Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ever since he was little, Toya had only known loneliness. He would watch the other kids running around outside as he sat behind the barrier of his window. He would hear his classmates laugh among themselves, wishing he could be like them. He never had friends, except for the Tenmas, whom his Father let him hang out with on occasion. But even then, he always felt like there was a barrier between them, as if they lived in a different world. One much brighter than his own. 

He thought it’d be that way forever. He never imagined things would be the way they are now. Now, Toya stays out with his friends at night. Now, Toya goes on camping trips and snowboarding. Now, Toya has friends, people who love him.

And it’s all thanks to the three people standing in front of him, sweat still clinging to their foreheads, faces flushed from the effort. Toya’s heart pounds in his chest, adrenaline surging through him like a wave. He can barely catch his breath—but in this moment, he’s never felt more alive.

“That was amazing,” Mike beams, pulling everyone from their trance. 

“I agree,” Luka comes up behind her, gently clasping her hands together. “I think that’s the best performance to date!”

Akito nods, raising an arm to wipe away the sweat on his chin. “We just have to keep this energy up for our next show.”

“Mhm,” An agrees. “If we keep this up, we’ll surpass Rad Weekend in no time!”

“As amazing as that was, it’s important to stay hydrated. Do you guys want anything to drink?” Meiko calls from over the counter, a hand resting on her hip. 

“Yes, please,” Kohane responds, walking over to the bar. “I’ll take a latte! Extra cream.”

An skips over, taking a seat next to Kohane. “I’ll have a soda, please!”

Meiko nods, grabbing two glasses. “Akito? Toya?”

“I’ll have a soda too,” Akito answers before glancing at Toya, waiting for his answer. 

“Ah,” Toya raises his hands. “I’m okay, thank you.”

While the other three sit around and enjoy their drinks, Toya takes the time to pack up their bags. He carefully tucks away all their water bottles. Making sure everything's zipped up and secured. Once he deems it a job well done, he glances back at everyone sitting around the bar. 

Smiles are stretched across all their faces, the excitement lingering in the air. Toya’s lost in it all, the warmth spreading in his chest, the ache in his jaw from smiling so hard. He can’t believe he’s lucky enough to be here, with all of them.

A hand suddenly slaps against his back. He flinches before turning to the side, olive eyes meeting his own. 

“You good?” Akito asks, one eyebrow raised slightly. 

Toya nods, “Yeah, just spaced out a little.”

“Makes sense,” Akito drops his arm, the spot where it once rested suddenly feeling cold. “It’s getting pretty late. We should probably head back soon.”

“Probably.”

“I’ll grab the girls, you sure you don’t want a drink for the road?” 

“I’m sure,” His shoulders sag slightly. “If I got a coffee now, I don’t think I’d sleep tonight.”

“Fair,” Akito hums before making his way over to the girls, not before offering Toya one last smile. 

Toya’s eyes linger on Akito as he walks away. There’s something about the boy that makes it hard for Toya to look away. Whether it’s his vibrant orange hair or his unyielding passion, Toya can’t seem to get enough of it. Not that he wants to, if Toya had one wish, he’d ask to keep Akito in his life forever. 

Akito was Toya’s first real friend. The first person to break him out of his shell, to share his dream. Toya never wants to go back to life before he met Akito. So, he allows himself to watch, giggling as he and An bicker back and forth.

By the time they leave the Sekai, the moon is already high in the sky, casting a dim glow over the quiet streets. A light breeze moves through the air, cool against their skin and enough to raise goosebumps. None of them say much at first, just standing side by side, letting the stillness of the night settle in around them.

“Oh man,” An breaks the silence, stretching her arms out. “It’s way later than I thought!”

“No kidding,” Akito scoffs.

“It’s easy to lose track of time in the sekai,” Kohane chirps up.

An frowns, slinging an arm around Kohane’s shoulder. “I just hope your parents aren’t mad, it’s a little past your curfew.”

“I’ll be okay,” Kohane mumbles, tapping at her phone. “But what about you, Aoyagi? I know you have a curfew too.”

He shakes his head, “No worries. My Father’s been much more lenient recently.”

“That’s good to hear,” An hums. “Anyways, we have an event coming up in two weeks. I know this week is pretty busy for all of us,” She taps her chin dramatically. “So, why don’t we plan to meet again on Friday?”

“That works for me,” Akito grunts. “We can all get individual practice in when we have time.”

Kohane nods along, eagerly agreeing. Toya almost does the same but suddenly stops himself as he remembers a conversation with his Dad from a few days ago.

