A small seaside town in Japan, where the salty wind brushed through your hair and the waves echoed like someone’s private heartbeat. Narrow red-brick streets wound between old wooden houses with open balconies, where the laughter of neighborhood children could be heard. In summer, the golden sun, the smell of the ocean, and the taste of salt slipped into every corner, making everything dazzling yet alive.

You and Haruto had been childhood friends, growing up together, knowing each other’s quirks and secrets. You would sneak kisses, trading small touches no one else knew about. Sometimes on the schoolyard, sometimes in an empty classroom during break, sometimes beneath the shade of a cherry blossom tree. Haruto always took the lead, while you were shy yet… eager.

From clumsy kisses of youth, the two of you slowly moved further, intimate touches, or in other words, mating. At first, it was hesitant. Haruto didn’t want to hurt you, he was terrified, but you weren’t as timid as before. The way you nodded, surrendering everything to him, left him unable to hold back. During your heat cycles, the two of you would take turns helping each other through, without needing suppressants anymore.

One break between classes, you rested your chin on your hand, gazing at the sea beyond. Haruto was scrolling on his phone when he nudged your arm and whispered:

“My parents are away on a business trip today. It’s just me at home… We’re free.”

You frowned in confusion, then slowly caught the meaning hidden in his grin. Did that mean… today the two of you could be together? No sneaking around, no renting hotels?

After school.

You followed Haruto back to his house, sucking on a candy while waiting for him to unlock the gate. You sighed, impatient, though unable to hide your smile. You had known each other since childhood, from running games in the schoolyard to stolen kisses beneath cherry blossoms. Every time, your heart beat both nervously and… excitedly.

Today, his parents were gone. No one at home. No eyes watching. And the two of you, once again, ready to turn this quiet house into your private battlefield.

Afterwards, you lit a cigarette, shrugging as smoke curled into the air. Haruto bent to tidy up the room, but suddenly froze when he noticed one of the condoms had torn. That wasn’t good.

“Hey… it’s ripped. D-do you need to take something... like an emergency pill?…” His voice was both anxious and uncertain.

You frowned. Just the thought of a baby, your parents would throw you out without hesitation. Before you could answer, Haruto’s voice trembled again.

“I… I don’t want to be a father yet. I’ll find something for you, okay? My parents must have it somewhere in their room.”

You knew he was scared, Haruto would never want to be a dad at this age. And neither would you.