-THE NEXT DAY, EARLY IN THE MORNING AT THE CAFE-

Chuuya

Come on... Where are they?...

Chuuya was waiting for you at the same table he was at the day before. The café clerk from the previous two days was already on the job.

Cafe Clerk

"If you're waiting for Y/N, I think you're wasting your time."

Chuuya

"... What?..."

Cafe Clerk

"Did you not think about it? From yesterday's experience, I thought you would've understood it by now."

Chuuya

"Huh?... Understand what?"

Cafe Clerk

"They don't want to see you."

Chuuya

"... Hey. Don't say that. That isn't true."

Cafe Clerk

"Chuuya, was it?"

Chuuya

"How did you..."

Cafe Clerk

"Y/N told me about everything. They don't want to see you, so just give up."

Chuuya

"That can't be right... It's been ten months."

Cafe Clerk

*Sigh* "Y/N's not coming to work today."

Chuuya

"... I see."

Chuuya exited the building and searched the surroundings for you.

Chuuya

I feel like such a creep... I just want to talk to them. Was that cafe clerk telling the truth?...

Chuuya noticed you as you were about to cross the street. Once again, music was blaring in your ears.

Chuuya

"Y/N!"

Chuuya kept waving and yelling your name, but you crossed the street without even noticing he was behind you. You ran into someone on the other side of the road. Chuuya had developed a disliking towards the café clerk, who was the person you met up with.

When you saw him, you looked happier and smiled. Chuuya noticed you two conversing from a distance. He had never been more agitated.

Chuuya

What am I doing...

To keep himself safe, he kept a safe distance between you and the café clerk. He wasn't used to seeing the café clerk out of his uniform, which is why he almost didn't recognize him. Chuuya arrived at this little apartment building after a long walk. He saw you and the café clerk as you climbed the stairs to the second, highest floor. As you entered your apartment room, the café clerk hugged you goodbye and then departed.

Chuuya

"Eugh..." Am I now considered a stalker?...

Chuuya received a call from Mori just as he was about to approach your room. It was an emergency, and he needed to go back to the Port Mafia headquarters immediately.

Chuuya

Oh come on... At least I know where to find them now.

-A FEW DAYS LATER-

Chuuya

Why is it that every time I go to the cafe, I don't see them anymore?... Did they quit, or is that cafe clerk just trying to hide them away from me?...

Chuuya was curious about the connection that developed between you and the café clerk. He'd been preoccupied with the critical situation at the Port Mafia headquarters for the last few days. He now has time to pay you a visit. Chuuya had just ended a long day, it was already late at night, and he was standing directly at your door, hesitant to knock.

Chuuya

Come on Chuuya... Knock on the door!... That's what I came here for, right?...

Chuuya finally had the guts to knock on the door. He undoubtedly waited for at least five minutes to knock, if not more. After a dramatic silence, he began tapping his foot anxiously while holding a gift for you.

Chuuya closed his eyes as he heard the door unlock and open. He looked like a complete fool.

Chuuya

"Y/N! I'm-"

You

"Chuuuyyyaaa!..."

Chuuya

"... What?..."

You

"Heh... Hehe... Nice to see ya..."

You were leaning on the door, nearly falling over. Chuuya opened his eyes, holding his present, a bouquet.

Chuuya

"Y/N?..."

You

"Wha... I um..."

Chuuya

"Are you..."

Chuuya examined your tomato-red face, then your hand. You were holding a can of beer in the air while leaning against the door.

You

"Hee..."

Chuuya

"Are you drinking?!"

You

"Pfft, no, silly... Y/N doesn't drink..." *Sniffle*

You stumbled because you were leaning so heavily on the door.

Chuuya

"Woah!"

Chuuya caught you just before you were about to hit the ground and spill that can of beer. In any case, there wasn't much left in the can of beer.

Chuuya

"No way... You're actually drinking."

You

"I told you!... Y/N... Doesn't drink."

Chuuya

*Scoff* "Like I'll believe that now."

Chuuya took you back into your room and locked the door behind him. He grabbed the beer can from your grasp.

You

"Hey!..."

Chuuya

"No, Y/N. You've already had what, more than 7 cans of this same brand of beer! That's enough."

You

"He... He- Hey! Thief! Robber!"

Chuuya

"No- Y/N- I'm not gonna have your beer!... This brand sucks ass anyway. I'm just putting it aside for now, you're way too drunk." Wow... Is this what Y/N felt like when I had too much wine?...

You

"So unfair..."

Chuuya

"Jeez Y/N... Are you sick?"

You

"I don't know..."

You and Chuuya were seated on the floor of your room. You simply couldn't get up. He placed his hand on your forehead, then on your neck.

You

"Ow!... Don't touch my neck!..."

Chuuya

"Y/N, you're burning up like crazy!"

You

"No, I'm not..."

Your neck was still giving you trouble after 10 months. Chuuya glanced at the slightly pink marks on your neck, guilty that he had caused them.

Chuuya

"Come on-"

Chuuya lifted you up and placed you on your bed. Your bed was fairly spacious for only one person.

Chuuya

"Jeez Y/N, why the hell is it so cold in here?!"

You

"So cold..."

Chuuya began adjusting the temperature while you were curled up on your bed. He also saw that your entire apartment room was in disarray and cleaned it for you.

Chuuya

Could it be that... Y/N's an alcoholic?

Chuuya had sat on the other side of the bed. For a long time, he's been wanting to feel your touch. He made sure that you were completely wrapped in the blanket.

You

"Chuuya?..."

Chuuya

"I'll only be here for a short while to warm you up. I'll go when you sleep."

You

"Okay..."

Chuuya drew closer to you in the bed, placing his arms around you. You were now the one who rested your head against his chest, and Chuuya was the one who held you close. For a few hours, Chuuya stayed by your side.

Chuuya

I should be thankful for the time I have... I've gotta get out of here before they wake up, I'll be in serious trouble.

Even though Chuuya enjoyed it, he got out of bed, being careful not to wake you up. He sighed and took one step forward to leave your room, but you went to the edge of the bed and grabbed the end of Chuuya's shirt.

Chuuya

"?"

Chuuya turned around to see your upper body literally hanging off the side of the bed, your hand clutching Chuuya's shirt.

You

"Heeey... It's cold. Don't go."

Chuuya

Aw shit... I woke them up. "Y/N, sleeping like that isn't healthy."

You

"I don't... You will... Can you stay?..."

Chuuya

"... Of course. If that's what you want."

Chuuya sat back in bed, and you rested your head on his chest once again. Chuuya had his hands on your head, caressing it to help you sleep.