“Ah, umm, sorry guys. I forgot to mention, I won’t be here.”

“What? Where will you be?” An asks, and Akito lifts a brow in his direction. 

“My brother’s getting married. So, I’ll be out of town.”

“What?” An practically shouts. “That’s so exciting, how could you forget?”

Toya shrugs, not quite understanding where her sudden enthusiasm is coming from. “I don’t know. I guess it hasn’t been on my mind much.”

He glances over at Akito, his arms crossed, a questioning look in his eye. “Which one?” He asks, head tilting slightly to the side. 

“Nastuomi.”

“I didn’t know he was dating anyone.”

Toya reaches an arm up, awkwardly scratching at the hair on the back of his neck. “I guess I don’t really talk about him much. I don’t get the chance to see him often anymore, but- uh, ya, he’s been dating her for about four years now.” 

Akito hums approvingly, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Good for them,” He mumbles, hardly loud enough for anyone to hear.

“Have you met her?” Kohane asks eagerly.

“A few times, yes.”

“What’s she like?” 

“Hmm,” Toya ponders for a moment, reflecting on the rare interactions they’ve had. He remembers her calm voice and her awkward but nice attempts to make conversation with him. He also remembers the cookies she brought to the family dinner; they were good, not too sweet, and perfectly crunchy. But most of all, he remembers the way his brother glows when she’s around. His smile is always much wider, and he looks at her like she hung the stars. “She’s… kind. Very kind. And she makes my brother happy, so she’s good.”

“Awww,” An coo’s, “That’s so sweet! And now she gets to be part of your family!”

“Yeah,” Toya smiles slightly. “Guess so.”

A sudden weight on his shoulder pulls him down. Akito's arm wraps around him, forcing him to crouch down to accommodate their height difference. 

“I hate to kill the mood,” Akito sighs, waving his phone in front of the girls. “But it’s not getting any earlier.”

“Ah,” An’s eyes widen as she looks at the time. “You’re right, wouldn’t want you guys to get in trouble! We can text to figure out our next practice.”

“Mhm,” Kohane hums. “Have fun, Aoyagi, I probably won’t see you till you get back.”

“Thank you,” He smiles warmly, watching as the two girls scuttle away.

“You ready?” Akito questions, bumping their shoulders slightly.

“Yeah.”

The two easily fall into a rhythm as they walk side by side. A comforting silence settles between them, broken only by their footsteps and the quiet sound of Akito humming a random tune. Toya enjoys moments like these, the two of them simply existing together. It gives him a chance to think, sort out all the thoughts in his head.

Before now, he hadn’t thought about the wedding much. When they got engaged a few months back, he was happy for his brother; he really was. But it never festered in his mind— he gave his congratulations and moved on. And when his Father told him they’d be leaving this Thursday, he simply nodded his head and moved on. 

But now, he’s starting to think about it. He’s never been to a wedding before, he doesn’t quite know what to expect. Also, he’ll be surrounded by a lot of family he hasn’t seen since before he could walk. He’s excited to see his brother and watch him embark on a new chapter of life. But, something about it leaves a heavy feeling in his chest, a feeling he can’t quite place. 

“What's got you thinking so hard?” Akito cuts off his train of thought.

Sparing the other a quick glance, Toya shakes his head. “It’s nothing.”

“Your face says otherwise.”

Toya huffs an amused sigh, always amazed by how easily the other can read him. He likes to believe he’s the same, but sometimes with Akito, it’s hard to tell. 

“I promise it’s really nothing. I’m just thinking about the wedding.”

“What about it?” Akito presses.

“I’m not sure, I’m feeling kinda nervous about it, but I don’t know why. It’s not like I have to do anything.”

“Hmm,” Akito pauses, taking a moment to think it through. “Could it be because you have to travel with your Dad?”

“Maybe…” Toya shrugs. “But it’s like I said, things have been getting better with him, so I wouldn’t imagine that would cause me so much stress.”

“Yeah, but traveling with family sucks regardless,” Akito responds, a slight annoyance in his tone. “I don’t think my family has ever made it a trip without wanting to rip each other's heads off.”

Toya muffles his laugh in his hand, imagining Akito and his sister bickering back and forth. The two of them are both so stubborn that their little disagreements are interesting to watch.

“I’m glad one of us finds it funny,” He huffs with a small pout. Though if Toya were to ever tell him he is, in fact, pouting, the other would deny it till the day he dies. “Anyways, I know that shit can be stressful, but uh- try not to think about it too much, okay?”

