August 26

"I'll be back in a few hours," said Kouya. "We may be getting ready for the contest, but I still need to work."

Shin carried the dishes from breakfast to the sink. "Alright."

"You uh…" Kouya scratched the back of his head. "You gonna be okay here, alone? I can take you home real quick if you want."

"No, no, I'll just stay here. You should get going." Shin waved Kouya away with the back of his hand. The cat glanced back towards the kitchen. "I'll find ways to keep myself busy until you return." He stepped up to the husky and pushed him towards the door.

Kouya laughed. "Alright, alright, I'm going. Oh, one more thing…" Shin gave Kouya a questioning glance, but it turned into surprise as the husky leaned in for a kiss. Light blushes dusted both of their faces as they separated. "See ya."

"…Bye." Shin moved a hand to his lips as Kouya slipped out the front door. After a few moments, he shook the thoughts out of his head. "Now…" he said as he picked up Kouya's phone.

"Amaki? It's Shin. I need you to bring me a few things…"

"I'm back," said Kouya as he stepped into his apartment. "Ooh, something smells good."

Shin walked out from the kitchen, wiping his wet hands on his apron. "Welcome back."

"Thanks." The husky shut the door behind him. "Guess you were baking while I was gone?"

"Yep. Just finished cleaning up. Had a few new recipes I wanted to try." Shin undid his apron and draped the dirty cloth over his arm. "Oh, and I didn't raid your kitchen. Amaki brought me the ingredients."

Kouya laughed. "I'd be more surprised if you found anything useful in there." The husky started towards the kitchen. "Did you save anything for me?"

"No. Sorry," said Shin, stopping Kouya in his tracks. "I wasn't sure how they'd turn out, so I only made single servings."

The husky's face fell slightly. "Ah. I see."

"…But I'll have something later for you to enjoy." Shin folded his arms. "So don't look so down."

"Oh?" Kouya smiled and winked at the cat. "I like the sound of that."

"Hmph." A small blush settled on Shin's face. "Keep your pants on."

The husky's smile widened. "Hey, I was talking about your sweets. Not sure what's running through your mind."

Shin's blush deepened, and he avoided Kouya's gaze. "…Whatever. Let's just get dinner started. I'd like to eat before practice."

The sound of the Musikus filled the area. Each member played their part, coming together to form their signature song.

Keisuke sighed as the last note faded. "Something's still off…" The horse scratched the back of his head. "Shin, what do you think?"

The cat sat in the corner of the studio, arms crossed and eyes closed. "…There's a hint discord in the air, to me."

The horse threw his hands up. "Even Shin's noticed it. At this rate…" He let out another sigh before turning to Kouya. "Kouyaa, are you sure you're okay? You still seem out of it."

"Huh?" The husky's eyes shot up from the floor. "O-oh, yeah. Sorry." He forced a laugh. "I'm fine, really."

Keisuke grumbled, frowning at his band mate. "Alright, everyone. Let's just take five. Shin?"

Shin nodded, standing and passing out a drink bottle to each band member. "…Here," he said as he stood in front of Kouya. The other three Musikus had sat down on the floor and started whispering.

"Ah, thank you," said Kouya as he reached out to grab the bottle. Shin pulled back as the husky's hand neared, earning a raised eyebrow as their eyes met.

"…You need to slow down."

Kouya's head lowered. "I-I know…"

"Yo, Kouya, Shin, get over here!" called out Keisuke, and the two of them joined the rest of the band on the floor. Three pairs of eyes settled on the husky. Keisuke cleared his throat. "Kouya. We've been talking here, and… All of us have noticed you're not acting right." Kouya's eyes widened.

"Your playing seems… different," added Yuuki. "Like it's a half-step ahead of ours. It's unusual for you to rush. I mean…" Yuuki glanced at Keisuke. "It's true that Keisuke-san and I won't be around for the next four months, so I can understand your restlessness…" Yuuki laid a hand on the husky's shoulder. "But try to ease up some. Just a little bit, alright?"

"Yeah! You don't need to be so tense." Keisuke grinned. "It's not like this next contest is our last."

Kouya tensed up. "I…" Shin stared at the husky out of the corner of his eyes.

A knock at the studio door caused the five of them to jump. The face of the music store's manager appeared through the opening. "Pardon me, but," he said as he opened the door the rest of the way. "Kouya-kun, you have a delivery."

"Eh?"

The manager carried a glass cake dish inside and set it down on the table near the entrance. "A well-dressed gentleman dropped this off a few minutes ago. Caught me right before closing. I've never seen him before, but…" He shrugged. "He said you'd know who he was. So's this…?" He gestured towards the cake.

Kouya's wide eyes glanced between the manager and the dish. "O-oh. Yeah, I know him. It's fine."

"Alright." The manager nodded, and then excused himself. "I should have some plates in my office… Be right back."

The husky stood in the center of the studio while the remaining Musikus crowded around the table. "Wow! This looks amazing!" said Keisuke.

