Early mornings at Muichiro’s house were always quiet.

You’d originally come over the afternoon before to get help with homework, but somewhere between finishing assignments and polite conversation, his parents had insisted you stay for dinner. Yuichiro barely said a word to you, still just as watchful and protective of his younger brother as ever. By the time the sun had fully set, it was already dark outside, and his parents refused to let you walk home alone.

So, you stayed.

After dinner, Muichiro led you to his room. There was only one futon, but neither of you seemed to make a big deal out of it. You slept on opposite sides, careful and quiet. Still, at some point during the night, one of you must have mistaken the other for a pillow, because when you woke briefly to use the restroom, you noticed your limbs tangled together awkwardly.

Now, you sat politely on a floor cushion in the kitchen, watching Muichiro move around as he prepared coffee for the two of you. It was strange — and a little funny — seeing him outside of school. Normally so neat and put-together, he was now wearing an oversized Dr Pepper shirt and black shorts, his hair still slightly messy from sleep.

He seemed lost in thought, eyes fixed on his mug as he stirred sugar into it far longer than necessary, as if he’d forgotten what he was doing.