ᵗʷⁱˢᵗᵉᵈ° !+° ˢᵃᵗᵒˢᵘᵍᵘ

a gap between.

Suguru was eager to inquire about the incident once again, but he decided to consume his meal in silence, fully aware that Satoru would dismiss it or respond with a witty remark. Despite only a few weeks passing, Suguru already felt a strong connection with Satoru, although he was uncertain if the sentiment was mutual.

 Summoning his courage, Suguru finally spoke up, "So, Satoru, can you now enlighten me on what happened?" The room fell into a deafening silence as Satoru deliberately avoided making eye contact. "It's merely work, just drop it, dude," Satoru replied dismissively, causing Suguru's annoyance to escalate.

 Rolling his eyes, Suguru nonchalantly retorted, "Whatever you say, man." As they both felt the weight of exhaustion, Suguru took the initiative to suggest, "Satoru, I believe it's time for us to rest." Satoru nodded turning off his lamp an settling into his bed, Suguru turned to face his roommate, while Satoru gazed at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts.

 "This feels more like a dream than reality," Satoru pondered silently before closing his eyes. Suguru's expression turned blank as a surge of anger towards Satoru overwhelmed him, and the only words that echoed in his mind were, "I don't care anymore."

the next morning

Satoru awoke promptly at the break of dawn, his eyes still heavy with sleep as he sat upright in his bed. Casting a glance towards the vacant space where his roommate's bed once lay, Satoru felt indifferent towards their absence.

Determined to start his day, he slipped his feet into a pair of comfortable slippers and made his way to the bathroom to commence his usual morning routine. 

Emerging from the bathroom, Satoru proceeded towards his closet, the faint sounds of his struggle to locate a suitable outfit resonating in the room. After a brief moment, he retrieved a pristine white turtleneck and a pair of sleek black sweatpants from the depths of his closet.

 Methodically, he donned his chosen attire, ensuring every garment fit flawlessly. With his clothing in place, Satoru pondered the possibilities that lay ahead, contemplating how to make the most of his day.

  Satoru made the decision to take a leisurely stroll through the bustling city, with the intention of grabbing a bite to eat or catching a movie. He approached the front door and opened it, stepping into the long hallway.

 As he walked, a faintly irritated voice could be heard in the distance. Curious, Satoru turned around to find Shoko Ieiri approaching him. Shoko had short brown hair and was dressed in a beige sweater, complemented by jeans of a similar color. 

She walked over to Satoru, playfully nudging him while taking a puff of her cigarette, blowing the smoke in Satoru's direction. Satoru, clearly annoyed, brushed the smoke away and responded, "I don't know where he's at right now." Shoko tilted her head in confusion just as a girl named Utahime came running down the hall, screaming Shoko's name. Utahime embraced Shoko, and the two of them began walking away.

 Shoko called out from a distance, "Have a nice day Satoru! Let me know if you see Suguru; he owes me a cigarette." As they disappeared from sight, Satoru continued on his way, stepping out of the door and taking in the vibrant streets of Tokyo.

Twenty minutes later, Satoru finds himself leisurely strolling down the bustling streets of Tokyo, taking in the sights and sounds of the vibrant city. He can't help but think to himself how beautiful everything looks, his eyes wandering from one fascinating sight to another as he makes his way to a cozy coffee shop. 

Upon entering the coffee shop, Satoru is met with the gaze of a waiter who seems momentarily captivated by his striking appearance. After a brief moment of admiration, the waiter composes herself and leads Satoru to a comfortable seat.

 As he settles into the chair, he notices the curious glances of other patrons, but he remains unfazed, having grown accustomed to such attention. Just as Satoru is about to call for the waiter, she hurriedly approaches him, apologizing for the delay and inquiring about his order.

 With a charming smile, Satoru reassures her that there is no rush and requests a latte. The waiter blushes slightly at his friendly demeanor and promises to bring his drink in a mere five minutes before disappearing into the kitchen.

 Left alone at the table, Satoru absentmindedly plays with a napkin, his thoughts drifting to the sweet indulgence of candy. The anticipation of enjoying a warm latte and perhaps a sugary treat fills him with a sense of contentment as he waits patiently for his order to arrive.

The tall waiter approaches him and utters, "Here is your order," while delicately placing two pieces of candy on the table alongside a steaming cup of Satoru's favorite latte. Satoru eagerly lifts his gaze, hoping to catch a glimpse of Suguru, but to his disappointment, it is not him.

 The waiter gracefully retreats, leaving Satoru feeling disheartened. He rises from his seat, clutching his latte and the two candies, and exits the establishment with a heavy heart, contemplating whether he should just return home. 

As he strolls through the bustling city, 17 minutes later, he finally arrives at the school's entrance. The friendly front desk lady warmly greets him, and he reciprocates her smile before ascending the stairs towards the dormitories. Along the way, several acquaintances greet him, further brightening his mood. Finally, he reaches his dorm room and begins searching for his key, only to realize with a groan that he had absentmindedly left it on his bed.

 Frustrated, he knocks on the door, and to his immense relief, Suguru opens it, instantly alleviating Satoru's worries.