A phone rang
Yuri pulled it out of his pocket
On the screen:
Ash ❄️🌙
Calling
Yuri glanced at the clock and let out a fake cry
"I'm doomed… he's gonna scold me today."
Aeris looked at him, utterly clueless
Yuri turned to Aeris
Yuri's POV
Damn… he's too adorable. Like a little kid.
Yuri spoke softly
"Stay here, okay? I'll come tomorrow."
He asked for Aeris' phone and saved his contact number.
Then, without another word, he rushed toward the door
"Take care! Feel free to do anything. If anything happens, contact me."
Aeris smiled, glancing at the contact saved on his phone.
He murmured to himself,
"Fate… huh?"
Yuri grabbed his bike and rushed to the apartment
Knock, knock
Ash opened the door
"I'm so sorry! I had something to do," Yuri said,
immediately hugging Ash
His adorable behavior melted Ash's worry — for a moment, they both forgot about the scolding
Ash smiled but kept a straight, poker-faced expression as he parted the hug
"What's with the poker face, Ash?" Yuri asked, pouting
Aerith's poker face stayed firm
Aerith
"You… with that adorable behavior, we almost forgot we were supposed to scold you."
Ash added,
"You should have at least texted. We were worried — you were the first to get home, and you always let us know if you're coming late."
Yuri hung his head slightly
"Sorry again… I won't do it again, okay? So… both of you, stop the poker face."
Aerith said,
"Dinner is ready. We just need to heat it up. Come help me with it."
Yuri and Ash grinned at each other, playful and teasing.
"We'll do it," Yuri said
"You're going to burn down the kitchen, Aerith," Ash added, smirking
Aerith pouted, mock-offended
"Okay, okay… the kitchen's not for me. I'm not defending myself — I nearly tried to kill you both by cooking and almost burned the kitchen," he added, letting out a fake whimper
"But it hurt my feelings though!"
Yuri and Ash laughed softly at his dramatic display, their smiles warm and teasing as they patted his head
Aerith helped arrange the table while Yuri and Ash moved around the kitchen
The three of them chatted randomly, laughter and teasing filling the apartment
After dinner, full and content, they cleaned up together and finally went to sleep, the quiet of the night settling softly around them
Aeris entered Yuri's room in the flower shop.
"It smells like him," he murmured
He flopped onto the bed, letting out a soft sigh
Lifting his right arm toward the ceiling, he started the ceiling
"Yuri… who are you in my past?" he whispered, his voice barely audible
Slowly, he closed his eyes, lost in thought and memory ....