“Yeah, that’s for the best,” Toys agrees. 

Akito comes to a halt, Toya almost questions it, until he looks up, realizing they’ve already made it to his house. They usually split off a while back, since Akito’s house is in the other direction. Toya must have been so caught up in his head, he hardly noticed.

“Oh,” he mumbles. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you for so long.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Akito shakes his head. “I didn’t even realize.”

The two stare at each other for a moment, the faint light from Toya’s porch casting on their faces. Akito gives him a small smile, his eyes lingering on Toya’s before glancing away. He clears his throat. 

“Well- uh, I should go. Still got school tomorrow.” 

“Yeah,” Toya sighs. “I should head in as well. Goodnight, Akito.” 

“Goodnight, Toya.”

This part of the day is always difficult for him, having to say goodbye. Call him clingy— they’ll see each other tomorrow— but he’s never been this close to anyone. He could spend all his time with Akito and never get sick of him. He supposes that's what happens when you finally make a friend after years of loneliness. 

Regardless, he makes his way to the door, offering Akito a small wave before placing his hand on the knob. 

“Toya,” Akito calls out before Toya gets the chance to walk inside. He freezes, turning back towards the other. “You know you can text me, right?” He starts. “Like if it gets too stressful or your family is being a pain.”

Toya smiles, probably the most genuine smile of the night. “Yeah, I know.”

“Good,” Akito grunts before turning away. “Just keep that in mind, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Toya watches as his figure disappears into the night. He sighs to himself. Perhaps he should text Akito more often. 

He walks into the house, a smile tugging at his lips when he spots a plate of cookies on the counter. His mom must’ve baked them tonight. Grabbing one, he hums in contentment as he takes a bite. With his free hand, he pulls out his phone and taps on Akito’s contact.

Toya

Text me when you get home.

He gets a response within seconds.

Akito

Ok mom

He chuckles to himself, shoving his phone into his pocket and heading up to his room. 

Chapter Text

“Toya?” His Father calls from the other side of the door, knuckles gently knocking against the wood. 

“Come in,” the words trickle off into a yawn. He wipes away at his eyes, hoping that if he rubs hard enough, it’ll magically wake him up. 

The door creaks open, his Father stepping inside. “Are you almost done packing?” He asks, eyeing the suitcase resting next to Toya. 

“I’m done,” Toya nods. “I still have to get myself ready, though.”

“You have your suit, right?”

“I do.”

“Good,” He says, eyes drifting to Toya. He stares for a while, a look Toya used to assume was judgment, but with time, he’s learned it’s simply how his Father shows concern. “Are you okay?” He asks after a pause. “You don’t look too well.”

Toya sighs, shaking his head. “I’m fine, just tired. I stayed out a little too late last night.”

“I see,” He says sternly, and Toya awaits the inevitable lecture about getting proper rest. But it never comes. “With friends, I assume?”

“Yes.”

“Did you have fun?”

Toya freezes, taken aback by the unexpected response. It’s out of character for his Father, but Toya finds that he likes it. Something about the question leaves a warm feeling in his chest. “I did,” He replies hesitantly.

“Good,” He gives a curt nod before turning away. “I’ll be starting up the car. Come out when you’re ready. But don’t take too long, we don’t want to miss our flight.”

“Okay,” Toya answers as his Dad exits. His eyes linger on the door for a moment, still shocked from their interaction.

He’s noticed it recently; his dad is trying to change. Asking him about his friends and his music, trying his best despite how awkward it is. Toya appreciates it a lot. There was a time the two hardly spoke to each other, Toya holding a grudge from his ruined childhood and his Father assuming he’s in his ‘rebellious phase’. Their relationship was broken, built on cold stares and resentment.  It was tough for a while, but they talked it through. Toya told him how he feels, and his Father listened. Now all that's left is to fix what’s been shattered. It takes time, but they’re both working on it.

Toya finishes getting ready, quickly throwing on a comfy outfit and brushing his teeth before meeting his parents in the car. They load up all their bags, and eventually they hit the road.

He leans against the door, watching out the window as everything floats by. There’s still a weird feeling in his chest, one he still can’t seem to figure out. He does his best to ignore it by popping in an earbud and drowning his thoughts out with music. He turns on his favorite playlist, one Akito made him a while back. Akito had claimed it was a beginner playlist, one to help adjust him to street music, but Toya fell in love with all the songs instantly. Just simply listening to it reminds Toya of all his friends; it leaves him with the same contentment as hanging out with them does. 

