One step closer (One shot)

One step closer.

The clock strikes midnight. This is it. The time has come for Yuto to continue his journey. New York is not the place for him. He doesn't have any more reason to stay in this estrange place.

It is time for him to move on.

The airport is as busy as usual. Now and then he can see people running to the departure section, the one that he is also heading. Apart from his briefcase, Yuto is also carrying his heart.

His broken heart

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2 years earlier

"Thank you for coming Yuto-kun," Mrs Yamada welcomes Yuto into the apartment. "I don't know what else to do."

"Nothing to worry about, okaa-san," the tall man politely replies. "Ryosuke is my best friend. If he is in trouble, I should help him."

"It has been a month. He is still grieving in his room," they slowly move up to the second floor. "He didn't even go to work."

Yuto keeps silence. He himself was shocked to learn that Keito was involved in the unfortunate event in New York subway station. Keito was stabbed by a runaway criminal on his way home from work. He can't imagine how devastated Yamada felt, given that the two were supposed to register their marriage the following day.

Keito was also one of Yuto's close friend. The three of them has been together since their high school years. Although Yuto had this unrequited feeling towards Yamada, he doesn't have the courage to take the first step. But Keito was the opposite. He publicly made aware of his sexual orientation and confessed to Yamada. The couple furthered their studies here in New York where Keito's father lives.

As sad as he was, Yuto was also relieved that the man he loves was happy being with a gentleman like Keito. His feeling didn't matter as long as he can see Yamada's happy face.

Hence, the miserable look Yamada has now is crushing Yuto's heart.

Yuto is speechless to see how thin the man has become. Yamada looks so pale and unkempt. His eyes are swollen from all the crying.

"He hasn't been sleeping too. He keeps staring at the window all day," Mrs Yamada wipes her own tears.

Yuto steps into the room. The floor is full of Keito's pictures. There is also food that hasn't been touched.

"Ryosuke," Yuto finally calls.

Yamada turns around.

"Yuti..." tears are forming in Yamada's eyes again. He gets up and slowly walk towards his best friend, sobbing like a child. Yamada's body is weak- the poor man stumbles and trips.

Yuto quickly catches his best friend before the fragile body hits the floor.

"Daijyobu?"