't miss the way the man's arm tightened around his waist as it slid more firmly around him. Not tight, but possessive. Like a declaration. 

The stranger politely cleared his throat and extended a hand, finally.

"I am Nanami Kento," he said. "I just transferred here. I will be working here at this hospital from now on."

Yuuji smiled warmly. "Itadori Yuuji! Nice to meet you, Nanami-san. I really wish your work here goes well."

Nanami gave a faint smile in return. "Thank you. You're very... lovely."

Yuuji's face lit up like a cherry blossom in bloom. "Ah-t-thank you!"

"Isn't he?" Suguru murmured, chuckling lightly beside him.

Nanami shifted his eyes back to Suguru and nodded. "It's good to see you again, Geto. It's been a long time. Tokyo's still the same as always."

"It never changes," Suguru agreed with a weak smile.

Nanami glanced at his wristwatch, eyebrows knotting slightly. "I should get back to my rounds, but nice running into you. Tell Satoru I said hello if you happen to see him. It's been too long since I've heard from him."

Satoru? 

Yuuji had hardly processed the name before he felt Suguru's hand tighten a fraction around his waist. The man's jaw also appeared to move ever so slightly, and when he continued to smile, it was with closed eyes, eerily relaxed.

"Of course," Suguru said smoothly. "I'll pass the message along."

Nanami turned back towards Yuuji, a gentle look on his face. "It was nice to meet you, Yuuji-kun. I guess we'll be seeing each other now and then. Try to take care of yourself."

"You as well, Nanami-san!" Yuuji replied with a small wave, watching the man go and turn around a corner.

It wasn't until then that he finally looked up at Suguru, smile still in place-until he noticed Suguru's face. The man was looking at the vacant hallway where Nanami had just disappeared, his eyes vacant and cold, lips pulled into a thin line.

His fingers were twitching slightly on Yuuji's waist.

"I really thought he'd be totally uptight, you know?" Yuuji said, attempting to ease the tension. "But he was really courteous! And nice! And not as intimidating as I imagined. I mean, wow, what a coincidence that you two are buddies!"

Suguru didn't glance over at him initially. Rather, he leaned in, voice lowering to a velvet whisper against Yuuji's ear. "Yuuji.." 

Yuuji shivered. 

"I'd rather you don't speak of other men around me," Suguru whispered, his breath tracing the rim of Yuuji's cheek. "I don't like it."

Yuuji's whole face flushed with heat in a matter of seconds. His eyes went wide as he yanked his head back to look up at him. "H-Huh?" 

Suguru was also smirking, a sloth-like, near-predatory amusement dancing in his gaze.

"I... I wasn't doing it on purpose!" Yuuji stammered.

"I know," Suguru said with a soft chuckle. "Now you know what not to do next time, hm?"

Yuuji's heart hammered in his chest like a war drum. He doesn't even know why he found himself nodding at Suguru's words. "Y-Yes.."

Suguru stroked his waist softly, fingers curling over the hood of Yuuji's hoodie. "What good boy," he muttered. "I'll take you home now so you can pack up enough for the week. I'll be there to pick you up bright and early tomorrow morning.

But Yuuji blinked and shook his head slightly. "No, no, it's okay! I can get to your house tomorrow morning by myself. I also need to go to Megumi's to speak with him about it."

"Hmm," Suguru leaned in slightly but soon smiled. "Alright. Just promise that you'll text me goodnight."

Yuuji smiled softly, already withdrawing his phone. "Of course! I'll send it as soon as I get into bed."

"Good," Suguru mentioned as they started walking. "I'll be waiting then.." 

Suguru had insisted on giving Yuuji a ride home that night, as always. When they pulled up to his apartment complex, they exchanged their goodbyes in the same soft rhythm they'd discreetly fallen into-like a bad habit neither cared to break. Before Yuuji could get out, Suguru reached for his hand and stroked it softly, his fingers lingering like a breath. Predictably, Yuuji's face lit up in a soft flush, heat rushing to his cheeks at the older man's tenderness.

In a somewhat bashful voice, Yuuji wished Suguru a safe journey home while grinning despite his nervousness. Yuuji turned and headed upstairs after Suguru's car vanished into the night, his mind still a little hazy from the warmth of Suguru's last touch.

He had intended to go see Megumi and inform him of the plans for tomorrow, but he realized of how late it was by looking at the clock. Given Megumi's strict sleeping schedule, Yuuji figured he was most likely already sound asleep. With a sigh, he reminded himself to speak with him in the morning.

He immediately went to the bathroom as soon as he entered his apartment to relieve the fatigue from the day. After drying off, he took out the navy-blue duffel bag that Megumi had given him for his sixteenth birthday, a bag he had cherished ever since. He only brought the necessities. Sleepwear, his favorite pair of socks with little dogs printed on them, a couple of cozy T-shirts, and a few soft hoodies. He was only going to Suguru's place for a week to work, so it wasn't a vacation or anything special.

Yuuji placed his packed duffel bag on the couch in the living room, then crawled into bed and stretched with a long, contented sigh. Reaching for his phone, he quickly typed a good-night message to Suguru and sent it. Although the message was marked as delivered, no response had been received. He thought Suguru had become sidetracked or was still operating a motor vehicle. As he placed the phone on the bedside table and plugged it into his charger, the thought nevertheless caused him to smile quietly to himself.

The events of the day passed through his mind like a soft tide as he pulled the blanket over himself and tucked himself further into the comfort of his bed. He felt content and he was already anticipating the next day because everything had gone so well.

Just before sleep took him completely, there was a question that lingered in the back of his mind like a whisper. 

Who exactly is Satoru? 

--

Ijichi is a man of ways. 

A plain declaration, indeed, but one that neatly folds over the sort of man he is. Unobtrusive, systematic, meticulous. The sort of man who doesn't rock the boat but is aware precisely how deep the water is.

He's not the kind of guy who commands boardrooms or makes investors stand up with his booming speeches. No. He has never been like that. Behind the scenes, Ijichi is the one who has already emailed the proposal before you've even asked. She is the one who knows which documents must be approved, which terms to use in a contract, and—most importantly—which ones not to use. He is the one who reminds everyone else of the meeting's location and time and the significance of it.

