Kai shifted on the couch, his fingers twisting nervously in his lap. “Oh… Kavei, there’s something I need to confess.”

Kavei cocked his head, a mischievous glint sparking in his eyes. “Don’t tell me—you fell in love with the whiteboard girl.”

Kai’s face turned red instantly. “That’s not a confession! That was bound to happen! I’m single, you gave me food—good food! What was I supposed to do?”

Kavei let out a laugh, amused at how flustered he’d gotten.

“The hell, man!” Kai groaned, throwing his arms over his chest with a dramatic pout.

“Okay, okay, calm down—boyfriend,” Kavei teased, mimicking his pout until Kai shot him a glare.

“Ugh. Jesus. What even gave you the idea to meet me tonight?” Kai muttered, still sulking.

“I didn’t know it was you,” Kavei admitted simply.

“Oh, you know what I mean!” Kai shot back, half frustrated, half amused.

Kavei’s smirk softened into something quieter. “I was tired of meeting you through letters and whiteboards. That’s why.”

“Oh.” Kai blinked, his pout fading as the words settled in.

Kavei leaned forward slightly. “So? The big confession?”

Kai swallowed, nerves creeping back in. “Right… Kavei. Me and the others—”

Kavei cut him off with a frown. “Others? What others?”

Kai’s jaw dropped. “It’s been one month and you forgot us all?”

“No,” Kavei sighed, rolling his eyes. “Stop overreacting. You mean Rakana-san and the rest?”

“Yeah. Them. And Sebiki-san too.” Kai’s tone grew cautious.

“So, the whole crew,” Kavei muttered. “What about it?”

Kai hesitated, then blurted, “We… eavesdropped.”

Kavei’s lips parted, but no sarcasm came this time. Just a quiet, “...Okay.”

Kai’s voice cracked as he blurted it out. “On you.” His eyes darted away from Kavei’s.

Kavei froze, staring at him. “...What?”

Kai fumbled, forcing a laugh. “Want… a pie?”

“You spied on me? Kai, you—”

“Wait, wait, wait—there’s more,” Kai rushed, his hands shooting up like a shield.

Kavei buried his face in his palm. “God. Don’t tell me—”

“We heard your plan,” Kai said quickly, guilt dragging his words down. “About investigating Aroshi-san’s case.”

Kavei’s head snapped up. “You what?!”

“There’s more,” Kai whispered again, barely audible this time.

Kavei groaned, dragging both hands through his hair. “Of course there is.”

“And then… we kept following you,” Kai admitted. His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “So yeah—I was in Yokohama. And Osaka too.”

Kavei’s lips parted, but no words came out at first. Finally, a stammer: “W-what? You—Is there… more?”

Kai shook his head miserably. “No. That’s it. You can… get mad now.”

Kavei let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, thanks for the permission.” His tone turned sharp. “And you guys wanted me to trust you. Look how well that went.”

“Kavei, please—just listen. It was Sebiki-san’s idea. I didn’t stop her, I know, but—” Kai’s voice cracked. “You made new friends, but you never let us in. What were we supposed to do?”

Kavei slammed a hand on the coffee table, forgetting about his wounded hand. “Those three and I barely know each other! If something happens, no one can connect me to them. Even if they can, it will take them a while. But you? We go to the same damn school! Now we even live next door! Do you even realize how dangerous that is?”

“Kavei—”

“I loved the whiteboard thing we had,” Kavei cut him off, his voice raw. “I wish I hadn’t been selfish. I wish I hadn’t tried to move on and come here.”

“Kavei!” Kai’s eyes widened as he reached for him.

“Don’t you dare scream at me,” Kavei snapped, his voice shaking. “I should be the one screaming. And if you were there today, then you know exactly how my leg and hand got this way. We’re done, Kai, no- Senosan-kun.”

Kai’s face fell. “Wait—done? What do you mean by that?”

Kavei shifted to stand, but Kai suddenly pushed him back down. The couch cushions gave under his weight as Kavei grabbed at the coffee table for balance with his proper hand, his crutches falling beside the coffee table. Kai loomed above him, his face pale with panic and guilt, his voice breaking. “I-I’m sorry. Just… please. Don’t leave it like this.”

“Fine. Talk,” Kavei muttered at last, his voice low and flat.

Kai’s fingers tightened on the couch as though letting go meant losing him altogether. He drew a shaky breath. “I know you’re angry. I know this… looks bad. But we weren’t trying to sneak around you.” His voice faltered, but he pushed forward. “We saw how much you’ve been taking on. You never ask for help. Ever. So we thought—if we stepped in, maybe you wouldn’t have to carry it all alone.”

Kavei scoffed, turning his head away. “That’s not your call to make.”

Kai winced, but didn’t back down. “I know. But if we’d asked, you’d have brushed us off. You always do. You say, ‘Don’t worry about it,’ or ‘I don’t care anymore.’ But, Kavei—we do worry. I worry.”

Silence pressed heavy between them. Kai’s words hung there, thick and unrelenting, weighing down just as much as his grip.

