At the studio, while they were getting ready for rehearsal, Kenji picked up a crumpled sheet of paper and waved it in the air.
"Today we're going to rehearse a new song."
Jun frowned.
"A new song? Since when do we have a new song?"
"Since you wrote it."
"I wrote it?" Jun let out a low laugh. "I don't remember that."
Without saying anything, Kenji handed him the paper. Jun took it, scanning the lines quickly, and his expression changed.
"Dude, where did you find this?" he said, handing it back, trying to sound indifferent. "This isn't a song, I was just… I don't know, scribbling something."
"Scribbling?" Kenji raised an eyebrow. "This has rhyme, it has feeling. It's exactly the kind of song we've been looking for."
Jun looked away.
"I think it's better not to… it's not even that good."
"Cut it out," Kenji said firmly. "It's great, and we're working on it today."
He grabbed the guitar and sat down next to Jun.
"I was thinking about this sequence…"
The notes began to fill the room. Jun watched for a moment, then leaned in and gently took the guitar.
"Hm… what if it goes like this?"
He adjusted the melody, making the sound deeper.
Little by little, the two of them started building something together.
"It's turning out perfect," Kenji said, glancing sideways. "Where did that inspiration come from?"
The question wasn't innocent.
Uncomfortable, Jun stood up, walked to the mini fridge, grabbed a beer, opened it with a sharp click, and took a sip before answering.
"I don't know. I already told you… it was just something to pass the time."
He sat back down, avoiding eye contact.
"Let's stop for today. My throat's already getting sore."
Kenji watched him for a second, as if he knew exactly what was behind the discomfort.
"Sure. We'll continue tomorrow. I'm sure this song is going to be special."
The silence in the studio made space for unspoken thoughts. Kenji rested his elbows on his knees, watching his friend.
"So… have you seen Sayuri after what happened at the party?"
Jun didn't even look at him.
"No."
The answer came out dry.
"Don't you think you should talk to her? You kissed her, and it seems like she feels something for you. I think she really likes you…"
Jun let out an irritated sigh, cutting him off.
"I don't know what you're trying to say. I kiss girls all the time, and it's not my fault if she got attached because of that."
He turned his face away, his expression cold, but Kenji didn't back down.
"You know that's not true. At least it looked like you were jealous at the party."
Jun rolled his eyes, grabbing another beer.
"There's no jealousy. I just stopped that guy from taking advantage of her. She's too naive… and that naivety made her think a kiss meant love."
Knowing his friend was lying, Kenji pushed further.
"So, since it's not mutual… you wouldn't mind… if I tried something with her?"
He tilted his head.
"Because, let's be honest… she's beautiful and smart."
Jun showed no reaction.
He couldn't. Any sign of irritation would prove Kenji right.
"I'm leaving. I can't stand this conversation. If you want to go after her so badly, then go ahead…"
"Go after her?" Kenji laughed. "You think she wouldn't fall for me?"
"Haha…" Jun let out a dry laugh.
"In a few weeks, she'll be completely into me. Want to bet?"
Jun grabbed his jacket, already walking away.
"You act like this is some kind of game, and you don't even like her."
Kenji shrugged.
"She might not be my type, but I'd win easily. Besides, if you don't want her, I'd be doing you a favor."
Jun got on his motorcycle and sped off.
"Good luck."
Kenji burst out laughing.
"Of course…" he murmured. "Let's see how long you can keep this up."
His expression changed.
"And I… I'm going to enjoy this."
But there was something beyond the teasing. Kenji already had a plan. Not to hurt anyone, but to prove something. To prove how hypocritical Jun was for denying what he felt.
He would get closer to Sayuri not out of malice, but because someone needed to make Jun stop running from his feelings. Even if that meant pushing him to his limit.
"What did he expect me to say? That no? That he can't be with her?" Jun muttered to himself as he walked into his house.
"No way… if he wants her, then go ahead, be with her."
"Are you okay, Jun?" his grandmother asked, concerned.
"I'm fine, Grandma. I'm going to bed… good night."
"Good night, dear."
The sound of the door closing echoed through the hallway. He threw his jacket over the chair and went straight to the bathroom.
Hot water ran over his body, but it wasn't enough to calm what was inside him. His mind was at war. Denial, jealousy, anger.
All at once.
Jun ran a hand through his wet hair, breathing heavily.
"Damn it…" he muttered, closing his eyes.
Her image appeared again. Her smile, her gaze… that soft, innocent look.
"Ever since she showed up… my life has been a mess."
The water kept running, but the chaos inside him only grew.
"Damn it… I should've avoided this. I need to stay focused on my goals…"
"Damn it…" he repeated, more quietly.
On the other side, Kenji already knew exactly what to do.
He picked out an elegant outfit for the next day, ready to begin his plan. Before going to sleep, he sent Jun a message:
"Practice tomorrow. Same time — 5 PM."
Jun saw it but didn't reply. He just closed his eyes and let the exhaustion take over. Kenji woke up excited and confident. While having breakfast, he sent another message:
"Practice today. New song. I'll pick you up at 4 — you and Sayuri. — Kenji"
"Hm… new song? Interesting…" Yume murmured.
That entire morning, she tried to convince Sayuri.
"Come on, friend… Kenji wants our opinion. It's a new song."