Speaking of Akito, he gets the urge to text him. So, without thinking, he pulls up his contact.

Toya

Leaving for the airport now.

He doesn’t expect a response; it’s hardly five in the morning. He knows Akito doesn’t like to sleep in, but he can’t imagine him being up at this hour. But, to his surprise, a response comes through almost immediately. 

Akito

geez, this early?? what times the flight?

A smile stretches across Toya’s face. In these last few days, he’s made an effort to text Akito more— a choice he doesn’t regret. He never realized how much a person's personality can shine through from a simple text. But every time he receives a message from the other, it always feels so authentically Akito. 

Toya

Not for another four hours, but my Dad said security will take a while. 

Akito

oh so hes one of those guys

Toya

Those guys?

Akito

you know, the stuck up people who think they’ll die if they don’t get to the airport hours ahead 

Toya huffs a small laugh, Akito wasn’t far off. He still remembers his Father’s tangent from the other day about how ‘people always underestimate security’ and ‘it’s always better to be early than miss your flight’. And while he can agree with that to some extent, four hours does seem like a stretch. Not like he’ll complain, he doesn’t want to cause any unnecessary stress. 

“Who’re you texting?” His Mom asks, turning in her seat to face him. She has a mischievous look on her face, the kind she wears when she’s about to pry into Toya’s personal life. Not that she ever has to do much prying, he’s got nothing to hide.

“Akito,” He responds unceremoniously. “Why?”

She stares at him for a moment before releasing a long sigh. “I would have thought you were talking to a girl with the way you were giggling at your phone. But, I guess I should have known, he is your best friend.”

Toya’s eyebrows scrunch together in confusion. He wasn’t giggling at his phone; it was hardly even a laugh. Even if he was, why would that mean he was talking to one of the girls? Even so, he tries not to think about it too much; his Mom has always had quirky ways of phrasing things. Ways he will never quite understand. 

“You mean Shiraishi and Azusawa?” He asks.

“Are those the girls you hang out with?” 

He nods, “They’re my friends, the other two people in my group aside from Akito and me. But I don’t text them that often. Only when planning practices or if we’re gonna hang out.”

“Right,” She smiles awkwardly, finally turning to face the front again. He sees her whisper something to his Dad, but the noise is drowned out by the music. He shrugs, turning back to his phone; whatever she’s saying really isn’t his business anyway. 

Toya

I suppose he’s a bit dramatic about it. But I’d prefer that over procrastinating and being late. 

Akito

i guess thats fair

anyways are you worried about the flight?

Toya’s fingers hover over the keyboard, trying to figure out what Akito could mean by that. Without thinking, he glances out the window again. In the distance, he can see a plane gliding across in the distance. And oh… It’s so high up, and in a few hours, he’s going to be up there. 

A flash of fear courses through his body, his heart dropping to his stomach. Whatever worry he had before is long forgotten; now all he can do is stare at the plane. 

Toya

I hadn’t thought about that.

Somehow, amidst the chaos, Toya forgot to consider what it actually meant to fly out to see his brother. He’s been on an airplane before, but he was far too young to process what was truly happening. Now he’s aware and, unfortunately, terrified of heights.

Akito

shit i shouldnt have brought it up 

Toya

No, it’s okay, I would have realized sooner or later.

Akito

still… just try not to worry

planes are safe, real safe

they say the most dangerous part of flying is driving to the airport

Despite his dread, Toya can’t help but roll his eyes. 

Toya

That doesn’t change the fact that planes go thousands of meters in the air.

Also, it’s ironic you tell me that as I drive to the airport.

Akito

my bad….

i’ll stop talking now

Toya laughs; he can perfectly imagine Akito’s signature scowl accompanying the last message. The sound causes his parents to raise a brow, but neither of them questions him. 

❈────────•✦•────────❈

The flight was hell. 

Not that it was unexpected, but knowing it was going to be awful didn’t make it any less awful. 

As one could’ve guessed, they got to the airport way too early, leaving them waiting at the gate for almost three hours. It wouldn’t be too bad if Akito didn’t have to go to school. All he was able to do was stare at the wall, trying to calm his nerves.

The flight itself was bumpy, way too bumpy for Toya’s comfort. His knuckles were aching from the tight grip he held on the armrest the entire time. His Father tried to tell him it’s ‘only turbulence’, but that didn’t do anything to fix the queasiness in his stomach. He counted down the minutes, not understanding how three hours could feel so painfully long. 

