Yasushi stared at his tormented reflection in the mirror after a long shower. Get yourself together, he thought. Tomorrow is a big day, don't screw it up.
Suddenly, someone began pounding on his door like crazy.
"Who the hell is this?" he muttered to himself. The pounding was so relentless that, in his rush, he didn't even have time to throw on a T-shirt. Dressed in nothing but his shorts, he yanked the door open.
As he did so, he found Yumeko standing there.
"Hey, are you back?" he greeted her with a genuine smile on his face, one he hadn't been able to manage in a while. Yet it didn't last long. She seemed visibly upset.
"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.
For a moment, she froze, her eyes unintentionally scanning his half-naked body. She took a deep breath, steeling herself, then forced her gaze back up to meet his with an accusing look.
"You ask me what's wrong? You told me there wouldn't be any big changes in just a month, and I come home to find everything in ruins…" Her voice trembled with half-suppressed tears.
Of course… she would be devastated about Sota's leaving.
"I'm sorry, Yumeko," he said sympathetically.
"How could you do that? Why you, of all people?" she fired the question at him, her voice sharp.
"Me? What did I do?"
"Don't play dumb. How can you just accept some foreign job and leave the band like that? Not taking anyone's feelings into consideration…"
"Yumeko, calm down, you are…"
"I'm not calming down," she said, her voice shaking.
"You must have misunderstood…" he started cautiously, "it's not me who's leaving."
Gosh, how am I going to break this to her? She'll freak out even more if she finds out Sota's the one who left...
He sighed tiredly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"What?" she stopped abruptly. He took a deep breath.
"I'm afraid… it's Sota. He left the band and got an offer to work as a stunt in Europe…" he started, with a consoling tone.
"Really?" she gaped.
But those gossips said the leader of the band left abroad. Oh… She hissed softly as she understood. Those who don't know them so well, assumed Sota was the leader.
She surprisingly seemed eased, letting out a snort that almost sounded like a chuckle. "That's a relief…" she muttered, barely audibly.
"What did you just say?" he whispered, puzzled. It was then when Yumeko realized how her reaction might have appeared.
"Ah, sorry for bothering you," she stammered, turning bright red as she shied away. "I've just realized I have to go…" she rushed, backing away quickly.
"Wait," Yasushi called out, but she was already running.
He dashed after Yumeko without thinking, catching up to her outside the building.
She froze when Yasushi pinned her to the wall, both his hands resting next to her, trapping her in place, still paying attention not to touch her inappropriately. His breath was steady, his arms tense, but there was a careful distance.
"Yasushi, you're half-naked," Yumeko murmured, a flush creeping up her neck as she glanced away.
Damn. He looked around, suddenly aware of the attention they were attracting. People were staring at him with incredulous glances.
He spotted the elderly woman from the neighbouring building. Yasushi had helped her carry groceries before. She might help.
"Stay here," he whispered to Yumeko then strode to the older woman.
"Excuse me, ma'am..." He bowed deeply before her. "Could I borrow your coat? I'm in dire need of it, and I promise I'll take care of it," he said softly, his voice calm, polite.
The woman hesitated, then handed him the coat. Yasushi accepted it with the utmost politeness, thanking her as if she had just done him the greatest favour. With a careful, measured motion, he draped the pink, wool coat over his shoulders, the fabric sagging slightly on his broad frame. He then turned back to Yumeko, moving towards her with slow, deliberate steps. Her gaze followed him, mesmerized.
Only he would be more worried about not causing others discomfort than about his own appearance. Others would rather risk public indecency than embarrass themselves by wearing something that ridiculous. Yet, doesn't it just make him look so cool?
"So…" Yasushi stepped closer to her, his face was gentle, but serious.
"…since when do you care more about me than Sota?" he asked, his voice low, but with a passion that made her heart flutter.
Yumeko had never seen Yasushi so... intense.
Just as the words hung in the air, a rough voice cut through the tension. "Excuse me, miss. Is this weird guy bothering you?"
A few men were closing in, their postures threatening. Yasushi didn't flinch. His gaze flicked toward them, but he remained focused on Yumeko, who stared at him numbly, seemingly unaware of the happenings around them.
"It's thoughtful of you to worry for her safety," Yasushi said evenly, answering instead of her. "But we're just talking."
"Cut the crap. Look how intimidated she is," the stranger insisted, pointing at her dazed expression.
"If you're concerned I'm harassing her… just call the police. I won't run. I'll wait right here," Yasushi said calmly.
"Don't try to outsmart us," the leader growled, stepping closer.
Yumeko's lips parted, her eyes fixed on Yasushi. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. "It's been… quite a while."
Yasushi's heart skipped a beat as he realized it was her answer to his question. The moment caught him off guard, leaving him vulnerable. He didn't notice the fist flying toward him until it was too late. All he could do was brace himself, muscles hardening. The attacker's knuckles collided with solid muscle of his abdomen, making the man wince in pain. Yasushi turned toward him slowly, as if nothing happened.
"Look, I don't want to fight," he said unfazed. "Let's just…"
Another punch came. Yasushi sidestepped it effortlessly, his movements fluid. Sota and Tatsuya had taught him how to win a fight. But fighting like that had never felt like him.
Yumeko's heart leapt. "Hey, stop it! He's with me," her voice trembling but determined.
The men hesitated, one of them smirking. "What are you doing with a guy like this? He won't even fight back and he's wearing some women's coat. If you're curious about what it's like to be with a real man, come on. We'll show you."
Before anyone could react, another punch was thrown. Yasushi caught the man's wrist mid-air, twisting it just enough to stop the strike. His other hand swiftly caught the second punch. He held both men effortlessly, his grip firm enough but not too harsh.
"The only reason I was tolerating you is because I believed your intention was to protect the lady. But it's clear you're not doing that job properly."
The restraint in his eyes was colder than any act of violence.
Yasushi let them go. He released their wrists, not with victory, but with mercy.
The group exchanged uneasy glances, the fight draining from their eyes. One by one, they backed away, muttering curses under their breath.
"Better avoid these freaks."
Yumeko's breath caught as she watched him, her heart pounding in her chest.
"You know… I'm sure Sota would have knocked them out," she remarked without thinking.
Yasushi winced, as if a sudden twinge piercing his heart. He dropped his gaze, his jaw clenching. "I'm not him, Yumeko."
"Well, thank goodness for that," she replied, her tone a little lighter. "Because I wouldn't want you to be."
His head snapped up, puzzled, as if unsure he had heard correctly.
"Sota might have lost control. Gone berserk. And I'm sure he would've ended up running from the police."
He chuckled, the mental picture oddly accurate.
She took a step closer, her eyes never leaving his. "He would've started a big fight. You stopped one. That... makes you more of the man I crave than anything else."
Yasushi's breath caught in his chest. He stared at her, stunned into silence, as she leaned closer, her lips brushing his in a soft, unexpected kiss.