Forgive me, Megumi…


    Should I help you?


    The answer was simple.


    No.


    Many people think that friendship is about support. That''s a mistake. True friendship is about balance. When two people clash, someone should stand back and observe. Not to intervene. Not to save the situation. Just to make sure the argument reaches the proper level of absurdity.


    That was a fundamental rule of the universe:


    If two people are undermining each other''s authority, you do not interfere.


    It''s like in nature.


    You don''t intervene when two deer fight for dominance in a herd.


    You don''t throw yourself between sharks during their own negotiations.


    You don''t reach out to save a moth flying towards the light, because maybe that''s exactly where it''s meant to go.


    And in the same way, you don''t step in when Leo and Megumi start their usual exchange of blows.


    This was a spectacle. And I was the audience. The best one they could ask for.


    But now, there was something new. That look.


    Megumi would deny it.


    She would say it was an accident. That it didn''t mean anything.


    But I knew better.


    And that was my advantage.


    I looked up at the sky, as if suddenly fascinated by the placement of the clouds.


    I couldn''t comment on it.


    Because sometimes, some things are too interesting to ruin.


    After a moment, Leo stretched lazily, like he had just finished the biggest battle of his life.


    - Alright. I''ll say this once, so listen up. - He looked at me, then at Megumi, and suddenly… dropped his usual tone.


    - If you''re about to say something stupid, I swear I... - Megumi narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him with suspicion.


    - I missed you guys, okay? - Leo waved a hand, as if shooing away an annoying fly.


    The words hung in the air.


    Not because it was some grand confession.


    But because he said it completely seriously.


    No irony.


    No joke.


    Just that.


    He missed us.


    Megumi and I exchanged glances.


    This wasn''t something you heard often from Leo. Usually, he hid his true thoughts behind layers of sarcasm and nonchalance.


    But this time… he said it straight from the heart.


    - Is this some kind of trap? - Megumi raised an eyebrow, still expecting a trick.


    - No. It''s just… it''s been a while. And damn, I missed this dynamic. - Leo chuckled and shook his head, running a hand over his neck, as if a little embarrassed that he even had to explain.


    He swung his arm lightly and patted me on the shoulder, leaving behind that familiar warmth that couldn''t just be ignored.


    Then, he shifted his gaze to Megumi, and the corner of his mouth lifted into a mischievous grin.


    - I even missed your endless complaining.


    Yeah, Leo. Nothing screams ''I missed you'' more than implying I''m annoying. - Megumi rolled her eyes, but something in her posture relaxed, just a little, barely noticeable, but still.


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    - Everyone expresses feelings in their own way. - Leo''s grin widened as he shrugged.


    She chuckled under her breath but quickly returned to her neutral expression.


    - So, where have you even been?


    Silence.


    For a split second, Leo hesitated. Just a split second.


    Then, he shrugged. But he did it just a little too casually, like his body was trying to sell a carefreeness that wasn''t really there.


    -Here and there.


    - What kind of answer is that? - Megumi frowned, leaning slightly forward as if trying to read more from his face.


    - An answer you get when you''re asking too much. - Leo smiled slightly, but something else flickered in his eyes.


    The tension in the air lingered for a second too long. Not long enough for anyone to comment on it, but enough for it to be noticed.


    Megumi glanced at me, as if expecting me to say something.


    But I just watched Leo. And I saw what Megumi might not have.


    There are things that don''t need to be said to be heard.


    Sometimes, silence is louder than any confession. Sometimes, a smile reveals more than a thousand words. And sometimes, lightness in a voice carries more weight than the heaviest words.


    Leo was not the kind of person who needed time to come up with a version of events. And yet… he did now.


    Not because he didn''t have an answer, but because he had too many.


    And in moments like this, you don''t ask. You don''t rush. You don''t try to pull on an invisible rope that isn''t yours to hold.


    You just wait.


    Because if someone doesn''t want to talk, it doesn''t mean they never will. It only means they''re not ready yet. And I was never someone who forced things out of people.


    Not because I didn''t care. But because people always talk when their moment comes.


    And his moment wasn''t now.


    Not with her here.


    Leo didn''t want to talk because Megumi was here. Because if something is difficult to say, it only gets harder when too many people are listening.


    And that was normal.


    It wasn''t about trust.


    It wasn''t about Megumi being "outside" of something.


    It was just that… Some words or actions weighed too much to be carried on someone else''s shoulders.


