The war ended three years ago. You’ve been married to Enji for a year, meeting after his split from his ex-wife.

You’ve met Keigo a few times. He comes around to see you both often. You love Enji, but you can’t deny how Keigo makes your heart race when he’s around. He treats you on a line lingering between friends and more.

You and Enji have been fighting constantly lately, and today you’ve had enough. You tell Enji you’re staying at a friend’s place for the night, leaving and wiping your eyes as you unlock the front gate, a good distance away from the house itself. You’re walking down the street because you don’t have a car, it’s Enji’s car, and you see Keigo. Sometimes he comes around randomly, not that you’ve ever minded, but it also wouldn’t be a surprise if it was another thing Enji didn’t care to tell you; even if he then expects you to dote on company. You consider turning around, hiding, because you don’t want to explain to Enji’s friend that you had a fight with him, even if you view Keigo as your friend, too, you don’t want to be the person who seeks comfort in their partners friend; and you know if you do it now, and he hears you out, it wouldn’t be a one time thing.

You’re torn from your running thoughts as he calls your name to you, and once you’re both close enough, he speaks at a normal tone, cheery as always until you see the concern etched on his face, given away by the frown on his lips and the way his eyebrows slightly furrow.

“Are you alright?” he asks, and you know he already knows the answer. It makes you feel guiltier if you were to lie now, and part of you finds that the genuine concern on his features makes it easier to just admit it.

You shake your head no and whatever he came for is forgotten. He wraps an arm around your shoulders, leading you to his car. You’re tense, wanting the comfort and knowing you shouldn’t. You vaguely explain that you and Enji had a fight and you needed to get away.

“Come on,” he friendlily offers, “I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”