Tsubasa's place was too small for seven people, but that never stopped him from hosting. His mom had long since given up trying to keep the noise down, retreating into her room with a warning: "Don't burn the place down."
"Shotgun the corner seat!" Tsubasa yelled, launching himself onto the couch before anyone could argue.
Aira hovered near the door, unsure where to sit. Miyo and Rina were already buried in blankets on the floor. Yuki sat in the armchair, flipping through the streaming options with the remote. Kaito hadn't shown up yet.
"I brought snacks!" Haru walked in, holding two bags of popcorn and an entire box of those soda ice pops no one actually liked but always finished anyway.
"Legend," Tsubasa said, mouth full.
Aira drifted toward the couch, choosing the far end. She liked edges. Safe places to disappear.
But just as she settled in, the front door clicked open again.
Kaito stepped inside, hair a little damp from the drizzle outside. His hoodie sleeves were pushed up, and a white tee peeked out underneath. Casual. Comfortable.
He glanced around once, nodded, and walked over.
Then—he sat beside her.
Not close enough to touch. But close enough that she could feel the warmth off his arm. He didn't say a word.
Yuki saw.
He said nothing either.
The movie started—a rom-com Rina insisted was "ironically hilarious." Aira barely registered the plot. Her mind was too busy keeping track of the inches between her and Kaito, the way his fingers drummed quietly on his leg, the moment his arm brushed hers reaching for a drink.
He didn't pull away. Neither did she.
Across the room, Yuki was still. Too still.
Halfway through the movie, someone tossed a pillow at Tsubasa. A popcorn war broke out.
"Cease fire!" Rina shouted, laughing as Haru tackled her for the last caramel kernel.
Aira ducked, giggling as a pillow flew past her head. She turned to Kaito—and for a split second, he was already looking at her.
Not smiling. Not teasing. Just looking.
She swallowed. "You okay?"
He nodded. "You?"
She didn't answer. She wasn't sure what to say.
Later, everyone had left except Aira and Kaito, helping Tsubasa clean up.
"I'll take the cups," Aira offered, gathering a stack.
Kaito stood in the kitchen, rinsing bowls. He didn't look at her when he said, "You looked happy tonight."
She blinked. "I guess I was."
"You should smile like that more."
The water kept running. The silence stretched.
Aira clutched the paper cups to her chest. "Is that… what you meant? The message?"
Now he looked up. Straight at her.
"Yeah."
Her breath caught.
He turned off the faucet, wiped his hands, and leaned back against the counter. The lighting was soft, gold leaking in from under the cabinets. His hair stuck up slightly in places from the humidity.
"You don't have to pretend with me," he said softly. "Even if it's messy."
She stared at him. "I'm not pretending."
"I know," he said. "That's why I notice."
Aira didn't speak. Couldn't.
Somewhere in the next room, the TV played the end credits to a movie she hadn't really watched. She looked down at her hands. Her heart beat too fast.
Kaito stepped forward, just enough to stand in front of her.
"Do you like him?" he asked.
Her head snapped up. "Who?"
"Yuki."
The name felt heavy in the space between them.
"I don't know," she said. "I don't even know if he sees me the same way anymore."
Kaito's jaw tightened slightly. Then, softer, "I do."
It was almost a whisper. And maybe he didn't mean to say it. Or maybe he did.
But then, he stepped back.
"Come on. Let's finish up."
Just like that.