Inori's heat subsides after that, at least for the following month. He's sure of it. So the fact that he still finds himself thinking about Tōkan absolutely fucking sucks and makes no sense. There was that kiss, too, and Inori still doesn't understand what the fuck the dumb alpha was saying before—at the start—he barely remembers it, it's all a fog of heat, that whole day. Something about how Tōkan gets horny for him even outside heats? Well, that's alphas for you, they're always horny. Inori doesn't care.

But he's at the Kokonoe High school gates after a few weeks again.

Tōkan was already in full-blown panic thinking that Inori would just disappear from his life, just like that. And he can't tell Subaru about it because it would just be salting the wound. So he's actually delighted to see Inori there.

"Inori-kun."

"Hey. Come with me."

And he starts walking.

...okay. He'll do his best to not slip into a great impression of an excited labrador puppy.

Also, he notes Inori is not in heat, which implies that the heat probably ended around the last time they fucked and that's why Inori vanished like that, so maybe he's just... decided that the relationship they have mostly only exists when he's in heat? And otherwise they're at best friendly acquaintances? Which, ouch.

"Where we going?"

Inori does not seem to be in the mood for explanations so he just grunts.

To be expected, honestly. And he's pretty sure it'll be—ah, yeah, his family's house. Now why, exactly?

To celebrate Suzume's tenth birthday, it seems!

"Sorry to call you on such short notice, Tōkan," says Kuroji after they sing happy birthday, hands pressed together and a slight apologetic bow.

"Oh yeah, no problem. If I'd known about it in advance I would've bought her a present."

"It's not a problem, I was sure my thickheaded son would forget to tell you."

Inori shoots him a glare.

But Suzume looks up at Tōkan with bright happy eyes. "I'm just glad you came."

...oh, so it wasn't even Inori's idea to bring him here, it was just Suzume enjoying eye candy. That... that actually stings a bit.

He deserves every second of this bullshit.

"I was against it, though 😀," says Harutsugu cheerfully. "Kokonoe students are so busy, after all."

"Stop that, Harutsugu," sighs Kuroji, giving Harutsugu an annoyed look.

"I'm worried about him! 😊"

"Don't worry, Yamada-san, I'm caught up on all my school activities," Tōkan says with a smile. Stupid stupid stupid stupid.

"Hey, you gonna eat that strawberry?" asks Inori, pointing at Tōkan's slice of cake with his fork.

"—you can have the cake, if you want," Tōkan replies on what passes for automatic for him. "I'm not a great fan of sweets."

"Cool."

He pulls the plate over to himself and scarfs it down.

"Inori-kun, don't be impolite to our guest," says Kuroji.

"It's fine, I don't mind."

"It's because they're in love," says Suzume with her hands behind her back.

Harutsugu makes a strangled kind of noise like a dying cat in a muffled bag.

(And Inori seems entirely oblivious to the conversation happening at this table.)