"Yume, you know I can't…"
"Can't… or don't want to?" she teased, narrowing her eyes.
"Because of Jun? I thought that was already in the past."
Sayuri swallowed hard.
"It is in the past. I'm not interested in him."
"Then why avoid it? Unless you still feel—"
"Fine! I'll go!" she interrupted quickly. "Now can you pay attention to class?"
"Nice…" Yume whispered, satisfied.
They waited in front of the college when Kenji arrived. Handsome and charming, neat shirt, dark pants, impossible to ignore.
"Finally," Yume complained, getting into the car. "I was freezing."
Kenji didn't care. His eyes went straight to Sayuri.
"Hey, Say… how are you?" He opened the door for her. "You smell… nice today."
Sayuri found the comment strange.
"Thank you… I'm fine."
When they arrived at the studio, Kenji spotted Jun inside and, without hesitation, wrapped an arm around Sayuri's shoulders.
"Let's go."
When Jun saw them walking in together, something inside him froze.
This has to be a joke… he thought.
"Hey, Jun," Kenji said casually. "Brought the girls to hear our new song."
"I'm not playing that," Jun replied immediately.
"Yes, you are."
"No, I'm not. That thing is stupid."
"Come on, Jun…" Yume jumped in. "We want to hear it. Say, right? Stop being difficult."
Jun looked at Sayuri, who was avoiding his gaze, then grabbed Kenji's arm and pulled him aside.
"What the hell are you doing?" he whispered, irritated. "I'm not playing that song. It's pathetic."
Kenji stayed calm, almost amused.
"Why?" he said quietly. "You said it was just scribbles."
His eyes gleamed.
"Or wasn't it?"
"You'll pay for this," Jun muttered.
With no way out, he grabbed the microphone. He let out a slow breath, trying to steady himself.
Kenji started the first chords. Jun's heart raced like never before. The song and the muse, face to face.
What else could happen?
With every verse he sang, every note he played, he fought against himself… but it was useless. His traitorous eyes began searching for her.
He needed to know. He needed to see if she understood those words. And then their eyes met. The world disappeared.
No sound. No space. Not even time.
Just the two of them.
Everything he couldn't say was there… in his eyes, in hers. Jun looked trapped, as if he were one step away from her and at the same time unable to reach her.
Kenji noticed.
He stepped closer to Sayuri, wrapped his arm around her, and started singing along, softly, right by her ear… closer and closer.
That was enough.
Jun dropped the microphone and stood up.
"This is ridiculous…"
"What happened?" Yume asked, confused. "The song is good."
"No, it's not," his voice came out sharper. "This is a joke."
He looked straight at Kenji.
"If you wanted this so badly… you could've done it somewhere else."
He walked out, but Kenji followed him.
"Hey, relax! I didn't mean anything by it. You said it wasn't a problem, remember?"
"Go to hell!" Jun snapped, turning around.
His breathing heavy.
"I don't care who you want to be with, but have some decency. You looked like a predator and she was your prey. Didn't you see how uncomfortable she was?"
"She… or you?" Kenji shot back.
"Tell me something… I can't be with her because of you?" He stepped closer. "What's your problem, Jun? What are you afraid of? Finally admitting you like someone other than yourself?"
Jun answered, frustrated.
"I don't care. I don't care what you think. You're wrong. It's not about her… it's about that awful song. It's not even professional."
"So that's why you reacted like that? Just because of the song?" Kenji pushed. "Then everything else is fine? I could kiss her right now and you wouldn't care?"
Jun met his eyes.
"This 'game' only exists for you. Let's go back and I'll prove I feel nothing for her."
Kenji frowned, confused… but even more determined.
When they went back inside, Yume stood up.
"What happened? Did you fight over the song?"
"It's fine," Jun said quickly. "The song isn't good."
"Yeah…" Kenji played along. "We'll fix it later."
Little by little, the mood returned to normal.
They sat, drank a little, and soon were singing other songs, lighter ones, almost as if trying to forget. Later, sitting on the floor between laughter and conversations, Kenji noticed Sayuri was cold.
Perfect opportunity. Without saying anything, he wrapped a blanket around her and pulled her slightly closer.
She immediately looked at Jun… but he pretended not to notice. Kenji wasn't satisfied. He hugged her to warm her up.
Hours passed. Photos were taken. Laughter echoed, as if nothing had changed.
"I'm heading out," Jun said, standing up. "I have to wake up early tomorrow. I've got plans."
He said goodbye quickly, got on his bike, and disappeared into the night.
"I'm so tired…" Yume murmured. "Kenji, can I sleep here?"
"Of course. You know where the guest room is."
He then looked at Sayuri.
"And you? Want to stay too?"
Sayuri blushed slightly.
Kenji looked at her seriously.
"You can stay in the guest room too… unless you want company. Then you can stay in mine."
"No!" she answered too quickly, blushing even more. "I'm going home, but… I loved tonight."
"I was joking," he smiled. "But wait, I'll take you."
"No need, really—"
"No arguments," he said, already taking her hands.
On the way, they talked about music.
Her voice grew softer… slower…
And before falling asleep, she whispered:
"I liked the song… especially the kiss under the moonlight… it was beautiful… it reminded me of…"
Kenji watched her for a few seconds.
So calm… so delicate… so beautiful.
"Now I get it," he murmured, his expression softening."Why Jun fell for you."