The quiet of New Year's morning broke with Yu's scream.
He bolted upright, body trembling, tears running freely down his pale cheeks. His breath came ragged, a hand clutched against his chest as if he could hold himself together. The images still burned behind his ruby eyes—a flaming car, distorted cries, three figures inside, reaching, begging— a mother, a father, and a girl who looked just like him. He had stood frozen outside, helpless as the fire swallowed everything.
Taichi startled awake instantly.
"Yu!?"
His voice was rough from sleep but laced with panic. He reached across the bed, pulling Yu into his arms without hesitation.
"Hey, hey—it's okay. You're okay. I'm here. It's just a nightmare."
Yu collapsed into him, sobs muffled against Taichi's chest. Taichi's warmth, the steady beat of his heart, anchored him while the echoes of the dream clawed at his mind.
In his head, DK01's calm, unwavering voice filled the silence between gasps.
[Those were not random visions. The people in the car were Yukio's parents and his twin sister. They died in a car accident… on New Year's Day. Today is the anniversary.]
Yu's body went cold, his trembling intensifying. He could almost still hear the cries, the desperate pounding against glass that he couldn't reach, couldn't stop. His fingers dug into Taichi's shirt, clinging as if Taichi himself were the only thing keeping him from breaking apart.
Taichi felt the shudder run through him, mistaking it for lingering fear. He pressed his lips against the crown of Yu's hair, tightening his hold until there was no space left between them.
"You're safe. I've got you. Nothing's going to hurt you—not while I'm here."
Yu's tears slowed, though his breath still hitched. He let himself sink into Taichi's embrace, the warmth battling back the dark images until only exhaustion remained.
For a long while, they stayed like that, tangled in silence while snowflakes drifted quietly outside the frosted window.
Yu curled against Taichi, his body trembling even as the worst of the nightmare began to ebb. Taichi stroked his back slowly, in long, grounding motions, whispering into his hair.
"You don't have to say anything. Just… breathe with me, yeah? In and out. That's it. I'm here."
The room was dim, only the faint light of dawn leaking in through the frosted window. For a while they stayed like that, locked in silence. Yu's tears left warm patches on Taichi's shirt, but he didn't complain, didn't shift. He only held on tighter whenever Yu shuddered, as if he could absorb the fear and keep it from swallowing him whole.
Eventually Yu's breathing evened out, though his body stayed heavy with exhaustion. Taichi brushed his bangs away from his damp face, pressing a kiss to his temple.
"It's okay. We'll face today together."
---
The hours that followed moved slowly, quietly.
They lingered in bed until late morning, Yu wrapped in blankets like a fragile cocoon while Taichi coaxed him to eat breakfast—simple miso soup, warm rice, and half burnt eggs. Taichi fussed, teasing lightly to coax the smallest smile, though his eyes never left Yu for long, as though afraid he'd vanish if he looked away.
They watched the snow fall from the window, the world outside muted and still. Occasionally, Taichi would brush his thumb over Yu's hand, or lean close to murmur something small, something sweet—reminders of the present, anchors against the shadows of the past.
By afternoon, Yu felt steadier, though his heart still carried the weight of the nightmare. Taichi, sensing the heaviness hadn't left, set down his cup of tea and spoke softly.
"Yu… would you want to visit them today? Your family's graves?"
Yu froze. His heart thumped painfully in his chest.
'They aren't really mine…'
He thought.
But Yukio's feelings… The ache from the dream, the cries that still rang in his head, pressed at him until his throat tightened.
He looked up at Taichi, eyes wide and uncertain, afraid to answer.
But Taichi only reached over, squeezing his hand gently.
"You don't have to go alone. I'll be right there. Always."
Yu's lips trembled. He gave a small, shy nod, barely more than a dip of his head.
"…Okay."
They rose from the quiet warmth of the apartment to get ready, pulling on scarves and coats, layering against the winter chill. As Yu tugged on his gloves, his hands shook faintly, betraying his nerves.
Taichi noticed. He wrapped an arm around Yu's shoulders, pulling him close as they slipped on their shoes.
"It's alright."
He murmured, steady and certain.
"We'll go together."
And though Yu was scared, with Taichi's arm firm and warm around him, he found the courage to step outside into the snow.
---
The world outside was hushed, the air sharp with winter's bite. Their boots crunched softly in the snow as they walked side by side, breath visible in little clouds that rose and faded quickly into the pale afternoon sky.
Taichi kept Yu close, his gloved hand brushing against Yu's every so often, like a quiet reminder that he was there. But he didn't force conversation. He seemed to sense Yu's unease, choosing instead to walk in silence, his presence steady and grounding.
