Minato’s Job Interview

By the time they left, it was already 8:30 p.m.

The sky had gone dark, the streets quieter now, only a few passing cars and dim streetlights guiding the way home.

Itsuki walked beside Minato, hands shoved into his pockets, his expression noticeably off.

The dinner had been long.

Exhausting.

Well--

At least for him.

Because while everyone else laughed, talked, and ate like nothing was wrong...

Itsuki had been stuck watching Soma the entire time.

That fake smile.

That soft voice.

That whole innocent act.

Fucking bullshit.

Itsuki clicked his tongue quietly, eyes narrowing slightly as the memory replayed in his head.

No one else seemed to notice.

Not Minato.

Not the others.

But Itsuki?

He could spot a fake bitch from a mile away.

And Soma practically reeked of it.

Minato glanced over at him, finally noticing the shift in mood.

"...What's got you in a bad mood?" he asked, tone light but curious.

Itsuki didn't even look at him.

"Oh, nothing really," he replied casually.

Too casually.

By then, they had already reached their apartment.

Minato stepped forward, unlocking the door with a soft click before pushing it open.

Itsuki followed him in, already slipping off his shoes, his body feeling heavier now that the night was over.

He was done.

Completely done.

All he wanted at that point,

Was to call it a night and forget the entire fucking dinner ever happened.

-------

A week passed after the dinner party.

And somehow,

Things felt... different.

Not in an obvious way.

Nothing big had happened.

But still-

Something had shifted.

Minato was still the same.

Still talking about Ren like usual.

Still going on about streams, skills, whatever new thing he found impressive.

But now...

There was someone else added into the mix.

Soma.

His name came up more often than Itsuki would've liked.

Little mentions here and there.

Stories from class.

Things they did together.

Itsuki tried not to think too much of it.

Minato can have friends, he told himself.

Even if

They were as irritating as Soma.

Itsuki exhaled quietly.

...Whatever.

If Soma really was fake, then eventually, Minato would see it too.

Right?

Still...

There were small things.

Things Itsuki couldn't ignore.

Like how Minato kept checking his phone more often.

Glancing down at it.

Typing.

Waiting.

It wasn't constant,

But it was enough to notice.

Itsuki frowned slightly as he watched him.

Is he waiting for something...?

"...Minato," he finally spoke up.

Minato looked up. "Hm?"

"Did you apply for a job or something?" Itsuki asked. "You should've told me."

For a split second,

Minato froze.

"...Huh?"

Then--

"Oh- ahh\~ yeah, I did," he said quickly, a small laugh slipping out as he scratched the back of his head.

Itsuki tilted his head slightly.

That hesitation...

Was weird.

"I actually have an interview later today," Minato added.

Itsuki blinked,

Then smiled.

"Oh, really? That's awesome," he said, a bit of genuine excitement slipping into his voice.

Minato had been looking for a job for a while now.

So,

This wasn't strange.

Not at all.

If anything, it made sense.

"Minnn—aaa—to\~!"

A voice suddenly cut through the moment.

Itsuki didn't even have to turn around.

He already knew.

Soma.

He came up from behind, practically latching onto Minato's arm like it belonged to him.

Itsuki's eye twitched slightly.

...Ugh. Him.

"Oh- hey, Soma\~," Minato greeted, his tone noticeably softer.

That didn't go unnoticed.

Soma smiled brightly, clinging just a little tighter.

"I was looking for you\~"

Minato chuckled lightly before glancing back at Itsuki.

"I'm gonna head to class now," he said.

Itsuki gave a small nod.

"Yeah, go."

Soma didn't even acknowledge him.

Just pulled Minato along,

Still attached to his arm.

Itsuki stood there for a second after they left.

Watching.

Then he rolled his eyes, turning away with a quiet scoff.

...This is starting to piss me off.

Ren noticed from across the hallway.

From a distance, his gaze lingered, longer than it should have.

Quiet.

Unmoving.

Like he was watching something... or someone.

But Itsuki didn't notice.

He just kept walking, completely unaware, disappearing further down the hall as Ren's eyes stayed on him for a moment longer before finally looking away.

------

Later that evening,

Back at Itsuki and Minato's apartment.

The place was quiet.

Too quiet.

Itsuki lounged on the couch, legs stretched out, dressed in loose shorts and an oversized shirt. His phone rested lazily in his hand as he scrolled, half-focused, half zoning out after the long day.

In the background,

Minato was moving around the apartment.

Opening drawers.

Checking surfaces.

"...Where did I put them...?" he muttered under his breath, clearly searching for something.

Itsuki didn't look up.

"Keys?" he guessed absentmindedly.

"Yeah," Minato replied quickly, already moving to the next spot.

After a few more seconds of shuffling around--

"Ah, got them."

Itsuki hummed softly in response, still scrolling.

Minato slipped on his shoes near the door, grabbing what he needed before calling out,

"Okay, I'm heading out now! bye, Itsuki\~"

Itsuki finally glanced up, resting his arm against the back of the couch.

"Bye, Minato\~"

The door opened

Then shut with a soft click.

Silence settled again.

Five minutes passed.

Itsuki stretched slightly before sighing.

...Guess I should make dinner.

He pushed himself up from the couch, dragging his feet a little as he walked,

And then--

Thud.

"Ow--fuck," he muttered, wincing as his foot slammed into the edge of the coffee table.

Something slid off it,

And hit the floor.

Itsuki frowned, bending down slightly.

"...Huh?"

His eyes widened.

"Minato's wallet?"

He quickly picked it up, turning it over in his hands.

He forgot this?

That wasn't like him.

At all.

Itsuki stared at it for a second, his brows slowly knitting together.

"...Wait."

Minato never said where the interview was.

Not the company.

Not the location.

Nothing.

Itsuki bit the inside of his cheek slightly.

Should I call him?

But then,

He hesitated.

Minato could already be driving.

Or worse--

Waiting for the interview.

Calling him now might just make him more nervous.

"...Tch."

Itsuki exhaled, thinking.

Then,

It clicked.

"Oh."

Their locations.

They had each other's locations shared, it was something they set up a while ago, just in case.

They'd never actually needed to use it before.

But now?

This was the perfect time.

Itsuki quickly grabbed his phone, tapping through until Minato's location popped up.

He stared at the screen.

"...Huh?"

His brows furrowed.

"TK Nightclub...?"

He blinked.

Once.

Then again.

And then--

"...Ah."

A pause.

"...He has an interview at a nightclub?"

Itsuki tilted his head slightly, confused.

That didn't feel right.

At all.

But,

"...Ugh, whatever."

He ran a hand through his hair, already heading toward the door.

"Not like I can just sit here."

Minato had taken the car.

Which meant,

"Guess I'm running it."

Itsuki grabbed his jacket, shoved his feet into his shoes, and stepped out.

The door slamming shut behind him with a sharp click.

And just like that,

He was on his way.

To be continued.

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