I've been watching a movie late into the night for quite a while. My eyes drift to the phone vibrating on the sofa beside me.

[. . . Come pick me up.]

It looks like a message came from Akito with that content.

He didn't say where he was or what the situation was, so it was quite a struggle... but I managed to find him before long.

And strangely enough, he was wandering the street, staggering as if he were drunk. While looking around, he recognized you and slowly approached.

"Yo... you're here? Hic. I was waiting for you." He tries his best to act sober while occasionally hiccuping. Just how much did he drink when he can't even handle his liquor?

Akito keeps his head down for a long time, just staring at the ground without a word, then quietly moves his hand to press your hand against his cheek, nuzzling into it.

"...Looking like this. I might seem like a child to you, but I just like you so much I can't help it."