Yu's heart raced with every step, his mind replaying fragments of the nightmare—the flames, the cries, the helplessness. He clutched the scarf tighter around his neck, as though it could shield him from the memories clawing at him.
[They aren't really mine. But their pain still feels like mine. Why does it feel so heavy…?]
The closer they drew to the cemetery gates, the more Yu's pace faltered, his boots dragging slightly. Taichi noticed. He slowed too, slipping his arm gently around Yu's shoulders.
"We can turn back if you want."
Taichi said softly, bending to catch Yu's eyes.
"No one's making you do this."
Yu swallowed, shaking his head.
"N-no… I… I need to."
His voice trembled, but he pressed forward, leaning into Taichi's side for strength.
The cemetery was quiet, the rows of gravestones dusted in white. Their steps echoed softly in the stillness as they moved between the markers. Yu's breath grew unsteady as they came upon the three stones—side by side, names etched in neat lines he already knew by heart.
He froze. His knees felt weak, like the ground might swallow him. Taichi didn't speak. He squeezed Yu's shoulder, then whispered.
"I'll give you a little time."
With a kiss pressed to Yu's temple, Taichi stepped away, his figure moving slowly down the row of graves before stopping at another grave stone for a moment then continuing, leaving Yu space but staying close enough to return in a heartbeat.
Yu sank to his knees in the snow before the gravestones. His hands trembled as he pressed them together in prayer, tears already burning his eyes.
"I… I'm sorry."
He whispered, voice raw and breaking.
"I don't belong here. I… I stole Yukio's body. I don't even know if he'd forgive me for that. But I'll do my best. I'll… I'll love Taichi, I'll live, I'll try to make this life mean something. So please… please don't hate me for being here in his place."
His tears fell freely, staining the snow as he bowed his head low.
"I hope… you find peace. Wherever you are. And I hope Yukio… doesn't mind what I'm doing with his body. I… I'll take care of it. I'll take care of him, of Taichi… of this life."
The silence of the cemetery pressed in around him, the snow falling in soft flakes, gentle as ash. Yu stayed bowed, trembling, until the weight in his chest eased just enough for him to lift his head again.
At the edge of his vision, he spotted Taichi leaning against a gravestone a short distance away, watching quietly, not intruding. Their eyes met, and Taichi gave him a faint, encouraging smile.
Yu wiped his cheeks quickly with his sleeve, trying to steady his breath before rising to his feet.
Yu rose unsteadily from the graves, his knees stiff and wet from the snow. The air was bitter against his flushed cheeks, but he barely felt it—only the hollow ache pressing deep inside his chest.
Before he could falter, Taichi was there. He hadn't said a word the whole time, hadn't tried to pull Yu away or push him forward—he had just waited. And now, as Yu turned toward him, Taichi reached out and wrapped him firmly in his arms.
Yu pressed his face into Taichi's chest, his body trembling, and Taichi held him tight enough to remind him that he was still here, still alive, still his.
"You did good."
Taichi murmured, his breath warm against Yu's hair.
"I'm proud of you."
The words cracked something open inside Yu. He clutched at Taichi's coat, muffling a sob against him. Taichi didn't shush him. He only stroked the back of Yu's head, steady and patient, letting him ride the waves of grief until Yu's shivers began to settle.
When Yu finally pulled back, Taichi brushed his thumbs gently under Yu's damp eyes and smiled faintly.
"Let's go home, yeah?"
Yu nodded weakly, letting Taichi lace their fingers together as they left the cemetery behind.
---
Back at the apartment, warmth wrapped around them as the door shut out the cold world. Yu slipped off his shoes, still numb, but his gaze drifted unbidden toward his desk.
It was the same desk Yukio had once studied at, written at, lived at. And in the corner sat the photos Yu had spent months not bothering to notice until now.
The first was bright—Yukio Hokohayashi with his parents, Naoko and Atsushi, and his twin sister Yumi. They were all young and smiling, captured in a moment of togetherness forever sealed behind glass.
Beside it sat a quieter photo: Yukio again, slightly older, alone this time but with a strained, almost apologetic smile, standing beside a woman who looked so much like his mother—yet Yu knew it was not her. Nakama Ito, Naoko's twin sister, the aunt who had taken Yukio in after the tragedy yet faced her own tragic end at the hands of an illness.
