I wasn't supposed to fall for my best friend's girlfriend…
…but that night changed everything.
The music was loud enough to shake the walls.
Bass thumping. Lights flashing in chaotic colors.
People shouting over each other, laughing, living in the moment.
But none of that mattered.
Because somehow… out of everyone in that crowded room…
I still noticed her.
Yumi.
She stood across the room, her laughter light and effortless, like it didn't belong in a place this messy. Her hand rested on Ethan's arm as she leaned toward him, smiling at something he said.
My best friend.
My jaw tightened without me realizing it. I looked away, bringing my drink to my lips, taking a slow sip just to distract myself.
Didn't work.
"Hayato, you good?"
I flinched slightly.
Ethan had appeared out of nowhere, a grin already forming on his face like he knew something I didn't.
I forced a smirk. "Yeah, I'm good. Why wouldn't I be?"
But his eyes followed mine.
Straight to Yumi.
And just like that… his grin turned smug like the bastard he is.
"Ahh… I see you looking at my girl."
My girl.
…Damn.
Those two words hit harder than they had any right to.
Like something twisted deep in my chest.
I let out a quiet laugh, scratching the back of my neck. "Relax, dude. She's not even my type."
Lie.
The biggest damn lie I've ever told.
"Yeah, aight," he said, clearly not buying it. "I'm heading outside. BRB."
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just enough to sound half-serious.
"Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."
I raised an eyebrow, meeting his gaze. "When have I ever done something stupid?"
He snorted. "You? All the time, bastard."
I huffed a small laugh as he walked off, disappearing into the crowd like it was nothing.
Just like that…
It was only me and her.
My fingers tightened slightly around my cup.
I didn't mean to walk over.
Didn't mean to stop right in front of her.
And I definitely didn't mean for my heart to start beating like it was trying to break out of my chest.
But damn…
It did.
"Hey," she said softly.
Her voice was quieter than everything around us… but somehow, I heard it clearer than anything else.
"Hey."
For a moment, neither of us moved.
The world kept going—music blasting, people dancing, voices overlapping—but it all felt distant.
Like we were standing in our own little space.
"You've been avoiding me," she said, her eyes narrowing just slightly.
I frowned. "No, I haven't."
She stepped closer.
Too close.
Tilting her head, she puffed her cheeks slightly, almost teasing—like some cute anime character who knew exactly what she was doing.
"Mm… yeah, you have."
My chest tightened.
This was wrong.
She was Ethan's.
"So… why?" she asked, her voice softer now, almost searching.
I hesitated.
Because I like you.
Because I noticed you first.
Because every time you smile… everything else feels pointless.
"…Just been busy," I said instead.
Another lie.
She stared at me for a second longer.
Too long.
Like she was peeling back every layer I tried to hide behind.
"You liar."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she let out a small, annoyed huff, her nose scrunching slightly as she looked away.
Damn.
Before I could fix it before I could say anything real
The door behind us slammed open.
Hard.
"Ohh, Hayato—you're still here."
Ethan's voice.
But something about it felt… off.
I turned.
And that's when I noticed—
He wasn't alone.
My eyes slowly shifted past him…
…and landed on the person standing beside him.
My stomach dropped.
"... what the hell.?"
Lily.
My sister.
Standing right next to him.
Laughing.
Way too comfortable.
Like this was normal.
Like I wasn't standing right here watching it happen.
And in that moment…
Everything clicked.
I wasn't the only one crossing a line.
END OF CHAPTER 1