The school bell rang, and the classroom began to empty. Kai silently followed Miles as they made their way to the canteen. The chatter of students and the clinking of trays filled the air, but Kai's mind drifted far from the present.
He found himself lost in the past—the first time he met Miles.
It was at his mother's funeral.
Kai had stood there alone, surrounded by black suits, white flowers, and hollow condolences. He felt like a stranger at his own mother's farewell. That's when a boy approached him quietly and offered him a tissue.
"You look like someone who has no friends," the boy said.
Kai blinked at him. "It's because I'm Japanese," he had replied softly. "No one wants to be friends with me."
The boy sat down beside him without hesitation. "And no one wants to be friends with me either… because I'm gay."
Kai had been surprised. Not by the boy's honesty, but by the calm strength in his voice.
"Let's be friends then," Kai said.
From that moment, Miles became his only and closest friend.
Kai knew that Miles wasn't just any random boy who showed up. He had come to the funeral with his stepbrother, Ethan Hayes—Bast's friend and business partner. Miles had told him everything, eventually.
When Miles was only fourteen, his mother married Ethan's father. He had been so happy to finally have a brother. Ethan treated him like family from day one. But two years later, Ethan's father divorced Miles's mother, and they went their separate ways.
Miles could have followed his mother abroad when she remarried, but he didn't. He stayed with Ethan.
And Ethan kept his promise to Miles's mom—he raised him like a real brother, even while running his own part of the family business in America. Ethan's father, now based in Dubai, had started a new branch of the business, while Ethan and Bast ran things from the U.S.
Kai looked across the table at Miles, who was now sipping on a soda and scrolling through his phone, carefree as ever.
"You always act like nothing affects you," Kai muttered.
Miles looked up with a grin. "That's my secret power."
But Kai knew better. They both carried more than they ever let on.
After college ended for the day, Miles stretched his arms and said, "Ethan's coming to pick me up today."
Kai glanced at him, trying to sound casual. "Oh… but I wanted to go with you to the club."
Miles gave him a teasing look. "Enough, you drank way too much last night and caused me so much trouble."
"I did?" Kai blinked, confused.
Miles burst out laughing. "You don't remember yelling 'Elinaaa! You're gonna regret it! You regret losing me, Elinaaa!' in the middle of the street?"
Kai's jaw dropped. "No way! I said that?"
Miles nodded, still laughing. "You meant every word, too!"
Kai groaned and buried his face in his hands. "God… I'm never drinking again."
As they walked toward the college exit, a tall, confident man stood near a sleek black car, waving. He looked sharp—like he stepped right out of a luxury ad.
"Milk! I'm here!" the man called out with a bright smile.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Milk…?"
Miles grinned sheepishly. "Ethan calls me Milk. Long story."
Kai chuckled. "Oh gosh. Why do you always leave me alone with weird people?"
"Hey!" Miles nudged him playfully. "I'll see you later."
Just then, Kai noticed a second man standing beside Ethan. His expression changed.
"…Don't tell me that's Bast," Kai muttered.
Miles gave a smug little smile. "Ohhh yes. That's Bast."
"H-hey, Bast," Miles greeted him casually, but Kai was already trying to pretend he didn't see the man.
He turned to walk the other way—until Bast's voice caught him.
"Why'd you leave this morning without breakfast? Without even seeing me?"
Kai glanced back and replied coldly, "I had an important class."
"Oh, really?" Bast said, voice laced with amusement. "Well, now we've got something else important to do. Let's go."
"Wait—what?"
Before Kai could protest, Bast gave Ethan a nod and grabbed Kai's wrist with surprising ease.
"Goodbye, Ethan. Later, Milk," Bast said smoothly.
And just like that, he guided a stunned Kai into the passenger seat of his car.