Chapter 9: Now You Know

Alexis was at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond. Thoughts raced through his mind, contemplating the depth of his feelings. "Ever since we first met, I've held you in high regard. Could this be love?" The realization hit Alexis as he unintentionally voiced his thoughts aloud. The embarrassment overwhelmed him, causing a loss of balance, and he stumbled over Shuji's foot. In that moment, Shuji swiftly caught Alexis by the waist, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "What do you make of it?" he asked, before leaning in to kiss him. Shuji kept on dancing to the music, pulling Alexis closer in their embrace, as Alexis willingly followed Shuji's lead. It was as if Shuji was the conductor of a symphony, guiding the music effortlessly. Suddenly, Alexis recalled two crucial details: Rei-kun's absence and Koji's sudden disappearance.

Before long, the music shifted once more as Shuji bid Alexis farewell with a gentle kiss on his hand. Making his way to the stage, he prepared to kick off the countdown. Meanwhile, Alexis was rushing home, consumed with worry for Rei-kun. To him, Rei-kun was more than just a friend - he was like an older brother. The mere thought of anything happening to Rei-kun was unbearable, especially since Alexis had no other family to turn to. As he sprinted back home, his haunting and dreadful past began to weigh heavily on his mind.