Chapter 1

• Yet, I didn't mind his proximity. "...I was really upset back then. Cami broke up with me just because she had to transfer abroad," he began to speak, leaning even closer to my neck, his long eyelashes brushing against my skin.
• "I thought she was everything I could ever hope for, and that my life was finally complete, but she... left me."
• "Y-Yeah, I-I'm sorry about that," I said, feeling uneasy as his arms suddenly wrapped around my waist.
• "I was devastated. When Cami left, I felt like there was no point in living in this world without the woman I love. But you were there beside me the whole time," he looked at me with his intoxicated eyes, and I could smell the strong scent of the alcohol he had consumed earlier.
• "It really touched me when you were there the whole time, to the point that I got confused and realized what was going on inside my head. Yuji... Yuji, I like you."
• 'Dug dug, dug dug' I could feel my heart beating rapidly upon hearing Toma's words. I wasn't expecting this at all—no, I shouldn't have expected this at all. We're both guys, and... I mean, who would've thought?
• However, something didn't feel right.
• "Toma... you're drunk." Yes, how could I forget that? I should have kept that in mind from the beginning. I shouldn't take a drunken man's words seriously.
• "But I'm not that drunk. I needed this so I could gather up my courage to confess to you."
• "Yuji, I really like you! So please, continue staying by my side. I need you." He buried his face in my shoulder and hugged me tightly.
• "Toma, stop this, you're just drunk and confused. You should lie down on your bed and get some rest," I told him while attempting to gently pry him off of me.
• "No! I'm not just drunk and confused. Seriously, I like you, Yuji!"
• "Stop being so stubborn and go to your bed!" I raised my voice.
• "Why can't you just accept my feelings!?" He yelled back.
• I sighed, seeing this coming. Toma has always been this pushy—
• "We're both guys! Everyone's going to laugh at us for doing stuff like this."
• "I've seen your face when I used to go out with Cami, when you avoided me when I talked about her, and why you blushed so hard when I accidentally kissed you! And just now, I could hear the loud beating of your chest," —especially when he had concrete proof to get what he wanted.
• "I'm not stupid nor dense; I know how you feel about me!"
• "Though you can't just force yourself like that!" I told him.
• He stopped when he realized what I had just said. He let go of me and stepped back. "Right. This will never work out," his face darkened with his thoughts, and then he turned his back to me. "I'm sorry. Just forget this ever happened."
• When he finally disappeared from my sight, I let out a heavy sigh. It all felt so weird now, and my heart seemed ready to jump out of my chest from beating so hard. It was embarrassing to think that my heart was beating so loudly that Toma heard it. "Ugh…" I sat on the cold tiled floor.
• "Why did we end up like this?" I asked myself, trying to remember all the things that had happened between Toma and me.
• A few months ago....
• It was August 16th, and our second year of college was about to begin tomorrow. After unpacking our belongings in our room, Toma and I decided to grab some dinner. "Dude, I could really go for a massive bowl of ramen right now," Toma said, rubbing his stomach to emphasize his hunger.
• "I thought we agreed on spicy chicken?" I asked.
• "Nah, I don't want to turn the bathroom into a war zone later," he replied.
• "I'll still have some though. Come on, let's go." So, we left our dorm room after sorting out a few more things.
• As we strolled, Toma noticed something in the distance and pointed it out to me. "Damn, Yuji, I can't believe she's dating Duke." He quickly pointed towards Cami, who was with her boyfriend, Duke.
• "Well, just be happy for her. You had your chance with her and let it slip away. So, don't start regretting it now," I advised him. Toma had a massive crush on Cami ever since our freshman year. He once had the opportunity to ask her out, but he lacked the courage to do so.
• "Man, I heard from a few people that Duke is a real jerk. She won't be so happy with him," he said, looking like he was about to sulk over it.
• "You're not so different, you know. You date a lot of girls, and you can't even muster the courage to ask out the girl you really like." Yes, despite being quite the playboy, my childhood friend couldn't bring himself to ask out the girl he had a genuine interest in.
• "What!? Well, er… yeah, I go on dates, but it's always the girls who ask me out! If I try to ask Cami on a date, that would be my first time," he defended himself. It was true; it was usually the girls who initiated with him. Toma had the looks that every girl dreamed of – he was a real heartthrob, as most girls described him when I talked to the ones he dated.
• "Right. But for now, I just want to enjoy some spicy chicken. Don't drag me into your love life. I have nothing to do with that," I reminded him. He always tried to involve me in his—
• "But you're my wingman! Dude, aren't we like brothers? We've been together since childhood, and I've helped you out countless times too. So, can't you just assist me with Cami?" He pleaded, giving me a pitiful look.
• "Ugh... fine. But I'll only do it if they break up."
• "Awesome! I owe you one, buddy. Although, if you ever fancy a girl, I might return the favor and help you out too," he proclaimed proudly, as if he could actually be of assistance. I doubted he could be much help; in fact, he might even steal the girl I liked with his charming looks.
• "Yeah, let's just focus on eating for now," I suggested as we entered an eatery near the campus.
• "I could go for a beer or two. My treat!" Toma suggested.
• "Let's not get too drunk; we have the first day of school tomorrow," I cautioned him.
• "Right, let's gooo!" He disregarded my words and dragged me inside the eatery. Little did I know, I'd regret letting him treat me, as I woke up the next morning with a dreadful hangover.