Protocol is what Ijichi thrives on. He exhales control and inhales structure. A system is always in place. A process. paper trail. Forecasts every three months? Already ready. Relationships with clients? Timed calls and tactful nurturing. Acquisitions and mergers? His notes are already in the possession of the legal team.

That’s what it means to be a man of ways.

In a field that operates at a dizzying pace, he is the steadying pulse, the whisper behind the decisions, and the hand on the lever. Ijichi finds solace in knowing the proper way to do things in a world that is fixated on charisma and disruption. Routine, logic, and the knowledge that there is always something to do, something to fix, or something to organize are what keep him alive. When everything around him is out of control, it gives him a sense of control.

Until he walks into the picture.

Geto Suguru.

The walking paradox. The man who was meant to bring order turned into chaos. Ideology is too radical to be disregarded and too alluring to be brushed aside. And for the first time ever, Ijichi—Ijichi—had no formula, no method, and no safety net for the likes of him. 

Geto Suguru is a man of will. He doesn't yield to systems—systems yield to him. When he steps into a room, Ijichi notices the scales tip even before a single word is spoken. People regard him differently. Not out of duty, but reverence. As if they already understand he's the one who'll get the last say, even if he's not the officially authorized leader.

Ijichi is a man of means. He has an idea for everything. He always has failsafes, contingency plans, countermeasures. He considers ten routes forward, ten more to retreat. He discovers pathways through the wreckage, even when hope is thin. Because that is what Ijichi does. That is who he is.

But, however many ways he actually does think to get it done. He can never—never—manage to shake off the grip of one Geto Suguru.

The moon was high in the sky, a wan and faraway witness to what was being played out on the brink of the cliff. The trees at their back stood silent as sentinels, their leaves rustling faintly on the wind, sharing secrets with the night alone.

Ijichi was only a few paces from the glossy, midnight-black vehicle where Geto Suguru reclined like a monarch on his throne—no, closer to a ghost wrapped in velvet and menace. The man's profile stood stark under the moonlight, his long hair cascading down his back, a dark cascade of silk. In his grasp, delicate as it was deadly, a lone photograph clung. Crisp, clean, and innocently out of place in such an environment.

Itadori Yuuji. 

A bright-eyed kid, grinning into the camera with a radiance so genuine it seemed to sear through the photograph. Nothing out of the ordinary about the photo: an uncomplicated candid photo, likely taken on one of those relaxed afternoons Yuuji always seemed to drift through, as if life hadn't toughened him up yet.

But to Suguru, that photograph was more than a picture. It was a piece. A pawn. A puzzle he was intent on placing within his masterfully designed plan.

Ijichi swallowed hard, his heart pounding agonizingly within his chest as he saw Geto trace a thumb slowly over Yuuji's face in the photo—nearly gently. In reverence. But there was no softness in the air. The silence hung thick with something darker.

He paused. "Geto-sama… might I request…"

"You may not." Suguru's tone was even, but unyielding. Cold. That only made it worse.

Ijichi winced and looked away immediately, the words he would say gagged in his throat.

"You know what to do," Geto said again. His power was absolute, clad in velvet but sharp as the edge of a razor. Command ringing like a sentence handed down from some cruel deity.

Ijichi felt shame coil like a snake in his chest. He fought the tremor that threatened to take over his entire body by biting his bottom lip until it almost bled. In the darkness of his coat, his fists clenched at his sides. A tiny, cowardly part of him ached to plead. To beg. To scream that this was wrong.

But he never did. 

Because this was Geto Suguru, of course. 

Ijichi came to Suguru and knelt before him slowly. Ijichi swallowed, then grasped his hands and unbuckled Suguru's belt before the button and zipper of his suit pants, not even glancing at him. Ijichi shut his eyes, swallowed, and then pulled out Suguru's enormous, throbbing manhood. It didn't surprise Ijichi. He himself is well aware that Suguru gets immensely aroused whenever Yuuji is mentioned, or even the mere sound of Suguru hearing his voice or catching sight of his face. And he only ever calls one person when he's in that state. Ijichi.

"Hurry it up. I don't have all night," Suguru instructed callously and mercilessly. Ijichi gulped hard, shuddering, as he stammered out a quivering 'yes, sir' before hesitantly opening his mouth wide to receive the head of Suguru's large cock.

Ijichi shut his eyes.

There are a few things in life—things that creep under the veneer of civilized life—that you just have to swallow if you wish to live.

Dirty things. Horrible things. Things that are bitter as iron and decay, things that leave your insides marked as they go down. You shut your eyes, you don't inhale, and you force them down. Not because you desire to. Never because you desire to.

But because not to do so would mean the demise of you.

Ijichi knows this better than anyone. 

He understands the feeling of being in a room filled with powerful men and shutting your mouth when you feel like screaming. He understands how silence can be a shield, a cage, and then a second skin. He understands how to hold tea in shaking hands and not hear what is said in a room away from you. He has learned to hold his breath when bodies drop and nod his head when names are wiped away.

There is an art to living in the shadow of someone like Geto Suguru.

It's in knowing when to look away. To agree without really agreeing. To obey, even when your hands are slippery with consequence. Especially then.

Disgust? You bury it. Morals? They're indulgences for those who don't have to live under scrutiny. Shame? You douse yourself in it like perfume. Distant, lingering, but always there.

Because the truth is: there's no clean way to exist in a world constructed by dirty hands. You just try to remain useful enough not to be thrown away. And sometimes, the cost for that usefulness is your own mirror—twisted, soiled, and quieter with each time you dare gaze at it.

Ijichi played his best, just like he's instructed to do, so many times, and a few minutes later, Suguru came in his mouth with a gentle grunt of Itadori Yuuji's name while gazing at the pink-haired's photograph.

He was thrown to the ground before he could even gasp for air, and the instant he had the nerve to look up, remorse washed over him like a tidal wave. Those same intense purple eyes haunting his worst nightmares glared back at him with cold contempt. Cold, cruel, and scornful, as if he were less than trash.

