“A collector's party? Are you serious?" Imai looked at Kazuto, in disbelief. Obviously, he couldn't believe that Kazuto asked him to come to a collector's gathering party—which sounded very exclusive. He didn't know anything about antiques. He didn't like being in museums either.

Kazuto lowered his head, looking at the remaining chocolate cake in his hand, “I-I never go to parties, Imai-kun. You don't mind accompanying me, do you?"

Imai leaned his body on the park bench. He was considering Kazuto's invitation. He didn't like parties but accompanying Kazuto might not be a problem, "They provide dinner, right?" 

"Of course, they provide a buffet. But we have to wear suits." Just imagining it made Kazuto break out in a cold sweat. He couldn't stand wearing formal clothes for more than an hour.

"Well, it doesn't matter. I look handsome in a suit—” Realizing he wasn't talking to Yukihide, Imai abruptly stopped. He used to say narcissistic things in front of Yukihide but he was with Kazuto whom he had only known for a few days. It was embarrassing to say those things.

Kazuto stifled a laugh, "Yes, I believe you look handsome in a suit."

“Kazuto-san, please don't mention that again. I was only joking." He covered his face, embarrassed. They both let out a loud laugh.

“About that mirror...”

Imai’s heart beat faster. He didn't want to hear anything about the mirror. The emotions that have been held back for a long time would explode instantly.

“I'm not in the mood to hear about that mirror. Can we just talk about another thing? How about you tell me about yourself?”

Hearing that, Kazuto’s cheek flushed red. It might be just small talk, but he was excited when someone wanted to know about him. Besides, he wasn't a person who liked to hide things about himself, "Then let's just guess. We take turns asking one question. You go first."

Spending time together turned out to be fun. Strangely, Imai could talk about various things, even though he had only just met the man sitting next to him.

From Kazuto’s story, Imai found out that the man was an orphan and all this time it was the late uncle and aunt who had taken care of him. Kazuto was a year older than him, but the man didn't go to college.

"Why?" He asked curiously. He knew it would be rude to ask such a question but he was curious.

“I haven't been lucky enough to get a scholarship. So I prefer to take short courses, such as computer courses. I also took part in training to become a tutor in a cram school.”

Imai’s mind was filled with everything about him. He should be grateful to be able to continue his studies without the need to think about costs and look for scholarships. He was much luckier than Kazuto. At least he could pass on a little of his knowledge to Kazuto as his gratitude.

"You want to learn music from me?"

The guy’s face brightened, “You want to teach me? Is it expensive?” He suddenly became doubtful when it came to costs.

He smiled broadly, “You just need to buy me a cake. Deal?"

"That sounds great! Thanks so much. But, will you also come with me to the party?”

"Deal!”

***

Yukihide hesitated to step inside his house. He still remembered his father's hurtful words during the exhibition. He didn't want to go home but he didn't know where to go either.

The first person that came to mind was Imai but that guy didn't show up at all to the exhibition, it made Yukihide disappointed, so he gave up on contacting his best friend. He had thought that Imai would come first and congratulate him—just like Kinnosuke had done to him. But until the end of the exhibition, his best friend did not appear. Even the calls and messages that Yukihide sent, none of which were answered by Imai.

He looked at the contact numbers on his cell phone. He smiled sadly because most of the contact numbers he saved were friends he didn't know very well. Come to think of it, he didn't even have any close friends besides Imai.

He squatted near the fence of his house to calm his mind while contemplating whether to go home or not, when his phone vibrated. His selfie with Kinnosuke flashed on his phone screen with Kinnosuke’s name appearing on it too.

"Hello, Kinnosuke. What’s up?"

"Nothing. Just wanted to let you know that I arrived home safely. How about you?”

"I'm still outside of my house. I don’t want to go home. It still hurts remembering all my father's words. I know he hates me.”

"You can't say that, Yukihide-kun. He’s your father.”

“You’re very considerate, Kinnosuke. But I'm an adult. I don't like the way my father treats me as a person. My father doesn't respect me at all." He snorted.

There was no response from the younger guy. Yukihide knew that Kinnosuke agreed with what he said but the man didn't know what to say to calm Yukihide down.

“Hey, let’s go somewhere." Out of nowhere, Kinnosuke asked him out.

Yukihide raised an eyebrow. The important thing was that he didn't want to go home, "I have an idea."

***