Secret Admirer

Epilogue 1.0

Buri leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed over his chest, watching Yen scrub away at the mountain of dishes in the sink. His lips twisted into a pout as he exhaled dramatically. "So, tell me, Yen—did you invite us over just to make us do your chores?" His tone was exaggerated, but there was genuine exasperation beneath the teasing.

Yen, not even bothering to look up from the soapy water, smirked. "No, I invited you over because I wanted a nice little reunion with my friends. The chores are just a bonus." She glanced sideways at him, eyes glinting with mischief. "Besides, my boyfriend had to leave for an emergency, so someone has got to help."

Buri scoffed. "Why not wait for him to come back? Make him do it instead."

Yen snorted. "Suck it up, Buri. You are already here. Might as well be useful."

Grumbling under his breath, Buri picked up the towel and began wiping down the plates she passed him. He was still sulking, but at least he was helping. He set each dish carefully on the drying rack, throwing glances at Ciro, who was wordlessly going about his own task of tidying up the space. Unlike Buri, he wasn't complaining. He moved with quiet efficiency, gathering up the remaining trash, tying up the garbage bags without a word.

Yen nudged Buri with her elbow. "Look at him," she said, tilting her chin towards Ciro. "Not a single complaint. Meanwhile, you are whining like I have sentenced you to hard labor."

Buri rolled his eyes, then shot a smirk at her. "That's because Ciro is currently high on happiness. Kayu is back from Japan, remember? He could probably do all the work today without so much as a sigh."

After resignation, Kayu's first trip had been to Japan. Spend a long month vacation there, exploring various cities in the country, Kayu came back home, feeling refreshed.

The whole month had been a hell for Ciro, who was desperate after not being able to see Kayu on a daily basis like he used to in the past. Each second felt like hours and the wait seemed to never end.

He could only breath life after he received Kayu at the airport with a warm, welcoming hug.

Yen chuckled, nodding in agreement. "True."

As if proving their point, Ciro finished tying up the trash bags and straightened up. "I am taking these out," he announced.

Yen nodded in approval. "Buri, go help him. I will take care of the rest here."

Buri's face lit up at that. Though he wasn't a big fan of getting his hands dirty by carrying trash, he was happy to be excused from helping Yen at the kitchen. He hated doing kitchen related chores. 

"Gladly." Flashing her a toothy grin, he eagerly abandoned the dish towel and followed Ciro outside.

Ciro took two bags, leaving the last one for Buri. They stepped into the cool evening air, the scent of freshly cut grass and the remnants of the brunch still lingering. 

Buri tossed the bag into the large trash bin with a bit more force than necessary, as if shaking off his earlier annoyance.

As they turned to head back inside, they spotted Kayu and June chatting in the garden. The two were completely engrossed in conversation, laughter spilling between them like an easy rhythm.

Ciro's heart softened at the sight. Seeing Kayu happy always brought warmth to his chest, and today was no exception. His boyfriend looked radiant, his animated gestures making his excitement clear as he spoke to June. 

He loved watching Kayu smile. It meant the world to him and that smile was something that he swore to protect throughout his life.

As both of them were people who loved doing things in a practical way, they had sat down and talked everything out, vent each other's both negative and positive emotions about each other and about the people around them.