When they landed, Toya was tempted to drop to his knees and kiss the ground. He’d never felt so happy to be standing as he was at that moment. Luckily, he had too much shame for that; instead, he sent Akito an ‘I landed’ text before following his parents to the rental car.

Now, he’s unpacking his bags in their hotel. It’s a decent-sized room, plenty of space for all their belongings. There are two beds— one for Toya and one for his parents— each well stocked with fluffy white pillows. 

He pulls out his suit, handing it off to his Mom to iron before collapsing on the bed. He only has a few minutes to relax before dressing up and meeting a bunch of family for dinner. He sighs, shifting to his side before pulling out his phone.

He sends Akito a quick update, letting him know they made it to the hotel safely. He’s not sure why he’s been updating Akito so much— it’s not like the other asked him to. Sure, he encouraged Toya to ‘text him whenever’ but that doesn’t exactly mean ‘tell me everything you’re doing at every given moment’. Still, Akito hasn’t complained once, so Toya doesn’t stop. It’s nice, having someone to talk to about every little thing, no matter how ridiculous. 

Suddenly, Akito’s caller ID flashes on his screen. Toya scrambles, sitting up before pressing the accept button. Within seconds, Akito’s face is covering his phone. Flustered, Toya adjusts his hair, only now realizing how much of a disaster he looks at the moment. 

A small smirk breaks out on Akito’s lips, his teeth barely peeking through. “So he lives,” He remarks. 

“Hey…” Toya responds, awkwardly clearing his throat.

Akito rolls his eyes before continuing. “How’s your hotel? Is it fancy?”

“Hmmm,” Toya glances around, flipping the camera to show off the room. “I don’t think so… it’s just a normal hotel.”

“Really?” Akito leans towards the camera, eyeing his phone suspiciously. “I thought you were loaded.”

“My Dad doesn’t like to spend on unnecessary things,” Toya states, flipping the camera back to himself. He watches closely as Akito eases up, leaning back against the wall. He can tell he’s in his room— based on the color of the wall— probably sitting on his bed. “We had nice seats on the plane, though.”

“Yeah? Did that make the flight any better?” 

Toya sighs, remembering those dreadful three hours. “Not at all. I couldn’t even enjoy the food we got because I felt like I was going to throw up.”

Akito cringes, a look of sympathy in his eyes. “That sucks, but at least you lived.”

“Now I just have to survive the trip back…”  Toya thinks out loud.

Akito laughs, his camera shaking as he mocks Toya’s misery. “Maybe by then you’ll be too tired to process it.” He offers.

“Hopefully.”

“So, when’s the wedding?”

“Saturday,” Toya pulls his knees to his chest, getting more comfortable. “We’re doing setup tomorrow, and a dinner tonight. So, I’m going to have to go soon.”

“You going like that?” 

Toya looks at himself in the corner of his phone, his hair’s sticking up all over the place, and it looks like he’s struggling to keep his eyes open. He lifts a hand, trying to pat down a messy strand of hair, it stays for a second before immediately popping back up.

Shaking his head, Toya answers. “No, my parents are using the bathroom to get ready now, I’ll go when they’re done.”

“Hmmm.”

“How was school?” Toya asks, wanting to keep the conversation going. 

“Boring,” Akito grunts. “But that’s nothing new. I made sure the girl who sits next to you in class took extra notes for you, though.”

“Oh,” Toya parts his lips in surprise. A warm feeling grows in his chest, knowing how much Akito cares for him, how much he looks out for him. “Thank you, Akito.”

“Mhm,” Akito hums. “I know how much you care about that stuff.”

“It’ll be nice not to fall behind,” Toya agrees. “Have you been taking good notes?”

Akito scoffs, his shoulders tensing for a moment. “This better not turn into a lecture.”

“It won’t,” Toya responds, shaking his head and holding back a laugh. “But exams are coming up and you know-”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Akito cuts him off. “It’s easier to study if you pay attention. I took notes.”

“Good,” Toya hums contentedly.

❈────────•✦•────────❈

It’s the day of the wedding, Toya awkwardly sits at a table in the back of the hall. He taps his fingers against the table, taking in all his surroundings. Most of his family is spread around, each adding finishing touches to the decor. He sees his parents, chatting away with Ayumi’s Father. He seems like a nice guy, all of her relatives seem kind, taking the time to properly introduce themselves. They’ll be a nice addition to the family— at least that’s what he heard one of his Aunts say the other day.

