The apartment door clicked shut behind Haruto. The small key turned with a soft metallic sound, the same sound he had heard a thousand times before. He stood in the tiny entranceway for a second, the plastic bag from the convenience store swinging lightly in his hand. The cool evening air from outside still clung to his school uniform, but inside the apartment it was already warm and stuffy.
He didn't turn on the lights. The only illumination came from the faint streetlight that filtered through the half-open curtains of the living room. He walked straight to the room, the small space feeling even smaller now.
He set the bag on the tiny counter, then pulled out one of the five packets of condoms. The plastic was cool and slightly slippery. He tore it open with his teeth, the loud crinkle echoing in the quiet room. Inside were three thin, white condoms — each one wrapped in its own individual sleeve.
His hands were slightly trembling.