"You behave poorly in front of Yuuji again, I’ll shatter every bone in your body until the only thing left working is that vile tongue of yours," Suguru said, stepping past him like he wasn’t even there. "Then again, that mouth seems to be the only thing you’re remotely good for. Don’t let me see your face again for a week."

Yes, Ijichi is a man of ways.

And one of those ways is learning when to bite his tongue and let the poison slide down his throat.

Because so long as Geto Suguru lives on this earth—and so long as Ijichi continues to revolve around that gravity—

There will always be things to swallow.

And he will always be hungry for silence.

--

"The food is lovely as ever, Yuuji."

"Please enjoy it to your heart’s content, Suguru-san! I made that with lots of love, just for you!"

"It would be lovelier, however," Suguru said, eyes fixed on the boy as he set down his utensils for a moment, "..if you were sitting here eating it with me."

Yuuji, standing still by the kitchen counter adjusting the final touches of the bento box, turned his head upon those words. The corners of his cheeks rose in a gentle, bashful smile as he saw the man, still stern-looking, but rather softer in the morning light. Even though it was only his second day working as Suguru's housekeeper, Yuuji felt calm and content as he watched him take another bite of the breakfast he had made. A sensation for which he lacked the appropriate words. Peace, perhaps. It might have been something riskier.

Perhaps it was the awful and obvious realization that he might get accustomed to this.

That he wanted to.

A flash of feeling crossed his face and he immediately lowered his eyes, hiding it with the mask of a smile.

"But I still have to get done making your bento, Suguru-san," he said kindly, light and cheerful voice in spite of the heaviness of what he just felt. "How about I join you in just a minute after I'm done with this?"

"Then I'll be waiting," Suguru said, taking a light sip of his coffee as if he had all the time in the world.

Yuuji couldn't contain his laughter. In a strange way, that tone was both comforting and demanding.

After a lighthearted salute, he turned back to the counter with a fresh vigor, his hands once again moving quickly as he completed making the man's lunch.

Yuuji carefully set out the contents of the bento box, ensuring that everything was carefully placed and arranged. First, he used freshly cooked white rice, molding it into neat onigiri and topping them with sesame seeds and a dash of seaweed. Next to them, few pieces of chicken karaage were placed, golden brown and still warm from the pan, then came a slice of tamagoyaki—soft, sweet, and perfectly layered. Some steamed broccoli with a drizzle of light garlic butter glaze tucked alongside cherry tomatoes, providing a splash of color. He packed in a small pocket of sliced apple bunnies and seedless grapes, and for dessert, two tiny morsels of chocolate mochi sprinkled with cocoa powder. It wasn't extravagant, but it was balanced, colorful, and comforting. 

Yuuji sat down in front of Suguru after untying his apron, placing it on the chair next to him. On the opposite side of the table, Suguru remained silent at first. He merely watched, dark eyes silently following every action Yuuji took, from the subtle heave and fall of his chest to the manner in which he lifted the first bite of the breakfast he had cooked beforehand. The aroma was tempting, and the flavor even more so. Yuuji lightly hummed in contentment, barely paying attention to how long Suguru had stared at him. 

After a momentary silence, Suguru finally spoke. "So… did you already talk to your friend?" 

Yuuji's chewing slowed as he gulped the food down. His breath caught mid-sentence as he dropped his fork. "Actually… I haven't talked to him since yesterday. I messaged him last night, though, but he hasn't replied yet. I even went to his place this morning, but… he wasn't home."

Yuuji had expected to see Megumi at home today. Megumi was always an early riser, after all. He'd thought he could catch him before the day started getting hectic, but all he'd received was silence behind the door. Initially, Yuuji had knocked repeatedly, obstinately, anticipating Megumi to open the door grumbling about how pesky his knocking was. But when no familiar scowl was seen no sarcastic voice was heard, he took the spare key Megumi had given him and let himself in.

Only to find the apartment empty.

"I've called him a few times since, but his phone just rings and rings…" Yuuji spoke softly, his voice laced with concern. "I think I have an idea of where he is. I mean, I know he's likely with his cousins again. He said one of them was away for a bit, and knowing him, that's likely where he went. Still, it does not feel right. He normally texts me if he'll be away for long." 

This wasn't the first time that Megumi actually disappears without warning, Yuuji had grown accustomed to that aspect of him. But normally, there would be a note, a brief warning, perhaps even a sarcastic comment that reassured Yuuji not to fret. Now, there was silence. And Yuuji, despite all his efforts to remain composed, felt something eating away at him from the inside out.

"He's likely just run into something," Suguru suggested. "I'm sure he'll call when he has a chance. Possibly he just needs some space."

But that's the thing. Megumi never required space from Yuuji. Whether he was being prickly or aloof with others, whether he was physically pushing people away or simply not talking, Megumi always made the time for him. That's why the silence was so disturbing. Nevertheless, Yuuji gave Suguru a small smile to avoid letting his restlessness ruin breakfast time. He would try calling again later.

"Yeah... probably." 

Shifting to a different subject, Suguru leaned back a bit and stated, "Regarding your stay here… you can take any room you prefer in the house. Get yourself settled."

Yuuji blinked in amazement. "You mean.. like one of the guest rooms?"

Honestly, he'd hoped to crash somewhere in the basement, or perhaps on the sofa in the sitting room with Suguru's lovely dogs. Not that he minded. The couch there was very comfortable, and the dogs were some of the sweetest companions he'd ever met. It would've been more than enough. 

"Yes, of course," Suguru replied, lips curving into a soft smile. "Did you actually think I'd have someone as precious as you sleep on a couch in the living room?"

Yuuji's face reddened at that, and his mouth opened in shocked embarrassment before snapping shut. He dropped his eyes hastily, his face flaming. Suguru always has a talent for words. Always. 

"Thank you so much, Suguru-san," Yuuji replied, his tone gentle with appreciation. "It's honestly more than I expected."

"You deserve every ounce of it."

Yuuji let out a little sheepish laugh. "I bet your old housekeeper is probably dying to get back to this job with how nice you are."

But at that, Suguru's eyes subtly narrowed, for a fraction of a moment. A flicker of something impenetrable. It took Yuuji by surprise, just so much as to give rise to a trace of uncertainty in his heart.

