I was sitting on the floor in a corner of my room. A blanket on my shoulders wearing headphones on my ears with a bloodshot look staring down at my laptop screen.

  The sound. Why is it repeating? Did he find out? But if he did…why hasn’t he said anything? This was something that he should get mad about finding out. That was the whole point! Sano…he said he won’t speak or call while I am here!

  Thoughts were rambling in my head as my fingers clicked from one file to another in hope to find something. Any clue he might’ve left. I did it months back while I was still at home in Ryui. I installed a listening device in every room of my home to spy on my parents. Specifically, this was made for my dad to make him react and call me. I hoped he’d call to reprimand me. He said he won’t call me but this would sure give him a reason to.

  “Dad, you really are not going to call. Are you?” My lips silently spoke. Not realizing that I actually spoke that out loud.

  After all these hours I finally gave in. I groaned and tiredly stretched out my body. Listening to hours and hours of material that was fabricated by my dad. Yes, he noticed my listening device and replicated it with hours and hours of noise. Muffled noise that still was ringing in my ears. I spent half of night trying to pinpoint a time frame when he would've noticed. But that rendered impossible. I am not surprised. But still…this is cold!

  I reached my hands towards my head. I pulled the headphones off my ears and put them on the floor next to me. Letting out a long sight, I ended up yawning, hands stretched in the air once again.

  He isn’t going to call and you know why!

  I noticed my phone blink next to me and reached for it.

  It was a message from Shin. It’s seven in the morning on a Saturday. Why is he awake?

  Morning Rory, I know it’s a long shot but want to grab some breakfast? - S

  Of course, I wouldn't refuse. Before he gets even busier with his preparations for his midterms and presentation that will be coming up next week we won’t see each other that much. And there was also that thing with a keychain. I still haven’t decided if I will take Yuji’s deal. I did not feel like it yet.

  Morning Shin! It’s perfect timing! I was about to get out soon! - R

  I sent my response. Then shut my computer. Leaving it on the floor. I got up. Threw the blanket on the bed. The phone blinked again.

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  You never rest do you? Let’s meet in town! - S

  Picturing his expression when he sent this, I smiled.

  “Same to you! In an hour I will be there!” - R

  I sent another response. Then threw the phone on the bed. Leaving for a shower. It didn’t take me too long to get ready. The dorms happened to be positioned at the central part of the town. So the place we are going to meet is by the entrance of the park. There is this big street that is for the park and if you walk to the other side. One will find themselves on the main road where all the cafes are. That street is a local place where many people meet up.

  “You work like a clock. A perfect hour passed.” Shin greeted me with a pleasant smile on his lips.

  I returned his smile. “Same! Same to you! Why aren’t you sleeping in?” I said and then asked. Curious why he wanted to meet me this early.

  “I figured that I won’t be able to see you all next week. It’s going to get hella busy!” Shin said. He reached out welcoming me to walk down the street.

  “I see! You don’t have to worry about me. I am not clingy!” I smiled at his consideration.

  “That’s why!” He gave me a side glance. “You will forget about me if we don’t see each other!” Shin said.

  I shook my head.

  “I am not a goldfish. Though, I may get busier myself. It seems like the schedule for me will be changing.” I said. Acknowledging the changes that school is introducing.

  “They really want us to be busy!” Shin let out a long sight.

  “Yeah.”

  “What do you want to eat?” He eyed me.

  We reached the main street where different options of cafes were available. I turned my head towards the one at the other side of the street.

  “That one has good coffee.” I pointed at the building with my eyes.

  Shin followed my gaze and nodded, knowingly. “You haven't slept!” He said, raising an eyebrow at me.

  “I will sleep after.” I waved my hand., unconcerned.

  “What were you up to?” He asked.

  “Mhh…that’s a secret.” I winked at him.

  Shin tugged my sleeve. “I hope it’s not a guy.” He teasingly said.

  I eyed him., laughing out loud. “Maybe two?” I teased him back..

  He pulled me towards himself. Putting his arms around me. His lips curved into a playful grin. His blue eyes were looking down at me. Shin opened his mouth ever so slightly to say something back but instead I pulled on his collar and our lips touched for a kiss.

  After I let him go smiling sweetly at him. Interlining our palms.

  “Let’s go get some coffee!” I said. Pulling him over towards the other side of the street.

  “You meant breakfast!” He corrected me.

  And I nodded, smiling. “Of course!”

  I seriously needed some coffee inside me. The night of listening to those empty recordings tired me out. I can’t believe my dad did that! He may have noticed them immediately after I left home. Why did he have to make up that stupid rule? Didn’t he know that he wasn’t just my mentor but my dad as well? That I will miss him?

  “You seem to be spacing out. Is everything okay?” Noticing my eyes. Shin asked. He looked a little worried.

  “Yeah, I need some sleep!” I told him.

  I didn’t want to bring my real thoughts out in the open. Not because I don’t want to confide in Shin but rather because I was in denial to acknowledge it. We each had a coffee and breakfast. I simply talked about nothing in particular, spending time leisurely. After we finished the breakfast Shin had to leave. His brother was expecting him to do some kind of family business thing. We promised to meet on Monday.