Kai wet his lips nervously. “You think we don’t trust you, but it’s the opposite. We trust you so much that we wanted to take some of that weight off your shoulders. You’re not alone in this. You don’t have to be.” His eyes searched Kavei’s profile. “It might sound strange coming from someone you haven’t known that long, but you let us in. You trusted us. And we only wanted to help.”

Kavei let out a long, slow breath, his fingers drumming the table before going still. When he finally looked back, his gaze was sharp, almost searching. “And what if I never wanted you to carry my burdens?”

Kai gave a sad little smile. “Then at least let us stand beside you while you do. Just… don’t say letting us in was a mistake.”

Kavei sighed, his expression softening. “You did it for me. I see that. But you could’ve asked.” His eyes stayed fixed on Kai’s face, watching all the clear signs of honesty.

Kai opened his mouth, his voice firmer now. “Sebiki-san asked before summer break. Don’t you remember?”

Kai blinked as he continued. “She did. And you said no.”

“I meant you, Kai.” Kavei’s gaze didn’t waver. “You could have asked.”

Confusion flickered across Kai’s face. “What do you mean?”

“Are you really that dense?” Kavei’s tone sharpened. “You couldn’t tell the difference? When Souta-san asked, I brushed it off. But then I began prying into it myself. Doesn’t that tell you something?”

Kai frowned, thoughtful. “You did seem more… open to the idea. But why?”

Kavei leaned back, exhaling. “Because of a case I worked. A kidnapping. You remember that girl in the blue dress yesterday—Miyasi-nee?”

“Yeah?” Kai leaned in, nodding as he remembered.

“She’s my senior,” Kavei said quietly. “Two years older… and she was the one kidnapped.”

Kai’s mouth parted, the weight of it sinking in. “Oh. So that’s what lit your inner detective, huh?”

“Maybe.” Kavei gave a small shrug, though his eyes looked heavier than his tone. “Doesn’t matter. What matters is… too many people are already tangled up in this. Miyasi-nee, Saira-nee, Benio-nii, Ojiro, Narito, Kenma… I don’t want to drag anyone else into it.”

Kai’s brows drew together. “See? You don’t see me as a friend. Not really.”

“Seno- Kai, no. That’s not it.” Kavei’s tone firmed, though there was warmth beneath it.

“Then what?” Kai pressed. His eyes searched Kavei’s face like the answer was written there.

Kavei held his gaze for a second, then faltered, looking away. The clock ticked in the corner, each second stretching longer than it should. He felt Kai’s breath warm against his cheek before he finally spoke.

“Listen… you’re my friend. My classmate. My neighbor, now. Of course you are.” Kavei’s voice softened, almost apologetic. “I just didn’t want you—or the others—getting hurt because of me.”

Kai’s expression wavered, the edge in his eyes melting away. “...I’m sorry,” he murmured.

“Yeah. Now get off me already,” Kavei muttered, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

Kai startled, then scrambled upright, pulling Kavei into a sitting position as if making up for holding him down.

Kavei rubbed his shoulder and quirked a brow. “Seriously, man. Do you always tackle your guests onto your couch like that? I have a wounded leg you know. Thank the lords you weren't kneeling on it.”

Kai’s face flushed. “I am so sorry! I—no! I just— You were going to leave, and if you walked out like that it’d turn into a whole misunderstanding, and I just—” He trailed off, his ears red.

Kavei chuckled, shaking his head. “Kai, I’m a detective. Or at least smart enough to know misunderstandings are a waste of time.”

“But you were mad,” Kai said softly, almost guilty.

“I was,” Kavei admitted. “I mean… I’m human.” He gave a crooked smile, tired but real.

A sharp pulse rattled through Kavei’s skull then, like someone knocking from the inside. His ears rang, his vision swam. He clutched the fabric of his black hoodie with one hand and pressed the other hard against his temple, trying to steady himself.

“Kavei? Hey—Kavei!” Kai’s voice shot up, panic flooding his tone. He hovered, wide-eyed, his hand twitching toward his phone. “That’s where your heart is, right? Why are you holding there? Oh, hell, I’m calling someone—hold on—”

“You wait,” Kavei muttered, voice tight as he fought the dizzy throb.

“Kavei, stop. Just wait. The line will go through—” Kai’s voice cracked as he tapped his screen.

“Kai!” The word came sharp and frustrated. In one swift motion, Kavei snatched the phone out of his hand and killed the call.

Kai froze, staring at him in disbelief. “What the hell was that for?!” His voice shook, caught between anger and fear.

Kavei lowered the phone onto the table with a shaky breath. “Calm down. I’m fine.” His words were steady, but the wince pulling at his face betrayed him.

“Fine?” Kai’s chest rose and fell too quickly. “No—you’re not. I saw this before. At school, remember? Then again near that cop’s place. And now here? You think this is normal?” His hands clenched at his sides. “You need a doctor.”

Kavei rubbed his temple, sighing. “Alright. Fine. Tomorrow. I’ll go tomorrow. Right now I need to check on Daichi-kun.”

