For once, he wakes up to the sound of his phone's alarm, just like he used to every day before he came here. Which is still a rather unpleasant way to wake up, all things considered, but he's doing this for a reason.

He dresses in a pair of loose slacks and pulls a shirt over his head, rushing down the stairs without even checking his hair. Briefly, he makes note that Yuma is no longer here, though his gut knows for sure that the other did spend a night here. Whether he got inside Kaito's room or not is a question for another day, but teaches him to not forget to set up his trap.

With that, he waits by the entrance, garbage bag in hand as he puts on his slippers. His hair feels nice when he tries to comb it with his fingers, so he likely won't be embarrassing himself too much here…not that it matters that much anyway.

Just as he's falling into his daze again, the familiar, annoying sound finally shows itself, faint at first, but getting ever closer. Dashing into action, he takes the bag and goes outside, and just as he opens his trash can…

There is the darn thing. Huge and incredibly gaudy, blue and white, almost shark-like. Kaito can't afford to look at it for too long, but even from afar, it looks fairly new, so why the heck does it make SO much noise? Is annoying others such a huge part of biker culture that manufacturers for them go against the conventional wisdom of trying to make technology ever more discreet and silent? Fitting.

Kaito can't see much of the rider, as they are (sadly) wearing a full on helmet that covers everything, but from the build, he assumes it's a male. And just as the darn thing is passing by him, he screams, "Stop coming here, you darn hooligan! I will make a noise complaint!"

But of course, the darn rider just ignores him, even as Kaito flips him off and throws the garbage bag in his direction. The thing keeps going, off the path where the road ends, and Kaito is shocked for a second as he keeps observing…where the heck could the idiot be going? The beach, maybe?

Well, now he can definitely make a legal complaint, as this is trespassing. But the thought of calling that darn station again…no thanks. Not if he can deal with this in another way.

Before long, the rider is back, seemingly having turned around somewhere in the wilderness. That wasn't enough time to go to the beach, so Kaito is so confused, he doesn't even yell again as the thing zips by him again. He notes that the rider has long blue hair peeking out, but after another blink, he's gone.

So that's why Kaito keeps waking up, even though he's so dreadfully tired he can barely watch TV or do anything. His consciousness is jolted by when the motorcycle first comes by, and instead of falling back asleep, he's forced to wake up when makes the trip back.

The only question is…just why? Why do this weird commune every single day? It's a weekday, he thinks, so unless the guy is a useless NEET, he surely has a job to go to after this…

Just what Kaito's life needs. One stressful thing after the other, and just like Yuma, this one has no explanation. Which makes the side of him that made him go into science get its curiosity picked. But the guy completely ignored him, and besides…is it a good idea to interact with a man like him? He might be an actual hooligan for all he knows…

Come to think of it, if he's right about Yuma still going to the cliff every day, maybe he knows who this person is? Long shot, but this is a small place where everyone knows everyone anyway.

(Kaito is actually surprised no one has come to knock on his door to get to know him. In a place like this, someone new moving in is big news, and these communities are known to be gossipy. His old place in the countryside sure was. Maybe this town as a whole was just strange, and that was the real reason his place was so cheap.)

With a sigh, he collects the garbage bag again, suddenly thankfully that not only had the bag not torn open, but the rider didn't run over it either. And man, it sure is light for the almost two weeks or more he's been here…

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

As fate would have it, that is finally the day he meets Yuma by the cliff again. Guess he's saving today's alarm setting for future use.

He doesn't even need to have the other in his field of view to know for sure. Something about this walk just feels so familiar, he's sure that he would meet the other; and sure enough, there he is. Not quite sitting by the edge, but close enough to it that it makes Kaito worry over the other.

It's stupid, but as he gets closer, he finally takes note of what the other is wearing. A shirt with a tank top over, a loose coat tied around his waist, and some shorts and running shoes. The jacket matches his eyes and hair, but everything else is a mess of dark and light colours. Overall, nothing too out of the ordinary, and to be frank, it reminds Kaito of the stuff fellow teens used to wear back when he was young as well.

