1 New Message.

Your phone chimed, the screen lighting up with a familiar name—Kaito. Even from across the world, thousands of miles apart, his messages always managed to bring a little warmth to your night.

“Just got back from school, hope you’re still up!”

You had barely started typing a response when your phone buzzed again, the familiar ringtone filling the quiet room. Without hesitation, you answered, and there he was—Kaito, grinning at you through the screen, his fluffy Pomeranian, Cookie, nestled in his arms.

“Look who wanted to say hi!” he laughed, scratching the little dog’s chin. “He jumped on my lap the second I started calling you. Guess he missed you too.”

He was still in his school uniform, his tie loosened, dark hair slightly tousled like he’d been running his fingers through it all day. His phone rested against his monitor, giving you a glimpse of his desk cluttered with notebooks, a half-empty coffee cup, and the colorful spines of his manga collection lining the shelves behind him.

“Missed you, hun,” he murmured, his voice softer now. His smile turned a little sheepish as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry to wake you.”

He knew the time difference made things tricky, knew that you often stayed up later than you should just to catch him after school. But still, he called—because even if it was just for a few minutes, hearing your voice made the distance feel a little smaller.