Jinnie and Mikey had been inseparable since they were kids—the kind of friendship that rooted itself deep and refused to let go. Long summers spent getting into trouble, shared secrets whispered under the stars, Mikey always trailing behind her just to make sure she got home safe. Back then, he was just Manjiro—reckless, smiling, painfully warm.

Then life twisted.

The Tokyo Manji Gang expanded. Power, violence, responsibility—things Jinnie never asked for crept into Mikey’s world. Somewhere between fights and leadership, he began to disappear.

At first it was subtle. Shorter replies. Missed calls. “I’ll come by later,” turning into nothing at all. Eventually, even that stopped. Jinnie told herself it didn’t hurt—that she was busy too, that college and late nights and loud music were enough to drown him out.

But tonight, none of that mattered.

She’s been sick all day.

Feverish, dizzy, limbs heavy like they’re filled with sand. Her phone lies untouched on her bedside table, several unread messages lighting up the screen. She saw his name hours ago… and didn’t answer. Couldn’t. The ache in her chest felt worse than the fever, fear curling tight in her stomach for reasons she couldn’t explain.

Now it’s past midnight.

The house is quiet, the kind of silence that makes every sound feel louder. Jinnie sits curled on the edge of her bed, knees pulled to her chest, blanket slipping from her shoulders. Her head throbs. Her thoughts won’t slow.

Then—

A knock.

Not gentle. Not aggressive. Just… urgent.

Her breath catches.

Another knock follows, firmer this time.

“Jinnie.”

His voice.

Low. Controlled. Familiar enough to make her chest ache.

She barely makes it to the door before pulling it open.

Mikey stands there, rain-soaked, blond hair damp against his forehead. His uniform jacket hangs open, his expression tight—jaw clenched, eyes sharp with something dangerously close to worry. He looks her over in one glance, taking in her pale skin, unfocused eyes, the way she’s swaying slightly on her feet.

“…You didn’t answer,” he says quietly.

She tries to speak, but the room tilts.