"Are you sleeping here tonight?" someone asked. 

Blinking the snowflakes from his eyes, Akira lifted his pale face. "Sorry?"

"You're always at this bus stop," they continued. "It's a miracle you haven't frozen to death."

Akira stared blankly up at them before glancing at the car on the curb. Nugget was in the passenger seat, wearing an identical scowl to…Daichi. It felt like they'd snuck up on him. 

The moonlight sharpened the fine contours of Daichi's face, catching along the stubble that peppered the cutting line of his jaw. He raised his hand, raking those ring-laden fingers through the silken locks of his hair, and settled his gaze on Akira again only once his hair was collected neatly away from his face. This further revealed two golden hoops in the arc of his ear.

"Hello?" Daichi prompted. 

"The buses," Akira started, "they run late sometimes."

"Late, you say? I think you mean 'not coming'. We've been eating Donnie's here for the past hour, and I haven't seen one come by." Daichi straightened, crossing his arms thickly over his chest. "You're not even shivering anymore. Get in the car. I'll take you home."

"W-what?" Akira scrubbed his face with ice-cube fingers. "It's really fine, thanks. My place is –it's out of your way."

"How would you know? How would I know if you haven't told me the address?"

"I appreciate that you're-"

"Get in!" Nugget encouraged. "I'll climb into the back."

"Thanks, Nugget, but there's no need!" Akira called.

Daichi coaxed, "Come on, you afraid I'm kidnapping you?"

Akira squinted suspiciously up at him. "Ever heard of stranger danger?" 

"We're not even total strangers. You and I go way back," Daichi looked at his bare wrist like there was a watch there. "Yup, five whole minutes."

Akira felt a flicker of amusement, but it wasn't enough to convince him. He'd done pretty well keeping clear of Daichi ever since that camp. Not just because of how stupid Akira had acted in front of him, but also because if Daichi wasn't always teasing and casual, it'd be easy to feel a cold terror at the sight of him. He had an intimidating presence, and an intense gaze that made Akira feel too crowded and seen.

Daichi leant closer to press his fingers like a gun against Akira's temple, and whispered, "Hey, punk, you're going to make the Nugget cry."

"You're using him to coerce me?" Akira tipped up his chin. "I'm stronger than that."

"Oh? There are snacks."

Akira stood instantly, dusting off the snow layered on his legs and shoulders. He jogged stiffly around to the passenger side, and was rewarded with an energy bar from Nugget. 

Daichi climbed inside, shutting the door, and blasted the heat. He turned most of the vents toward Akira, who brought his face closer. 

"T-thanks," Akira spoke through chattering teeth, glancing at Daichi, who was already gazing at him. 

Daichi trained his eyes ahead. "Ah, no worries. The munchkin in the back only needs to strap in and we can get going. I'm taking him home first. If you still refuse to tell me your address than I'll deliver you back to that delightful bench, but at least you can defrost for twenty minutes."

Akira probably made it to six before he fell asleep. He jerked awake only when they were pulling into the driveway of Nugget's house. Then resumed nibbling on the energy bar. 

"I'll be a minute," Daichi said, keeping the engine on for Akira. 

Daichi hopped out of the car to help Nugget put on his little backpack before walking him up to the house. The patio light turned on before they even reached it, and a tall man exited the house. He caught Nugget in a hug, swinging him effortlessly up and into his arms. 

So that was who Daichi had a crush on. 

Daichi hooked his thumbs into the pockets of his jacket, and Akira could tell he was smiling. When he disappeared inside the house, Akira was struck by the feeling of –of loneliness. He felt the keen difference between himself and them. 

He was so painfully grateful to Masami for bringing him here. College life was heaven compared to his past. He had Hana to sit and talk with during lectures, who offered to lend him notes and divulge the campus's latest gossip. And the mentors, like Harper, were really making an effort to welcome him into his first year. 

Akira could pretend that he really mattered here. Even though he knew that once he was out of sight, he'd hardly cross their minds at all. 

Often in his past,  he'd disappear from school. Once for over eight months. This was when he fell into Nomura's clutches. Not one teacher, student, or teammate sought him out. Not even his family. It was like he ceased to exist when they couldn't see him. 

That was probably why he liked to hear about enduring people. People like Surya. If Surya changed the number of bracelets he wore then people remarked on it. Who he spoke to, what he did, how he looked – everything about him made people take notice of it. Whether it was in high school or at Kaoru, Surya was admired. He was known for his grace, both in beauty and action, and that remained consistent. 

Akira was a tangent to people like Daichi and Surya. With godly ease, they existed, and everyone else was kept on the periphery of their friendship. Both had their own talent, but they received equal applause and praise for it. And worse, they were good-natured despite their attractiveness. Surya was radiant and gave off an air of benevolence, and even Daichi with his colder demeanour, was discerning. 

Though that was not to say Akira was fooled by Surya's charming courtesy. Not after their last conversation and Surya's cutting remarks. But he still felt helplessly drawn to him, and to Daichi, just like everyone else. 

He knew it was a bother, and predictably annoying, but Akira was so mortifyingly curious about them. About how they were a complex unit that solidified against every other person, barring anyone else from their soft and playful side.

Of course, Akira was tremendously shameless. While he made a mess of both his words and behaviour in front of them, he still didn't want them to send him away. Even after feeling so humiliated by Surya, he'd felt such a surge of ecstasy seeing him in the gym stands, watching his game. 

Akira truly believed that whoever had even one of them in their lives was blessed. He couldn't understand the decision Nugget's father had made. He, who was Daichi's best friend and crush, didn't delve deeper into a relationship that Daichi was open to. 

But maybe he was like Akira in the sense that he was also happy to hold just an inch of Daichi's teasing attention. And maybe he felt lucky to have Daichi's unwavering friendship, which extended in all its benefits to Nugget.

When Daichi joined Akira in the car, Akira said, "Nugget is really lucky to have you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Daichi smiled. "Thanks."

The radio played some epic orchestral music, which failed to re-energise Akira. He dozed on and off as they rode, and stirred after a long while, realising they were back in the campus parking lot. Daichi was outside, leaning against the door as he smoked. 

Akira straightened, and Daichi's jacket slid into his lap. Daichi turned when he tapped on the window, and ducked inside, brushing off some of the cigarette ash. 

"It's close to midnight," he said. "You still don't want to go home?"

Akira started to say he'd make another plan, having forgotten that Daichi already knew he didn't have a phone or any other means of getting help. 

But Daichi just added, "Then I have a couch with your name on it."

Akira froze. "W-what?"