Yuuki examined the cake through the glass. "It does look remarkably well made. Almost professional quality. Whoever sent this must've paid a lot for it." Shin stifled a laugh as the two continued to comment.

"Guess you got a secret admirer you've been hiding from us, huh Kouya?" Keisuke turned around to grin at the husky. "…Kouya?"

"I…" Kouya's hands trembled at his sides, and he fought against tears that threatened to form. "Sorry. I need to get some fresh air… Sorry." The husky apologized again, lowering his head as he ran outside of the still-open studio door.

"Kouya!" Keisuke reached out after the husky, but he was already gone. "Damn it…" The horse rubbed his forehead. "Did I say something wrong?" He looked at the faces of his remaining band mates. Neither one of them had an answer.

"He hasn't told you yet, has he?" Shin sighed as the confused Musikus turned their attention to the black cat. "Excuse me. I'm going after him."

Shin stepped out into the darkness of the music store, closing the studio door behind him. He walked towards the front door, guided by the faint streams of moonlight that shone through the glass.

The front door resisted him when he pushed on it. "Hm, locked. Kouya?" Shin scanned the interior until he found the husky leaning against the wall, and then moved to stand in front of him. "…You know, it's hard to get fresh air when you stay inside like this."

Kouya let out a weak laugh. "Yeah, I was lying." His head lowered. "…I just had to get away for a minute."

"Why haven't you told them about the promise?"

"I didn't want anyone to worry." Kouya looked into Shin's eyes. "About me, or about the band. When we started the Musikus, we decided to see it through to the end. If one of us has to leave… we'll disband."

Shin crossed his arms. "So you decided the best way to handle it would be to hide everything?"

"I had to!" Kouya balled his hand into a fist as he stared back down at the floor. "I can't let them worry about my problems. I won't allow myself to do that to everyone."

"When Keisuke started talking about next time…" The husky sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I dunno. Something snapped. I thought…" He swallowed as his voice started to shake. "I thought about what would happen if I had to quit the band. Keisuke, Yuuki, and Jun. I can't let them down like that." Tears started streaming down his face. "I thought I could carry all of this on my own, but-" His voice gave out, replaced by sobs that the husky tried to choke down.

"…Kouya." Shin called out his name, but the husky couldn't meet the cat's eyes. "Stop acting like this. It's pathetic." Kouya's back straightened. The husky's tears slowed to a stop, and his wide eyes stared at Shin. "You're so busy trying to hold all this in. Can't you see what it's already done?" The black cat took a step forward. "Everyone's back in the studio, worried about you even now."

"I…" Kouya wiped his face with the back of his hand. "No… I don't want that. It's not… This is my problem." The husky shook his head. "I have to face it alone."

"Why?!" Shin stepped forward again, raising his voice as he glared at the husky. "Why do you think that?"

"Because!" Kouya glared back. "That's how it's always been! I've always been alone…" The husky's shoulders fell. "Ever since I moved out a year ago, this has been my life. Fending for myself, paying my own bills, getting over my own issues. I can still do that. I haven't needed anyone else's help before, and I don't want it now."

"…That's a lie." Shin's expression softened. "It's a lie and you don't even realize it." Kouya's eyes widened as they stared into Shin's. The distance between them had narrowed almost to nonexistence, and they could feel each other's breath as they exhaled. "Keisuke, Yuuki, and Jun. Haven't they been by your side through everything so far? Don't you think they'd want to help you through this, too?"

"But-" Kouya hesitated, but then gave a small nod. "Y-yeah, I guess so…"

"You've never truly been alone, even if you felt like you were. So… just let them help you." Shin took a small step backwards as he realized how close he was to the husky. The cat's voice shrank, and Kouya barely caught his words. "…And now, I'm here. Let me help you, too…"

"Shin…" The cat's eyes had closed. "Alright… I'll try." Kouya pulled the cat into an awkward hug. Shin struggled against the sudden contact, but gave up when the husky's grip tightened.

Shin blushed, painting his face with deeper shades of red as the hug continued. "Ugh… are you finished yet?"

Kouya smiled to himself over the cat's head. "Just a little longer. It'll go faster if you join."

Shin sighed. "…Fine." The cat forced his arms free, having been pinned between their bodies, and tentatively wrapped them around the husky. "…Is this good enough?"

"Perfect."

Shin nestled his head into the husky's shoulder. "So, what makes you think you might have to leave the band?"

"Well, my father…" said Kouya. "If I have to talk to him, I'm not sure what he'll do…"

"Hmph. Why does it matter what he says? Weren't you the one telling me that my own father can't control my life?" Kouya released Shin, and the cat stepped backwards to meet the husky's eyes. "I think you've already proven that the same goes for you. If you stay on this path you're on now, you'll end up with nothing but regret."

Kouya sighed. "You're right. Of course you're right. About everything." The husky rubbed the left side of his face. "I'm sorry. I've been such an idiot…"

"…It's fine." Shin smirked at the husky. "I expect no less from you."

