Even so, we are living in the present

Chapter 78 – With Heart and Soul

After leaving Airi’s place, they made their way out of the store and slowly paced to the limousine where Natsume and the others were waiting.

“…”

“…”

Watching Kyosuke, who remained silent and downcast, Yuu’s eyebrows drooped in concern, not knowing what to say to him.

When Kyosuke noticed the look in his eyes, he shifted his gaze from his feet to him.

“I am fine…”

His voice, which had not sounded for quite some time, was faintly hushed and drifted softly away in the breeze. Even so, this was the only thing he could convey to the one who cared for him with all his effort.

However, sensing a contradiction between the words and the tone of voice, Yuu bit his lower lip.

“Lies…”

“I swear I’m fine.”

The words that interrupted were fragile, yet imbued with powerful intent.

“I can go home with Yuu. So everything would be alright.”

Kyosuke’s eyes, which were hanging down powerlessly until a few minutes ago, now held a solid glow as he gazed straight at Yuu.

“Kyosuke…”

While staring back at the other’s eyes, unable to cast them away, he was unsure of what kind of face to adopt.

I’m glad that I can return home with Kyosuke… but what have I done for him?

What clogged up his thoughts was an itch and a lingering regret that he had been so overwhelmed by Kyosuke’s mother and had failed to retort in a proper way.

I couldn’t do anything…

That conclusion encapsulated the “joy” within Yuu.

Since he was not happy, no words could be found to express his feelings. Thus, as if to evade Kyosuke’s gaze, he slowly cast his gaze down to the ground. He exhaled silently and gritted his teeth in frustration.

“I’m sorry. I managed to do noth──”

“Yuu has always been by my side.”

The words that were about to escape from his small lips were interrupted by Kyosuke’s soft voice.

“…”

His gaze turned to Yuu as if to ask what he was talking about. The uneasiness in his beautiful red eye was conveyed to Kyosuke even without putting it into words. Kyosuke’s palm caressed his white cheek as if to erase his apprehension.

“I’ve made it this far because you were by my side, Yuu… thanks.”

Saying this, the corners of his mouth curled up faintly. That was the best Kyosuke could do to present his ‘joy’. While Yuu seemed to have less emotional ups and downs than Kyosuke, Kyosuke was in fact emotionally scarce himself.

He rarely cries or even laughs in public.

Even if Kyosuke himself did not mean to act that way, his inability in his childhood days to receive proper love from his parents bound him in the depths of his heart that such behavior was “wrong”.

In front of Yuu, this was mysteriously alleviated. Because he was the only one who made him feel secure, he was more than thrilled to have Yuu’s presence by his side.

Whether he was aware of it or not, Yuu averted his gaze.

“… It’s nothing worth mentioning… I just wanted to be there for you…”

In response to Kyosuke’s thanks, he replied with words that sounded as dishonest as possible. It was not that he could not be honest, but that he would not be honest. When he does so, Kyosuke always laughs under his breath.

Even now, he was laughing again. Just like always.

“Even so, it doesn’t change the fact that you were there for me, you know.”

“… I got it.”

The beginning of the twists and turns was also in the course of Yuu’s life. At some point, it became the norm for him to have a twisted personality since he was pleased to find Kyosuke smiling at him.

It was difficult to show him a tearful face because neither of them ‘wanted to cause each other any worry’.

Nevertheless, they can communicate with each other without letting each other see their crying faces.

That was how they have been living together throughout their lives.

And from now on, they will continue to live together.

They can both live with each other.

Kyosuke, maintaining his usual nonchalant demeanor, held hands with Yuu quietly.

“Let’s go back to the car… Natsume and the others are waiting for us.”

“Yeah.”

Once the immediate answer came through, they started heading towards the limousine as if nothing had happened. When they arrived at the limousine, Kouki’s father was also on board before they realized it. Apparently, it was difficult to speak to him since they were facing each other with mysterious expressions on their faces.

When they arrived at the limousine, Kouki’s father was also on board before they realized it. Apparently, it was difficult to speak to him since they were facing each other with mysterious expressions on their faces.

The first time I saw him, I thought, “I don’t know how to treat a boy of Kouki’s age,……, so I’m going to ask Kouki to teach me.”

He laughed as he said this. As opposed to the tension-filled outward journey, Kyosuke and his group left New York City in the morning, surrounded by a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere.

─​───────

It was past four o’clock in the afternoon, in Japan standard time.

After a long flight spent asleep, Kyosuke and Yuu had made it back to their apartment in one piece.

With the support from the Sakura Zaibatsu, their financial expenses were covered, allowing them to continue living in their original apartment.

Just like they have been doing up until now.

Sitting side by side on the living room sofa, they leaned against each other.

“… Kyosuke.”

Calling his name as if it had slipped out, Kyosuke set his gaze on him. Recognizing this, Yuu crossed glances with him.

“Are you not going to complain?”

When Yuu, who apparently had not forgotten the tearful plea that was made before returning to Japan, asked the question, Kyosuke nodded his head as if to say, “Of course, I won’t.”

“There’s no need for that. Because Yuu will be there for me.”

“… Idiot.”

As the other swore with his cheek puffed out, Kyosuke let a smile spread across his face.

As long as Yuu is with me, I don’t need anything else.

The happiest time of all, which he almost lost at one point.

Thanks to the support of those around him, Kyosuke no longer wandered on the rails paved by his parents, a path he could not have overcome on his own.

From now on, the path that has been paved for him will be his own.

He will advance with his own will resolutely.

Together with his one and only beloved partner.

He may have to halt and look back from time to time.

But everything will turn out alright now.

For there will be someone he can reach out to for support.

After all, he won’t be alone anymore.

Therefore──

『Even so, we are living in the present』