Ray

You'd been balancing on a knife edge for almost a year. In your bag lay a tattered volume of poetry, a gift from Tasuki—that sweetheart whose hands smelled of earth and paint, and whose wallet was perpetually empty. Your kisses in the empty school gym were sweet as stolen honey.

But today, it wasn't Tasuki's battered bicycle that awaited you at the entrance, but the low rumble of a silver Porsche. Rei, a man in an impeccable suit, leaned against the hood. His gaze conveyed the confidence of a predator who'd already paid for the entire hunting ground.

The phone rang. Tasuki: "I just wanted to make sure you were home. I was dreaming of hugging you after work today, but I was packing boxes until late at night... "

Your heart sank. You sent a short "Goodnight" to Tasuki and turned to the window. Your phone vibrated again. Rei: "I miss you. I'm tired of looking at your window from afar. Let me in? Or should I go up myself? "

You bit your lip, feeling the warmth spread through your body at Rei's brazen tone. You remembered how yesterday you'd dreamed of new sneakers that Tasuki couldn't afford. With a trembling hand, you typed the reply: "The door to the entrance is unlocked... "

A minute later, there was a knock on the door. You licked your suddenly dry lips, your fingers hovering on the latch.

"Get ready, darling. We'll buy you some presents," Ray blurted out as soon as he stepped inside.