“Daichi?” Kai blinked, thrown by the name.

“You were there, Kai,” Kavei said quietly, too drained to explain further.

Kai’s brows furrowed, then the realization hit. “Oh. The kid.” He tried to force a half-smile. “Man, he must be one heavy sleeper.”

Kavei pushed himself off the couch, his legs unsteady, head still pounding. He steadied himself on the armrest, then moved toward the door. Kai helped him hold steady and grabbed the crutches for him.

Kavei glanced at the floor indicator of the elevator, his body heavy with the day’s chaos. When he pushed open the door to his unit, the lights flickered on, washing the entryway in a soft glow. He stopped short.

On the couch, a small figure sat swinging his legs, shadows blurring his features.

Kavei’s breath caught. “…What the—? A ghost?” he muttered, squinting.

The boy rubbed his eyes with tiny fists. “Nii-san…”

“Daichi-san?” Kavei’s voice dropped, all tension melting.

Daichi nodded sleepily, his hair sticking up in uneven tufts. Relief sagged Kavei’s shoulders. He flicked on the hallway light, chasing the shadows from the room.

“What’s this? You woke up too soon?” Kavei asked, making his way toward him.

“No…” Daichi shook his head, his voice small. “Nii-san wasn’t home.”

Kavei leaned against the wall, a pang of guilt tugging at him. “When did you wake up?”

Daichi thought for a moment, eyelids drooping. “Five minutes ago, maybe.”

“Thank the lords…” Kavei breathed, more to himself than to Daichi. At least the boy hadn’t been sitting there long.

“Nii-san,” Daichi murmured, blinking up at him. “Where were you?”

Kavei managed a faint smile. “Just… outside. Shouldn’t we get some sleep now?”

The boy nodded, already yawning. He slid off the couch and shuffled toward the room Saira had set for him, dragging his blanket behind him. Kavei followed on his crutches, helping tuck him in despite the awkwardness of balancing.

“Comfy?” Kavei asked, smoothing the blanket over him.

“Mhm,” Daichi mumbled, eyes already fluttering shut.

Kavei lingered for a second, watching his breathing settle, before quietly slipping out and closing the door with care.

Kavei leaned against the cool wall of the hallway, his crutches resting by his side as he fished his phone out of his pocket. He dialed a familiar number, the faint buzz of the dial tone filling the silence. For a moment, all he heard was the echo of his own breathing and the distant hum of the building’s pipes.

Finally, a tired voice crackled through. “Hello?”

Kavei straightened. “It’s me. Kavei.”

There was a pause before Yukina replied. “Kavei? At this hour? What’s going on?” Her voice, though sluggish, carried an edge of alertness.

“I need to ask you something,” Kavei said. His words were steady, but the weight behind them was unmistakable.

“Alright,” she said, voice sharpening now. “What is it?”

“There’s someone I want you to protect for me.”

“…Excuse me?” Yukina asked, confusion slipping into her tone.

“He goes to school in Osaka,” Kavei continued, ignoring her surprise.

“I’m gonna need more than that,” she pressed.

“His name’s Daichi. Sixth grade. You know him.”

There was a rustle of movement on the other end, as if she’d sat upright. “Daichi-kun? The kid who was kidnapped? Oh, right—word came through that he was found. Wait.” Her tone shifted suddenly. “Don’t tell me—you’re the one who found him?”

Kavei didn’t answer the question. Instead, he said, “Just protect him, yeah?”

Yukina let out a sharp breath. “So it was you. No wonder the police are being tight-lipped, we will get information anyway since you work for us… Kavei, why do you keep pushing yourself like this?”

“We can talk about me later.” His voice was clipped, shutting down the line of questioning.

“Kavei—” she tried again.

“The kid’s afraid of his mother,” he cut in, voice low.

“…What?”

“I don’t know what’s going on yet, but he doesn’t want to stay at home. He’s with me for now.”

“Wait—with you?” Yukina’s voice rose, disbelief evident.

“Yeah. And he’s gotta go back to school anyway. Summer school. That’s where you come in. I need you to handle that.”

There was a silence before she spoke again, her tone more resigned than surprised now. “…Alright. Fine. I’ll arrange something. Henkai can pick him up and drop him off. And I’ll make sure the house is secure. That works?”

“That’s good enough. Thank you.” He exhaled, letting a fraction of his tension slip. “Good night.”

“Kavei, wait!” she called before he could hang up.

He paused, phone still pressed to his ear. “…What?” His voice carried the exhaustion he’d been trying to mask.

“Are you going out tomorrow?”

“…Yeah,” he admitted after a beat.

“Alright. Then I’ll look into Daichi-kun’s mother myself as soon as I can. We’ll talk later. Good night.”

The line clicked dead.

For a moment, Kavei stayed there in the dim light of the hallway, the phone still in his hand. The shadows stretched long against the walls, wrapping around him like the thoughts he couldn’t shake. His mind spun with the boy’s fearful words, with Yukina’s questions, with responsibilities that piled higher than his strength. Sleep, he knew, would not be coming anytime soon.