-CH: 5 -

flash back >

Ave's phone buzzed that morning with a text from Puja.

​"Sorry, I couldn't make it to the wedding," the message read. "Too busy with the new projects. The photoshoot in Japan was the only thing I was here for. Wish I could've been there with you!"

end of the flash back>

​Ave sighed. Now, on the first day of his marriage, he was alone with a man he didn't know. He was currently holding Akihito’s hand, a tradition for the newlywed couple. Ave felt awkwardly holding it, but Akihito didn't seem to mind at all, maintaining his neutral expression.

Still dressed in his wedding kimono, it was hard for Ave to walk. He occasionally bumped into Akihito.

​"Sorry," Ave mumbled.

​"It's okay," Akihito responded calmly.

​The large kimono hid half of Ave's face, and it was a good thing, too. His cheeks were as red as a tomato with embarrassment.

They entered Akihito's apartment. It was a large space with a simple, minimalist design, much like a traditional Japanese house. Ave removed the white tabi socks he was wearing with his wedding outfit and then sat on a sofa. Akihito sat down in front of him.

​"If you feel uncomfortable, you can sleep in the guest room," Akihito said.

​Ave's mind raced. It would be nice to have my own room, but we're going to visit our families in six days. If we don't feel comfortable with each other, it's going to be troublesome.

​Ave looked at Akihito and said, "I think it would be better if we shared a room so we can get more comfortable with each other."

​They both sat quietly until the doorbell rang. Akihito stood up and opened the door.

​There stood Ren, holding Ave's suitcases. "Sir, Mr. Ave's suitcases," Ren said.

Ren gave a respectful nod and took his leave, closing the door behind him. Akihito then led Ave to his room.

​"I should freshen up," Ave said, feeling the weight of the traditional kimono.

Ave tried to remove his wedding kimono, but it was surprisingly difficult. The intricate layers and fasteners were too complicated for him to manage alone. He opened the washroom door and looked around the bedroom, but Akihito wasn't there.

​"What should I do?" Ave whispered to himself. "Should I call him? What's his name again?"

Ave opened the bedroom door. There was Akihito, sitting on the sofa, calmly looking over his project files.​"Excuse me," Ave said, his voice quiet. "If you don't mind, can you help me remove this kimono?" His face was lightly flushed with nervousness.

​Akihito looked up at him, his expression unreadable. For a few seconds, the silence was thick in the air. Then, Akihito simply nodded. Akihito helped Ave to remove the intricate kimono. With each tie and knot he undid, he was careful not to touch Ave unnecessarily, though his eyes lingered on Ave's neck. Akihito stared at Ave's neck, which was a light pink hue from his embarrassment.

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