The hotel was quiet that night.
Rain drizzled gently on the tall windows as Yuuto stood beside the hotel owner's desk, organizing files — but his hands moved slower than usual.
He wasn't tired.
He was thinking.
And somewhere deep inside, he didn't want to leave the room.
The hotel owner didn't ask him to stay.
But he didn't ask him to go either.
Instead, he offered tea.
Just two cups.
No words.
No agenda.
Only soft background jazz and the echo of rain.
---
Yuuto sat on the leather couch, warm teacup in hand.
The hotel owner leaned slightly back in his chair, reading an old book — the same kind of stillness Yuuto had once called "boring."
But now?
Now it felt safe.
Not like Aiden, who set his heart on fire.
Not like the past, full of tears and guilt.
This was quiet.
Gentle.
He didn't have to be perfect here.
He could breathe.
---
Meanwhile, across town…
Aiden stood on the rooftop of his apartment building, staring at the night sky — empty.
He had messaged Yuuto again.
> "Are you okay?"
No reply.
He didn't try again.
He just put his phone in his pocket… and looked up.
> "You said you wouldn't disappear again…"
His voice cracked.
> "So why do I feel like I've already lost you?"
---
Back at the hotel, the clock ticked past midnight.
The hotel owner glanced at Yuuto, still sitting there with his tea, eyes half-shut.
> "You can stay," he said gently, "if you want."
Yuuto didn't respond right away.
Then he nodded slowly.
> "I don't want to go home."
The owner smiled softly, not the usual charming smile — but something real.
He stood up and placed a blanket on Yuuto's lap.
> "Then don't."
---
Yuuto watched him walk away into the next room, switching off the bright lights.
Only the lamp beside him glowed now.
Warm.
Dim.
He leaned back, holding the cup close to his chest.
And whispered to no one:
> "Why does this feel… like peace?"
But his phone buzzed.
A single message.
From Aiden.
> "I miss you."
Yuuto's heart skipped.
He didn't reply.
He couldn't.
Not yet.
Because at that moment…
He didn't know who he was hurting more.
Aiden.
Or himself.