It's not too out of the ordinary for a place like this to be so fair behind on modern matters, including fashion, and considering the crap he saw in the city…it's for the best.

He does think the boy could be much cuter if he switched hairstyles, though. Maybe a ponytail instead of spikes…then shakes his head. What the kid looks like should be none of his concern at all.

Even if his rather girly face just happens to be his type. Especially obvious when the other turns to look at him as he approaches. Those eyelashes are bigger than the ones his—

"Oh, wasn't expecting to see you here again." Yuma says as Kaito stops right behind him, "Sorry, I just can't help but keep coming here, despite what I said. Please don't call the cops on me." he asks with a tiny, awkward laugh.

Kaito fights the urge to roll his eyes, "If I'm not handing you in for breaking into my house every night, why would I do it over this?" he points out, "You worry about the strangest things."

At that, Yuma flinches a little, but keeps on smiling as he scratches the back of his head, "Haha, sorry. Just thought you were coming over to yell at me." he explains, as he turns back to look at the sea near them, "It sure is always windy here…"

"That is true." Kaito agrees with a tiny nod, following Yuma's gaze. Something makes his heart twist, and instead of getting angry at the boy, his voice switches into a softer tone, "Which is why I don't get your need to come here. I know you do it every day, I've just been missing you for a week now." he admits.

"Is that so…sorry." Yuma apologizes, face falling as he believes Kaito's words fully, "I can only be here at this time. Because…" he stops, bringing a hand to his forehead as he starts to sweat, clearly feeling some sort of pain.

With a sympathetic sigh, Kaito places a hand on his shoulder, "It's fine. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to." he assures.

Which is moronic. He is very much the type that would usually endless hounder the other until he got all the explanations he wanted. It's what everyone in his life always complained about, that he was more of a mother hen than anything when he cared for someone. A contrast between his usual attitude so huge, it never failed to shock those he grew close to.

He barely knows this kid, all things considered. And yet, because there's this strange sense of camaraderie between them, that's how Kaito has defaulted in treating him.

Which is why Yuma has such a loop-sided view on him, "Thank you. You're so nice." he says as places a hand over Kaito's own, the kind touch having made him recover at least a little.

"Why are you like this?!" he yells, looking just like Haruto, and Kaito has had enough of having such a look thrown at him in one day. He opens his mouth—

"Just you wait until we get to know each other better." he mumbles under his breath.

Yuma throws him a confused look, but at least he doesn't content what Kaito said at all.

Which means he agrees to the reality that they will keep getting to know each other. Good. "Anyway, I'm fine with you trespassing, but not anyone else." he growls, "Is there any friend of yours coming to see you here?"

At that, Yuma looks genuinely confused, "Huh? Friend?" he blinks several times, "I haven't seen anyone here besides you for…a long time at least." he struggles with that last part, his eyes twitching in a manner that makes it obvious his head hurt just again.

Because of that alone, he knows Yuma is being sincere. Not that he would think the kid was lying anyway; for all his weirdness, Yuma seems like the honest, rather naive type.

So Kaito switches his approach, "Then you do know anyone who has a motorcycle who would come to this place?" he asks, hoping his assumptions about everyone knowing everyone in this small village are correct, "I have been rudely awakened by one every day since I moved in, and I think we both know there's little reason to come here. I just saw them today too, and they brought it over at least part way through this path, before turning around and leaving."

Yuma's eyes widen, and his breath visibly stops. The reaction alone sets Kaito on edge, and Yuma tops it off by having his eyes go void as he looks at nowhere.

After a long stretch of silence, he finally replies, "Sorry, I don't know how that could be." he whispers so lowly, Kaito almost doesn't hear, "I only ever knew one person with a motorcycle, and it's absolutely impossible to be them."

Something about that makes Kaito's stomach do flips. And yet, from Yuma's expression, it appears the boy believes his own words at least, "And you know no one else?"

"No." Yuma shakes his head right away, "Most kids here just use bikes, and then an old car that likely belongs to their parents. The road isn't made for that sort of stuff, you know? And the nearby mechanic doesn't know how to deal with them at all." he explains, "Unless you have a previous interest in it, not a lot of chances to get one in this place. And besides my friend, I don't know anyone like that."