"There’s no need to compare," Suguru said gently. "I think you should know by now that I don’t treat others the way I treat you, Yuuji. You’re… incredibly special."

Again, the color rushed to Yuuji’s cheeks. "I really don’t think I’m that special…"

"But you are," Suguru leaned in slightly, lacing his fingers together as he rested both elbows on the table.."I've seen many things in my life. The ugly, the beautiful, and everything in between. And through it all, I've come to recognize things for what they truly are. I don't say this casually, Yuuji, but you are one of the most unique types of person in this world. You glow in a manner that can't be learned or copied. You're the kind of person people look for but hard to find." 

With his mind racing and his heart pounding, Yuuji gazed down at his plate. Suguru's words had a way of getting past his barriers; they were always kind and sincere, but there was more going on underneath them, something more substantial that Yuuji was unable to fully identify.

"I meant what I said to your grandfather last night…" Suguru's voice was little more than a whisper as his fingers slowly trailed across Yuuji's hand, providing a soft, lingering touch. "That I would very much like it… if I could stay with you for a little while longer…"

Yuuji's face turned red in an instant, and the heat crawled up his neck and ears as he remembered everything that had happened in his car and Suguru's words from last night. It was difficult to forget. Suguru had always struck Yuuji as a very sophisticated man who always exuded elegance and impeccable manners. Everything about him used to exude control and restraint, including his words and actions. But lately, something had started to change between them, particularly since Yuuji started working here. With their conversations growing more intimate, their silences more profound, and the space between them growing closer, the line that once clearly delineated their roles had begun to blur.

Yuuji was unsure of how to feel about that change at this point. Although he wasn't completely ready for the intimacy that was gradually enveloping them, he wasn't fighting it either. Even though the strange intimacy made his heart race, he wasn't running away.

Honestly, Yuuji was doing a pretty poor job pretending to be unaffected.

"I can hear you thinking," Suguru murmured gently, stroking his fingers across Yuuji's heated cheek. "I apologize if I made you nervous… but not for being honest, though."

"I'm… flattered," Yuuji stammered out, his normal voice quieter than necessary as he opened his eyes wide up at Suguru. "I didn't know Suguru-san viewed me as someone... special."

"That's your fault for being so adorable," Suguru said, giving a small laugh as he withdrew his hand slowly, yet his eyes still retaining the same warm fondness. "Anyway, since I'll be gone until dinner time, would you like me to grab some takeout? Or would you rather be cooking again?"

Yuuji puffed out his cheeks in a pout. "We had takeout last night, though. Is this Suguru-san's polite way of saying you're already tired of my cooking? I mean, I've only cooked for you twice so far."

"Or," Suguru replied with a wise smile, "I just want you to rest a bit longer today and not worry so much. But naturally, I did promise to let you be the one to choose what I eat when you're staying here. I'm just proposing takeout as an alternative, if that's something you're craving for."

Yuuji leaned his head to one side, considering. "No, I don't think I need anything except for you to come home safely. And if we do need anything, anyway, then that's part of my responsibility to go get groceries."

"Oh? That's something a wife would say," Suguru taunted with an arched brow, his lips twisting into a teasing smirk. Yuuji's face shot red once more. "Well then, I'll leave one of my cards behind so you can shop for whatever you need when I'm away. Just keep me updated, okay?"

"Understood, Suguru-san!" Yuuji responded hastily, tilting his head to conceal his blush.

"Well, I guess I have to leave earlier than I had planned. Nanami's got some sort of conference at the school today," said Suguru as he looked down at his wristwatch. Adjusting his coat, Yuuji hastened towards the counter, picking up the neatly wrapped bento box he had prepared.

Like yesterday, he walked with Suguru to the door. The bento, which was presented with ribbons and a cloth wrap, was bright and cheery as it sat comfortably in Yuuji's hand. Clearly enjoying the domestic routine that was developing between them, Suguru accepted the bento with a humorous expression.

"People will definitely ask me why I'm carrying around such an adorable bento box," Suguru said under his breath, giving it a mock-suspicious look.

Yuuji chuckled. "Yeah, Suguru-san doesn't exactly look like the type of person who carries around bento boxes that look like that."

"Who cares?" Suguru said with a gentle laugh. "If you gave it to me, I would proudly show it off. I might even brag about it."

"Brag that your housekeeper fixed you lunch?" Yuuji joked.

"No," Suguru leaned in, grinning. "Brag that my wife did."

Yuuji's mouth fell open in shock, utterly flummoxed and not quite sure how to respond, but Suguru just winked him off before opening the front door.

"Take care of yourself today, okay? Don't work too hard. I'll see you before you know it."

When Suguru left and made his way to his car, Yuuji stood motionless in the doorway, his mouth still open in astonished silence. Only when he heard the engine roared to life did Yuuji finally blink and slowly close his mouth, his heart racing in his chest.

He sighed, deep and long, before he pressed his palm over his chest, attempting to soothe the rapid, wild thudding of his heart. His lips twisted into a smile, though his face still bore the slightest flush of embarrassment. It was always like this lately. Suguru catching him off guard, nudging the lines of polite speech and propriety into something much too personal. And Yuuji was not certain how to react, let alone prepare for it. 

Nevertheless, he shook his head, let out another breath, and patted his face with both palms after the moment had passed and the warmth in his chest had subsided into something softer. A little ashamed of himself, he muttered, 

"All right, enough swooning. You have work to do."

Just like that, he straightened up, pushed off the doorframe, and entered the house again. Although there was still a slight hint of Suguru's cologne in the air, Yuuji made an effort to ignore it. With ease, he collected the breakfast dishes they used and started cleaning the kitchen. Cleaning the counters, arranging the refrigerator, calling Megumi a couple of times in the middle of all of that but getting no response, and humming to himself to stay grounded while he does it all.

There was laundry to sort through, floors to sweep, windows to wipe, and a grocery list to make because Suguru had left him a card. These tasks were easier, keeping his hands occupied and his mind from straying back to the sweet but confusing flutter in his chest.

Despite this, occasionally, when he folded just-washed towels or restocked the pantry shelves, he would catch himself smiling inwardly at the thought of Suguru.

