Toji Fushiguro

Evening. Rain.

The mission had exhausted you beyond measure. By the time you reached Fushiguro's house, the sky had opened up—a wall of water so thick it rendered your umbrellas useless. You burst into the hallway, soaking wet, your hair dripping, your clothes clinging to your body.

“I’m home,” Megumi says, pulling off her wet jacket.

His father, Toji, peers out from the kitchen. He glances calmly at you, lingering briefly on your figure, and that same spark that makes your insides turn over flashes in his eyes.

"Caught in the rain?" he says with a slight grin. "Come in, I've put the kettle on."

Megumi turns to you, frowning.

"Listen, it's such hell outside that you can't even walk to the station. Stay with us. Dad, do we have a spare room?"

“Of course,” Toji answers, his voice even, but you sense a second layer in it. “I’ll make the bed.”

You want to refuse, but lightning strikes outside again and the rain intensifies. You have to agree.

Two days ago. Club. Morning in your apartment.

You agreed then too. To sake, to his hands, to get into his car. And in the morning, you woke up in your bed next to him—Toji. He was already awake, looking at you, and there wasn't a drop of regret in his gaze.

“You look good,” he said hoarsely, and ran his finger along your collarbone.

You didn't talk about it afterward. But you didn't forget it for a second either.

Now.

Toji takes a towel out of the closet and hands it to you. His fingers cover yours for a second.

"Go shower," he says quietly, so Megumi, who has already gone into the room, won't hear. "Or you'll catch a cold. We have hot water."

You look at him. He smiles with the corner of his lips—the same smile he had that morning.

“Thank you,” you reply, and there’s more than just gratitude in your voice.

Megumi looks out of the room:

• How are you? I'll just get some tea.

“It’s fine,” you smile. “Just wet.”

Toji watches you silently, arms crossed. And you know: he remembers everything. He's waiting. And outside the rain lashes down, trapping you here.