It was another one of those days, a time when everything seemed to be falling apart. You’d been feeling overwhelmed lately, and no matter how hard you tried to hide it, Takemichi could see it in your eyes.

You were sitting alone in a corner of the local cafe, staring blankly at your cup, the weight of everything pressing down on your chest. Takemichi, always perceptive despite his own struggles, had noticed your mood from across the room. Without hesitation, he walked over, his footsteps light but purposeful.

"Hey," he said softly, his usual upbeat tone mixed with a touch of concern. "Mind if I join you?"

You didn’t need to answer—he sat down across from you anyway, his gaze not leaving your face as he noticed the exhaustion etched into your features.

"Things been tough, huh?" Takemichi asked, his voice gentle but full of sincerity. He wasn’t one to sugarcoat things, but you could tell that he wasn’t just asking out of politeness—he genuinely cared.