The four of them climbed the narrow stairwell to the rooftop—a spot Ryunosuke had quietly claimed years ago as his personal escape.
Concrete and old tar lines stretched out around them, framed by a low brick ledge and the hum of Los Angeles below. The city lights shimmered like distant stars, and the real sky—washed in deep navy—hung heavily overhead. The air smelled faintly of warm asphalt and night jasmine drifting in from a neighboring building.
Lucas was the first to sprawl out, arms stretched wide like he owned the sky. "Now this is the life."
William already had his phone out, snapping selfies against the skyline. "Group pic or it didn't happen."
Ryunosuke groaned. "Do we have to?"
"Yes," William and Lucas said in unison.
Emily rolled her eyes but scooted closer to Ryunosuke. Lucas flopped behind them and wrapped his arms around all three in an exaggerated hug.
William counted down. "Three, two, one—idiots for life!"
Click.
And somehow, Ryunosuke smiled in the photo.
Afterward, they settled into a loose tangle of conversation—legs hanging off the ledge, or stretched flat on the rooftop. They passed a bottle of iced tea around like it was sacred, each sip a moment of shared history in the making.
Emily pointed to the skyline. "It's so quiet up here. The city almost looks… fake."
"It's not fake," Ryunosuke said, leaning back on his palms. "It just doesn't want you to know what it really is."
Lucas rolled over. "Bro, why do you always sound like you're in an indie film?"
"I am an indie film," Ryunosuke deadpanned.
William laughed. "You're the background character who secretly saves the world."
"And dies tragically," Emily added with a grin.
Ryunosuke sighed. "Glad I brought you all up here."
Their laughter melted into silence—the kind you don't need to fill. Just the city breathing beneath them. Somewhere in the distance, faint rooftop music played like a memory slipping between buildings.
Then Lucas spoke, voice softer now. "Kinda missed this. Us. Everything's been moving too fast lately."
William nodded. "Yeah. School's chaos. Work sucks. I haven't seen either of you in weeks."
"Same," Ryunosuke said quietly.
Emily's gaze lingered on them. "It's weird… being new to something you were already part of."
Ryunosuke turned to her. "It's not like that. You're here now."
Lucas threw an arm across her shoulder. "And we accept you, cousin of mystery."
Emily chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks. I think."
Above them, the stars blinked shyly through the haze of LA glow. The moment held—uncomplicated and quiet.
And for just a little while, nothing felt broken.
Just four souls under the same sky—laughing, teasing, growing.
Together.