As Lukas walked home, hands tucked into his jacket, he caught sight of a familiar figure inside a convenience store.
Isn't that… Heath?
Curiosity got the better of him, and before he knew it, he was already stepping inside.
Heath stood at the counter, about to pay, when suddenly a hand appeared beside him, placing a candy on the counter.
"Please include this," Lukas said casually, then turned to him with a smile. "I'll pay for you."
Heath blinked in surprise. "U-uh… sure."
"So, what are you buying this late at night?" Lukas asked, leaning slightly to peek at the items.
"Oh—instant noodles."
At that, Lukas's expression immediately shifted—his eyes lighting up like a starving man.
Heath noticed and chuckled. "Wanna share it with me?"
Lukas froze.
Should I accept?
It's late… and I have to wake up early tomorrow…
…but it's instant noodles.
"Uhmm…" he hesitated.
"I'll cook it my own way. Wanna taste it?" Heath added, a little more persuasive this time.
That was enough.
Lukas sighed, already giving in. Well… Heath's apartment is near anyway. I might still get home early.
"Your apartment's near here, right?" Lukas asked.
"Yeah," Heath nodded.
"Okay, sure—let's eat!" Lukas said quickly, as if afraid he might change his mind.
Heath chuckled. "Haha, alright. Let's go."
A few minutes later, they arrived at Heath's apartment building.
"Woah… it's my first time here," Lukas said, looking around. "This place is huge."
They stopped in front of Heath's door. As Heath entered the password—081—Lukas instinctively glanced at it.
08…? Maybe we have the same birth month.
Lukas thought the passcode was Heath's birthday.
He quickly looked away.
It's kinda rude to look at other's passcode
"Come in," Heath said, opening the door.
"Don't mind if I do," Lukas replied as he stepped inside—
—and immediately froze.
Woah.
Is he serious? This is he's aparment not he's house?
The space was massive.
"You can sit anywhere in the living room," Heath said casually.
Lukas slowly turned to him, disbelief written all over his face.
"This is… small to you?!"
Heath scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Uh…"
"the size of your living room is bigger than my apartment" Lukas exclaimed before realizing how loud he was.
"…Oops. Sorry."
Heath laughed, clearly amused. "Haha… just wait there. I'll prepare the food."
"Okay," Lukas nodded.
Soon, the aroma of cooked noodles filled the room.
"Mmm…" Lukas sniffed the air as Heath placed the pot on the table.
Without hesitation, Lukas pulled out his phone and snapped a quick photo.
"Let's eat!" he said brightly.
He even sneakily took a picture of Heath's hand while he was serving—for aesthetic purposes, of course.
Heath handed him a bowl.
"Thank you," Lukas said.
Heath watched him closely, almost nervously—like a kid waiting for approval.
Lukas took a bite.
Then—
He raised his thumb, smiling. "So good!"
Heath's face flushed slightly, embarrassed but clearly happy.
As they ate, silence slowly filled the room.
Lukas glanced around before speaking.
"So… what's your major, Heath?"
"Business Administration."
"Oh, same as my sister," Lukas said.
"…Sister?" Heath echoed, as if trying to recall something.
"Oh—sorry, I mean Elliene. Do you recognize the name?"
"…Yeah," Heath nodded.
"I'll tell her about you. Maybe you two can be friends," Lukas smiled.
"Oh, by the way, I'm majoring in Literature."
Lukas kept talking, the conversation flowing easily—until his eyes drifted to the clock.
His expression changed.
"Oops—I have to go. I need to wake up early tomorrow. Sorry!" he said, standing up quickly.
Heath's smile faltered slightly, his expression softening into a small pout.
Lukas noticed and laughed lightly. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"…Tomorrow?" Heath repeated, a faint blush creeping onto his face.
"O-Okay!"
Lukas smiled, grabbing his jacket as he headed for the door.
Meanwhile, across town, Arthur lay on his bed, absentmindedly scrolling through social media.
Then he paused.
A familiar name popped up.
Lukas just posted.
Arthur tapped on it.
An unfamiliar place filled the screen—a spacious room he had never seen before. The lighting was warm, almost too perfect. Then his eyes shifted.
A hand.
Not Lukas's.
And the next slide—food. Freshly cooked.
Arthur's brows slowly furrowed.
"…Huh?"
He sat up slightly.
I thought Lukas was heading home…
Something about it didn't sit right.
Arthur stared at the post a little longer, his chest tightening in a way he didn't quite understand.
That's weird.
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment.
Lukas wouldn't lie to us.
…Right?
But the thought didn't settle him.
Instead, it made something else creep in—something quieter, sharper.
Jealousy.
Arthur clicked back to the photo, zooming in slightly.
Whose hand is that? never seen that hand before
And why is this someone cooking for him… this late at night?
His jaw tightened before he scoffed under his breath.
…Tsk. It's probably nothing.
But he didn't scroll away.
Not yet.
Because deep down—
Arthur was curious.
And just a little jealous.