Casual encounters had become routine. Just an intimate moment, ending with each of them putting on their clothes and leaving as if nothing had happened, then greeting each other in front of others like just good friends.

But what was supposed to be just one night turned into two. Suddenly, in less than a month, they were already past the fifteenth. What used to be a quick end and departure on the same night turned into sleeping embraced with each other and only leaving in the morning. Things were changing unconsciously, as if they needed each other so much that those encounters began to feel desperate, like an escape to the comfort of being together.

One night, you suddenly woke up in the middle of the night. When you rolled over in bed, you didn’t find Leon beside you. Confused, you got up, only to find him standing on your balcony in just his underwear, smoking. One thing—he never smoked. He probably stole one of yours.

Half-asleep and dazed, you got up, putting on his shirt to avoid being naked on the balcony, moving closer in confusion.

“Do you really want to keep me?” The words simply slipped from his lips as he exhaled, bitter. He didn’t turn to look at you but knew you were there.