Yu froze, staring. For so long, those photos had been distant, nothing to do with him. But after today—the graves, the prayers, the nightmare—they slammed into him like truth. The faces blurred as his tears welled up, and before he could stop himself, his knees buckled. He crumpled to the floor before the desk, sobbing so hard it hurt, like he had lived with them, like he had just lost them all over again.
"Yu!"
Taichi was beside him in an instant, kneeling, pulling him into his arms. He gathered Yu close against his chest, rocking him gently.
"I've got you."
He whispered, voice breaking with worry.
"I've got you, love. Let it out. Just let it out."
Yu clung to him desperately, his tears soaking through Taichi's shirt as his chest heaved with cries that tore themselves free. Taichi's heart ached at the sight—Yu's pain felt like his own, and all he could do was hold him tighter, stroking his back, whispering his name over and over.
"I'm here."
Taichi kept saying.
"You're not alone. I'm right here."
The apartment filled with the sound of Yu's sobs, raw and unrestrained, and Taichi never once let go.
Yu's sobs slowly ebbed, exhaustion dragging at his chest until they quieted into faint hiccups. Taichi never moved from his side, even when Yu's tears finally stilled. Instead, he scooped him gently off the floor and carried him to bed, laying down beside him. They curled together beneath the blanket, Yu's face buried in Taichi's chest, Taichi's arms cocooning him like a shield from the world.
For a while, there was only silence. Then Taichi's voice broke through, low and rough with hesitation.
"…When we were kids…"
He murmured, his chin resting against Yu's hair,
"I used to come over all the time. You and Yumi would always let me join your games. Your parents—"
His voice cracked faintly.
"—they were so kind to me and my mom. And after she died… Auntie Naoko treated me like I was her own. Like I still had a mom."
Yu stilled, listening. Taichi's arms tightened around him.
"After Auntie Naoko… after your parents and Yumi were gone, and Auntie Nakama found out she was going to die soon too… she… she made me promise..."
His voice was trembling now, his breaths uneven.
"She made me promise to look after you, Yukio. To be there for you. And I—"
His throat closed, and suddenly tears were spilling, hot and shameful.
"I broke it. I broke it so badly. I bullied you. I made it worse when you already had nothing left. I… I was such a bastard…"
His body shook as the guilt poured out, his face pressed against Yu's neck.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Yu. I'm so sorry—"
Yu's chest ached at the weight of Taichi's words. Slowly, he shifted, cupping Taichi's wet cheeks in his small hands. His red eyes glistened, soft and unwavering.
"Taichi…"
He brushed his thumbs tenderly under Taichi's eyes.
"It's okay. I forgive you."
Taichi's breath hitched, eyes wide and glassy.
"You were hurting too…"
Yu whispered.
"We both were. But now… we're together. We love each other. And this—"
He pressed his forehead against Taichi's, warm and steady.
"—this is your second chance to keep that promise. To look after me. Not out of guilt, but out of love."
Taichi's tears spilled harder, but he nodded, burying himself into Yu's neck as though afraid to let go.
The Love-o-meter ticked up:
67 - 68
"I'll keep it. This time, I'll never break it. I swear."
Yu smiled faintly, stroking Taichi's back as he let the taller boy sob against him.
"I know you will."
He whispered.
They clung to each other, raw and unguarded, until exhaustion finally pulled them both under. Tangled together beneath the covers, they slept with tear-stained cheeks, but their hold on each other never loosened.
---
When morning came, it was gentler than usual. Their routine felt softer, as though something invisible between them had been mended.
Taichi was quieter, more deliberate in every touch—brushing Yu's hair back before they left, making sure his scarf was snug, carrying his bag without being asked. Not just out of habit, but with a reverence Yu hadn't seen before.
And Yu, in turn, found himself reaching out more, threading their fingers together first, leaning into Taichi's side without hesitation, pressing small kisses against his cheek when no one was looking.
The night of shared tears had peeled away something old and jagged between them—guilt, silence, regret—and what remained was fragile but truer, a love not just born of the present, but deeply rooted in the past they both carried.
For the first time, Yu felt the weight of Yukio's memories settle in him not as a burden, but as a bridge.
And for the first time, Taichi held Yu not just as the boy he loved now, but as the one he had once failed, and swore never to fail again.
---
In the days that followed their breakdown, Yu and Taichi didn't speak much of that night, but it lingered between them in every touch, every glance. At home, their rhythm softened into something more intimate. Yu found himself cooking breakfast just a little earlier, waiting for Taichi to wake, and Taichi would kiss the crown of Yu's head before even saying good morning.
Even their silences had changed. Where once there had been nerves or unspoken weight, now it was comfortable—like their very breathing was synced.