"Haha, ouch," said Kouya as he started to grin. "I'm really glad you're here. You've been a huge help."

Shin turned his nose away. "…I'm only reminding you of things you should already be aware of."

"Still," said the husky as he patted the cat's head. "You brought me back down to earth. Thank you."

Shin brushed the husky's hand away with a faint smile. "…We should get back before your friends eat all the cake."

"Oh, welcome back," called out Keisuke as Shin and Kouya walked back through the studio door.

"Guys…" Kouya glanced between the faces of his band mates. All eyes were on the husky. "Sorry for worrying you all. I'm alright now. But… before we get back to practice, I have to come clean."

"Alright. What's been bothering you, Kouya?" asked Yuuki.

The husky took a deep breath. "The other day… I made a promise. I said if nothing came from this next contest, that I'd go back home…" He hung his head. "I kept thinking about what would happen if I did that. I thought, if things didn't work out, I might have to quit the band…"

"I didn't want to burden you all with that possibility. But I guess I caused all this trouble anyways…" Kouya scratched his ear. "I'm sorry guys. Seriously. I should've told you from the start."

"I see…" nodded Keisuke. "Yep. You're right about that. Have you forgotten?" Keisuke held up the dog tag around his neck. "'We are forever with.' That's the phrase you picked out for us. We engraved it into these tags that we keep close to our hearts, so that we'll always remember our bonds." Keisuke smiled.

"Yeah, I remember…" Kouya gripped his own tag. "Sorry, Keisuke-"

"Ahh! Don't worry about it now. Apologizing so much wears me out. Everything's fine now, right? So-" Keisuke rubbed his hands together. "Let's have some of that cake."

"Don't you mean, 'some more?' Sorry, Kouya…" said Yuuki as he gave the horse a stern look. "Keisuke-san didn't have the decency to wait for you."

"H-hey! It's not all my fault!" said Keisuke as his face reddened. "The manager took a piece, too!"

Yuuki continued his gentle scolding. "Yes, but he had to leave, and we'll be here all night. You could've waited."

Keisuke folded his arms and turned his nose up. "I only had a little taste. No harm done."

"Keisuke-san…" Yuuki facepalmed. "Over a fourth of it is missing."

"Hey, hey, guys." Kouya laughed as he stepped over to the table. "It's alright, there's still plenty left."

"Oh and it's soo good too," said Keisuke as he joined Kouya. Yuuki and Jun followed him. "You guys won't believe it. Kouya, you have to find out where that guy bought this."

Everyone except for Shin grabbed a piece for themselves.

"Wow, this is really good," said Yuuki.

"…Yeah," added Jun.

Keisuke grinned at the black cat. "You should grab a piece, Shin. Before it's all gone."

Shin waved the horse off. "Oh, I'm fine. Eat all you want of it."

"Whaaat? You don't know what you're missing, man."

"No, I do." Shin chuckled. "I am the one who made it, after all."

The whole room froze. Keisuke and Yuuki stared at the black cat in disbelief, and Kouya raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"No way." Keisuke shook his head. "You made something this good?"

"Yes." Shin looked away with a slight blush. "Is that so hard to believe?"

"Well, I guess not." The horse turned to Kouya. "I know you said he was amazing, but… I think you undersold him."

Kouya grinned. "Right? It's hard for words to do him justice."

"Hmph." Shin's blush deepened. "It's not that good. And it had to be served cold." The black cat bowed his head. "I apologize for that."

"There's no need to apologize for that," said Yuuki with a smile. "Hot or cold, it's excellent, Shin-kun."

"Yeah it is!" Keisuke threw his fist into the air in agreement, and then eyed the black cat. "You ever thought about opening a shop, Shin? I'd pay good money for stuff like this."

Shin's face fell. "Oh, no," said Kouya. "That's not something he's considering. It's strictly a hobby."

"Ah. That's a shame." Keisuke nodded. "But I think I understand. Alright!" The horse set down his empty plate and stretched. "I think it's time to call it a night. So much has happened." Keisuke glanced at Kouya. "But! Tomorrow's our last day to practice. We've gotta make it count!" The rest of the band nodded. "Our future's hanging on this next contest. We gotta make sure there's no way we can lose!"

Kouya apologized as he and Shin entered the husky's apartment. "Sorry for causing so much trouble today."

"Oh, it was no trouble. But…" Shin looked away, gripping his right elbow. "…I think I should apologize, too."

"Eh? For what?" Kouya raised an eyebrow at the cat.

"For dumping my problems on you, a few days ago. That was selfish of me." Shin's head lowered further. "I'm sorry."

"Hey, don't apologize for that." The husky grinned. "I wanted to help you."

"Still… You had so much on you already. I didn't realize-"

Kouya grabbed the cat's chin, cutting off Shin's words with a kiss. "…I've been wanting to do that for a while," said the husky.

They kissed again. Kouya pulled Shin backwards, nearly tripping onto his mattress.

"Uhh…" Kouya glanced back at his bed. "Is this… alright with you?"

"…Yeah. Keep going."