"You packed everything right, forgot anything?" Nagomi asked Haruto as he entered the car, wearing his seatbelt.

"Just one thing left."

"Seriously, Now wha-" Nagomi touched his forehead where Haruto had just kissed him.

Haruto chimed at Nagomi. "Yup now we are good to go."

"Geez, you are so corny." A sudden flush of heat crept Nagomi's cheeks as it coloured his cheeks red while he looked outside the window.
Haruto in response chuckled before starting the car.

                             ♧♧♧♧

"Waah! It feels so good here." A cold breeze kissed Nagomi's cheeks, sending goosebumps throughout his body as he opened the inn's window.

"Yes and you being here makes it even better."
Nagomi felt a pair of hands wrapping up around his waist as he got engulfed in a back hug by Haruto, followed by wet kisses on his neck.

"Haha, it tickles, stops."
Nagomi escaped while Haruto chased him, making the room full of laughter and giggles.

As he looked into his lover's eyes, Nagomi secretly wished, for the time to stop so their present happiness could last forever.

The total bliss when they felt being in each other's arms was something they couldn't find on any other. They completed each other.

                             ♧♧♧♧

"Reserving a private open-air hot-bath was a good idea. Ahh, it's so relaxing." Nagomi entered the hot spring letting all the fatigue be washed away.

Haruto followed Nagomi. "Let's come here again next year."

Nagomi noded, both of them relaxing in the hot spring.

After letting their exhaustion wash away, they both entered the room.
Nagomi dried his hair while Haruto prepared the futon.

"Why's there only one futon?" A yawn escaped from Nagomi's mouth as he snuggled up in the futon.

"Is there a reason not to?" 
A smirk made its way to Haruto's face as he stared at his lover.

"Yeah just keep giving these stupid remarks and I will kick you out of the futon." Nagomi turned towards Haruto.

"That wasn't a remark but a question." Haruto engulfed Nagomi into his arms.

Barely before falling asleep, Nagomi let out a quiet "Shut up" and entered his dreamland, hopefully, this time without any nightmares.

                             ♧♧♧♧

"This shrine is among couples. Let us too tie the red thread on the tree." Haruto said while buying two red threads, preparing to tie on the big tree. It was filled with similar red threads more than its leaves, it was almost like it was growing threads instead of fruits.

"But I heard doing this will only make a couple break up."

Nagomi muttered as he stared at a couple of threads swaying along with the winds.

"Do you think all the couples that left the memento of their love got their happy ending?" Nagomi looked over Haruto, who was already up the stairs tying the threads.

He chuckled at 's enthusiasm to tie the threads.

"Well whatever, as long as we get our happy ending."

                        *******

Both of them were now sightseeing around the shrine area, holding hands. Of course, it gathered some attention, after all, you don't usually see two grown-up men walking hand in hand.

Noticing all those stares, Nagomi couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable but as long as Haruto was there, nothing else mattered.

Just as he was indulged in those thoughts, he felt the sudden loss of warmth as Haruto withdrew his hand.

"Wha-

Nagomi immediately looked at Haruto who was looking around.

He then stared at his hand with a sad smiling.

"Senpai, wait here. I will be back in a second." With that Haruto went off. It all happened too fast, it took a while for Nagomi to sink in what happened.

After spotting a bench not far from his current location, he decided to wait for Haruto there.

He made his way there, staring at his now lonely hand who just lost his companion.

He didn't notice his surroundings as he bumped into someone.

"Sorry." Both of them were in sync to let out an apology.

Nagomi froze in horror when he looked at the owner of the voice. He took a long breath and looked everywhere frantically.

He wanted to run, shout but fear overcame him as the boy walked closer towards him.

'Why was it happening? After all these years? Why did he have to appear now?'

"Na-Nagomi is that you?" The red-haired boy asked to confirm he was not seeing things.

But the reaction of the asked boy made it clear he was the real deal.

"Long time no see." The boy had a small smile on his face.