The sunlight crept in through the curtains, warm against her cheek. Konoko stirred, the remnants of tangled dreams fading into fragments of last night—whispers in the dark, the heat of her skin, the shameful thrill of pressing purchase. The thought came back like a sting, a memory she wanted to bury but couldn't. Her chest tightened just remembering the categories, the illustrations, the way her body had reacted even as her mind screamed wrong.
Her phone buzzed sharply, pulling her out of the spiral. She blinked, groggy, and answered without checking the caller ID.
"...Hello?" her voice was still husky with sleep.
"Konoko! It's me." The cheerful, familiar voice cut through the haze. Yuta.
She sat up instantly, clutching the blanket to her chest as if hiding from her own thoughts. "Y-Yuta? O-ohayou…"
"I've got good news," he said, a little breathless, like he was calling while walking. "Actually—really good news. I'll tell you in person. I'm nearby, so I thought I'd stop by."
Her heart gave a sudden leap. Yuta… her childhood friend, her constant shadow when she was younger. His presence always carried the weight of innocence, of before—before her parents were gone, before her world turned messy and confusing, before she started questioning the things she craved.
For a moment she pressed her forehead into her knees, whispering a shaky breath. Not now… not after last night. But she couldn't tell him not to come.
"Y-yeah… okay," she said softly, forcing steadiness into her tone.
"Great! I'll be there soon!" His voice was bright, full of excitement, before the line clicked off.
Konoko lowered the phone slowly, her pulse racing. The shameful memory of her secret purchases clashed violently with the idea of seeing Yuta's familiar smile. She pushed the blanket off and stumbled toward her dresser, biting her lip hard.
I have to look normal. Just normal. He can't know. No one can know.
The knock at the door came quicker than she expected. Konoko's heart nearly jumped out of her chest. She had barely managed to brush her hair and throw on a casual dress when Kazuo—"Gramps"—stepped out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel.
"Expecting someone?" he asked with his usual calm tone, eyes narrowing curiously.
Konoko froze for half a beat, then hurried toward the entryway. "Y-yes… it's Yuta. A… a friend."
When she opened the door, Yuta stood there, smaller and thinner than she remembered but with that same eager smile. He gave a little wave, then stepped inside, his eyes flicking briefly to Kazuo.
"Oh! Sorry to intrude. I just wanted to see Konoko… and actually, I've got some really good news."
Kazuo offered a polite nod, leaning his broad frame against the counter, the towel still in his hand. "A guest, hm? Come in, boy. Make yourself comfortable."
Yuta's gaze shifted back to Konoko, his excitement bubbling over. "I got accepted into a new program! It's a big opportunity… I've been wanting to tell you first."
Her lips parted, caught between joy and guilt. She wanted to smile for him—he was her link to the past, to simpler days—but the storm in her chest wouldn't quiet. She could still feel the heat of last night's shame gnawing at her, the weight of the secret things she had purchased and hidden away.
"Th-that's… amazing, Yuta," she stammered, her fingers curling into the hem of her dress.
Kazuo's eyes, sharp even in their gentleness, shifted from Yuta to her. He didn't say a word, but his presence filled the room, grounding and heavy. Konoko suddenly felt like every gesture, every nervous glance, was being read too closely.
Yuta chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I knew you'd be happy. I mean… we always talked about chasing dreams, right?"
She forced herself to nod, her throat tight. Happy. I should be happy. Don't let it show… don't let anyone see what's wrong with you.
The three of them stood there in the little living room, a strange triangle of warmth and tension—Yuta glowing with youthful excitement, Kazuo quiet and watchful, and Konoko trembling inside her skin, trapped between innocence, memory, and the secret she couldn't bear to confess.
Yuta's face lit up even brighter as he leaned a little closer, his voice bubbling with excitement.
"Actually, Konoko… there's more. I found this really good place near the campus. Small, but clean, safe, and not too expensive. If you take it, you wouldn't have to commute so far when classes start. You could walk there in minutes."