They spent most of yesterday setting everything up, all the tables and chairs. Toya hardly had any time to rest, and yet despite it all, there’s still more to be done. Luckily for him, his family told him to take a rest and that ‘they’ll handle the rest’. 

It’s been nice seeing his family, shockingly enough. Dinner the first night was awkward, especially since he hadn’t seen any of them in years, but he eventually adjusted to it. They asked about how school is going, mushing over how much he’s grown. He told them about Akito, An, and Kohane and their music. He thought they’d be turned away from it, considering the family's history with classical, but instead, they all took it in stride, smiling and encouraging him to keep doing what makes him happy. It was… refreshing.

“Hey, little bro,” Natsuomi says, pulling out a chair to sit next to Toya. He’s nursing a glass of water, smiling like he won the lottery; perhaps he did, his wife is a gorgeous woman, one who cares deeply about him. Not everyone finds that in their lifetimes. 

“Hey,” Toya responds, straightening himself out. 

“How’re you doing?”

“Good,” He smiles. “The venue is very pretty.”

“It is,” Natsuomi agrees. “Ayumi picked it out, so of course it’s gonna be perfect.”

“I bet you’re excited.”

Nastuomi looks down at his drink, giggling. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited in my life.”

Toya stares at him for a moment, admiring the look in his eye. There’s no way to describe it other than love. “I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks,” Nastuomi replies before clearing his throat. “Uh- groomsmen are gonna start getting ready in 20, so I’ll meet you back there then?”

“Okay,” Toya nods.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this… being a groomsman and all?”

“Of course,” He frowns slightly. “It’s you’re wedding, I’m happy to do anything to help.”

“Yeah… I know, everyone's been so helpful, it almost makes me feel bad.”

“Don’t, it’s your special day, you should enjoy it.” Toya says, gesturing towards their aunts fawning over some decor. “Besides, I think they enjoy it.”

“Seems like it,” Natsuomi mummers. He starts to stand up, but pauses, looking over at Toya. “Hey, uh- sorry we haven’t talked much recently… I haven’t exactly been present.”

Toya looks back at him, swallowing down the weird feeling growing in his throat. It’s true, he hasn’t heard much from the other in a few years. Toya always looked up to him. When he was little, he was one of the few constant reassurances in his life. When Toya was forced to miss out on field trips, Natsuomi would offer to walk him to the park— a little secret they kept from their Father. He was always there for him, but the second he was old enough, Natsuomi moved away, hardly ever looking back. 

“It’s okay, you’ve been living your own life.”

A small buzz interrupts them, causing them both to glance over at Toya’s phone. It’s sitting upright on the table, a text from Akito glowing at the bottom. Natsuomi hums, looking at Toya’s wallpaper. It’s a picture of Vivid Bad Squad from when they went to Phenix Wonderland together. The excitement is evident on all their faces, even if Akito’s trying to look like he doesn’t care. It’s one of Toya’s favorite photos. 

“It seems you have been too,” Natsuomi glances back at him.

“I have,” Toya responds, trying not to get too emotional. 

“I’m glad.” He finishes standing up, reaching an arm out to ruffle Toya’s hair. “I’ll see you in a few.”

“Yeah,” Toya smiles, not at all bothered by his now messy hair. “See you.”

Chapter Text

Toya nervously picks at his nails, looking out at the crowd of people. Everyone’s dressed their finest, a smile spread across all their faces. Children run around, their parents struggling to get them to sit still in their chairs. It’s very lively, in a sentimental sort of way. Toya can’t help but feel a bit emotional. 

He straightens out his posture, trying not to look a mess. It’s a little nerve-wracking; he doesn’t want to mess anything up, especially since this isn’t about him. He knows logically no one’s looking at him, but he still doesn’t want to ruin this for his brother. 

Natsuomi stands a few feet away, staring out at the crows with excitement in his eyes. He’s shuffling back and forth, unable to stand still. 

Suddenly, gentle music begins to play. Everyone's eyes shift to the back, watching as they all begin walking down the aisle. Toya does his best to match the pace of the girl he was paired with— one of Ayumi’s friends, only a few years older than him. She’d been teasing him earlier for being so stiff, so he does his best to loosen up, hoping not to make a fool of himself. 

Once they make it to the front, he turns, standing in his designated spot. Before long, Ayumi appears at the entrance. The first thing Toya notices is her dress. The long, white fabric flows with the breeze, catching the soft glow of the sun with every movement. There’s a floral pattern on her sleeves, and a few gems that bring out her eyes. Her makeup and hair are done perfectly, as if she spent days preparing for this very moment. And perhaps she did.

