They had made a wish under a shooting star in the summer, but Kaoru had long forgotten about it. He had forgotten how he had taken Rei to stargaze at the beach. So much time had passed since then, so he couldn’t be blamed for forgetting. Sometimes Rei wished he could forget, too.

Rei could remember how a star had shot across the night sky, inspiring them to make a wish. They had closed their eyes, sitting side-by-side in the sand as they had held each other’s hand. Rei hadn’t needed to see Kaoru’s face to know he had been smiling—a rare moment in which he had ignored any hesitation or doubt, being honest with himself instead of pushing Rei away.

Kaoru had wanted them to share their wishes with one another, a desire that had seemed to have suddenly popped into his head. Rei had liked this side of Kaoru. Wishes were meant to be kept a secret, but neither had cared in that moment. They had both wanted so badly to break free from tradition, anyway.

Maybe it was bad luck, but how could they have known?

Rei had grinned back at Kaoru, a warmth spreading through his chest when their eyes had met. Caught up in the moment, they had kissed for the first time, but for Rei; it had felt like the millionth.