As usual, after cleaning the first floor, Yuuji crept to the second floor. He had just cleaned it from top to bottom the day before, so there wasn't much more to do up here. Thus, he decided it was time to proceed to Suguru's room after vacuuming a few nooks and cleaning a few surfaces that had accumulated dust over night.

He didn't really think it would be so messy. Being disorganized was not one of Suguru's many attributes. Actually, Yuuji frequently appreciated the older man's attention to detail. Nothing ever seemed out of place, and everything had its place. However, he noticed something strange as soon as he entered the room, something that caused his eyebrows to furrow in perplexity.

There was a single cardboard box at the foot of the bed. It was simple, unassuming, and a little worn at the corners, as if it had been tucked away or moved around a lot. The last time he cleaned, it wasn't there. 

Yuuji looked at it curiously for a while. Then he went over and placed the vacuum neatly by the door. The box's top was scribbled with the word "storage," and its flaps were ajar, as though someone had dug through it or neglected it while sorting.

Temptation tugged at him to peek inside. And sure he did. 

He opened the box and discovered ten old videotapes, each labeled with a sequential number between 1 and 10 in clean, nearly mechanical handwriting. An old camcorder with a faded black plastic casing sat next to the tapes. There were also some pants and tattered plain shirts that were folded loosely over a pair of scuffed sneakers that appeared to be a size or two smaller than Suguru's current size. These must have been old clothes from his college or youth. They had a subtle scent of dust and the past, of time trapped in a container.

Yuuji's fingers tensed a little as he gazed at the one in his hand. What might be on these? Old memories? Private recordings from Suguru's history? There was a part of him that longed to watch, just to see. However, the more respectful side of him reminded him that this wasn't his. He wasn't allowed to look into these memories.

Yuuji sighed quietly, put the tape back where he had found it, closed the box's flaps, and carried it in his arms. He figured since the rest of the old stuff belonged in the basement, he'll just take it down there.

He carefully descended the stairs and headed for Suguru's office, beside it was a door leading to the basement. He stopped in front of it with a strange feeling. This is actually the first time he would be going down there. 

He slowly twisted the handle and pushed it open. His skin rippled with goosebumps as a gust of cold air greeted him instantly. Beyond, the stairway was dark and shadowy, descending into silent obscurity. After a moment of hesitation, he cautiously descended while holding the box in both arms.

The chill was even more apparent when he got to the bottom. The doorway behind him was the only source of light, so he reached along the wall and found a switch. Warm light flooded the whole room after a click. 

The basement was.. exactly what you would anticipate from a basement. Dusty boxes, some partially labeled and others completely forgotten, were piled in random corners. However, what set it apart was the sleek pool table at one end, surrounded by a few couches that gave the impression that the area had once been used for leisure or relaxation.

He set the box he was holding on top of a small stack and looked around. There were works of art leaning against the walls, poised on the edge of being tossed out, their canvas sticking out through protective covers. But what really got his attention was what sat on the opposite side of the room. A whole wall of bookshelves. There were tall, dark wood shelves stacked with books along nearly all three sides of the basement.

In the center of those shelves, though, was a large painting mounted carefully on the wall.

Yuuji found himself slowly walking toward it, curiosity drawing him closer step by step.

It was a portrait of a snowy garden. The scene was delicate... nearly hauntingly so. Flowers suspended in time, petals receiving snowflakes as they fell. A great, elegant tree stood centrally in the garden, and under it, one bench lay quietly, covered in snow. That was it. Nothing else. And yet… it was breathtaking.

It was almost tangible to feel the emotion in the brushstrokes. Suguru or whoever painted this had put their all into it. It didn't feel like art alone. More like a memory captured on canvas.

A small smile ghosted across his lips.

Why Suguru would hide something like this in the basement was beyond him. It was too lovely to be hidden. It might have meant something too profound, too intimate, or too sacred. Perhaps it could only exist in the basement without being questioned. 

After staring at it for a moment longer, he tilted his head, drawn to it for some reason. His hand at his side twitched a little, wishing he could reach out. There was an urge, no, a pull, and he had no idea why. It was as though the painting was calling to him in a voice that was too quiet to hear but loud enough to feel. 

He did not, however, touch it brashly. Rather, he reached forward and traced the cool glass covering it with his gentle fingers. He was extremely cautious with his touch, as though he was afraid that even the smallest pressure would ruin the piece. It had a sacred feel to it. As if upsetting it would invite something that he was unprepared to confront.

Then, as though the painting were calling to something inside of him, he experienced a strange sensation—a slight tug, a soft murmur in the back of his mind. Or perhaps someone.

But he shook it off.

It was probably just his imagination.

Yuuji smiled slightly, almost apologetically, and returned his hand to his side. He turned around and started to leave, the painting behind him as if seemingly calling him back. He turned his head away. However, there was a silent part of him that felt like he was being watched. By a painting? He doesn't know. His body could only give a little shudder and decided to ignore the strangeness. 

Yuuji proceeded with the rest of his day as it always was, attended to his normal chores around the house with a subdued sense of rhythm that calmed him. Before the sun could set closer to the horizon, reddening the sky in shades of pink and gold, he found himself in the sitting room, among the dogs with a blanket draped over his knees, watching films. One became two, and two became four, the soft light of the screen and the warmth of the dogs surrounding him in a cozy bubble. But as evening started to approach, Yuuji realized he would need to get up as Suguru could arrive home any moment now.

Pulling himself reluctantly from the cushions, he switched off the TV and went to the kitchen. Feeding the girls was his top priority, and as he prepared their meals, they joyfully barked and wagged their tails. After they were content and munching soundlessly, Yuuji wrapped his favorite apron around his waist and started preparing dinner for Suguru and himself. 

He was only about thirty minutes into cooking when he heard the familiar sound of Suguru’s car pulling up the driveway. The gentle purr of the engine was enough to make Yuuji’s heart flutter, though he stayed by the stove, focused on mixing the broth to perfection. He didn't move, didn't even turn to look until he heard the gentle clatter of keys being placed on the living room table and then the approaching footsteps of Suguru. 

"Welcome home, Suguru-san!"