For a second, her heart skipped. The offer was logical—perfect, even. But instead of relief, a sharp unease coiled in her stomach. Her fingers twisted in her lap as she glanced quickly toward Kazuo, who stood silently by, watching with an expression she couldn't quite read.
"I-I… that's… thoughtful, Yuta," she stammered, forcing a weak smile. "Really. But… I think I'd rather stay here. If Kazuo doesn't mind."
Her eyes darted toward him again, searching, almost pleading.
Yuta blinked, surprised. "Huh? But… this would make things so much easier for you. I mean, you wouldn't have to rely on buses or worry about being late. Don't you think it's better?"
Konoko shook her head quickly, almost too quickly. "No, it's fine. I… feel safe here. Comfortable. I don't want to move right now."
The room grew heavier in that silence. Yuta's smile faltered, and his brows furrowed with faint confusion. Kazuo, still leaning against the counter, let out a low hum, not quite approval, not quite disapproval—just enough to remind them both of his presence.
Konoko's cheeks burned hot. Inside, her thoughts scattered wildly. Why did I say that so fast? Why do I feel like leaving would be worse?
Yuta finally chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well… if you're sure. I just thought it'd help. But… if you're happy here, then that's what matters."
She lowered her gaze, heart pounding, the unspoken truth prickling beneath her skin: she wasn't happy. She was restless, conflicted, and hiding things she couldn't share with either of them. And yet, the idea of leaving Kazuo's house felt unbearable—like cutting herself away from something she couldn't name.
Kazuo suddenly chuckled, the sound deep and surprisingly warm as it filled the room. He waved a hand as if brushing the tension away.
"Of course I don't mind," he said with a grin. "Before you came, this house was far too quiet. My children live so far away… I was alone most of the time. Having you here makes things feel alive again."
Konoko's chest tightened at his words, both touched and uneasy.
Yuta leaned forward, not giving up so easily. "I get that, but… Konoko, the commute from here is long. Once classes start, you'll be exhausted. That's why the apartment near campus makes sense."
Kazuo straightened, his voice calm but firm. "There's always the metro. It's not complicated, and it runs directly to the campus area. She'll manage."
Konoko hesitated only a second before nodding quickly. "Y-yes… that's true. The metro will be fine. I don't mind."
Yuta frowned, clearly unconvinced, but her answer was final. His lips pressed into a thin line as he sighed, trying not to let his disappointment show.
Meanwhile, Kazuo's grin lingered, his eyes narrowing just slightly—like he had won something unspoken. Konoko felt a shiver ripple through her, realizing she had aligned herself with him almost instinctively. Her heart raced as she lowered her gaze, cheeks warm with a mix of guilt and something she didn't dare name.
Yuta's expression softened, the tension in his shoulders easing as if he'd decided to let the subject of housing drop. He forced a smile, leaning closer with a spark of boyish energy in his voice.
"Alright, alright… I won't push anymore. But how about this—come out with me for a while. It's been ages since we just… hung out. There's a new café that opened not too far from here, and I'd like to show you around the area."
Konoko blinked, caught off guard. Her lips parted as she hesitated, glancing at Kazuo out of reflex before quickly pulling her gaze back. "I… um… y-yeah, that sounds nice," she said, her voice small but sincere.
Yuta's smile widened, almost triumphant at her agreement. "Great! Then it's a date—well, not a date-date, you know what I mean!" he laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head.
Kazuo, sitting back in his chair with an unreadable expression, simply nodded. "It's good for her to go out," he said in a tone that was both approving and strangely measured. "Enjoy yourselves."
Konoko felt her stomach flutter at the way his eyes lingered on her, a quiet weight behind his gaze that made her feel seen in a way Yuta's laughter never did. She forced herself to look away, cheeks tingling.
"Then… I'll go get ready," she murmured, rising from her seat.
Yuta's eyes lit up as he watched her leave, already imagining the afternoon ahead. He didn't notice the faint curve of Kazuo's lips as the older man leaned back, watching her retreat with a slow, steady breath—as if every small decision she made only bound her closer to him.