*label stats
[b]For my dear patrons,[/b]

Thank you for your support, I hope you enjoy the story! ♥

[i]Whizumi[/i]

*if (secret_note = true)
  *fake_choice
    #I'd like to read a bonus scene.
      [b]Meanwhile, at the party…[/b]

      ${riv_hug} pours the alcohol into a glass, watching the liquid settle for a moment before downing it in one gulp.
      
      "Let me guess: they've already left…" A familiar voice drifts in from the kitchen doorway, and ${riv_hug} turns ${riv_his} head toward its owner.
      
      ${riv_mil} leans casually against the doorway, ${mil_his} arms crossed, watching ${riv_him} with an unreadable expression.
      
      "Yep," ${riv_hug} replies flatly, turning away to pour another drink, purposely ignoring ${mil_his} footsteps drawing nearer.
      
      $!{riv_she} knows ${riv_she}'ll regret this tomorrow. But regret is better than emptiness, and today was supposed to be ${riv_his} chance to make a difference.

      But ${riv_she} failed. $!{riv_she} couldn't. Or whatever you want to call it.

      Not that it matters anymore, not really—not until the allocation results come in.
      
      [i]But that's a problem for future me,[/i] ${riv_hug} thinks, and just as ${riv_she}'s about to reach for ${riv_his} glass, ${riv_mil} grabs it first, downing it ${mil_him}self.
      
      *page_break ${riv_hug} raises an eyebrow at ${mil_him}.
      ${riv_mil} sets the glass down on the counter with a sharp clink. 
      
      "You know, I wasn't planning on going home alone tonight either," ${mil_she} says, ${mil_his} voice laced with bitterness. "But I don't hide like some kicked puppy, retreating from everyone."

      ${riv_hug} rolls ${riv_his} eyes at ${riv_mil}'s words. "It's because there are plenty of people who would love to keep you company, ${riv_mil}," ${riv_she} replies lightly, 
      not rising to the bait.
      
      ${riv_mil} narrows ${mil_his} eyes, pausing for a moment before stepping closer, ${mil_his} hand resting dangerously near ${riv_hug}'s hips on the countertop. "Even you?"

      ${riv_hug} watches ${mil_him}, a brief silence passing between them before ${riv_she} leans in slightly, 
      the scent of alcohol and something spicy on ${riv_mil}'s skin filling ${riv_his} senses.
      
      $!{mil_his} eyes gleam with playful defiance, but there's an edge of bitter desperation too. 
      
      [i]Everyone has their way of coping…[/i]
      
      "Why? I'm just a kicked puppy, remember?" ${riv_hug} says with a small smirk, flicking ${mil_him} gently on the nose.
      
      ${riv_mil} huffs. "I like puppies, so you're lucky, nerd," ${mil_she} says, pressing ${mil_him}self even closer. When ${riv_hug} doesn't move, ${mil_she} smiles devilishly, 
      leaning in to whisper in ${riv_hug}'s ear, "I can even show you how much I do…"
      
      When ${mil_she} pulls away, the tightness in ${riv_hug}'s jaw tells ${mil_him} everything ${mil_she} needs to know. 
      
      *page_break
      ${riv_mil}'s eyes never leave ${riv_hug}'s as ${mil_his} hand reaches for ${riv_his} thigh, ${mil_his} fingers trailing upward with excruciating slowness until—
      
      "W-Wait…" ${riv_hug} breathes, and ${riv_mil} pauses. "Someone might see."
      
      ${riv_mil} leans in, whispering into ${riv_hug}'s lips, "I don't care."
      
      But just as ${mil_she}'s about to continue ${mil_his} advances, ${riv_hug} catches ${mil_his} wrist, stopping ${mil_him}. "I do."
      
      ${riv_mil}'s expression darkens at ${riv_his} words, ${mil_his} lips pressing together in a tight line.

      Before ${mil_she} can respond, ${riv_hug} speaks again, ${riv_his} voice low but soft. "I don't want them gossiping about you any more than they already do."
      
      With a sigh, ${riv_she} takes ${mil_his} hand and leads ${mil_him} upstairs, toward one of the room prepared for… various occasions.
      
      If ${riv_hug} had looked back, ${riv_she} would have seen the faint blush on ${riv_mil}'s cheeks—the deep impact ${riv_his} words.

      If only ${riv_she}'d known that tonight would change something neither of them could have ever expected, perhaps—just perhaps, 
      ${riv_she} might have seen ${riv_mil} differently when they first met.
      
      But regardless, what began as a simple escape from emptiness turned into something that would continue to shape and grow long after that night.

      *page_break …
      *goto stats