Even so, we are living in the present

Chapter 62 – Little by Little

A month has gone by since Yuu was scouted and paid a visit to the recruiter.

Being regarded as a up-and-coming star of aesthetic modeling, he was already gracing the cover page of a gothic magazine published by Wave List. Although the magazine was exclusively gifted to him by the editor-in-chief, the subject has not been publicized yet because the publication has not yet been released.

On his hair, a black rose was adorned in place of a crown, and a huge rose eye patch was attached to his left eye. Clad in a pitch-black outfit, his figure resembled that of a doll. As for his white skin, it reflected against the black costume, while his red eye was directed at the camera in a seductive style.

Even from the cover of the magazine, viewers can discern that he possessed more than enough elements to attract the attention of others.

While sitting side by side on the sofa in the same room, they looked at the magazine together.

From earlier, Kyosuke held his shoulder, which was relatively smaller than his own, as he gazed at the same page for several minutes.

“Yuu, you look stunning.”

A brief sigh was heard as he murmured, brushing his hand through the soft hair as if he was adoring it with his embracing hand.

“… How many times have you done that already?”

“The fourth time?”

The hand that was stroking his hair tenderly pinched his white cheek. That cheek puffed up and was pinched by a mischievous back of his hand.

“It’s getting embarrassing by now, so stop.”

“Isn’t it fine, it’s your first piece of work, Yuu?”

“Ngh, well yeah.”

Yuu kept leaning back with one cheek puffed out and a hint of a blush on his cheeks, resting his head on Kyosuke’s shoulder.

Within the air-conditioned room, the pair were sharing a tranquil moment, cooling off in harmony.

Now the season called for September, a month of lingering heat.

Even though summer vacation ended long ago, so much has changed from the past.

First of all, there were Ayana and Yuka, who became associated with Yuu when he assumed responsibility for broadcasting.

Yuka and Ayana were once best friends, yet following the stabbing incident, Yuka was placed on probation and consequently relocated far away from the school, at the behest of her parents.

Ever since then, the relationship between the two has been severed.

Next was Kouki, whom he met by chance at Neko Neko Wonderland.

Despite his family situation remaining intact, he was pleased to join the kendo club with Kyosuke, where he worked diligently and happily honed his skills.

Then──

Tomoya had been recuperating for a prolonged period of time.

At the end of the summer vacation, he could resume attending school with Natsume accompanying him. Since it had been a long time since he last went to school, his nerves were a bit on edge upon entering the classroom, but under the warm welcome of his classmates, he was able to gradually regain his familiarity with the school life. Above all, on his first day back at school, there was someone he eagerly anticipated to meet.

“Sonohara!”

Walking up to Yuu, who was seated in the last row under the full gaze of his classmates, he was the first to approach and joyfully embrace him.

Although Kyosuke was struck by a fit of mild jealousy, greater jubilation flowed through his heart bringing the corners of his mouth up slightly as he gazed at them.

As for Yuu, he patted the back of the person whom he was embracing tentatively with one hand, smiling softly.

The father of the Saiki brothers was seized by Akira and the NSF for colluding with the underworld organization and implicating Tomoya. Whatever the punishment will be, it has not yet been disclosed.

As the only kin, Reito was arrested for engaging in indecent acts while being close to Yuu, and was behind the bars. Apparently, he was spending his time maturely, yet he will spend nine years in prison.

Everyone is struggling at all costs to mend their collapsing day-to-day lives.

To protect their future.

To live in the present.

After the summer vacation, no disturbing events have arisen, creating a stable time for the two of them.

When school hours ended, Yuu followed Kyosuke to his club activities, the same as before. Following club activities, the pair would head to Yuu’s dance school, where Kyosuke would rest in the guest room during Yuu’s lesson, and then they would return home together after dinner.

The teacher was thrilled to see the appearance of the two of them and was delighted to offer them dinner.

Such days brought joy and bliss to the duo.

“Hey, Kyosuke, let’s put it away now.”

When Kyosuke kept staring at the magazine, Yuu lost his patience and tried to snatch it away from him.

“Oh, come on, let me look around a little more.”

Kyosuke also grabbed it with both hands to prevent it from being taken away from him, and from there a minor struggle ensued as to whether or not to put it away.

“No!”

In an effort not to tear it, Kyosuke was helpless to exert any force, eventually leading to the magazine being seized by Yuu.

“Look at me, not at the picture.”

“Sorry…”

“Hmph,” he said angrily, but with words that captured Kyosuke’s heart, he put the magazine away on the bookshelf.

As they were passing the time in such a mundane way, something was dropped into the mailbox on the door with a thump, causing both of them to jointly glance in the direction of the object.

“Kyosuke, something has arrived.”

“Ah, yeah.”

Returning from the bookshelf to the sofa, he nodded at Yuu’s words, then rose and strolled over to the front door to retrieve the contents of the mailbox.

The envelope, with its distinctive red and blue lines, was──

International mail…

All at once, Kyosuke’s expression clouded over.

“Kyosuke, what’s wrong?”

When the other party did not move from the front door with his back turned indefinitely, Yuu, who was still sitting on the sofa, called out to him.

“… No… it’s nothing…”

The tone of his voice was too heavy to be described as nothing. A glance at the sender will reveal a written name, but even without reading it, Kyosuke can tell who the sender was.

After all this time, what do you want…

“Kyosuke, is that a letter? From whom?”

Perhaps numbed by the fact that he made no movement, Yuu asked again.

After sighing softly, Kyosuke turned around and displayed the envelope to the other party.

“Ah… maybe the letter… is sent from my parents.”