In the coming weeks the three were getting used to their hectic schedules. Though there was a new problem arising. Their exams were coming up and with work to worry about on top of everything else they were feeling more stressed out than usual. 

However, Satoru was never one to worry about tests or class ranking. He just managed to scrape by with his mediocre grades. 

Kanato and Hiroto put in more effort to stay close to the top of the class. Especially Kanato. Although Kanato hated every second of it, he was terrified of his mother. She always forced him to get high enough grades to be at the top of the class. It was her hope that he would get into a good school and a high paying job so they could go back to the comfortable life they once had. Kanato didn’t want anything to do with that life but he decided to comply until he could get away from her. 

That morning when Satoru walked into school, he saw Kanato looking worse than he’d ever seen before. His tie was barely tied and his hair was in disarray. He had dark circles under his eyes and bags that dragged down to his chin. 

“Woah, are you okay? You look horrible,” Satoru said. 

Kanato ignored him and  kept walking and headed straight to their classroom. 

Satoru raised a brow, looking at Hiroto who also appeared to be confused. 

“What’s his deal…” Satoru mumbled as he finished changing his shoes before chasing after Kanato. 

Kanato had already sat himself down in his seat. Though he was staring off into space, mind blank. 

Satoru snuck up behind him, putting his hands on Kanato’s shoulders. 

Kanato jumped and let out a sigh, “jeez, you scared me.”

“Finally got your attention,” Satoru said, sitting down beside Kanato, “are you okay? You don’t look good.”

Kanato hesitated before slowly nodding, “yeah I’m fine. You know how it gets during exam season. I’ll be fine once it’s over. Don’t worry about me.”

Satoru rolled his eyes, “I know what exam season does to you but this feels different. You look worse than I’ve ever seen. Have you been eating and getting enough sleep?”

Kanato averted his eyes, “of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” he laughed nervously. 

“Because of what I just said. You don’t look good,” Satoru said, “I think you should go home and rest for the day.”

Kanato shook his head, “No no, I'll be fine. I can make it through the day, it’s just a few hours.” 

“I don’t believe you. Is there something else going on at home that’s preventing you from going back? I know how your mom can be.”

Kanato averted his eyes, “that may be playing a part in this, yes.”

“Well what if instead of going back to your place you come to mine?” Satoru offered. 

Kanato anxiously drew a circle pattern on the desk with his finger, “I don’t know…What if my mom finds out? She’d kill me.”

“It’s fine we can still study. You can help me and just tell her you’re giving me a hand.”

“I guess that works but you’d be skipping school,” Kanato said, concerned. 

“Not like I nor my sister care. It’ll be fine. I’m more worried about you. You need to get some proper rest,” Satoru said. 

“Just tell the teacher that you’re going to the nurse’s office and I’ll come with you.”

Kanato reluctantly nodded and waited for the teacher to come in before asking her permission to step out. 

After she allowed him, Satoru followed suit, asking if he could go with him. 

From there the two left school, making their way to Satoru’s apartment. 

“Thank you, I really appreciate you looking out for me,” Kanato said, smiling at Satoru. 

“Of course, no need to thank me,” Satoru said, smiling back at him. 

Once the two arrived at Satoru’s apartment Satoru headed into his room, grabbing clothes for Kanato to change into. 

“Here’s these and feel free to sleep in my room.”

“I’ll take you up on that offer, just don’t let me sleep too late. I want to be able to get some studying in,” Kanato said, taking the change of clothes before heading to the bathroom. 

Satoru went into his room, changing into lounge clothes.

He then grabbed his CD from his shelf and opened his sketchbook. Satoru figured that he would do something quiet while Kanato slept. 

Kanato came in not long after, making himself right at home, plopping onto Satoru’s bed. 

“Get some well deserved rest. When you wake up we can study.”

“You better wake me if I sleep for more than two hours,” Kanato said, getting himself comfortable. 

“Yes yes. Now go to bed,” Satoru said, waving his hand dismissively.

It took hardly any time at all for Kanato to fall asleep. 

Satoru couldn’t help but wonder what happened for Kanato to drive himself to such exhaustion. They did have jobs now, which Satoru thought could be part of the problem. 

However, he would just have to wait for Kanato to wake up, then he would be able to ask him about it. 

Hours passed and Kanato opened his eyes, forgetting that he was in Satoru’s room. “Whre..?” Kanato mumbled to himself as he looked around the room. 

“Ah! Sleeping beauty has awoken,” Satoru smiled, turning his chair to look at Kanato. 

