The morning light filtering through the gaps in the curtains is always hesitant. It’s as if it knows the secrets of this room. The light reflected off the white ceiling slowly descends to the floor. A black hoodie left where it was dropped. A school blazer still draped over the back of the sofa. In this room where the boundaries of daily life are blurred, the atmosphere is made of the warmth of three people.

—I have to get up. Even as I think that, my body refuses to leave the warmth of the blankets. From the right, the sound of steady breathing. From the left, a slightly shallow, unstable breath. Though their rhythms are different, for some reason, it’s calming.

On the right is Jiro. His long eyelashes cast shadows on his cheeks, and only when he's asleep does he have the innocent face of a boy his age. When we first met, I never thought we’d end up in a relationship where we sleep side-by-side like this. He’s someone I should be protecting, yet before I knew it, I was always the one being protected. I reach out my fingers slightly and touch his hair. Remaining vulnerable, he moves a little closer to me. As if he’s subconsciously confirming where he belongs.

On the opposite side. On the left is Jyushi. He’s sleeping skillfully in a position that looks like he’s halfway to falling off the bed. Long fingers. Slender wrists. Sheet music placed carelessly is scattered over his pillow. While active in a band, he is also training under the person he respects. His fingertips are pinching the edge of my clothes over the blanket. As if he refuses to let go.