Date

"Aah, so now you're sleeping," said a sarcastic female voice in the bedroom.

"How can I sleep if you keep me awake?" Natsuo murmured under the covers after twirling between the sheets all night.

It was not just the lighthearted banter that kept him from sleeping, but the fact that he was unable to relax and let go of his racing thoughts. The teasing only added to his anxiety, further preventing him from drifting into a peaceful sleep.

"You know…"

She paused for a moment.

"… how could you really rest?"

He threw the blanket away, becoming irritated by Ayumi's constant chatter.

The bedroom was empty and the late spring sun shone brightly through the window. While clutching the edge of the blanket, Natsuo wondered if he had just dreamed. He questioned if the previous night had been real, or if he had simply imagined it all.

"I want to apologize to you," Yoshio's toneless voice said behind the door.