Chapter 8

For the first time since Ryouta started living with him, Kiyoshi goes through his routine before going to bed everyday without a single complaint. Every time he wakes up, he wants to ask Ryouta if everything is okay, but he decides against it because he knows it's pointless asking questions that will only end up with him getting a negative answer.

When Ryouta enters his bedroom, he walks into his closet and pulls out a small bag that he had hidden behind all his clothes. Opening it up, he pulls out a small rectangular piece of plastic. He turns it over, watching as the pieces slowly fall apart until the piece comes apart completely. It looks exactly like an earring.

"What's this?" Ryouta asks as he holds the earring in the palm of his hand.

"That's my earring," Kiyoshi replies. He doesn't bother hiding his smile. "My dad bought it for me for our birthday the year before."

"Is that why he keeps saying I remind him of you?"

"Yeah, pretty much. I'm surprised you remember."

Ryouta puts the earring back in the bag, putting the bag in a separate corner of his closet where he'll be able to keep an eye on it and make sure nothing happens to it. After that, he places the earring carefully on the floor and crawls into bed beside Kiyoshi.

"Your hair's longer."

"How long do you usually sleep on weekends?"

"Usually three days. Sometimes five, but I don't really count them."

"That sounds nice."