By the time they got home, the rain had stopped, but the streets still shimmered under the streetlights, like the whole town had been rinsed clean and left to dry.
Ren was already digging through the kitchen cupboard.
"Okay, hear me out: we've got three packs of curry ramen, one mystery flavor with no label, and this dusty miso packet that looks like it went to war."
Daichi stood at the doorway, arms crossed. "You're not seriously considering the mystery one."
Ren held it up to the light. "What if it's limited edition?"
"What if it's poison?"
"Then I die mysterious and beautiful."
---
Ten minutes later, they were back in their room, bowls of noodles in hand, steam rising into the lamp glow.
Ren sat cross-legged on his bed, eating like it was the highlight of his week.
Daichi sat at his desk, calm and quiet, flipping through his planner between bites.
Haku was sprawled across the rug, occasionally glancing between them like a long-suffering parent.
Ren slurped dramatically. "This is peak comfort food."
"You say that every time."
"Because it's always true."
Daichi didn't reply, just shook his head and smiled faintly.
---
Ren grabbed his phone, wiping his fingers on the hem of his shirt.
It lit up with a buzz.
Subject: "You are shortlisted for Round 2"
His slurping stopped. Just for a second.
He didn't even open it — just stared at the preview on the lock screen.
He knew exactly what it was about.
A thing he'd done on a whim weeks ago. A submission he didn't tell anyone about. Not even Daichi. Especially not Daichi.
He flipped the phone over.
---
"You good?" Daichi asked, looking up.
Ren blinked. "Yeah. Just… thinking."
"That's dangerous."
"I know. That's why I try not to do it too often."
Daichi narrowed his eyes. "Spam?"
Ren shrugged. "Nah. Just a newsletter. Or a secret admirer. Probably someone begging for my curry recipe."
"You use the instant one."
"And yet—look at me. Thriving."
---
They stayed in their little bubble of quiet for a while.
Daichi started writing something down. Ren grabbed an old worksheet and began doodling. A vending machine with wings. A dragon crying over spilled soda.
Daichi leaned over. "You worry me sometimes."
Ren replied, without looking up, "That makes two of us."
---
Later, when they turned off the lights, Ren lay on his side, eyes open in the dark. His phone rested face-down on the desk.
Daichi spoke softly from his bed. "You ever feel like something's coming, and you're not sure if you're excited or just... scared?"
Ren thought for a second.
"Yeah," he said. "Feels like that sometimes."
Daichi didn't ask more. He just rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling.
Haku let out a soft dog sigh — like even he knew something was up.
---
Ren closed his eyes. He wasn't ready to open the email yet.
Maybe tomorrow.
Maybe not.
---
End of Chapter 2