I Shouldn’t Want This
Fireworks don't last.
They burn bright, explode into color—then disappear.
Ren Nakamura had always known that.
And yet, standing there, watching Yuki's wide eyes stare back at him—he wished, for the first time, that something could last forever.
Because he had just said it.
"Stay with me, Yuki."
The words were out before he could stop them. Raw. Honest. Desperate.
And now—she was looking at him.
Like she didn't know whether to smile or cry.
Like she had been waiting to hear those words and dreading them at the same time.
Ren's heartbeat pounded in his ears.
He should've taken it back.Should've played it off.
But he didn't.
Because it was the truth.
And the truth was terrifying.
Under the Fireworks – A Moment That Feels Like Forever
Yuki's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
The colors from the sky reflected in her eyes—shimmering, fleeting.
Ren's hands curled into fists at his sides.
Waiting. Bracing.
Finally—she smiled.
Soft. Beautiful. Heartbreaking.
"...Ren," she whispered.
His chest tightened.
Not Nakamura.
Ren.
She only said his name like that when she meant it.
When she wanted to remind him that he wasn't just some lost cause.
But this time—he didn't want to be reminded.
He just wanted her.
Yuki looked down, letting out a soft, shaky laugh.
"You make this really hard, you know that?"
Ren frowned. "What?"
She exhaled slowly, turning her gaze back to him.
"You make it hard to pretend like I don't want this too."
Ren stopped breathing.
His mind went completely blank.
Yuki giggled at his reaction, shaking her head.
"Wow," she teased. "Did I just break you?"
Ren scowled. "Shut up."
She laughed again—but there was something fragile in the way she looked at him.
Something that made his stomach twist.
"Ren," she murmured. "You know I—"
She hesitated.
And suddenly, Ren knew.
Knew what she was about to say.Knew what she was afraid to say.
And he didn't want to hear it.
"Don't."
Yuki blinked. "What?"
Ren's jaw clenched.
"Don't say it."
She stared at him, eyes searching.
He could see the words on the tip of her tongue.
"We can't.""This won't last.""You shouldn't care about me."
Ren shook his head.
"I don't care what happens next," he muttered. "I just want you now."
Yuki inhaled sharply.
Her breath shook.
And then—before he could regret it—
Ren reached out.
Slowly. Carefully. Like she might disappear if he moved too fast.
And he touched her cheek.
Soft. Warm. Real.
Yuki's eyes widened.
But she didn't pull away.
Instead—she leaned into his touch.
Ren felt his chest ache.
Because this was dangerous.
Because this was real.
Because he knew—if he let himself love her, truly love her—
It would destroy him.
But standing there, with her hand coming up to cover his, with the last embers of fireworks still falling in the sky—
Ren didn't care.
"I shouldn't want this." His voice was barely a whisper.
Yuki's fingers curled around his.
"But you do," she murmured.
Ren swallowed hard.
"Yeah," he admitted. "I do."
Silence.
Then—softly, carefully—
Yuki smiled.
And whispered, "Me too."
That Night – The Reality That Follows
Ren lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Again.
But this time—his mind wasn't empty.
His heartbeat hadn't slowed down.
His skin still burned from where he had touched her.
Where she had let him.
He let out a slow breath, pressing a hand over his chest.
Tch. This was bad.
Because now, there was no going back.
Because now—he wanted more.
More time.More moments.More of her.
But time was cruel.
And no matter how much he wanted to pretend it wasn't—
He knew.
They were running out of it.
And Ren had never been more afraid.