Fingers interlaced, as both figures swayed slowly to the music in the ballroom. Slowly leaning onto her partner’s chest, Aiko felt Yabu’s hand caressing her hair. “We’re only able to be like this just because it’s a masquerade, Yabu-kun.”

The hold on her petite waist tightened a little, and Aiko knew that Yabu didn’t want this as much as her. No more words were exchanged as both of them continued to dance, ignoring their surroundings. They were just mesmerized by each other’s gaze, trying to memorize each other’s facial expression, as they didn’t know when they would meet like this again.

***

“Yabu, don’t you have a girlfriend already?” Hikaru looked at his friend who was trying to study. Both of them were in their university’s library, and the blonde tried his really best to keep his volume down, though he failed of course.

Without even looking up, Yabu just sneered, “Why would I have a girlfriend, Yaotome-san?” Lifting his book on medical science, Hikaru whacked Yabu on the shoulder, hard, before he called the older man not to use his family name.

From the corner of his eyes, Yabu saw a figure peeking out from the shelves, yet he couldn’t look back. He must not have anything to do with Sugihara Aiko.

***

Hikaru continued to look at his friend, catching the older boy peering to his side. Although he might be noisy and probably thought of as insensitive and childish, Hikaru was someone with an impressive observation skill. 

Following Yabu’s line of perspective, he saw a girl peeking at Yabu. Tapping his lips with his pen, he vaguely remembered her as Sugihara Aiko, the heiress of the Toy Company ‘Dream’, the rival company of the Yabu family’s company ‘Sora’. 

It wasn’t the first time he saw the Sugihara heiress peeking at Yabu, and by piecing piece by piece, he had came to a conclusion of them being in love with each other.

Yaotome Hikaru was known to always have a smile on his face, yet this time, a frown was deeply etched on his forehead. He was known to not stay with a person for a long time, Hikaru was a playboy. But no one ever knew that he had been in love with his childhood friend, Yabu Kota, since forever.

***

“You’re in love with Sugihara?” Yabu had dropped his packet of milk onto the floor, and turning around, he was facing a serious-looking Hikaru. They were on the rooftop, so no one would overhear their conversation. 

Yabu doesn’t know why, but the gaze in Hikaru’s eyes, he saw hurt but also acceptance. Before he could even confirm Hikaru’s abrupt statement about him and Aiko, the blonde spoke up first, “I’ll help both of you.”

“What?”

He just swore the younger was crazy, yet Yabu knew that if there was anyone that could help him, it was Hikaru. The younger guy wasn’t called a genius since young for nothing. “Of course, if something happens while both of you are together, I’m not helping anymore.”

He questioned why and Hikaru could only reply, “Because you broke my heart. I didn’t flirt around because I like it. I tried to get your attention, but it seems that your attention’s all on Sugihara. Doesn’t matter, I’m leaving Japan after I help both of you.”

With that Hikaru left.

***

When Yabu got home, he was surprised that the Sugihara family was in their living room. His parents had quickly announced that both companies had decided to join forces and would be arranging a marriage between the Sugihara household and the Yabu household. 

Deep inside, Yabu thought about Hikaru, as he silently thanked his friend.

“Yabu, I want you to congratulate your brother, since he’s getting married with Sugihara Aiko.” He froze in his spot as his father announced. Aiko looked at him with pleading eyes, yet Yabu knew that he couldn’t do anything. 

“Congratulations, Nii-chan, Sugihara-san.”

***

Landing in New York, Hikaru smirked when he saw Yabu’s name appearing on his phone. “Yes, Kota?”

“Why did you do this Yaotome.”

“Isn’t it simple? Revenge. I never said that you’ll get to marry her. Both of you are technically together. You’ll always see her as your sister in-law, you’ll never get the chance to get close to her ever again.”

“You’ve not answered the question.”

“I told you, revenge. I want you to suffer as much as I did.” Hikaru pulled the phone away from his ear, ignoring Yabu’s threats, and a lone tear rolled down his cheeks. Wiping it away, he continued to walk towards the exit.

“At least both of you can speak to each other. I’d never get to see or speak to you again, Kota.” Another step and he collapsed. Hikaru never opened up to anyone, except Yabu. However, there was one thing he never told the older man.

He never told him that he was in the terminal stage of brain cancer. 

‘It’s ironic that I’m smart and I got brain cancer. At least, I will die knowing that Kota would remember me forever, even if it means him hating me.’

And his wristwatch which was a gift from Yabu on his birthday just stopped.