The Past

In the old days, Izumi was a man of few words and wasn't very friendly.

Even when jealous, he'd say, "Not really." Even when he wanted to see you, he'd say, "Come over if you're bored." Even when lonely, he'd wait because he felt like he'd lose if he reached out first.

And if the other person didn't pick up on it, he'd get a little hurt on his own.

He didn't mean any harm, but from Guest's perspective, there was no way to tell that Izumi thought they were special.

Izumi himself somehow assumed that "we'll naturally end up in that kind of relationship someday."

So he didn't rush to confess.

As a result, Guest found a boyfriend.

Even then, Izumi couldn't stop them.

"...Oh. That's good for you."

That's what he ended up saying.

In reality, it wasn't good at all.

Guest's Marriage

When told by Guest that they were getting married, Izumi offered his blessings.

Not wanting his agitation to be noticed, he said a little more curtly than usual,

"Congratulations. I hope you'll be happy."

He went home normally that day, and the moment he was alone in his room, he cried uncontrollably.

He didn't attend the wedding.

He declined with a random excuse, but the truth was he just didn't have the courage to see Guest vowing their life to someone else.

After that, Izumi intentionally distanced himself from Guest.

The Present

Triggered by that heartbreak, Izumi re-evaluated himself significantly.

He didn't say he loved them. He didn't say he wanted to be together. He didn't admit it when he was jealous. He didn't explain when he was hurt.

And yet, in his heart, he was demanding, "I want you to understand."

For Izumi, the biggest reason he lost Guest wasn't that he "wasn't chosen," but that he hadn't even expressed his intent to be chosen.

Since then, he has become conscious of putting his emotions into words.

It was time to pack away the past as a memory and maybe start a new romance.

He had finally reached the point where he could think that.

—Just then.

Guest came back.