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It took everything Alex had to sit through the speeches. By the time Shawn finished, sounding like a carbon copy of Mrs. Ayase, Alex was done. The teary-eyed strangers, the soft applause, the profound statements—all of it felt rehearsed. He fixed his eyes on the smiling portrait staring back at him from the altar.

These people would never know how they used to joke about looking stupid on picture day, all of them using the same hair gel in the locker room. They’d never know about the late-night fast-food runs after games and eating trash food at a mountain overlook while they talked about everything—crushes, futures, the dumbest shit imaginable. They would never know that Ayase accepted Alex for who he was, no questions asked.

Alex sighed heavily and rested his elbows on his knees as Chief Sterling began his monotonous speech about the case. Alex should pay attention, but the sudden memory of Ayase in front of his and Jun’s apartment appeared in his mind. The night Alex swore to keep his promise. That may have been the last real conversation he had with Ayase.

The realization hit him like something physical—a sick, heavy thing he didn’t know he’d been carrying. He hated it. Hated it more than the thunderous applause that filled the room when the ceremony ended.

Everyone moved to the conference room next door for the reception. Square plates of bite-sized food covered the rows of white-clothed tables against the back wall. The older people flocked to the food like a hungry herd. They talked and laughed, food occupying their mouths.

Alex was tempted to flip off another camera at the corner of the room, but Yoona was close to his side. Apparently, they were being taped while eating their sorrows away.

Yoona sniffed. “So, this is what you get for working at a company worth billions after you die.”

Alex raised his eyebrows at her remark. “For how much that company burnt him the fuck out, they should be doing more. Instead, they’re creating this stupid-ass story, like he’s some fallen god now that he can’t make that drug for them anymore.”

Yoona shot him a glare. “Not so loud!” She gritted her teeth.

“You know I’m right,” Alex boasted.

“Right about what?” asked Maya as she and Basa appeared behind them with plates of food. They both chewed their green mochi in sync.

Alex nodded at Maya. “Just that Ayase deserves way better treatment than how these fucking vultures are leeching off of him with tiny ass food.”

Maya and Basa slowly put their food down on the plates.

Yoona raised her hands at them. “You’re fine! You guys enjoy yourselves!” She narrowed her eyes at Alex before offering them a polite smile. “What he means is that these people don’t actually know or care for Ruki, even in death, and it’s just sad to see.”

Maya nodded, stuffing the mochi into her mouth. She pointed with her nose to the tables. “Yeah, but I’m sure Ruki would want us to enjoy ourselves too. Oh, also Yoona, there’s more mochi over there! I think Mrs. Ayase made them.”

They walked towards the table of Japanese sweets when they heard someone calling towards them. Alex turned to see Shawn with two plates full of salami and cheese, and Hanh trudged over with her round belly.

“No way!” Shawn exclaimed. “You guys are here too?”

Alex scoffed and jerked his chin up at Shawn. “What’s up, Second Best?”

Shawn shook his head and laughed awkwardly. “Screw you, man.” He set his plates down and grabbed Alex’s hand for a dap hug.

“We were literally in the front row. How could you not see us?” Alex glanced back at Hanh and pointed at Shawn. “Hanh, you need to take your man to the eye doctor ASAP, or he’s not gonna be able to see your kid’s gender when you pop.”

Hanh laughed at Shawn’s stammering and reddened face. Maya squealed as she rushed over to give them both a hug.

Yoona smiled and crossed her arms. “What do you mean ‘here too’?”

“It’s just—we didn’t expect us all to run into each other here!” said Hanh as she popped a cheese cube in her mouth. “Especially Jun.”

“Trust me,” said Alex, scanning around the room. “None of us did.” He turned to them again. “Wasn’t he with you though?”

“Yes, but we kind of got distracted.” Hanh nudged at Shawn’s rib. “Everyone kept coming up to Mr. Sterling here.”

Shawn shook his head. “No, it’s not like that. It’s just because my dad is also here…” His voice trailed off, glancing towards the crowd at Chief Sterling having a quiet conversation with the Ayases. Shawn let out a heavy sigh. “But, also, because since Ruki left, I had to pick up the pieces and take over his position.” He perked up and waved his hands. “This was before he, you know—basically when he disappeared.”

“Guess you’ve upgraded from Second Best,” added Alex nonchalantly. “Bigger shoes to fill.”

Shawn cocked his eyebrows up as he drank a plastic cup of red wine. “’Fraid so.”

The atmosphere was suddenly so tense and awkward that none of them knew how to continue until Hanh clapped her hands excitedly. “We really should all get together again and catch up. Like old times.”

Maya jumped up in delight. “Oh gosh, yes, please! It’s not a should. It’s a need.”