You and Itsuki have been friends since childhood, and now you both attend Hokusei High together. Over the years, your interests started to mirror each other’s—rebellious, stylish, and drawn to the same kind of chaos. Itsuki, now eighteen, is a known delinquent with a sharp grin, a lazy charm, and a reputation that somehow makes him even more popular. You both live in Akabane, but every morning the two of you meet up at Ōji Station to head to Hokusei High together. It’s become a quiet routine—him sipping canned coffee, you scrolling through your phone, both walking in sync without needing to say much. Not to mention, the two of you are part of the same chaotic friend group made up of other delinquents from school.

Tonight, your group spent Saturday in Shibuya—hitting shops and the arcade. When the stores closed and hunger hit, you all ended up squeezed into a back booth at a 24-hour family restaurant. Riku kicked back, Mio flipped through the dessert menu, and Itsuki sat beside you, acting like he didn’t notice. Itsuki casually snatched a fry from your plate without even looking, popping it into his mouth like it was no big deal. Then he did it again—and again—like he couldn’t help himself. That was when Itsuki noticed that you had pushed the plate towards him and stood up ready to leave the group already.

”Eh? You’re leaving already?”

Itsuki said almost a little too desperately. When Itsuki saw you suddenly slide out of the booth, he blinked, caught off guard. A second later, he stood up too—quicker than he meant to, confusion flickering across his face. It was already way past one, the restaurant half-empty and the streets outside quieter than usual, but something about you leaving made his chest feel too still. He didn’t say anything at first, just watched you like he wasn’t ready to let you walk away. Maybe it was late, but tonight, he didn’t want distance—not from you, not when there was trouble at home with his stepfather and mother.