Natsuomi can’t seem to look away, staring at her as if she hung the stars in the sky. Toya begins to wonder if he’ll ever look at someone that way. He wonders what it feels like to look at someone and get completely lost in it— like there’s no one else in the world.

Glancing around, Toya catches sight of his parents sitting in the front row. His mom has a hand over her chest, tears glistening in the corner of her eyes. Her other hand clutches his father’s tightly, both of them smiling from ear to ear.

Ayumi gives her dad a big hug, tears streaming down her face. After a few hushed words between them, she turns facing Natsuomi before finally making her way down the aisle. 

The wedding passed in a blur, Toya too caught up in it all to process how much time had gone by. The two shared their vows with bright smiles on their faces, leaving everyone watching emotional. 

Now, Toya sits at the back of the reception. Everyone’s dancing, Natsuomi and his (now) wife right in the center, too lost in eachother to acknowledge the drunk adults swaying around them. 

Two of Toya’s aunts join him at his table— his mom’s younger sisters. Both of them are nursing a glass of champagne. Toya acknowledges them with a small smile, taking a sip of his own cup of tea.

“Toya, sweetie, how are you doing?” The younger one asks, lifting her toddler into her lap. 

“I’m good,” He nods. “How are you?”

“Lovely, it’s so nice to see everyone,” She responds, holding her glass up so her daughter can’t reach. “It’s been forever.”

“It has,” He agrees, watching as the little girl desperately reaches to grab the champagne.

“Those two make such a lovely pair,” His other aunt adds, nodding towards the couple on the dance floor. 

“They do.”

“I was honestly surprised when I heard he was getting married,” She says with a sigh. “Last time I saw him, he was completely uninterested in the topic.”

“He was also a child,” The younger one adds with an eyeroll. “Of course he’s going to change his mind.”

“I know, it was just hard to imagine after not seeing him for so long,” She pauses, taking a sip of her drink. “He’s grown up so well. Same goes to you, Toya.” She turns to look at him. “All three of you have grown into such handsome young gentlemen.”

“Thank you,” He replies, clearing his throat.

“Speaking of,” The other aunt chimes in. “Are there any special girls in your life?”

Toya freezes, taking a moment to process the question.”Oh… um- aren’t I too young to be thinking about that?” He tries to brush it off, not quite sure how to answer.

“Nonsense,” She waves her hand dismissively. “You’re right at the age where people start thinking about dating and such.”

 He takes a moment to consider it. Romance isn’t something he’s ever thought about, not for himself at least. It’s not like he’s completely oblivious; he’s read a handful of romance novels, and he’s seen more movies about it than he can count. But it’s never been a priority in his life. He’s never had a crush or had the desire to smash his lips against another person’s. There are plenty of girls in his life he cares for deeply; An, Kohane, Mizuki, Ena, and the list goes on. But, he’s never felt the desire for anything more than they have now. They’re friends, and he’s always been content leaving it at that. “I- don’t. I mean… there’s no one that I’m interested in like that.”

“Really? Not even a crush?”

Toya shakes his head. 

“Well, I guess that’s a good thing,” She hums. “So many kids get so caught up in relationships they ignore the other parts of their youth.”

“Speaking from personal experience?” Her sister nudges her. 

“Oh, shut up,” The younger one sighs. “I’m just saying it’s not bad for him to enjoy things without obsessing over girls. But, if there ever is a special someone,” She wiggles her brows. “Don’t waste the opportunity. You’re a smart boy, very handsome too. Any girl would be lucky to have you.”

“Thanks,” He mumbles, hiding himself behind his drink. He doesn’t want to be having this conversation right now. Something about it leaves an empty feeling in his chest. He wishes Akito were here; he always knows what to say to make Toya feel better. 

The conversation eventually shifts, more people joining them at the table, the adults gradually getting drunker as the night progresses. It’s late, much later than any of them anticipated being out. Reluctantly, they decide to wrap up the night, sharing goodbyes and promises of coming tomorrow to help clean up. 

A wave of relief washes over Toya as they enter the hotel. As fun as the day was, it was long. Now, all he wants to do is take a cold shower and lie down on the soft sheets. 

He lets his parents go first, the two of them quickly getting ready and falling asleep as soon as their heads touch the pillow.

Toya feels his body dragging, ready to collapse at any moment. He pushes through his nightly routine, anticipating tonight's sleep. However, as soon as he closes his eyes— preparing for sleep to take him— his mind replays the conversation with his aunts. 