Kaito listens, and tries once again, "And you're sure it can't be your friend?"

"Yes." Yuma insists, giving him a determined look, "It can't be him, because…because…!"

At that, he clutches his head again, and the pain is so strong this type, he almost topples over to the ground. Afraid that Yuma is going to roll down the cliff, Kaito wraps his arms around the other and pulls him back from the edge as much as he can, "It's fine, it's fine." he insists, "I believe you. You don't need to think about it if it hurts."

Yuma lets out a tiny whine, and it takes him a while to recover. He can't even open his eyes by the time he manages to squeak out, "Thanks…"

Kaito just waits for him to be able to sit up on his own, before he lets go of the other. Suddenly, he worries if he should call over an ambulance or something. Yuma is either almost fainting out of weakness, or he suffers from terrible cluster headaches. Either way, it's not safe to leave him alone.

"I have become rather ostracised lately, so I honestly don't know many people now." Yuma tries to excuse as he slowly begins to regain his strength, "It can be someone got a similar ride in order to imitate my friend, and that's the person you're seeing. In that case, I simply can't help…sorry." he finishes with a regretful look.

Kaito just shakes his head, "Don't worry, it's fine. Guess I'll just have to catch them some other day." he mumbles, a bit mad he's going to have to do the alarm trick again, but at this point, he's more worried over Yuma, "Anyway, get up now."

"Huh?" Yuma gasps as he watches Kaito get up and offer him a hand.

"It's going to be sunset soon. Since you're going to hide in my house soon anyway, we might as well go together." Kaito explains with a nonchalant shrug. It's the truth anyway, so why not?

Yuma smiles in a way he's never seen before, "Yeah!" he almost shouts as he accepts Kaito's help with getting up. "Thanks, Kaito!"

That smile, the way his eyes shine…

It makes Kaito a little regretful to pull his hand away, even though he got the impression Yuma would have kept holding his hand on the way back, had he remained put.

It's just because he's lonely…has been since…

Best not to think about such things, and just make do with the way Yuma walks just a little too close to him, almost as if he's clinging to him as they walk the downtrodden path home.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Once home, Yuma helps him make sure all the windows are closed properly. As the days pass, his anxiety decreases, but never completely goes away. When he asks Yuma about it, the boy turns to him with a strange look and replies, "There will be one day when you won't feel it at all. And then the cycle will begin again, until you're at your max peak of fear, then it will come down again. Over and over again."

"How can you be so sure I'll be the same? And how long does your 'cycle' last?" Kaito questions in return as they move to the second floor.

"Well, I can't know for sure, but you seem to be like me in this regard. And…" he stops as he looks outside, the sun not setting, looking torn as he closes the window, "It matches up with the moon cycle. When the new moon comes, I can leave just fine."

Kaito thinks on it for a moment. It does make sense, since it's the moonlight they seem to fear so much, for some illogical reason. He makes his way to his bedroom, but instead of closing the window, he checks the small desk calendar he had brought along purely as a neutral decoration, "The new moon is in two weeks and a few days. If I can leave on that day, I suppose we share the exact same phobia then."

Yuma seems a bit excited at that idea as he heads inside the bathroom, "Yeah, guess we'll see." he almost sings, "The nights are nice around here, actually. The wind finally calms down a little, and the beach looks really pretty with the stars reflected on it. It would be nice to see it with someone again!"

"Don't forget I need to sleep." he points out, even if he doesn't mean it at all, "How long have you been alone anyway? You…" he was going to say 'seem like the type who would have a lot of friends', but he realizes his interactions with Yuma haven't backed that up.

They haven't interacted much at all, really, besides those awkward confrontations. And Yuma was perhaps rightfully quiet and demure during both. And yet, the impression Kaito has, is that Yuma is the happy, loud type that should be able to make friends thanks to his extroversion. The complete opposite of Kaito, really.

Much like everything, he can't explain why. It's just what his gut feeling tells him. And the weird connection he and his kid seem to share but…again, maybe his loneliness is making his mind see things that aren't there.