"I'm home," Suguru said in a quiet, calming voice. He walked around the kitchen counter and immediately stepped behind Yuuji, and the warmth of his body pressed close sent a shiver down Yuuji's spine, especially when a hand settled gently on his lower back and Suguru leaned closer to whisper near his ear. "Smells delicious.."

Yuuji's breath hitched. "H-Here… would you like to try it?"

"I'd love to."

Yuuji scooped a small amount of the soup into a spatula with shaky hands and instinctively brought it to his lips, blowing lightly to cool it and brought it closer to the other's mouth. Yuuji didn't realize what he was doing until he looked up and saw Suguru closely observing him with a chuckle. He pulled the spoon back in panic, his cheeks turning a deep red.

"A-Ah!" He stammered, but before he could even take it away, Suguru stepped closer, putting one powerful arm around Yuuji's slender waist and using the other to steady Yuuji's wrist to stop any spills. Yuuji stood frozen, his eyes wide, while Suguru leaned in and tasted the soup himself.

It was a strange, intimate moment that made Yuuji's knees tremble a little. As he tasted the soup, he couldn't help but look at Suguru's face. His Adam's apple was bobbing with the swallow, and his lips were slightly parted as he licked them clean. Suguru appeared unreasonably attractive up close, and Yuuji's heart raced even more from the warmth that radiated from him.

"It's perfect, as always," Suguru whispered..His eyes fell to Yuuji's red face. "You might've got yourself injured if you spilled this broth."

"I-I didn't even think… I don't know why I did that…" Yuuji spoke in a half-whisper.

"I'm not angry," Suguru laughed, his eyes glinting. "Actually, I think it's sweet of you to try feeding me. I wouldn't mind if you did so again and again." 

Steam nearly billowed from Yuuji's ears as he jerked his head aside, puffing out his cheeks and grumbling, "Suguru-san's teasing me again…"

"I'm not. I'm being honest," Suguru's voice dripped with amusement. "Anyhow, I'll be in the gym until you're done here. I have to work off all the rice I've consumed or I'll have a bloated stomach."

Yuuji couldn't help but pout while rolling his eyes lovingly. "That's a huge exaggeration. It's only been two days!"

"You underestimate just how amazing your food is," Suguru retorted. "I've been eating like a man twice my size. I say your cooking is working against my diet."

"Is that your way of blaming me?" Yuuji asked with a smile.

"No, that's my way of saying I'll keep on eating your food regardless," Suguru grinned. "I have no regrets."

Yuuji chuckled quietly. "That's all I ever need to hear."

Yuuji resumed his work in the kitchen after Suguru excused himself and went to the gym room. He was preparing a lot of food for their dinner tonight  which could only indicate that tomorrow will involve a grocery store visit. His mind was already making a mental list of ingredients he might need to restock. He also had a few new recipes he wanted to try.

He had also been thinking about something else lately. Perhaps he would have the guts to approach Suguru and request permission to use the kitchen for baking in his spare time. Even though Suguru had never forbade him from doing so, it still felt like a big step to ask. Although Yuuji loved baking, he was rarely given the opportunity to do so at the café where he worked. On most days, he was confined to either working behind the counter as the cashier or constantly brewing coffee at the espresso machine.

He had complained about it to Megumi more times than he could remember, and his best friend had even offered to change jobs with him in response. To be honest, Yuuji would have seized the chance immediately if he could. He was the happiest when he was in the kitchen, after all. 

Yuuji was nearly done cooking when he decided to call Suguru. He headed to the gym room, wiping his hands on a towel. When he got there, he gently knocked on the door once and then eased it open.

"Suguru-san?" What he saw made him stop, however. 

Suguru was performing a set of bench presses without a shirt on. Yuuji's breath caught as his gaze uncontrollably wandered over the other man's body. Suguru's arms flexed with each lift of the barbells, displaying biceps that appeared to have been hand-sculpted. Strong. Perfectly toned. 

And his gaze fell lower.

Pecks. Precise and tight. Abs—not six pack, but eight pack—each one undulating as Suguru shifted, glistening with the sheen of new sweat.

This was the bloated body Suguru had claimed? Yuuji wanted to laugh—or weep. It was absolutely absurd. If that was bloat, then Yuuji didn't even want to see what Suguru was aiming for fit.

As Suguru finished his set and stood up, he was still ogling shamelessly, trying and failing to keep his eyes off him. Yuuji's breath caught as the older man approached him—not just strolling, but stalking, with each stride slow and assured, like a predator who is fully aware of the impact it has on its victim.

Sweat ran down from the side of Suguru's temple, along the curve of his neck, rolling over the crest of his collarbones, and then gliding lower.. over his chest, along the divots of his abs. Yuuji was unable to look away.

Yuuji's eyes only snapped up until Suguru stopped at the doorway and lifted one arm to rest against the frame. Suguru's hair fell slightly to the side as a result of the motion, exposing his half-lidded eyes, which were dark and gleaming with a hint of mischief.

"Yeah?" Suguru asked huskily, breath uneven from the workout.

Yuuji's mouth opened a little, but he held back from speaking rashly. The mere sight of the man in front of him occupied and distracted his mind too much.

"D-Dinner's almost ready.." he finally got out the words croaking out of his mouth, much breathier than he meant them to sound. He couldn't help his eyes falling again, as if gravity was drawing him down with no mercy. And there it was again, Suguru's abs, his hips, the treacherous lines fading into those low-slung gym shorts—

A light touch under his chin brought him back to life.

"Eyes up here, baby," Suguru whispered, voice velvet and vicious.

Yuuji's eyes went wide. His lips opened again, but nothing emerged. The smile on Suguru's face was.. sinister.

"If you keep staring at me like that, I might just start blushing.." 

"S-Sorry…" Yuuji breathed, far from sorry as he stayed frozen in Suguru's eyes.

Suguru leaned forward, one hand running from the angle of Yuuji's jaw to the top of his ear, his fingers warm against dampened skin. He pushed a stray pinkish piece of hair back behind Yuuji's ear and smiled at him with the gentlest smile Yuuji had ever seen.

"I'll shower quickly and meet you downstairs in a few minutes, okay?"

