The silence that followed Riku's words was sharp enough to make Min's breath hitch. He could feel the tension rolling off Kei in waves—quiet but heavy, like thunder before rain.
"Riku." Kei's voice was low, steady, and dangerously calm. "Leave."
Riku tilted his head, feigning innocence. "That's not a very warm welcome, Kei. I just wanted to talk."
"There's nothing left to talk about."
Min watched as Kei stepped forward, the space between them shrinking to a few inches. Their gazes locked—silver meeting gray, past colliding with present.
But Riku didn't back down. Instead, he leaned slightly closer, his tone softening. "You've changed. I almost didn't recognize you."
"Good." Kei's reply was clipped. "That means I've moved on."
Riku smiled faintly, but his eyes carried something darker. "Moved on, huh? Funny how you say that while your hands still tremble."
Min's eyes widened. He looked at Kei, but Kei's face remained unreadable—except for the smallest twitch in his jaw.
"I said leave," Kei repeated, his voice colder now.
For a moment, Riku just studied him. Then he gave a quiet chuckle and straightened. "Fine. I'll go. But you know, running away doesn't erase what happened."
He turned toward the door, his gaze brushing past Min one last time. "Take care of him," he said casually, and for a reason Min couldn't explain, the words sent a chill down his spine.
The bell jingled softly as Riku stepped out.
Only then did Kei exhale, the air he'd been holding slipping out in a shaky breath. His hand, which had been resting on the counter, trembled slightly.
Min hesitated before moving closer. "Kei… what was that?"
Kei didn't look up. "A mistake from long ago."
Min frowned, but before he could ask more, Kei added, "Don't worry about it."
That, of course, only made Min worry more.
As Kei turned away, the morning light caught the side of his face, revealing an expression Min had never seen before—one that wasn't calm or composed, but quietly pained.
And Min realized then: whatever Riku had been to Kei, he hadn't just reopened a wound.
He'd torn it wider.
To be continued....