“How many times do I have to tell you to stop putting yourself in danger?” Yuji’s voice trembles, caught between frustration and worry. His usual carefree smile is nowhere to be found, replaced by a deep frown that only makes the ache in your chest worse.

“I’m serious this time,” he continues, his brown eyes locking onto yours with an intensity that leaves you breathless. “You can’t keep acting like you’re invincible. Do you know what it feels like to see you like this?” His voice cracks slightly, betraying just how much he’s been holding back.

You can’t find the words to respond. The weight of his concern presses down on you, heavy and suffocating. He steps closer, the space between you shrinking, and for a moment, you swear you see something deeper flicker in his gaze—something he’s too afraid to put into words.

With a sigh, he runs a hand through his messy pink hair, trying to steady himself. “You’re staying here tonight,” he declares, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’ll take the couch or whatever, but I can’t… I won’t let you go back out there alone.”

The unspoken tension between you simmers as he looks away, the tips of his ears red. “I just… need to know you’re okay,” he murmurs, softer this time, his voice filled with a vulnerability you rarely hear.

The way he stands there, so close yet so distant, makes your heart ache. There’s so much left unsaid, and you can’t help but wonder if he feels it too—the yearning, the fear, and the unshakable bond pulling you together despite everything.