Yu sometimes caught himself staring at Taichi, marveling at how the boy who once tormented him now brushed his hair behind his ear so tenderly. And Taichi… Taichi could no longer stop himself from reaching out every chance he got, his hand settling on Yu's back, on his waist, lacing their fingers together even on quiet walks.
At school, the shift didn't go unnoticed.
Fumiko and Sakura were the first to whisper about it, watching how Yu leaned into Taichi so naturally, or how Taichi's rough edges softened when Yu was near. Souma and Yamato teased them, calling them "an old married couple" more than once, though their voices carried more admiration than mockery. Haruka was the last to notice, but once she did, it was all she could tall about, talking about how her "ship has sailed!"
"Did you see how Taichi opened his umbrella for her before Yu even asked?"
Fumiko giggled at lunch one day.
"Mm. Or how Yu just let him steal her pickles without pouting? That's new!"
Sakura mused.
The boys nodded sagely, but all of them agreed quietly: whatever had happened between the two, it was for the better. They seemed steadier, stronger, as though some invisible wall had finally crumbled.
And Yu, though still shy, didn't shrink from Taichi's direct affection anymore. If anything, he leaned into it.
---
Time passed. January's chill and sorrows began to loosen their grip.
The days stretched longer, the air carrying hints of spring's return, and soon February was looming. With it came whispers through the halls, store displays cluttered with sweets, and the season of love itself.
Valentine's Day was approaching.
Yu felt his cheeks heat just at the thought of it. He'd never given anyone chocolates before, not ever. But in this life, things were different. He had Taichi.
And though Yu was shy about it, his friends were already buzzing with curiosity and schemes.
Yu sat at one of the long counters in the Harmony Life Club kitchen, sleeves rolled up, an apron tied neatly around his waist. His pale fingers trembled just slightly as he tried to pipe melted chocolate into heart-shaped molds, his brows furrowed in concentration.
Fumiko leaned across the counter with her phone half-hidden in her hands, whispering to Sakura and Haruka.
"She looks so much like a little wife right now."
Yu, oblivious, bit his lip in focus, dusting cocoa powder onto the surface of a truffle. That was all the encouragement they needed. The shutter sounds clicked.
"Eh? W-What are you doing?!"
Yu flushed crimson, holding the piping bag like it was a shield.
"You're too cute, Yu! And my stories only blow up when you make a cameo hehe."
Sakura laughed, lifting her phone.
"It's a crime not to capture this."
Haruka giggled, already snapping another.
"This is going on my story too—caption: Future housewife goals."
Yu nearly dropped the chocolate, groaning.
"S-Stop! Don't post that—!…At least tag me in it so I don't have to post later."
But Fumiko was already turning her screen to him, smirking.
"Okay but you at least gotta pose with us first."
And before Yu could protest, they pulled him into a quick set of selfies: Yu posed brightly but blushing in the middle, apron strings fluttering, while the girls smiled unabashed around him.
The chocolates were coming together, uneven and lumpy in places but unmistakably handmade. And Yu, though embarrassed, couldn't help but smile at the thought of Taichi's face when he gave them to him. His heart swelled. This wasn't just sweets—it was a piece of him.
---
Elsewhere, Taichi was stewing.
He sat in his room, leaning back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. His hands fidgeted restlessly with the silver ring on his finger.
"Valentine's, huh…"
He muttered.
He wasn't dumb. He knew Yu would be planning something. Handmade, probably. That was Yu's style—quiet but heartfelt. And Taichi loved that about him.
But what about him?
For the first time, Taichi Arifukua—the boy who had always been brash, bold, never hesitating—was nervous. Valentine's Day meant expectations. It wasn't just about chocolate; it was about proving to Yu that he wasn't just some past delinquent boyfriend. That he could give him something sweet, something meaningful.
"Damn it…"
He scrubbed his hands through his hair, groaning.
"What do I even do?"
The thought of disappointing Yu knotted his stomach. He couldn't just… show up empty-handed.
But what did Yu even want?
Taichi had no clue. He wanted to get it right.
And for once, the fearless Taichi found himself sweating bullets over a box of chocolates.
Taichi had been pacing the hallways for two days straight, muttering under his breath about "getting this damn Valentine's thing right." By the third day, Yamato and Souma finally cornered him after club.
"You're gonna wear a hole in the floor."
Yamato said flatly, hands shoved in his pockets.
Souma tilted his head, studying him.
"You've been acting like Yu before midterms. What's got you?"
Taichi clenched his jaw, then blurted out.
