Episode2

[Souta’s POV]

The office was already buzzing when I walked in, the rhythmic sound of keyboards filling the air. The company my brother had built — the one I had promised to protect — had become as much my life as breathing. It wasn’t easy to carry everything on my shoulders, but I had learned long ago that complaining wasn’t an option.

“Good morning, Director Souta,” the staff greeted as I passed.

I nodded, offering the usual polite acknowledgment, but inside I was already scanning through the numbers in my head. Meetings, reports, negotiations… the weight of decisions that could shape hundreds of lives.

“Director,” one of the senior managers called, smiling as he caught up beside me. “We’re all curious. You’re already twenty-eight — when are you planning to settle down? Everyone’s starting to bet on who will finally catch your eye.”

I paused, suppressing a sigh. This wasn’t the first time I had heard it, and it wouldn’t be the last. “I already have enough responsibilities,” I said evenly, adjusting the files in my arm. “Marriage isn’t on my list.”

The manager chuckled. “Ah, you mean Aoshi-kun, right? You’re practically raising him.”

My chest tightened at the mention of his name. “He’s not a child anymore,” I replied, though my voice softened despite myself. “But yes, I’ll make sure he has everything he needs.”

The conversation ended there, and I continued on. No matter how much the world pushed, my focus couldn’t afford to stray. Aoshi deserved stability. That was the only promise I intended to keep.

Still, as I sat at my desk, going through contracts, an image flickered in my mind — Aoshi clutching his bag this morning, nodding at my reminders like he always did. His expression had been serious, almost nervous. Perhaps college was weighing on him. I made a mental note to ask about his day later.

I didn’t realize how often his face came to me during moments like these.

---

[Aoshi’s POV]

The campus was too loud today. Laughter, chatter, the clatter of shoes against stone — it all blended into a noise I couldn’t focus on.

“Aoshi!”

Ayan’s voice cut through it like sunlight through a storm. He jogged up, grinning, hair messy as ever. “You look like a ghost. What’s with that face? Don’t tell me college life has already broken you.”

I forced a laugh. “Nothing like that.”

“Liar.” Ayan squinted at me, his tone playful but sharp. “You’ve been distracted since morning. I asked if you wanted to join the cultural club, and you just nodded like I told you to jump off the roof.”

I blinked. Had I?

“You’re hiding something,” Ayan concluded dramatically, crossing his arms. “Is it a crush? Tell me, is it someone from class?”

My heart slammed against my ribs. If only he knew how far from the truth he was.

“It’s not like that,” I muttered, staring hard at the pavement.

“Hm.” Ayan leaned closer, smirking. “Then maybe someone at home?”

The air caught in my throat. My grip on my bag tightened. “Don’t joke about things like that.”

Ayan tilted his head, curious at my overreaction, but shrugged it off with a grin. “Fine, fine. Keep your secrets. I’ll find out sooner or later.”

I breathed a little easier, though guilt twisted inside me. Ayan was too perceptive for his own good.

---

Later in the afternoon, as students filed out of the building, Ayan walked with me toward the gate. “Hey, I’ll grab something at the café before heading home. Want to come?”

Before I could answer, a familiar car pulled up. Sleek, polished — so distinctly Souta.

The window lowered, and there he was, calm and composed even after what must have been an exhausting day. “Aoshi,” he called simply, “let’s go.”

Ayan froze beside me. His eyes widened just slightly, and then that grin spread across his face again, more mischievous than ever.

“That’s your ride?” he whispered, low enough only I could hear. “No wonder you’re always distracted…”

I shot him a glare, heat flooding my cheeks. “Shut up.”

He only laughed, clapping my shoulder. “See you tomorrow, lover boy.”

My heart nearly stopped. Did he suspect? No, he couldn’t. It was just Ayan being Ayan, always teasing. Still, his words echoed all the way to the car.

Sliding into the passenger seat, I tried to calm my racing pulse. Souta glanced at me, a quiet crease of concern on his forehead.

“You look flustered. Did something happen at school?”

I shook my head quickly. “No, nothing at all.”

But as the car pulled away from campus, Ayan’s knowing grin haunted me.

Maybe hiding my feelings wouldn’t be as easy as I thought.

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