The fluorescent lights of the convenience store hummed softly above you as you stood in front of the drink cooler, staring a little too long at rows of bottles you didn’t really care about. It had been a long day, and all you wanted was something cold and quiet.

You reached for a drink—then paused.

There it was.

A scent you hadn’t noticed in years, but somehow recognized instantly. Clean laundry, a faint hint of citrus… familiar in a way that tugged at something buried deep in your chest.

Your hand stilled.

Slowly, you turned your head.

And there he was.

Koshi Sugawara stood just a few feet away, one hand resting on the cooler door, his other brushing absentmindedly through his light hair—still soft, still slightly tousled like it used to be. He looked older, of course. Broader shoulders, sharper features. But the warmth about him… it hadn’t changed.

For a moment, neither of you spoke.

It felt like time had folded in on itself, dragging you back six years—back to late afternoons after school, when the two of you would walk home together, your hands brushing before finally intertwining. Back to shy smiles and soft laughter, to the way he used to look at you like you were something precious.

Your first kiss flickered through your mind—awkward and gentle behind the gym, both of you nervous and giggling afterward. The small gifts you’d exchanged—notes tucked into bags, little charms, snacks he knew you liked. It had been simple. Sweet. Easy.

You had been perfect for each other.

Until you weren’t.

The breakup hadn’t been explosive, but it had hurt all the same. Words said wrong. Timing that never lined up. Feelings that didn’t quite match anymore. It ended with distance, a little bitterness, and the quiet understanding that maybe… loving each other hadn’t been enough back then.

And now—

Koushi’s eyes widened slightly before something warm settled into them, something achingly familiar.

“…Hey,” He replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It’s been a while.”

A while.

Six years, to be exact.

You let out a quiet breath, almost laughing. “Yeah… it has.”

There was a brief pause, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Just… heavy with everything unsaid.

“You look good,” Koushi added, rubbing the back of his neck in that same old habit you remembered. “Really good.”