Ren stretched out his hand, offering a small tube of Mentholatum Oronine H Ointment—the familiar Japanese staple known for soothing cuts, bruises, and minor wounds.
"I'll help you apply it," he said gently.
"I promise it won't hurt."
In that moment, Ren felt like a lifeline to the boy who had no one else to turn to. Shiharu tried to hold back the tears—he really tried—but the harder he fought, the tighter his throat became, the more the sobs clawed their way out. He had grown so used to enduring this kind of pain; why couldn't he control himself now? He stared down at the ground, at nothing in particular, watching his tears fall silently and disappear into the earth as though even the soil wanted to conceal them.
Ren crouched to Shiharu's level and brushed the damp strands of hair from his face with careful tenderness, revealing the tear-streaked cheeks beneath.
"Dealing with family problems… trauma… unstable homes… mental health struggles… insecurities… anxiety… depression… self-blame… at your age? That's not fair. None of it is fair, Shiharu." Ren's voice was soft but steady. "I promise you—even if no one else ever welcomes you, my arms will always be open. No matter what happens, I will still choose you. That's what real friends do, right?"
From his hidden perch in the pine, Hoshiyuki watched in silence.
At this rate, he thought, it wouldn't be surprising if Shiharu developed pistanthrophobia—fear of trusting anyone at all. The boy had already endured far too much.
Shiharu buried his face against Ren's chest and let the sobs come freely, crying until the weight inside him felt a little lighter. Behind them, Shiharu's grandmother released a quiet, sorrowful sigh before turning and disappearing back into the house.
The two boys moved to sit beside one of the large rocks at the base of the pine—directly beneath the branch where Hoshiyuki remained concealed.
As they tried to settle down, Shiharu's foot caught on an uneven stone. He stumbled forward, arms flailing, heading straight toward the jagged edge of a boulder that could easily have ended him.
Hoshiyuki reacted without thought. A swift, precise flick of his finger sent Shiharu veering sideways onto the soft garden grass instead of crashing into stone. Ren, still holding Shiharu's hand, tightened his grip and steadied him before he could hit the ground.
"Look—I caught you," Ren said with a wide, reassuring grin. "You're as light as a feather."
Hoshiyuki exhaled in quiet relief and immediately withdrew deeper into the foliage, moving soundlessly to another branch. He had no intention of being seen. Let Ren take the credit; it was better that way.
He lifted the book he had been reading to shield his face, folded his arms, and let his long hair fall forward like a curtain, veiling him completely. The gentle cadence of Shiharu's voice drifting up as he spoke to Ren lulled Hoshiyuki into a deep, peaceful sleep among the pine needles.
_______
Several days passed.
That evening, Shiharu followed Ren to his house to spend some time together. None of their parents were home; their grandparents had gathered in the back compound, chatting and enjoying the fading warmth of the day.
As Shiharu stepped inside, he found himself quietly observing the interior. Compared to his own home, the Kazumi residence radiated effortless luxury. Every detail—from the polished wooden floors to the elegant furniture—reflected the wealth the family carried so casually.
They walked past the first room, then the second.
At the third and final room at the end of the hallway, Ren suddenly grabbed Shiharu's wrist and pulled him inside.
The bedroom was spacious and neatly furnished.
On the right side of the room stood a large bed where Hoshiyuki lay fast asleep, completely undisturbed. A persian cat was curled comfortably beside him, nestled against his side. His long golden hair spilled across the bed like strands of sunlight, some of it resting gently against the soft belly of the cat.
He looked utterly peaceful.
Three neatly wrapped portions of sushi and a bottle of ramune soda rested on the table beside him, untouched—as though he had fallen asleep before even thinking about eating.
Two manga volumes and a few books were scattered carelessly across the bed. His earphones and phone rested lazily on top of them.
Shiharu found himself staring at him longer than he intended.
"My elder brother sleeps a lot," Ren said casually.
"He barely eats. And when he does… he usually throws it up later."
Shiharu blinked in surprise.
"Mom and Dad have tried everything to find food he might like," Ren continued with a shrug. "But the result is always the same."
As he spoke, Ren casually removed his shirt.
Shiharu immediately froze.
"Wha—What are you doing?!" he stammered, his face flushing instantly as he covered it with both hands and turned away.
"Put s–some clothes on!"
Ren laughed.
"Relax. We're both guys. What's there to be shy about?"
Ren and Hoshiyuki shared the same bedroom but slept in separate beds. Hoshiyuki's was on the right, while Ren's stood on the left side of the room.
Still chuckling, Ren changed into fresh clothes.
"My brother doesn't like being bothered," he warned lightly. "Be careful not to wake him up. He'll glare at you in the most intimidating way possible."
Shiharu nodded quietly and sat down on Ren's bed, glancing once more toward the sleeping figure who looked completely detached from the world.
"Wait here," Ren said. "I'll go get some snacks for you."
"Uh—wait, I don't need—"
But Ren had already disappeared out the door.
Shiharu sighed softly and leaned back against the bed. Running a hand through his hair, he closed his eyes for a moment.
Maybe it was the quiet.
Maybe the peaceful atmosphere.
Or maybe he hadn't realized just how tired he was.
Whatever the reason, sleep came quickly.
When Ren returned carrying snacks and fruit, he stopped in the doorway.
Shiharu was already asleep.
Ren's cheerful expression slowly turned into a deep frown.
"…Seriously?"
He sighed in annoyance.
"How could you fall asleep? I brought you here because I was bored and all my friends were out… and you just pass out on my bed?"
He clicked his tongue.
"What a waste."
Setting the snacks aside, Ren left the room again with a frustrated sigh.
Hours passed.
Evening slowly deepened into night.
The first to wake was Hoshiyuki's cat.
The small creature pawed gently at his hair, trying to wake him.
Hoshiyuki stirred faintly before slowly opening his eyes. He lifted the cat into his arms and kissed the soft fur on its head before holding it close, gently stroking its back.
Then he paused.
There was another presence in the room.
His brows knitted together slightly.
Did Ren bring one of his incompetent friends home again?
How annoying.
That little human gets on my nerves sometimes.
His gaze drifted toward the other bed.
…Wait.
He blinked.
"…Huh?"
Hoshiyuki sat up immediately and walked closer.
His breath caught in his throat.
"Shi—Shiharu…?"
He stared in disbelief.
"What is he doing on Ren's bed…? No—wait. When did he even come here?"
He tilted his head slightly in confusion.
"Was it while I was asleep?"
Strange.
Normally he could sense people entering the room.
But this time…
He hadn't felt anything.
He exhaled softly.
"…That aside."
His gaze softened as he leaned closer.
"I've never seen him sleeping before…"
Carefully, he brushed a few strands of black hair away from Shiharu's face.
"What a beautiful sight to wake up to…"
Suddenly, the cat jumped from his arms and landed on Shiharu's chest, gently patting his face with its tiny paws.
Hoshiyuki panicked.
"Ah—no… Ninu, that's rude," he whispered hurriedly. "He's sleeping."
Shiharu stirred slightly.
His eyelashes fluttered.
Slowly, hazy eyes opened to the sight of Hoshiyuki trying to pry the cat away from his face.