Kanato seemed to realize where he was and grabbed his phone from Satoru’s nightstand, checking the time. 

“Oh my god! It’s been way more than two hours! Why didn’t you wake me?” he panicked. 

“Relax, relax. I thought it would be best for you to get as much rest as your body wanted, that’s why I left you alone,” Satoru explained. 

Kanato brought his hands to his head and grabbed fistfuls of his hair, “I can’t afford to do that. I’m so behind,” Kanato murmured. 

“Hey hey, it’ll be okay. You’re not behind but you will be if you continue to neglect your health like this,” Satoru said, sitting on the bed, next to Kanato. “What’s got you pushing yourself like this?”

Kanato averted his eyes and took a deep, shaky breath.

“My mom has been coming down on me harder ever since I got a job. She has higher expectations now and she doesn’t think that I can keep up with my studies on top of work. I don’t want her to be right, I want to prove her wrong so badly,” he said, pulling his legs into his chest as tears slid down his face. “I’m just sick and tired of it all, I want to slack off and enjoy myself without worry but she terrifies me…” Kanato said, shaking.

Satoru balled his hand into a fist and hit his bed, “she pisses me off! How can she do this to you!? You’re her son, she’s supposed to love and care for you. Not leave you with bruises and instill fear in you!”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to drag you into this…”

Satoru shook his head, “never apologize for telling me what’s going on Kanato. I care about you and it hurts me to see you in such distress. I wish there was more I could do for you.”

Kanato smiled, wiping his tears, “trust me, you’ve helped me more than you could ever know. I just have to push through for a little longer then I’ll be able to get away from her,” he said, taking a deep breath.

Satoru smiled, “yeah, you can come live with me and we can get Hiroto to come with us too.”

Kanato smiled, “I like the sound of that. We could make it into our studio too and live out our days making music.”

Satoru nodded, “yeah, that’s the goal. Hopefully we’ll be able to get started soon.”

“Agreed”

The two continued to chat a little longer before grabbing their textbooks and notebooks to begin their studying. 

They sat mostly in silence as they reviewed notes. The only thing interrupting the silence was Satoru asking a question from time to time. 

“Hey Satoru…if it’s not too much trouble would you be able to let me spend the night? I don’t really want to go home…” Kanato said, putting his pencil down. 

Satoru looked up at him and nodded, “yeah of course. I don’t care, besides we don’t have school tomorrow. Stay as long as you like,” he smiled. 

“Thank you, I appreciate it. You’re a lifesaver,” Kanato said and tightly hugged Satoru, “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Satoru smiled and pat Kanato’s shoulder, “I don’t know, die maybe?” he said sarcastically. 

“You’re right. I probably would. So thanks for keeping me alive,” Kanato said, half-joking. 

The two spent the rest of the night studying.

Satoru got up and stretched, “I’m going to get some water for a bath, you can go first when it’s ready.”

Kanato closed his notebook and yawned, “thanks. I appreciate it.”

It didn’t take long before Satoru came back with a towel in hand, giving it to Kanato.

“Thanks, I’ll be back,” Kanato said, heading to the bathroom.

Satoru then headed to the closet to get a futon and bedding. While Kanato was away in the bath Satoru got his room ready for both of them to sleep.

By the time Kanato came back everything was ready for them to sleep, including a change of clothes on the bed.  

Satoru then went to take a bath, letting himself unwind for the day. It was a long day but he was glad that he was able to help Kanato out. It also felt nice to hangout one-on-one for a change. 

When he got back he saw Kanato tucked into the futon, ready for bed.

“You know you can use my bed. You don’t have to sleep on the futon. I had that for me.”

“No, you can sleep on your bed. I already used it earlier, you should be able to sleep on it.”

Satoru nodded and got into bed, “alright. If you say so.” He would’ve put up more of a fight but decided not to since he was too tired to put up much of a fight. He just about fell asleep as soon as he put his head to the pillow. 

Kanato on the other hand had trouble falling asleep. He couldn’t stop tossing and turning. Something in his heart just ached. Though this wasn’t something unfamiliar, rather something he was well acquainted with. 

He dearly loved being with Satoru but over the last few years something inside him began to change. Kanato’s chest felt tight whenever he was around Satoru. He knew all too well what he was feeling but it was terrifying. It was something that he wanted to push down, deep inside.

As time passed he just came to ignore it. It’s not like anything would come of it even if he were to act on it. It would probably be more likely for him to be shunned by everyone he knew. As painful as it was, he was determined to keep quiet about his feelings. He was sure that they’d quiet down at some point. After all, it would be better than living a life of shame.