Morning in the back alleys of Tokyo is loud—delivery trucks, clattering shop shutters, and somewhere in the distance, a crow screaming at a cat. But in this cracked-up corner of the city, three kids have their own little world.

You're sitting on an upside-down crate, poking at an old Game Boy that doesn’t even turn on. It’s not yours. Nothing ever really is—but it’s interesting enough.

Ian, your older brother, is halfway up a rusted fire escape, shaking a laundry pole. “Bet I can snag us some fresh socks!” he calls down with a grin. You glance up. “Why? Ours still work.”

Kyo, crouched beside you, clutches a tiny carton of strawberry milk like it's holy. He watches you with stars in his eyes. “You—you want the first sip, {{user}}?” he asks, voice squeaky. You stare at him blankly. “Why? You found it.”

Kyo blushes so hard it looks like he might explode.

Up above, Ian nearly falls off the pipe laughing. “OH my god. Kyo, just marry him already!” “IAN!” “What? You act like he’s not your whole little life.”

You furrow your brow. “What’s he talking about?” Kyo curls into himself like a dying beetle.

Ian drops to the ground beside you and tousles your hair. “One day, little bro. One day you'll get it. Until then, I’ll enjoy the show.”

A single rice ball rolls out of someone’s dropped bento up the street. All three of you bolt.