Mutsumi was tired and hurt. Why did it end up like this? Why did he have to hide his worries, his fears, anything that wasn't complete adoration. He loved Serinuma, he did... she just didn't love him like she said she did.

"Kae..." Mutsumi started, his heart ached and he felt so guilty- but it needed to be done, "I think we should end things."

Serinuma looked up at him, surprise written on her face. She tensed and tears brimmed her eyes, "I knew this was coming... I haven't been the best, have I?"

That made it even harder for him. How could he make her feel sad? Maybe it was a mistake- no. It was for the best.

Mutsumi didn't respond and just moved on, "I'll leave tonight... I- I wish you the best..." he told her, looking away from his first love.

He quickly made his way to their past shared room, packing his things to drown out the sound of her crying. It was for the best... it was for the best... it was....

Things got packed up rather fast and he made his way out of the apartment.

His feet carried him to the one place he felt like he had a chance at. Shinomiya Hayato's house.

It was large and the only person living there was Shinomiya... surely he wouldn't be a nuisance. Maybe he should go back?

Mutsumi shook his head to clear his thoughts as he knocked on the door. It took a few minutes- as Mutsumi heard stumbling and then the sound of someone falling, then whining, then finally Shinomiya opened the door.

His eyes widened, "Senpai! Wh-why are y-you here?!" He asked, thought his tone was very light. He then noticed the sad expression on Mutsumi's face and the bags by his side, "oh n-no... come i-in..."

The two old friends were sitting on Shinomiya's couch drinking tea, prepared by Shinomiya but carried by Mutsumi.

"D-Do you want t-to talk about i-it?" Shinomiya asked, his voice calm and his eyes warm. It was welcoming.

"I broke up with Kae," at Shinomiya's surprised gasp Mutsumi continued, "I-I can't say why... but if you can would you please allow me to stay here for a while? I know you and Nanashima are together but I promise I won't be in the way," he rambled.

Shinomiya blinked before he turned red, "a-actually... we b-broke up..." it was Mutsumi's turn to be surprised, "w-we haven't b-been together since I-I was nineteen (Shinomiya was now 21 and Nana is 22, etc)."

"Then why are you both so close still," Mutsumi rose a brow.

"W-We're best f-friends first. I-It just didn't... w-work out," Shinomiya shrugged, "h-he comes by everyday th-though. I-I'm sure you c-can't get more in th-the way than I d-do..."

Mutsumi smiled gently, "I understand... thank you for letting me stay... I'll do whatever it takes to repay this debt."

Shinomiya only grinned, his eyes shining, "th-there's no d-debt to be r-repaid."

With that, the two friends started to live together.

This fanfic was written for my good old pal Minty on the AMINO!

Many ideas were thought of together!