Though he didn't even finish his sentence, Yuma mercifully gives him an answer anyway, "I don't remember. It's been a long time, it feels like, and yet, nothing has changed at all." he ponders vaguely with a sad smile, "Sometimes, I wonder if my friends miss me, but…after what happened, I don't think I deserve to have any friends at all."

That is a strange thing to say. Yet, Kaito has the feeling he can relate to that...to the fact he deserves his current fate, because—

His head begins to ache before he can even begin to consider questioning Yuma some more. Worried, Yuma walks over to him and places his hands on his shoulders, "Hey, you okay?"

"Just a headache…" he grumbles, unable to open his eyes.

Yuma flinches in sympathy, before biting his lip, "Oh, crap, wait a second." he babbles, before rushing over to the main bedroom window and drawing the curtains tight, "Almost forgot. We don't want to get caught by surprise, after all."

With that done, Kaito does feel a bit better, but as he keeps trying to understand what's going on, he continues to feel dizzy. Yuma goes back to him and pat his back, "Hey, remember what you told me…there's no need to think about it at all." he assures, and his comforting voice feels almost hypnotic, its kindness hitting Kaito's soul in a way few things have in the past few months, "It's fine to forget. You don't want to keep hurting, do you?"

His voice is so soothing, and Kaito wants to believe him so badly…but his more rational side tells him that those words are nothing but platitudes.

Forgetting never fixes anything. It only delays reality hitting you full force.

But he did give that advice to Yuma too, and he just wants his head to stop hurting, so…he chooses to focus on how soothing Yuma's hand on his back is, and soon enough, his ache calms down a little.

"See? You're all better now." Yuma smiles next to him, "Seems we really are similar. As you saw, my head also aches when I think of certain stuff. I try to avoid doing so, but sometimes, you can't help it, hehe."

Kaito can't have it in him to laugh back. Because hasn't that what he's been doing the entire time he's lived here? Avoided thinking? About why he came here in the first place, why his body seems to be acting so strangely, why his head is all foggy, why his garbage was so light…

But if Yuma's words are right, he won't even have the option to think about it without this happening. And that…that is scary. He needs to get to the bottom of why this happening, since Yuma seems to have no interest in doing so.

No time for that, though, as Yuma is curiously glancing around his room. If he didn't break in last night, Kaito realizes this is the only spot of the house he hasn't seen yet, so of course he's curious. Unfortunately for him, other than a wardrobe, a desk, and some random bits of decoration he didn't buy himself, there's not much to see here.

And it seems Yuma takes notice of how impersonal everything is, as he then gives him a rather sad look, "You haven't even unpacked your personal items yet?" he asks.

Kaito just shrugs as he takes a seat on his bed, still feeling the aftermath of that headache, "No. But other than clothing and some books, not a lot of stuff to unpack anyway. I'll take stuff out as I need it."

Yuma sighs a little, and takes a seat next to Kaito. He doesn't even have it in him to scold the other for getting too close. Just like he theorized earlier, he's starving for some meaningful interaction at this point, and likely so is Yuma, "You live alone?"

"Do you see anyone else in here besides you?" Kaito points out with a scoff and a roll of his eyes.

Yuma puts his hands up in self-defence, "Sorry. I thought, maybe you had a lover who would move in later, but hadn't left their job yet." he says.

At that, Kaito can't help but lower his shoulders. He can't even bother to correct Yuma, because the reality is, he isn't too far off. That was always the plan when he began to look for houses, but…

"I don't think I can do this any more."

"That's fine. I'm already leaving anyway."

There's a reason he jumped at the chance to buy such a small place, even though he had always thought he might get married and adopt kids one day. Sometimes, what you wanted and what life gave you didn't match, and the size of this house forced him to accept that.

It appears Yuma notices his reaction, and chooses to switch topics, "So, huh…how do you make money anyway? I don't think you have a job here, do you? Not a lot of options around here, to be honest…and you're home far too early to commute to the nearby town."

After taking a deep breath, Kaito decides to engage in the conversation. Not much else to do anyway, and this is a harmless topic all things considered, "I'm a researcher, so obviously, I don't currently have a job here. I bought this house with my savings and part of my inheritance. It was very cheap, all things considered." he states with a shrug.