    Some things are only meant to be said to the right person. And that didn''t mean we were better friends.


    It just meant… This was meant to be a conversation between men.


    So I waited.


    Not because I had to. But because I knew that eventually, he''d start talking on his own.


    Leo looked at me, just me.


    Not for long.


    Not intensely.


    But long enough for me to understand.


    We need to talk.


    But not now.


    Not with her here.


    Megumi didn''t hear it.


    But she saw it.


    She saw how Leo didn''t look at her. She saw how his posture shifted, as if preparing for something more serious.


    She saw my subtle raised eyebrow. She saw more than she heard. For a moment, she looked at Leo, as if trying to decipher him. But Leo had already looked away. The tension in the air shifted.


    Not drastically. Not enough for a stranger to notice.


    But if you knew Leo well enough…


    It was obvious. This was no longer the same conversation. Megumi narrowed her eyes but didn''t say anything. Instead, she suddenly seemed more aware of her own movements.


    She adjusted her hair. Crossed her arms.


    Watched.


    Not for long. Just enough.


    Then, she sighed, as if convincing herself of a decision she had already made.


    - Will you walk me home? - She turned to me and looked into my eyes.


    She didn''t ask Leo. She didn''t need approval. She just accepted the fact that this moment didn''t belong to her.


    And she stood up.


    Leo reacted only after a moment.


    He lifted his gaze to her, as if only now realizing she had moved.


    - Leaving already? - He dropped his foot from his knee, as if genuinely surprised by this information.


    Megumi rolled her eyes, but there was a flicker of amusement in her smile.


    - Oh, come on, Leo. - She tilted her head slightly, giving him a mockingly patient look. - I wouldn''t want to interrupt all this romantic tension.


    Leo raised an eyebrow as if she had just said something requiring deep analysis.


    - Romantic tension?


    - What? You two are looking at each other like you''re about to kiss.


    Leo tilted his head, his lips curling into a slow, almost thoughtful smile.


    Then, he shifted his gaze to me.


    I said nothing.


    But Leo was already grinning wider.


    I don''t like this…


    - Thanks, Megumi. After that comment, I really appreciate you leaving.


    - What? – She narrowed her eyes.


    Leo shrugged in the most innocent gesture he could muster.


    His gaze slid over her, as if analyzing every detail.


    And then a short, but meaningful glance.


    At her waist.


    A second.


    Nothing more.


    But that was enough.


    Megumi stiffened, as if a cold wind had just brushed against her skin.


    - A walk will do you good. – he said…


    Silence.


    Just a second.


    Long enough for it to sink in.


    Long enough for the spark of pure fury to ignite in her eyes.


    Leo… my friend, you were truly dear to me.


    You were like a brother to me.


    And then…


    - LEO, YOU…!!!


    Leo was already laughing before she even finished her sentence.


    But Megumi was already lunging at him.


    Not playfully.


    Not in mock anger.


    She was about to murder him.


    I caught her at the last moment.


    Literally.


    Her hands were already reaching for his throat, but mine wrapped around her wrists just in time.


    Leo simply leaned back, effortlessly balancing on his heels, still grinning in complete satisfaction.


    - See, Arata? I was right.


    - LET ME GO! HIS DEATH IS NECESSARY! – Megumi struggled violently, trying to break free.


    - Megumi, breathe. – My tone was calm.


    But I didn''t let her go.


    Leo placed a hand over his heart, furrowing his brows slightly, as if he was genuinely concerned.


    - I really care about your health. These outbursts aren''t good for you.


    Megumi''s fury only grew stronger.


    Leo, brother, you''re not helping!


    - HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?!


    Leo winked at her, leaning forward slightly.


    - Good diet.


    That was close.


    Very close.


    I felt Megumi tense up. Stronger than usual.


    Did she start working out? I swear, I was wrestling with a small, enraged battle pig.


    I sighed and gently pulled her back, turning her towards the exit.


    - Come on, Megumi. - I sighed heavily, tugging her back slightly. - It''s not worth going to jail for something so uncreative.


    But she didn''t move right away.


    She glanced at Leo one last time, as if weighing her murder options.


    Leo, of course, only grinned wider.


    But in the end, she lowered her hands and turned toward me.


    Leo still called after her.


    - Enjoy your walk! And you could use more of them!


    He shouldn''t have said that.


    But he did.