"Valentine's. What the hell do I get Yu?!"
Both boys blinked. Then Souma grinned, elbowing Yamato.
"Ohhhh. The legendary Taichi Arifukua… nervous about a gift."
"Shut up!"
Taichi barked, face heating.
"This is serious! Yu's gonna— gonna make something handmade, I know it. Yu's been cooking with the girls all week. If I screw this up, I'll—"
"Relax, dude."
Yamato interrupted, deadpan.
"It's not rocket science. She's your girlfriend, not the empress. Just… get her something nice."
"Like what?!"
Taichi snapped.
"If I knew, I wouldn't be here asking you idiots."
Souma clapped a hand on his shoulder, too entertained.
"Alright, alright. Let's do this. Guy's shopping trip. We'll help."
---
It started with good intentions.
They went to a jewelry store. Taichi stared at the glass cases for two seconds before growling.
"Everything here looks like it belongs on a grandma."
Next, they tried a stationery shop. Souma suggested a fancy fountain pen. Taichi held it like a weapon.
"What am I, Yu's boss?!"
At the arcade, Yamato raised a brow at the claw machine filled with plush rabbits.
"Simple. Cute. She'd like it."
Two hours later, Taichi had spent 4,500 yen trying to win one and failed every single time. His forehead hit the glass.
"Kill me."
By the end of the day, Taichi was carrying nothing but a half-crushed convenience store taiyaki. Souma was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes.
"Epic fail!"
Souma wheezed.
"You're doomed, Taichi."
"Shut up."
Taichi grumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets. His chest was tight with frustration.
"I'll figure something out. I have to."
---
When the day finally arrived, Yu had been up early. His apartment smelled like rich cocoa and caramel, the kind of sweet warmth that made the air itself feel like a hug. Days of practice paid off: glossy truffles, neat chocolate bars wrapped in parchment and ribbon, even delicate cocoa-dusted hearts.
He carried them to school carefully, cheeks pink under his scarf.
Taichi met him at the shoe lockers, having been kicked out that morning for the "full effect" Yu was going for, already looking tense. His hair was messy, his scarf tied crooked as he'd been rushed out the door.
Yu fidgeted, clutching the small wrapped box.
"Um… Taichi… Happy Valentine's!"
He held it out with both hands, eyes shining with nervous hope.
Taichi froze. For a moment, all his panic about the past week—the failed shopping trip, the claw machine humiliation, the empty hands—crashed into him at once. He wanted to punch himself.
"Yu…"
His throat felt tight. He accepted the gift with shaking hands, staring at the careful wrapping, the little ribbon tied perfectly.
"This is… handmade?"
Yu nodded shyly.
"I wanted to make them just for you."
Taichi's chest burned. He wanted to laugh, cry, and hug him all at once. Instead, he shoved his hand awkwardly into his pocket, pulling out a small box.
"Mine's not… it's not good enough…"
He muttered, thrusting it at Yu.
"But—here."
Inside was a simple silver pendant shaped like a star. It wasn't flashy, not expensive, but it gleamed softly under the light. Taichi's ears burned.
"It, uh… made me think of you. Bright. Like… like you light everything up."
His voice cracked on the last words.
Yu's eyes went wide. For a heartbeat he was silent, then tears welled as he clutched the pendant close to his chest.
"Taichi… it's perfect. I love it."
Before Taichi could breathe, Yu leaned forward and kissed him—quick, shy, but full of warmth.
Taichi melted instantly, grabbing him around the waist, pulling him close.
"Damn it, Yu."
He murmured against his lips.
"You're too good for me."
Yu shook his head, smiling through his blush.
"No… you're perfect for me."
For a while, the world shrank to the narrow corridor by the shoe lockers, their breaths mingling in the cool morning air. Yu clutched the little pendant, trembling, the chain already warm from his palms. Taichi's arm lingered firm around his waist, as if letting go would undo the moment.
Yu's ruby eyes shimmered, still glossy from happy tears.
"I really mean it… Taichi, I love it. And I love you."
Taichi pressed his forehead against Yu's, eyes squeezed shut. His pulse was hammering like he'd just run ten laps.
"…I love you too. More than I can even say."
The Love-o-meter ticked up:
68 - 69
The bell had rung minutes ago, students were drifting by, but neither of them noticed. Yu looped the star-shaped pendant around his neck, fingers brushing the chain, smiling faintly like it was the most precious thing in the world. Taichi caught that look and swallowed hard, a fierce swell of emotion pressing in his chest.
For just a heartbeat, he thought.
'If I could freeze time right here, I would.'