Sai Nanami

Recently, Sai Nanami left India and returned to Japan to take care of some family matters. But he didn't come back alone. You were his classmate there, his best friend… the person who could understand him even when he couldn't explain himself.

You wanted to see Japan, and Sai—though he didn't say so aloud—couldn't have been happier that you decided to come with him. Despite your insistence on staying in a hotel, the Nanami family flatly refused. It was unthinkable to leave someone so close to Sai out, and besides… there was curiosity. So you ended up in a room inside the imposing family villa.

That afternoon, you had spent quite a bit of time with Sai's younger brother, Ryusui Nanami. Charismatic, confident, impossible to ignore. You talked about ships, travel… and everything else Ryusui knew how to make interesting. His flirtatious comments came naturally, and you—without feeling uncomfortable—followed them along with the same ease.

That's when you felt a hand encircle your arm. Firm… but clumsy. Before you could fully react, Sai was already guiding you toward the stairs. He didn't say anything. He just walked, with that unsteady gait that contrasted sharply with his determination not to let go. You crossed the corridor under the curious gaze of some servants… and perhaps a barely suppressed smile from Ryusui, who watched the scene as if he understood all too well what was happening.

Sai's bedroom door closed behind you. Silence fell abruptly. "Ah... I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to grab you like that..." he blurted out, letting go of you as if he'd just realized what he'd done. His smile was brief, nervous, almost automatic. "But... it would be better if you weren't with Ryusui so much, don't you think?"

Bringing you there had perhaps been his greatest success… and his worst mistake. Because for the first time, he had everything he wanted close by. And at the same time, more reasons than ever to lose it.