The first thing Ryuzí noticed when he woke was warmth.
Not the sun spilling through the curtains, but the steady heat of another body pressed against him.
Suki.
His head rested on Ryuzí's chest, hair messy, lips parted slightly in sleep. One arm was draped across his stomach like it belonged there, their legs tangled beneath the blanket.
Ryuzí lay still for a long moment, staring at the ceiling, his heart thudding. We really… His face burned. We really did that again.
Suki stirred, groaning softly as he blinked awake. Then his sleepy grin spread instantly. "Morning, honey."
Ryuzí groaned, dragging a hand over his face. "…Don't."
"Too late," Suki teased, snuggling closer. "Mmm. Warm."
Ryuzí's chest tightened, his lips twitching despite himself. "…Idiot."
"Your idiot," Suki corrected, pressing a quick kiss to his collarbone.
They lay there for a while, wrapped in quiet.
Suki traced circles lazily on his chest. "Last night… was perfect even better than our first."
Ryuzí's face burned. "…You talk too much."
"Admit it," Suki grinned, looking up at him. "You liked hearing me beg."
Ryuzí's jaw tightened, his ears red. "…Shut up."
Suki laughed softly, kissing him again, slow and sweet. "I love you, Ryuzí."
Ryuzí froze. The words hung heavy in the air. His throat worked.
Then, quietly, he whispered back: "…I love you too."
Suki's eyes widened — then softened into something tender. He kissed him again, smiling against his lips. "…Took you long enough."
The moment was cut short by a knock at the door.
"Ryuzí? Breakfast is ready," Ayumi's voice called softly.
Both boys froze.
Suki's grin turned nervous. "Uh-oh."
Ryuzí buried his face in his hands. "…Kill me now."
At the table, Ayumi sat with her tea, calm as always. Her eyes flicked to them as they entered — Ryuzí stiff, Suki cheerful but fidgety.
"…Morning," Ryuzí muttered, sliding into his seat.
"Good morning," Ayumi said simply, her tone even. Her gaze lingered on Suki, then on the way their hands brushed awkwardly under the table before they pulled apart too quickly.
Suki cleared his throat, scratching his neck. "Um… thanks for breakfast, Mrs. Takeda."
She nodded once. "You're always welcome."
The silence stretched. Chopsticks clicked softly against bowls.
Ryuzí's chest ached with the weight of it. His mother wasn't stupid. She'd notice sooner or later.
Suki's foot nudged his under the table. When Ryuzí glanced up, Suki gave him a small, encouraging smile.
Now or never.
"…Mom," Ryuzí said abruptly, his voice low but steady.
Ayumi looked at him, expression calm. "Yes?"
Ryuzí's fists clenched around his chopsticks. "…There's something you should know."
Suki sat straighter, his grin fading into something nervous but supportive.
Ryuzí took a breath, forcing the words out. "…Suki and I… we're together. As in… dating."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Ayumi's eyes flicked between them. Her face didn't change, calm as ever. "…I see."
Ryuzí's stomach twisted. "…If you don't approve—"
"I didn't say that," Ayumi interrupted gently.
Ryuzí froze.
She set her chopsticks down, folding her hands neatly. "…I'm not good with words. Or with… showing things. But you're my son. I want you to be happy."
Her gaze shifted to Suki, softening almost imperceptibly. "…And you make him smile in a way I haven't seen before."
Suki blinked, then beamed, his grin wide and watery. "I'll keep doing that. Promise."
Ryuzí's throat tightened, his eyes burning. "…Mom…"
Ayumi picked up her tea again, her tone steady. "Eat before it gets cold."
After breakfast, Ryuzí stood awkwardly by the door, his chest still heavy with the weight of the moment.
"…That went better than I thought," Suki whispered, nudging him.
Ryuzí muttered, "…I thought she'd hate me."
"Are you kidding?" Suki grinned. "She basically said she ships us."
Ryuzí groaned. "…Don't ever say that again."
Suki laughed, slipping his hand into his. "…Honey, you're stuck with me now. Your mom said so."
Ryuzí's lips twitched upward despite himself. "…Idiot."
But this time, the word trembled with relief.
That night, alone in his room, Ryuzí sat on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
His mom's words echoed in his chest. I want you to be happy.
For the first time, he believed it.
And for the first time, he felt like maybe happiness wasn't something distant, something unreachable.
It was here. With Suki.