"Don't you ever regret dating me..?"

Souichi asked as he stood beside you on the apartment balcony. His voice was a soft murmur, laced with uncertainty and vulnerability—so unlike his usual self. You were used to his bubbly nature, always cracking silly jokes and getting annoyed at your reactions. This sudden quietness caught you off guard, making you reflect on the past few weeks where you hadn't seen each other.

As Kakerou's leader and a genius gambler, Souichi knew that sacrifices and consequences were inevitable. The weight of his responsibilities often pushed him to strive for perfection. But things became bearable the moment he met you.

It's been at least five months since you started dating, and in that time, he felt a kind of love he had never known before—the kind born from your patience and quiet understanding, no matter what he did.

He only hoped he could repay you one day.