"No way. You think…?"
Sota burst out laughing. "Oh, we need to see this."
"That idiot is about to embarrass himself with that gibberish he calls lyrics…" Kaito groaned.
"What's going on?" Saeko asked, struggling to keep up as they rushed out of the pub.
"We're pretty sure Tatsuya's about to serenade his girl," Sota explained between strides. "He wrote a song not too long ago."
"And trust me, it's just as ridiculous as the nonsense he was rambling about earlier." Kaito added
They gathered in a hidden corner of a nearby building, blending into the shadows. As expected, he had already started playing, his gaze fixed on a window above. He played with an effortless grace, fingers moving across the strings with practiced ease.
"I didn't know he could sing and play the guitar so well," Saeko murmured, unable to hide her awe.
"He attends the music academy," Sota said with a smirk. "Not only can he sing, but he plays multiple instruments like a pro."
"Honestly, the only reason he needs us in the band is that he can't clone himself. Otherwise, he would make a better band just by himself" Kaito added.
Yasushi chuckled, nodding in full agreement.
All eyes were on Tatsyua.
It was as if, for those few moments, the rest of the world didn't exist for him, only the song, and the person he was playing for. His usual sharp traits were softened, and he seemed so vulnerable, like Saeko had never seen him before.
"They try to shine, but they fade away,
With you, I know I'll never stray.
'Cause no one else could ever be
A better match than you for me."
He sang, the message crystal clear. Each word pierced Saeko's heart like an undeniable revelation. She understood exactly what he meant.
As the song ended, a few scattered claps and cheers broke the silence from the nearby flats, but none from the person Tatsuya had been hoping for. He stood motionless, his guitar gripped tightly in his hands. Time seemed to stretch, minutes slipping by, but he didn't flinch or avert his gaze.
Meanwhile, Kaito continued recording Tatsuya with the same unwavering determination.
"Why are you still filming this?" Aya asked.
"Oh, this is for when their future kids have relationship drama. I'll show them this and say, 'See? No matter how bad things look, they can work out.'"
"But…" Saeko sighed, wanting to say 'It didn't work out', but before she could, the front door of the house opened, and a figure appeared in front of Tatsuya.
They all held their breath. They couldn't make out what was being said, but soon, the girl launched herself into Tatsuya's arms. The kiss that followed was long and deep, like something straight out of a movie, so passionate it seemed almost foreign coming from the usually cold, detached Tatsuya.
Kaito, grinning with satisfaction, recorded every moment of it until the girl finally pulled him into her apartment, the door closing behind them.
"Well, guess that's problem solved," Sota muttered after a time.
"Just like that? Without taking time to discuss it?" Saeko perplexed.
"It's not a chess match," Sota said with a shrug. "No need to overthink it."
"But there's so much to consider. You can't just rush such a decision," she murmured, clearly drawing a parallel to her own situation.
Sota glanced at her. "There's only one real question," he said, as if it were that simple. "Do you love him? If you do, why waste time finding excuses not to be with him? And if you don't, then there's no point looking for reasons."
Saeko looked deep in thought. Then, after a moment, she smiled. "Thanks you guys for all of you."
"For what?"
"Helping me make my decision."
"You did?" Yasushi asked.
But before anyone could ask more about it, she quickly added, "I think I'm calling it a day."
"Do you need a ride…" Sota started, but she cut him off.
"No, thanks. I feel like walking home tonight."
Her quick refusal made Sota's jaw tighten, but he let it go.
After she left, all he could hear was Kaito flirting with Aya. Sota leaned back against the wall.
Fuck.
"You look like a guy who just lost a fight," Aya observed.
"I did, I guess."
„Come on, don't be so dramatic, you can't be intimidated by an ex living far away from here," Kaito rolled his eyes.
Aya's eyes narrowed. "I knew it! You and Saeko have something going on, don't you?"
"What? No. There's nothing between us," he denied it a bit too eagerly.
She raised an eyebrow. "Well, there's definitely sexual tension, that's for sure." Her lips curled into a knowing smile. "I've never seen her so drawn to anyone like that."
"There's nothing between us," he repeated, but his voice wavered slightly.
For the record, she did seem attracted to him. Her reactions were impossible to miss. She always softened in his presence, her gaze constantly drawn on him unconsciously. And when they touched, she lingered, as if savouring the closeness, holding on for just a heartbeat longer.
But physical attraction alone wouldn't be enough for her to choose me in the long run.
"Then why don't you just make a move on her already?" Aya pressed.
"I can't," Sota muttered.
"The hell do you mean, you can't?"
He sighed. "I promised her."
Aya frowned. "Promised what?"
"That I wouldn't make a move on her. We had a deal if she's ever interested in me, she has to be the one to make the first move."
Kaito let out a loud laugh. "Yeah, like that's ever gonna happen!"
Sota shot him a glare.
"He's right," Aya sighed. "We're talking about Saeko. That's like signing up for a marathon with your legs cut off."
"Why do you care at all? I thought you wanted her back with your brother," he grumbled.
"I'm rooting for the guy who's the best fit for her, whoever that may be." She winked.
"Well, she seems to have made up her mind," he muttered.
Yasushi's expression shifted, and Sota immediately recognized that look on his face. It was the one he got when he was about to drop some wisdom.
"What now?" Sota asked, frustrated.
"Why do you think she came to the conclusion that Satoshi is the one who matches her best, and not you?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Sota muttered. His head swirled with all the comments and hints about how perfect Saeko and Satoshi were together.
The only thing she feels for me is just shallow physical attraction.
There's no way she would ever choose me over someone like him.