Yuma nods to show he's paying attention, but he's obviously waiting for Kaito to keep going. Rather polite for a teenager like him, "You are right that the commune would be too much even if I found a job in the nearest city, so I am going to look into some remote options. Perhaps I can even find something in the field of AI development, only having to leave occasionally for conferences." he rambles as he brings a hand to his chin, "It is a pity the research I was involved in before I came here will have to go on without me. It was headed by my closest friend, and though I know he can finish it alone and that he isn't upset with me, it feels rather empty to leave it like that."

After giving him a second to breathe, Yuma leans in, curiosity reflected in his eyes, "Then why did you move here? No offence, but unless you have some personal attachment to this place like those who grew up here do, not a lot of reason to move in. Especially if you're rather well off." he says, and immediately, hi face pales, "Not that I meant to assume, it's just—"

"It's fine." Kaito interrupts as he rests his elbows on his knees, and cups his cheek with one hand, "It's a decent assumption to make. There is nothing here." he emphasizes as he closes his eyes, "Which makes it the perfect place for one to run away to." he admits.

And that was likely way too much vulnerability for one night, as of course Yuma can't resist asking, "Why would you—"

"Unless you want to tell me why you're not worthy of seeing your friends again, I think we're done here." he grunts.

Yuma takes the hint, and looks away awkwardly.

For a long while, they just remain silent like that. Kaito wonders if perhaps he should go to bed already, then he realizes he hasn't offered dinner to the kid at all, which is rather rude, "Ah, I should get us something to eat. Are you alright with ramen, or would you prefer a frozen dinner?" he asks as he gets up.

But Yuma stops him by grabbing his wrist, looking rather confused himself as to why he did so, "Huh, actually, I'm more used to my grandma's homemade food, and I'm not all that hungry, so pass." he says, letting go of Kaito with a cheeky smile, "Thanks, but I'd rather just keep talking if you don't mind."

Well, ain't that picky. Kaito never tasted homemade cooking himself, not even when he was living with someone else, or when his mother was alive. But fine, he isn't hungry himself either, so he sits back down, "I don't know what else we can talk about. You're like what, fifteen years younger than me? I'm not interested in your school work, and what else can we have in common?"

"It's summer break, silly!" Yuma points out with a smile, "Or else, how could I afford to spend the night here? My sister would be on my butt for my failing grades, haha."

It's at that moment that Kaito realizes…if Yuma has a family, then how come he has to come here every night? Aren't they worried about him?

Something isn't adding up at all…

But he knows it would be hypocritical to ask, if he's not willing to talk about his own situation too. So for now, he chooses to let it go, "Point still stands. I have no clue what you young people are into, not even when I was young myself."

At that, Yuma pouts cutely, "Gesh, you talk as if you're a century old. Age gap friendships are a thing! Why, I got along with my grandma's childhood friend and his student better than I do people my own age!"

Kaito resists the urge to point out that that's not normal, and it's actually dangerous for kids like him to seek out older people like himself. But he doubts family friends had those intentions, and despite thinking he was rather cute when he first saw Yuma smile today, neither does he. Of course…so, even if most people would still give them odd looks, there's no harm. Well, besides, "Go ahead then. We seem to have different backgrounds too. I challenge you to find one thing we have in common."

Yuma scratches his chin as he thinks about it, "Hmm…let's see…" he mumbles, and then his eyes alight as turns to Kaito with obvious excitement, "I know, how about Duel Monsters? Even my grandma's friend knows how to play it really well! I made most of my friends thanks to it too." he confesses as if that was his proudest accomplishment in life. Then he leans in so close, Kaito can downright feel his breath on his cheek, "You seem really cool, so surely, you like the game too?"

Despite how wrong of an impression Yuma seems to have of him (cool, really?), he can't deny it at all, because…he's absolutely right.

Come to think of it, the game is how he became close to his oldest friend, and what brought him and his lover together in the first place. So it seems he and Yuma do have something in common, and it's the way they approach people.

