SUB ROSA | Wind Breaker

ARC 5 || 7. Happy Birthday

The tension in Akame's body dissolved the moment she spotted them—Yuta and the rest of the Bofurin boys and Shishitoren duo, her people. The moment her eyes landed on them, she let out a slow breath she hadn't even realized she had been holding. This was her destination, her anchor, the familiarity she had been craving since stepping into this district.

Her body moved instinctively, gravitating toward Yuta. She needed stability, something solid, something real. Without a second thought, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.

Yuta, caught off guard, blinked before immediately reciprocating, his hand settling at the back of her head. "You good?" he asked, his voice quieter than usual, laced with concern. "We were about to come looking for you."

Akame pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, offering a small, easy smile. "Yeah, the map glitched. Took me in circles for a bit." She squeezed his arm lightly before adding, "Happy birthday."

His face relaxed into a grin, the tension in his shoulders easing as he kept an arm wrapped securely around her shoulders. She didn't move away.

"Let's get some drinks!" Yuta cheered, his excitement infectious.

The only reason the boys had managed to secure drinks at a place like this was because of Tsubakino. The club wasn't officially open yet, but being a dancer here had its perks. It wasn't crowded yet, meaning they had the lounge VIP section to themselves, tucked away in a private booth.

Akame pulled off her sweater, letting it fall over the seat beside her, finally revealing the black silk dress beneath. The moment she did, Togame and Umemiya visibly stiffened. Their eyes widened slightly, cheeks flushing instantly as they took her in. The shift was immediate—comical, even.

~

Meanwhile, Yuta and Choji were deep in conversation, their usual back-and-forth filling the air as they leaned in close to one another, drinks in hand. Across from them, Tsubakino, Hiragi, and Umemiya were engaged in their own conversation, voices casual, laughter occasional.

And then there was Togame.

He sat slightly apart from the others, not quite blending in, but not entirely distant either. He still stuck out, even after everything, and Akame naturally gravitated toward him. Without hesitation, she took the empty seat beside him, settling into it with ease.

The air between them was different now—less tense, less weighed down. As if they had finally found solid ground again.

Togame turned slightly, offering her a small, genuine smile. "You look nice."

Akame met his gaze, her expression warm. "Thanks," she mused, tilting her head slightly. "You clean up nice yourself."

Togame let out a quiet chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. There was no awkwardness in the exchange, no remnants of the unspoken history that had once stood between them. Just something easy.

Akame reached for a bottle of sparkling apple juice, the only non-alcoholic option available. Just as she went to pour herself a glass, Togame beat her to it.

She raised a brow but said nothing as he filled the glass and handed it to her, ever the gentleman. She accepted it with a small nod, taking a sip as her gaze flickered to the scene across from her—her brother and Choji.

Their chemistry was undeniable.

Togame followed her line of sight, only to realize exactly what she was thinking before she even opened her mouth.

"So who do you think is going to make the first move?"

Her voice was teasing, mischief glinting in her dark blue eyes as she leaned slightly toward him, her head tilted, straw between her lips.