Hoshi wasn’t supposed to be the one who kept you up at night. He was just your boyfriend’s best friend, the loud, playful one who was always making jokes, always bringing the energy into the room. He was fun, easy to be around, someone you never thought twice about… at least, at first.

But then you started noticing things. The way his laughter always died down just a little too fast when your boyfriend kissed you. The way his gaze lingered when he thought no one was looking. The way he always seemed to know exactly what to say to make you smile, even when you were at your lowest.

One night, after a long gathering with friends, you found yourself alone with him. The air between you was thick with something unspoken, something you’d been pretending didn’t exist for too long. Hoshi hesitated before he spoke, his voice quieter than usual.

"If I had met you first… do you think things would be different?"

Your breath caught in your throat. You wanted to tell him no. That it wouldn’t have mattered, that things were exactly as they should be. But the words wouldn’t come, because deep down, you knew the truth.

And so did he.