**Chapter 1: Endless Summer Nights**

The sun beat down on the quiet suburban streets, casting a warm glow over the sleepy neighborhood. It was the peak of summer, and the air was thick with humidity and the sweet scent of blooming flowers. In a small house on the outskirts of town, Kou Minamoto was lounging on the couch, flipping through TV channels with a look of boredom on his face. His phone suddenly buzzed, and he picked it up to see a text from Mitsuba Sousuke: "Hey, I'm heading over. Is it okay if I crash at your place again?" Kou's heart skipped a beat as he typed out a response: "Yeah, sure. The door's always unlocked for you, Mitsu." Kou couldn't help but smile as he thought about Mitsuba's constant presence in his life. It had been a few years since they met, and over time, Mitsuba had become a fixture at Kou's house. His family had grown accustomed to his comings and goings, and the door was always left unlocked for him, just in case. As Kou waited for Mitsuba to arrive, he couldn't help but think about how much his life had changed since his mom passed away. His dad was hardly ever home, and it was just him and his memories of his mom that kept him going. Mitsuba, too, had his own share of struggles, having lost his dad at a young age. Despite their difficult circumstances, they had found solace in each other's company. The doorbell rang, and Kou got up to let Mitsuba in. As he opened the door, he was greeted by Mitsuba's bright smile and messy brown hair. "Hey, Kou!" Mitsuba exclaimed, dropping his backpack on the floor and kicking off his shoes. Kou's heart fluttered as he watched Mitsuba make his way to the living room, his eyes fixed on the familiar contours of Mitsuba's face. He had always thought of Mitsuba as just a friend, but lately, he couldn't shake off the feeling that his feelings for Mitsuba went far beyond friendship. As Mitsuba plopped down on the couch beside him, Kou felt a rush of emotions he couldn't quite process. He glanced away, trying to compose himself, but Mitsuba caught his eye and smiled softly. "What's up, Kou?" Mitsuba asked, noticing Kou's distant expression. Kou shrugged, trying to brush it off. "Nothing. Just bored, I guess." Mitsuba nodded sympathetically. "I know the feeling. Want to grab some ice cream or something?" Kou's heart skipped a beat as he considered the prospect of spending the evening with Mitsuba. He knew that with Mitsuba by his side, anything was possible, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that their friendship was on the cusp of something more. As they walked out of the house, Kou couldn't help but wonder what the rest of the summer had in store for them. Would they continue to dance around their feelings, or would they finally find the courage to confront the elephant in the room? Only time would tell.