Yuuji nodded, in a daze.

"Words, Yuuji."

"Y-Yes, Suguru-san…"

Suguru smiled low in his throat and poked a finger just back of Yuuji's ear, jolting him down to his toes.

"Good boy. Now hurry along before I change my mind and we don't have dinner at all."

Yuuji could hardly make it to the kitchen without stomping over his own feet. His face was burning, his chest constricted, and his brain thoroughly muddled with very, very dirty thoughts.

Like he had just run a marathon barefoot through a storm, Yuuji's heart was a jumble of thumping beats and shallow breaths as he returned to the kitchen. He had only spoken a few words and walked a short distance to the gym room, but he returned as if he had wandered through a fever dream. He blinked quickly, attempting to dispel the lightheaded heat that was rising in his stomach, chest, and lower abdomen. An unidentified type of heat that would not go away.

Suguru's physique was something taken directly from an unspoken fantasy. Firmly muscled arms with veins that gently descend like meandering pathways across marble. As he raised those weighty barbells, every arm motion felt captivating. Although Yuuji had witnessed men working out, sweaty athletes, and muscles before, he is unsure of why seeing Suguru in that state sent his brain cells into overdrive.

Yuuji isn't even aware he's been seduced. Not in the traditional sense, not by words, kisses, or physical contact. No, it was more subtle than that. Yuuji's eyes were drawn to Suguru like a spell by the way his waist curve met his hip flare, his shorts hung teasingly low, and the deep V of his torso. That voice, that low rasp, was right next to his ear, as if it were determined to destroy him. And the half-lidded, knowing, and incredibly composed way he gazed at Yuuji, as if he already understood the power he possessed.

There was no mistaking it. His body was carved like a god’s, but his smirk was that of a devil. And Yuuji, sweet Yuuji, had fallen for both.

His skin bristled. His mind hazed. With every passing second, he attempted to remind himself to concentrate.

But regardless of how hard he stirred the soup or sampled the rice, all he could do was wonder how Suguru's chest had moved with each breath… how the man's sweat had shone like temptation under the warm gym lights… how close his face had come to Suguru's.

And how much he wouldn't object to Suguru remaining a little longer at the doorway.. shirtless and sinful. 

Stop it! 

Yuuji spent a few minutes calming his breathing, taking advantage of the quiet in the kitchen to get his pulse under control as he cooked their supper. A little stirring of the soup, the arranging of side dishes on plates, all of it grounded him, like coming home to something comforting. The turmoil of his mind slowly coalesced into something that could be worked with. And just as he finally settled, Suguru returned, now dressed down in a loose shirt and soft sweatpants that hung precisely over his wiry body. The relaxed look shouldn't have had any effect on him, but it did. Strangely enough, that was when Yuuji was finally able to breathe without stumbling over his own heartbeat.

"Let's eat, Suguru-san!" Yuuji's voice a little too enthusiastic.

Suguru looked at the array on the table and raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "You cooked a lot, hm?"

"I-I couldn't resist again…" Yuuji confessed with a blush, rubbing the back of his head. "I went overboard."

Suguru smiled low. "Like I said,, all this belongs to you to use freely. Don't restrain yourself."

As they settled down, Yuuji's smile grew and he giggled softly. The only noises between them for a while were the soft hum of the air conditioner and the soft clinking of utensils. It was cozy. Simply. The silence was broken by a faint sound that was barely audible until Suguru cleared his throat.

"Yuuji," he began, "I noticed the box in my room wasn’t there anymore. Did you move it somewhere?"

"Yeah! I saw it earlier while I was cleaning," Yuuji stammered out, still softly. "It had 'storage' written on it, so I figured I'd lend a hand and put it in the basement…"His voice started to fade away. "I'm sorry. Shouldn't I have touched it?"

"No, no," Suguru soothed with a serene smile, gesturing with his hand. "Not at all. I was actually going to take it down myself, but I got caught up with a call with Nanami this morning and completely forgot about it."

Yuuji breathed a small sigh of relief, relieved he hadn't overstepped. Suguru's smile grew wider.."Thank you for taking the initiative. I appreciate that."

"Oh, no problem at all! If there are any other boxes that need to be moved, I'd be more than happy to—"

"Did you look inside the box?"

Yuuji's sentence was interrupted in mid-sentence by the abrupt and direct question. He blinked in surprise.

"H-Huh?" 

"The box," Suguru reiterated, his eyes more somber. "Did you happen to look inside it?"

Yuuji blushed, cheeks heating as he squirmed in his chair. "W-Well… The box was already partially open, so I might've… glanced inside," he acknowledged in a softer tone. "Just a little. That's all."

There was a pause. For a brief moment, Suguru gazed at him in an unreadable manner, his dark eyes possessing a silent intensity that caused Yuuji's chest to constrict with doubt. His palms felt clammy all of a sudden for no apparent reason.

Then, like a breeze over still water, Suguru's features regained their warmth and his expression softened once more. He said in a low, now almost sheepish voice, "I'm not upset. To be honest, I'm a little embarrassed."

Yuuji's eyes widened. "Embarrassed? Why?" 

Suguru exhaled quietly. "Because I was afraid that keeping something so old would make you think less of me. Tattered shirts, tapes, and such nonsense. I am aware that it isn't particularly noteworthy." 

Yuuji's mouth dropped a little in shock. "W-What? No!" He spoke almost too quickly, letting his words flow out before he could control them. "I'd never think that, Suguru-san. I think it's... amazing, if anything. That you're the type of person who cherishes such memories." 

He gazed downward, hands clasped on his lap as his voice quieted. "A lot of people today are all about discarding things. They have no respect for little things or sentimentality. But you… you do. You're not only existing in the here and now, you're keeping the past with you in a very personal way. I think that's something I truly admire."

Yuuji grinned, tiny but genuine. "Honestly, I do the same. I keep little keepsakes such as old pictures, goofy birthday cards, and keychains I received when I was little. Anything that reminds me of someone significant… I can't bear to lose them."

He raised his head once more. "So, no. I wouldn't and I won't ever consider you lame for keeping things that are important. I think that's just… beautiful."

