Chapter 25: Uniforms, Emotions, and Almost "I Love You"

---

Two weeks passed after Ken discovered Arashi's secret dance club.

Since then, Ken made it his secret mission to support the little brats — as Arashi lovingly called them — without making a fuss. No dramatic gestures. Just small acts of kindness.

Like bringing snacks.

Fixing the broken fans in the studio.

And now… the uniforms.

Ken had found a local tailor and used some of his own savings to design simple black sweatshirts with "Team A" printed boldly on the back — the "A," of course, standing for Arashi.

The kids were thrilled. One kid actually cried.

Arashi… wasn't.

Not at first.

---

"You did what?" Arashi stood in the middle of the studio, holding up one of the sweatshirts like it was radioactive.

Ken blinked. "I thought you'd like them. The kids loved—"

"You used your own money?"

Ken shrugged. "They needed it."

"You should've told me first!"

"I wanted it to be a surprise!"

Arashi dropped the sweatshirt and ran his hand through his hair. "I didn't need you to come and fix my mess, Ken!"

Ken's smile dropped.

The studio went silent. The kids were watching. Ken looked away.

"I wasn't fixing anything. I just wanted to help."

Arashi realized the weight of his words too late.

He picked up the sweatshirt again, hands shaking a little. "Sorry. I just… this place, these kids, they're my responsibility. I've never let anyone else in before."

Ken softened. "You don't have to do everything alone, Arashi."

"I'm not used to someone thinking about me like that."

Ken stepped closer, their voices lowering now that the kids had gone back to practicing.

"I think about you more than I should," Ken said quietly, meeting Arashi's eyes.

Arashi looked like he was about to say something.

He opened his mouth.

Then shut it.

Ken smiled softly. "You were going to say it, weren't you?"

Arashi looked away. "…Maybe."

"Don't worry," Ken said, poking Arashi's chest with two fingers. "You can tell me after you stop acting like a big, moody baby."

Arashi laughed under his breath.

Then he wrapped his arms around Ken's waist and pulled him close. "You're so annoying."

"I know," Ken replied.

They didn't say "I love you."

Not yet.

But maybe… it didn't have to be said to be real.

---