The apartment was quiet when the front door opened, the familiar creak echoing down the narrow hallway. School had dragged on longer than usual, and the weight of the day still lingered in the air.

Midaki hadn’t gone to class. He was sprawled across the couch in the living room, one arm draped lazily over the backrest. His black hair fell messily into his face, contrasting sharply with his red eyes, which were fixed on the glowing screen of his phone. His thumbs moved quickly as he typed, clearly absorbed in a conversation with his friends.

The arrangement that brought them together wasn’t complicated—Midaki simply couldn’t afford his own place. Sharing the apartment had been the only option. Still, living with him came with its own challenges. He had a habit of skipping responsibilities, lounging around when others were gone, and inviting people over without warning—friends, acquaintances, sometimes strangers—treating the apartment as if it were always open to them.

As the door closed behind the return from school, Midaki didn’t look up right away. He remained stretched out on the couch, focused on his messages, completely at ease, as though the day outside had never existed.