The rain had stopped just before sunset, leaving Tokyo slick with reflections. Streetlamps glowed like stars trapped in puddles, and the air smelled faintly of wet asphalt and spring.
Ren zipped up his jacket and glanced around the quiet alley beside the café, just as Kaito stepped out.
For once, he wasn't rushing to vanish into the crowd.
"You free tonight?" Kaito asked, his voice low.
Ren blinked. "Uh. Yeah. I—I guess."
Kaito nodded toward the narrow street. "Walk with me?"
Ren fell into step beside him. They walked in silence at first, the city humming softly around them. It felt… strange. Not awkward, but heavy in the best way—like something important was being passed between them, even if no one had spoken it aloud yet.
"You were quiet this morning," Kaito said eventually, hands in his pockets.
"I didn't want to push," Ren admitted. "I know what it's like to hide parts of yourself."
Kaito glanced over. "You?"
Ren gave a small, breathy laugh. "Sure. I mean, I'm out to my friends, but my family thinks I'm just 'really focused on art school.' Like that's a valid reason to never date anyone."
Kaito smiled. "That's relatable."
A beat passed.
"Did you always know you wanted to perform?" Ren asked. "As Kane, I mean."
Kaito exhaled through his nose. "Not at first. I started singing in high school, mostly to myself. Then someone dared me to enter a drag night at a university club. I went as a joke."
"And?"
"And I've never felt more alive," he said. "Like... I wasn't pretending anymore. I was finally visible."
Ren nodded slowly. "So Kane became the real you?"
"No," Kaito replied, then stopped walking. "Kane is the part of me that's brave. Kaito is the part that's afraid."
The words hung in the air, heavier than either of them expected.
Ren looked up at him. "You're not two people, you know. Just one person… with more depth than most people ever get to show."
Kaito didn't answer right away.
Instead, he pulled out his phone and tapped for a moment. Then he handed it to Ren.
It was a photo. A backstage shot.
Kaito, half in makeup. Wig off. Glitter on his cheek, eyeliner smudged. Tired, raw, real.
"No one's ever seen this," Kaito said. "Not even Mina. Or the other performers."
Ren stared at it, speechless. Then looked up at the man standing next to him.
"Can I draw you like this?" he asked quietly.
Kaito met his gaze. "Only if you keep it for yourself."
"I will," Ren promised.
They started walking again, slower this time.
And as they crossed a narrow bridge over a glowing canal, Kaito brushed his hand against Ren's—just once, just enough.
Ren didn't pull away.
Neither of them said anything.
But something had shifted.