Suguru's mouth curled into something gentle, something that nearly seemed too soft to be unintentional. He placed down his glass carefully, the shape of his fingers wrapped around it releasing as he looked at Yuuji softly.

"You really think so?" 

"Of course! I mean.. memories are proof that something mattered. I think the fact that you keep them close to you says a lot," Yuuji smiled brightly. 

"I've always known you're a dear but hearing you say these things makes you even more endearing. Not many teenagers can be like that." 

They both laughed lightly. Yuuji took another look at Suguru, his gaze involuntarily sweeping over his strong arms beneath that baggy cotton shirt, the sharp angle of his jaw, and the way his dark hair cascaded around his face. He felt that it was unfair how graceful and attractive Suguru always appeared to be, even when dressed simply.

"I'll try not to touch anything I shouldn't next time…" Yuuji muttered hastily, glancing down at his plate.

"I don't mind," Suguru replied nearly immediately, surprising him. "I trust you, Yuuji."

Those words were stuck in Yuuji's throat. They hung in the air like an odd tune. Sweet, odd, and difficult to shake.

"... Thanks for the food," Suguru stood with a plate on his hand. "It was delicious, as always." 

Yuuji stood up as well, reaching out to grab the dish from him out of instinct. Yuuji's heart skipped a beat as their fingers barely touched. When Suguru didn't immediately pull away, Yuuji looked up, perplexed by the silence.

"I'll help with the dishes.." 

Yuuji nodded quickly, turning away before Suguru could see how flustered he was. "O-Okay!"

Suguru trailed after him into the kitchen, and for some reason, they space between them felt smaller now. 

"I'll be back before dinner tomorrow because my classes end at three," Suguru stated. "What do you say we watch a movie together?" 

With his hands still dipped in warm, soapy water, Yuuji looked up from the sink as Suguru stood next to him, quietly and efficiently washing the plates. Yuuji remained silent for a moment, his eyes widening at the suggestion.

"Seriously?" Yuuji replied, a smile creeping up. "Yeah! I'll make sure that I get everything done ahead of time tomorrow so we can do it!" 

Suguru’s mouth tugged up in a smile, fond and soft, eyes filled with something warm. "Alright, then. I’m looking forward to it."

They finished cleaning up in silence, interacting with one another in a natural way and feeling at ease in the way that people become when they unconsciously establish some kind of routine. Since Suguru still had work to do in his home office, Yuuji made a sincere effort to insist that Suguru could leave the rest to him. Suguru, however, resisted letting him handle everything by himself as usual, dismissing Yuuji's objections with his customary cool smile and tactful stubbornness. 

After they were finished, Yuuji busied himself brewing coffee, strong and black, just the way Suguru preferred. He carried the mug carefully to Suguru's office when it was ready and knocked on the door. It wasn't until he heard the familiar voice say, "Come in," that he entered.

Suguru was sitting at his desk, concentrating on his laptop, his dark hair falling loosely, and those familiar glasses sitting just right on his nose bridge. Yuuji gulped, suddenly struck by how attractive the older man appeared. So calm, so well-groomed. 

"I brought your coffee," Yuuji softly said as he placed the mug on the desk and then stood clumsily in front of it, shifting his weight from one foot to the other while fiddling the hem of his shirt.

Suguru glanced up, clearly noticing Yuuji’s nervous fidgeting. "Is something wrong?"

"N-No.." Yuuji said quickly. "It’s just—uhm— it's okay if it’s not okay, but Suguru-san… may I ask if I can—"

"Yes."

Yuuji blinked. “H-Huh? But I wasn’t even done talking.."

"I already know what you’re going to ask," Suguru said with a smile.."Something about permission to do something harmless around the house, right?"

Yuuji’s jaw fell open. "You don’t even know what I was going to say!"

"Yuuji, I know you enough to know it's not something bad."

Yuuji huffed. "I was gonna ask if I could bake sometimes… during my free time…"

Suguru raised an eyebrow. "Baking, huh?" 

"Mmhm," Yuuji murmured, his hands twiddling with themselves as he gave a slight smile. "I understand sweets aren't exactly your thing, but I was kinda hoping you could at least try one of my cookies or cupcakes. Perhaps you could take some to work?"

"Ah, that does sound wonderful," Suguru said after a brief hesitation. "I'd love to give them a try. You already know my card's in the drawer. Buy what ingredients you want and get crazy."

Yuuji's eyes gleamed with joy. "Really?! Thank you, Suguru-san!"

"You're welcome," Suguru replied with a slight smile, obviously amused by Yuuji's enthusiasm. "But it's already late. You've had a long day, shouldn't you rest now?"

Yuuji cocked his head. "What about you? You've been working since this morning."

"I’ll give myself an hour, then head to bed."

"…Okay," Yuuji said, hesitating slightly before offering him a quiet smile. "Goodnight, Suguru-san. Thank you for everything today."

"Goodnight, Yuuji. Sweet dreams."

As he left the room, Yuuji's heart was racing with an emotion he couldn't quite put his finger on, and a smile was still pulling at his lips. Just one room away from Suguru's, his room was warm and inviting that immediately put him at ease. After a long, relaxing shower, he curled up under the guest bed's soft sheets, surrounded by the strange silence of a house that wasn't really his but felt safer than any other.

He tried calling Megumi once more before falling asleep. Five times. No answer. With a sigh, he sent another anxious message pleading with his best friend to give him a call back as soon as possible.

When he was finished, he put his phone down and sank into the mattress, closing his eyes. Like a lullaby, the soft silence of the room and the faraway recollection of Suguru's words, "sweet dreams," played in his head.

That night, he dreamed. 

Like something trying to wriggle its way into memory, the basement painting appeared as a whisper that shifted in and out of his dreamscape. And just after midnight, though he wasn't positive if it was a dream or the real thing, he heard something. 

A bang. Loud. From downstairs. 

Half-conscious and too exhausted to move, his eyes opened. He might have dreamed about it. Perhaps it was real. However, his body remained motionless because he was too exhausted and encased in the security of sleep and warmth to care. 

If it was real, then… he'd ask Suguru in the morning.

Until then, he allowed the stillness to carry him back to sleep.