Chapter 35: Miles Apart, Close Enough to Break

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Singapore — The Same City, Two Strangers

It rained the day Arashi landed in Singapore.

The storm mirrored his mood — grey skies, streets streaked with water, the weight of everything he hadn't said to Ken sinking deeper into his chest.

Souta walked beside him under the hotel canopy, listing the media events, ribbon-cutting, and investor dinners.

"We'll be here a month," Souta said. "Let's keep you… visible. The Singapore press is already hyped."

Arashi barely nodded.

What he didn't know — what Souta never told him — was that Ken had already landed the day before.

Ken was here too.

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Ken — Same City, Same Rain

Ken sat on the bleachers of an indoor stadium, watching his students stretch. He was touring across Asia as a celebrity coach, and Singapore was their first major stop.

He'd said yes to the offer because he thought putting distance between himself and everything he felt might help.

> But somehow, it followed him anyway.

The rain outside reminded him of the day Arashi held him, whispering dumb lines like "Tonight you're mine, princess."

He hated that he still smiled at that memory.

One of his staff brought him a printed schedule.

"By the way, sir — there's a huge bar opening here this weekend. Looks like a Japanese franchise. Should be fun."

Ken didn't even glance at it.

He didn't want clubs. He didn't want noise.

He wanted peace.

But fate had other plans.

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Meanwhile — Souta's Schemes

Souta's phone buzzed as he watched Arashi get ready for a press event.

Unknown Number:

> "Ken Himura is in Singapore. You should be aware."

Souta smirked and deleted the message.

> "I am aware."

He'd known all along.

He'd seen the travel itinerary. He'd bribed a flight agent. He even had someone watch Ken's hotel.

> But if Arashi knew?

If Arashi ran into Ken… things might soften. That couldn't happen.

Not yet.

So he kept schedules separate. Made sure media attention stayed away from Ken's events. Shifted Arashi's club launch to a district far from the stadium.

> "I won't let that brat distract you again."

Souta closed his phone and walked over to Arashi, who was adjusting his cuffs.

"You look like hell," Souta said casually. "Still hung up on him?"

Arashi didn't answer.

Souta leaned in. "Forget him, Arashi. He's not the boy who lived in your condo anymore. You said it yourself — he's changed."

And Arashi… almost believed it.

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