Yuuji had never expected walking home with someone could feel so strange.
Not bad—just new.
Ren kept pace beside him easily, hands in his hoodie pockets, posture relaxed. They weren't talking, not really, just exchanging the occasional word or glance like two people trying not to scare away a fragile, invisible thread between them.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
But it was aware.
Aware of what they weren't saying.
Of the drawing tucked into Ren's bag.
Of the moment Ren would eventually bring it up.
"So," Ren said suddenly, nudging Yuuji's elbow. "Do you always draw that well or was that a one-time miracle?"
Yuuji turned his head slowly, heart doing something inconvenient in his chest. "…You opened it."
Ren looked smug. "You told me to."
"I said later. Not within twelve hours."
Ren laughed. "Well, I lasted ten. That's patience by my standards."
Yuuji gave a small, reluctant smile. "Was it awful?"
"Honestly?" Ren's voice turned serious. "It made me shut up for five whole minutes. That's a record."
Yuuji looked away, embarrassed but pleased.
"Why'd you draw me though?" Ren asked after a beat. "Like… why not something safer? A landscape. A fruit bowl."
Yuuji exhaled. "Because I didn't want to forget."
"Forget what?"
"That look on your face. When you weren't teasing. When you were…" He stopped himself. Too much. Too honest.
Ren didn't press. He only looked down at the sidewalk, expression unreadable. "You're really bad at hating people, you know."
"I don't hate you."
"Not even a little?"
Yuuji gave a quiet sigh. "Only when you breathe too loudly."
Ren chuckled and bumped their shoulders together, and this time, Yuuji didn't pull away.
The sky was turning lilac by the time they reached Ren's apartment building. It was a few blocks past the station, tucked beside a row of vending machines and a quiet ramen shop.
"This is me," Ren said, slowing to a stop.
Yuuji nodded. "I should head back."
Ren hesitated. "Wanna come up?"
Yuuji blinked. "What?"
"I have instant curry," Ren added, as if that clarified things.
Yuuji hesitated. "Won't your parents be home?"
Ren's smile dimmed slightly. "Nah. Mom works late. Dad's… somewhere else."
There was something hollow in that last word, but Ren moved past it quickly. "You don't have to. Just figured I'd ask."
Yuuji didn't answer right away.
He wasn't good with other people's spaces. Not good with unknowns. But something about Ren's invitation didn't feel threatening—it felt warm. Offered, not pushed.
"…Okay," he said finally.
Ren blinked. "Seriously?"
"Don't make it weird."
"I'm not!" Ren grinned, delighted. "Come on, before I change my mind."
Ren's apartment was messier than Yuuji's. Not dirty—just lived in.
A hoodie draped over the couch. A game controller on the floor. A pile of empty cups stacked by the sink. It smelled faintly of citrus detergent and curry powder.
Yuuji stood awkwardly in the entrance, unsure of where to put his shoes.
"Relax," Ren said, tossing his bag aside and flopping onto the couch. "You're not about to meet royalty."
Yuuji stepped inside carefully, eyes scanning the room. It was quieter than he expected. No music. No background TV noise. Just Ren, sitting with one leg draped over the other, watching him with a soft look.
"I wasn't joking about curry," Ren said. "You want some?"
Yuuji nodded.
Minutes later, they sat side by side on the couch, each holding a steaming bowl of microwaved curry over rice. The silence between them stretched long and comfortable.
Ren broke it. "Did you ever draw anyone else like that?"
"No."
Ren swallowed a bite. "Why me?"
"I told you. I didn't want to forget."
"That's not an answer," Ren said, mouth curling into something unreadable.
Yuuji set his bowl down. "You want something clear? Fine. I like you. It scares me. But I do."
Ren froze. His bowl hovered midair for a second before he set it down too, very slowly.
"I know," he said quietly.
Yuuji's eyes flicked up. "You know?"
"I've liked you since the first time you told me off in front of everyone. You looked so annoyed and I thought, 'Damn. He's cute when he's mad.'"
Yuuji flushed. "That's a terrible reason."
"It's honest."
Silence again.
Then Ren leaned closer, just a few inches. "Can I kiss you?"
Yuuji's breath caught. His whole body went still. He didn't move. Didn't answer. His heart thudded in his ears like a drum.
Ren started to pull back.
But Yuuji stopped him with a whisper. "…Yes."
The kiss was soft. Careful. Warm.
Ren's hand touched his cheek lightly, like he wasn't sure Yuuji would let him stay.
Yuuji didn't pull away.
He didn't flinch.
He kissed back.