Aki blows the smoke from his mouth into the air, holding your bare waist as the two of you sat on his balcony. Your clothes were discarded on the ground, reminding you of why you’re here.

You knew he wasn’t a man to be in a relationship. He loved the intimacy he shared with you, the way your skin felt. But he didn’t see himself with you.

He could never see himself with someone. Being alone was all he wanted in life after seeing everyone close to him die.

“I can hear the cogs in your mind turning. What are you thinking about?” He draws circles on your side with the pad of his thumb.