Mr Daigo Takahashi decided to organize a semi-formal staff meeting at the foundation to welcome him as the new acting director under him. Department heads, several administrators and interns were there.
Yuu was standing in front of the room, poised and dolled up. He wore a beige well ironed suit. His father gave a brief introduction about talking about leadership skills and experience. He reassured his staff that they would be in good hands.
Ren sat next to the empty chair that was meant for Yuu.
Yuu gave a speech about almost everything he thought was worth mentioning. The speech was short and precise. He was applauded at the end of the speech.
Mr Daigo said a few words to him after he took his seat. He was heading home to see Jhenna, his beloved wife.
The refreshments arrived and everyone scattered around the room. Yuu was greeted by different people in groups.
Ren fixed his gaze at Yuu. He wondered what would have happened if the delivery guy had not interrupted them. He wondered if Yuu was feeling the same way he felt.
Yuu was discussing with a group of doctors and he suddenly reached for a cup of coffee.
He had been stealing glances. He felt Ren's intense stare from across the room. His hand trembled as he held the cup. The steam, nerves and the stare.
He spilled his coffee , making hot liquid spill over his hand.
He instinctively dropped the cup making the room go dead silent. All eyes glued on him like a screen.
"Ah…." He sighed.
Before anyone could react, Ren was already by his side, quick, efficient and almost protective.
" You should have let it cool first," Ren said as he dabbed his hand with a napkin. Yuu didn't move away.
" Don't worry, it's fine," Yuu said.
Ren's fingers were still around Yuu's wrist.
Everyone else was looking at them, for a while no one moved or spoke.
" Are you okay?" A doctor who was next to Yuu asked.
" Yeah" Yuu replied as he loosened the grip around his wrist.
The conversations resumed.
Yuu excused himself and headed to the hallway. He stayed briefly before heading home.
Ren sat in his house later at night. Yuu's skin was still soft, he thought.
He thought about the softness of Yuu's skin, and how he didn't pull away. It felt so natural like the good old days.
Somehow, Ren's mind wandered to the first day he kissed Yuu. Or the day he had kissed him.
It was in tenth grade. They had been friends for long now. They always hung out together. Yuu's friends had now become his friends. They went to Hanuel Quarter every night to eat instant noodles.
But no matter how close Yuu was to other people, Ren was still his best friend. He was always with Ren.
It was on such a Friday that Yuu and his cohorts decided to eat instant noodles at a stall. Ria Aiko was the only girl in the friend group. She was Yuu's family friend. The family that ran Lumei international schools. The three other boys were Ray, Time and Ayan. Ayan was into soccer, his dad owned a plastic factory, Time and Ray were the couple who ran the country as of that time. Two assemblymen who had absolute control over the running of the country and were adored by the people.
Time and Ray had come out about their relationship that night to their friends. They weren't really surprised. Ren had seen how protective Time was . He always got jealous when someone else got close to Ray. Their relationship was an open secret.
" Ouu, I am the only single person here," Ria said as she gulped down her bottle of fermented liquor.
" Who else is dating aside Time and Ray?" Ren asked, looking at Ria. Ria was always quiet but goofy. She was calm, composed and handled everything in a mature manner.
" I would assume you two are dating too. You are always so close." Ria remarked as she took a bite of her egg.
" You are closer to Yuu than I am," Ren defended. " He tells you things he doesn't tell me. You join him on family dinners and trips" he added.
Ren always felt insecure around Ria. He was closer to Yuu but Ria always knew something before the whole friend group . They were so close, the whole school shipped them together.
He was jealous.
"But it is confusing, Yuu professed his love for you last week. Was it a joke?" Ray chipped in.
Ren only glanced at Yuu. He didn't say anything.
Ren just had a vague image of the entire conversation.
He only remembered what transpired afterwards.
Ren's dad was out of town that day, for work purposes. Yuu called home to inform his parents he would be sleeping over at a friend's place.
They were done with showering. They did their homework and reviewed what they learnt during the day.
" You always treat me like a baby, I would be fine alone. This isn't the first time I am home alone" Ren said as they were in bed about to go to sleep.
Yuu just patted his head. " You are my baby " he said as he tilted his head towards Ren.
It was raining.
Yuu suddenly reached out for Ren's arm. They were just in brief. Ren didn't say anything.
Just silence.
For some seconds no one said anything. They knew what was going to happen. No one wanted to stop it.
His lips brushed Ren's - uncertain, warm, barely there.
It wasn't a kiss meant to claim, it was one that meant to ask, soft trembling.
Ren didn't move away but he was torn between letting go or going forward.
He murmured something about wanting to go to bed but the words blurred when their eyes met.
They went further.
Afterwards the room felt too quiet. Ren's hand still rested on Yuu's chest but the warmth was already fading. He didn't look away but his eyes had that far off distance Yuu knew too well - like he was here but not with him. Yuu smiled pretending that was enough. And when Ren finally turned away his whisper was barely audible - " I shouldn't have let this happen".