Y/n used to say dating Nishimura Riki felt like holding onto something that was never hers. He stayed, never cheated, but he was distant, making her feel like the only one in the relationship. Conversations were short, affection rare, and every time she reached for him, he seemed halfway out the door. She loved him anyway. That was the worst part. After their quiet breakup, Y/n told herself she hated him, but deep down, a part of her wished he’d tried. When she heard he got a new girlfriend, Trina, she pretended not to care, expecting him to be the same—cold, detached. But he wasn’t. He was attentive, soft, present, everything she had wanted. Even after Trina left him, he stayed kind and patient. Y/n hated noticing. At a crowded, loud party, Y/n sat on the couch, drink in hand, head light from alcohol. Kathy nudged her. “So…you still think he hasn’t changed?” Y/n rolled her eyes. “Why are you still on that?” “Because you keep avoiding it. You’ve seen him. He’s different.” Y/n scoffed. “People don’t just change like that.” “Some do,” Kathy said. Y/n shook her head. “It’s probably an act. Or temporary.” “Or it’s real.” Y/n laughed softly. “Yeah, okay.” “Why does it bother you so much?” “It doesn’t.” “Y/n.” Kathy sighed. “I changed, you changed, maybe he changed too.” Y/n snapped. “No, no way.” “Why can't you accept that he might be living a good honest life, that he's an attentive partner and a good man.” “Because I wanted that man. I wanted the man who would treat me with care and love instead of just running away. Why does Trina get that version of him? If Nishimura Riki has truly changed that means he was always capable of change, but I just wasn't worth changing for...” Her voice cracked. Silence followed. Then Y/n felt it—someone standing too close. She turned. Riki was there. Sober. Still. Watching her like he’d heard everything.