IX

· — we stared at each for too long,

to be 'just friends'.

It's already night, and after a whole lot of arguments with Kiyoshi, Kira felt tired and wanted to sleep, but the bruised and swollen face of his Kouhai (junior) didn't let him sleep. He was worried. God, he wanted to literally manslaughter that son of a bitch, Souta. He gripped his fist until his knuckles turned white.

He can't forget the moment when he saw Yume reach his hand towards him before falling unconscious. The way the younger boy's breath shuddered when he picked him up He remembers how the boy buried his head in his broad chest as he ran to Makino for help. He rubs the bridge of his nose in thought. He can't let anyone know what kind of demon resides inside his cold heart.

He places his hand on his chest when he feels a soft pang as he realizes that Yume is the first person he has ever looked at with kind, loving eyes. He felt his cold heart melt like a candle. Yume was his flame. He could feel it.