It kind of feels annoying to have to admit defeat on the first guess, though. Kaito is petty like that. But he's also honourable, so he has no choice but to say, "Yes, I do play it. Could have gone competitive if I wanted, according to the younger sibling of my friend, who is the current champion."

Yuma's eyes alight like he was a kid in a candy store. "I knew it! What's your archetype? Favourite summoning method? Do you have an ace monster? Do you favour a particular type of card, or monster ty—"

And like that, Kaito stays awake until dreadfully late, answering all of Yuma's questions, and only barely escaping having to spend the rest of the night dueling because he literally kicks Yuma out so he can go to bed.

As he sets up the giraffe trap (because there's still a chance for him to get stabbed here, and best to be safe than sorry), it occurs to him that not once while talking to Yuma, did his head get lost in the daze that has plagued him since he moved in here.

Finally…finally…he can feel himself fall asleep like a normal person.

Though as it turns out, that might not be anything to feel happy over.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Kaito, come on…" Mizael sighs for what feels like the hundredth time this past month, desperation tinting his voice, "You can avoid your brother all you like, but we're both adults here. So let's act like it."

Fighting off the urge to turn around and glare at him, Kaito keeps angrily typing at his keyboard, wishing people would just leave him alone when all he's trying to do is write a report on his and Chris' research.

But of course, Mizael cannot let the matter drop, and he walks over and grabs Kaito's arm, shaking him just enough that Kaito is unable to focus on the screen, "Don't be this way. I am only doing this fo—"

"If you want to talk about how we should be acting, then how about you start acting like my darn boyfriend?!" Kaito growls as he closes the laptop with a slam, turning to the other with such anger, that Mizael immediately flinches back, "I'm not the type to need support often, much less ask for it. Nor do I tend to get into confrontations, and you know it. And yet…" he trails off, making sure to put as much venom as possible into his next words.

"The one time I actually need you to have my back, what do you do? Completely and utterly belittle me. Yes, I certainly feel like paying attention to you, when you're acting like such a petulant child!" he spits out as he pries the other's arm off him.

Mizael seems shocked, only for it to be replaced by anger right away, " I'm the one being petulant here? When you 're the one throwing a fit about your beloved baby brother finally stop hanging by your tit?" he almost shouts, waving his arms in exasperation, "What, did you forget how old he is? Thought he'd be a kid forever? You want me to take your side, when you're being so stupid?"

"And there it is! Belittling me again!" Kaito shouts back with a roll of his eyes. Truth to be told, he's not even surprised that his own boyfriend is insulting him, as he does know by now that despite his controlled appearance, Mizael can completely shift and become absorbed in his anger. He just wasn't ever the one on the receiving end of it, and because he's already so emotionally distressed, he has no patience to deal with this attitude on top of everything, "First off, that is not my issue, and you know it! Just because you're all too blind to see it, it doesn't mean I am!"

At that, Mizael crosses his arms and keeps glaring, as if challenging Kaito to justify himself. But just like with Haruto, Kaito sees no need to do such a thing. This is something that his instinct tells him he's right, and no amount of arguing will convince him otherwise.

When it comes to Haruto, his protective nature is always spot on. Why can't anyone else see it?

After taking a deep breath, he continues as he looks away again, "Besides, whether you personally agree with me or not, the fact you're my boyfriend means you should be able to stay neutral enough to at least give me emotional support! That's what I did when you had that fallout with your grandfather. But no, instead, you make me fall into pieces all the faster." he grunts bitterly, focusing his gaze on the view outside their apartment, and completely failing to calm himself down, "Chris is the only one who cares about me in this situation, to the point I don't know his actual opinion on the matter…but I do know I can turn to him. Unlike you."

He regrets that immediately, but with how he is, there's no way he could hold himself back and be the rational adult here. Mizael sure didn't hold back on his insults, so why should he? Especially when Kaito was right, and Mizael wasn't.

Mizael's face visibly sours, and it's clear that today is another day they're not working things out at all. Which is why Mizael should have just let Kaito work, let them have one day of rest to forget about everything, and resume looking for a property of their own to purchase when happier days hopefully greet them.

