The Takeda house was quiet that night. Too quiet.
Ayumi sat at the dining table, her hands folded neatly on her lap, though her eyes flicked to the clock every few minutes. Daichi sat across from her, newspaper open, but he hadn't turned a page in over an hour.
"Still not home," Ayumi murmured softly.
Daichi grunted, setting the paper down. "...No call."
"He's never stayed out this late before."
"Mm."
Ayumi's fingers curled slightly, the calm mask on her face cracking just enough to show the worry beneath. "...Do you think something happened?"
Daichi's jaw tightened. "...I'll call his phone."
Meanwhile, in Suki's room, Ryuzí jolted awake to the sound of buzzing. He fumbled for his phone, blinking at the screen.
Father.
His stomach dropped.
Suki stirred beside him, rubbing his eyes. "Mmm? What's wrong?"
"...My dad." Ryuzí's voice was low, tight. He swiped to answer, pressing the phone to his ear. "...Hello."
"Where are you." Daichi's voice was calm, but underneath it thrummed steel.
Ryuzí flinched, his throat dry. "...I'm at a friend's."
"You didn't inform us."
Ryuzí clenched his fist. "...I forgot."
Ayumi's voice cut in faintly from the background. "Is he safe? Ask him if he's safe."
"I'm fine," Ryuzí muttered quickly. "...I'll come home in the morning."
There was a pause. Then Daichi said quietly, "Don't make your mother worry again."
The call ended.
Ryuzí dropped the phone onto the blanket, burying his face in his hands. "...Damn it."
Suki sat up, reaching out to squeeze his shoulder. "Hey. They were just worried."
"They don't care," Ryuzí muttered. "They never have."
Suki frowned. "...Ryuzí. Did you hear your mom? She asked if you were safe. That's not nothing."
Ryuzí's chest twisted, but he shook his head. "...It's different."
"Then let me make it easier," Suki said softly. "We'll go back together. I'll be with you."
Ryuzí's head snapped up. "...What?"
Suki smiled, bright but steady. "You don't have to face them alone."
The next morning, the Takeda house door slid open.
Ryuzí stepped inside, shoulders tense, Suki right behind him.
Ayumi rose immediately from the table. Relief flickered across her face before she schooled it into calm. "You're home."
"...Yeah," Ryuzí muttered.
Daichi folded his arms, eyes sharp. "Why didn't you call."
Ryuzí's fists clenched. "I—I didn't think it mattered."
Ayumi's lips parted, her voice breaking just slightly. "Of course it matters. We—" She stopped, glancing at Daichi. "...We didn't know if you were safe."
Ryuzí froze. His throat worked.
Suki stepped forward then, bowing politely. "It's my fault, Mr. and Mrs. Takeda. He stayed at my place. I should've made sure he called."
Daichi's gaze flicked to him, assessing. "...You're Aoyama."
"Yes, sir." Suki smiled, unwavering. "I'll take responsibility."
Ryuzí's eyes widened. "...Suki—"
Ayumi's expression softened faintly, relief breaking through again. "...Thank you for being with him."
Ryuzí's chest tightened painfully. "...Why..."
Ayumi looked at him, her calm mask slipping. "...Because we worry. Even if we don't say it well."
For a moment, the silence stretched heavy. Then Ryuzí muttered hoarsely, "...Idio—" He caught himself, biting his lip. "...I'll... call next time."
Daichi's eyes softened almost imperceptibly. "...See that you do."
Later, outside, Ryuzí exhaled shakily, leaning against the gate. "...That was hell."
Suki bumped his shoulder, grinning. "But you did it. And now they know you're not alone."
Ryuzí scowled faintly, ears pink. "...You didn't have to cover for me."
Suki smirked. "Of course I did. I'm your honey, remember?"
Ryuzí groaned, burying his face in his hands. "...Why do I like you."
Suki's grin widened, slipping his arms around him from the side. "...Because I make your life brighter."
Ryuzí muttered, "...Id—" He stopped, lips twitching. "...Yeah. You do."