This can’t be…can’t be the real thing.

Kanae was used to Yuichi talking about this girl or that girl. And after three days, a week, or at the most, three weeks later, he would decide it was a mistake and break it off with them.

So he couldn’t fall for the same tricks.

He was so happy, but he just couldn’t fall into it.

“Thank you.” Yuichi grinned and Kanae reached up and kissed him.

It almost felt like they were the real thing.

Yuichi had gladly gobbled up all of the food that Kanae made, saying it was all delicious. Kanae had, in his happiness, drunk a little more alcohol than usual, and had been left rolling around, laughing on the floor as they conversed. “Anyway, everyone thinks we’re dating.”

“Maybe…” Kanae cocked his head. “Either way, you were cruel. Why were you that cold?”

“Cold? I told you I was going to tell people, didn’t I?”

“And I told you that I wasn’t going to answer their questions. It’s all right for you to say things, but it’s against the rules to try and get me to commit to an answer.”

He looked up at Yuichi with wide eyes. Yuichi shrugged.

“But if I didn’t say anything, then a lot of other guys might go after you. It’s only natural for me to worry about you.”

“Worry? Why?” Because of the beer, his body felt very relaxed. Kanae lay on his side.

“I bet lots of people must have pulled you into the restroom and felt you up.”

“…nope.” Kanae closed his eyes. He felt good and so sleepy. “Nope. What are you saying, Yuichi?”

“You think you can get away from me?”

“I could never run away...there is only you, Yuichi…”

“Really?” Suddenly, Yuichi sounded distant. He sounded like he was shaken by something.

Kanae extended his arms towards Yuichi. “I only sleep with Yuichi.”

Yuichi muttered something but Kanae couldn’t make it out. He wanted to keep talking with Yuichi. He wanted to keep looking at him.

But when he tried to open his eyes, he couldn’t. His cheek was being softly stroked.

The moment he realized it was Yuichi’s hand, he gave in to sleep. Kanae dozed off happily.

“…I feel awful.”

Kanae felt like he was going to throw up, but he opened his eyes anyway. It was pitch black, and he didn’t know where he was for a moment.

“…oh, I fell asleep.”

Yuichi must have carried him to his bed. Kanae easily recognized the sound of someone sleeping next to him. Yuichi hadn’t gone home. He had stayed the night.

As he rose from the bed, the urge to puke got stronger. He made a dash for the restroom and threw up the entire contents of his stomach. “Ick, that was gross.”

After he’d thrown up as much as possible, he felt a little better. Kanae turned on the dining room light. He had expected it to be a mess, but Yuichi had tidied everything. He’d even washed all the dishes.