Goes to show, how foolish it was for him to expect his boyfriend of eight years to be that considerate.

"Chris, Chris, Chris! Always going off about how close you two are." he screams, looking visibly jealous and mere seconds away from tearing his hair out, "If he's so much better than me, then maybe you should be looking for a house to buy with him , instead of me!"

Like Kaito not two seconds earlier, it's clear that Mizael regrets what he just said as soon as the words leave him. But just like before, it's far too late to take it back…and honestly, perhaps that is the truth as well.

"Maybe I should." he whispers as his shoulders drop, his relationship with Mizael flashing back before his eyes…and though he couldn't think it possible a month ago, now he is questioning if this is the person he wants to buy a house with, much less spend the rest of his life with. Someone who doesn't even pretend to have his back when he needs it.

Clearly, Mizael doesn't seem to have reached the same conclusion, as instead of turning pale with realization, he reaches out to Kaito in desperation, "Wait, Kaito, I didn't…"

"Go away Mizael." he grunts as he slaps the other's hand before it can reach his shoulder, "You've been complaining about the issue with Haruto making us grow distant, but clearly, you also have 'irrational' issues that you refuse to even acknowledge." he switches to a mocking tone at the irrational part, his anger over having that exact accusation thrown at him countless times this month rising to the surface, "We have never argued before, ever. The way we're acting here may be the proof we need that we aren't meant to each other after all, despite our belief to the contrary."

Which is the sensible thing, right? Just because they had been together for a long time, didn't mean they were suited for each other in all paths of life. Maybe they were compatible to live together and have sex, but marriage, which was what their relationship was leading to, needed way more than that. Mizael being completely unable to not only support him the one time he needed it, but the terrible, hurtful way they were handling this argument, was more than enough of a red flag that things weren't what he thought they were.

And Kaito's inability to ignore red flags, no matter how much he wanted to, was the exact reason he was having issues with Haruto as well. If he can't turn that off for his brother's sake…then Mizael has no chance.

"W-wait…!" the other tries to reach out again, still looking desperate and trying to deny the obvious truth of the matter that Kaito is already beginning to accept.

"I'll start looking for houses for myself tomorrow." he interrupts with a sigh. Then he switches to a gentler tone, because as mad as he is right now, and no matter how much he can't see himself with Mizael any more…he still very much cares for the other, and doesn't want to hurt him too much, "Mizael, you said you wanted us to be adults…so be an adult, and find what makes you happy, instead of being stuck in this misery with me. Because all your attitude does is make me all the more despondent. And that's not what I need right now."

It's not what Mizael needs either, judging by the dark circles under his eyes. Kaito knows he hasn't been easy to deal with either, which is why he put up with all their fights until today. But enough is enough, and all he can hope is that Mizael understands that this might be the best for them, even if it hurts.

But the other is nothing but stubborn, like he has always been, "You can't be serious! We've been together for eight years!" he shouts, stomping his foot in frustration, "Why are you like this?!" he yells, looking just like Haruto, and like that, all of Kaito's kindness evaporates.

Kaito has had enough of having such a look thrown at him in one day. Much less a whole month.

He opens his mouth and speaks with as much clarity as he can muster, "I'll be gone as soon as I can find something suitable. You can have this place; it's well within your salary, after all." and with that, he turns his laptop on again, trying to keep his face from showing just how much this whole thing is breaking him.

Perhaps his despondent attitude is finally the straw that gets Mizael to calm down and look at things objectively, "Kaito…maybe you're right but…" he looks down at his feet with a sad look on his face.

For a moment, Kaito thinks he has gotten through to him. But alas, Mizael then clenches his fist and shakes his head, "I don't think we should break up. But maybe we need a bit of a break? At least until the whole Haruto thing blows over, because like or not, you will have to face this eventually. Kind of hard not to, when he—"

"Mizael…please just leave already." he pleads with a hushed breath.

Mizael freezes. His face scrunches up with pain, as he finally realizes it's useless to argue.

Finally, Kaito is left to finish his report. Immediately afterwards, he begins to look for listings for small houses, and remembering his time in the countryside, specifically narrows his search down to remote locales with the smallest population.