“ You’re right at the age where people start thinking about dating and such.”

He knows it’s true; there are a large number of people in his grade who have coupled up. It’s never affected him much, just random people in his class deciding to take things steadily. But now he’s beginning to wonder if he should start thinking about things like that. 

He tosses and turns, trying to get the thoughts out of his head, but it only makes him think more. What kind of girl would he want to date? What if the girl he ends up liking doesn’t get along with Akito? Or An? Or Kohane? What if she wants him to spend all his time with her? What does it even mean to date someone? 

He sits up abruptly, shaking his head. He glances over, looking at his parents. They’re fast asleep, his mom’s breath steady as his dad snores lightly behind her. 

Sighing to himself, he gets up and heads to the bathroom. He needs to clear his head, find some way to stop thinking so much so he can get some sleep. 

He splashes some water on his face, letting the cold sensation distract him from his thoughts. After a few splashes, he looks up at his reflection, frowning when he sees his heavy eyebags. God, all he wants is some sleep. Why can’t he just stop thinking about it?

Falling back against the wall, he lets himself sink down until he’s sitting on the bathroom floor. It feels stupid that such a mindless comment is haunting him so much. He should just move on, continue to live how he always has. But the comment mixed with the pure bliss on his brother’s face… it makes him wonder. 

Wanting to distract himself, he pulls out his phone. An unread message from Akito catches his attention. Seeing the other boy’s name calms him down almost immediately, it reminds him how content he is right now. Content being Akito’s best friend, content spending all his free time with him. He doesn’t need a relationship if Akito remains by his side. 

But what about Akito? Is there a girl he likes? What if one day he looks at a girl the way Toya’s brother looks at his wife? What if Toya is no longer the person who knows him best? 

He bites his lip, trying not to let his thoughts go too far. Of course, Akito wouldn’t ditch him the moment he finds someone else; Akito cares about him. But if Akito finds someone special, he deserves to be with them, which naturally means less time with Toya. Which means, unless he wants to be alone, Toya can’t fall behind. Maybe… just maybe he should start thinking about it.

Desperate to stop overthinking, Toya calls Akito without a second thought. He wants to talk to him, remind himself that right now, things don't have to change. 

He waits, watching his reflection on the screen.  It rings a few times before Toya accepts defeat, realizing Akito’s likely not up at this time. But, before he can hit the red button, the call is suddenly answered. 

It’s dark in Akito’s room. Toya can only see the faint outline of his face from the soft glow of his phone. 

“Toya?” He slurs, his voice gravelly and uneven. 

“Did I wake you?” Toya asks, suddenly feeling a twinge of guilt.

There’s shuffling on the other side of the phone until a light turns on. Akito’s face glows on his phone; his hair is flattened on one side and puffed up on the other. 

“You did, but it’s fine. What’s up?” He mumbles, squinting his eyes to adjust to the light.

“Sorry…” Toya sighs. 

Akito shakes his head. “I said it’s fine, so tell me what’s bothering you enough to call me at three in the morning.” 

Toya cringes, Akito’s words reminding him of the predicament he’s in. A simple comment from his aunts, and now he can’t sleep. It’s silly, really. Not enough to wake up Akito in the middle of the night.

Realizing he’s not getting an answer, Akito frowns, shifting to lie back more comfortably on his bed.

“Did the wedding just end?”

Toya nods slowly. “About two hours ago.”

“Geez,” Akito huffs. “You must be tired.”

“I am,” He bites his lip. “But I-uh.”

“Can’t sleep?” Akito supplies.

“Yeah.”

Akito studies him for a moment before continuing. “How was it?”

“Good,” Toya half smiles. “It went on long, but everyone had fun. My brother was really happy.”

“I bet,” Akito grins.

“Ayumi’s dress was pretty. I took some pictures to show Shiraishi and Azusawa.”

“They’ll appreciate that,” Akito hums, absentmindedly adjusting a messy strand of hair. 

“Mhm,” Toya nods. The two sit in silence for a moment before he clears his throat, speaking up again. “Hey, uh- can I ask you a question?’

Akito shifts slightly, eyeing him suspiciously through the camera. “Sure, what’s up?”

“Have you ever… dated anyone?”

Akito pauses, eyes widening slightly. “I haven’t,” He replies cautiously. 

“Is there someone you like?” Toya continues.

There’s another pause as Akito stares at him before his eyes drift downward. “Nah,” He answers, though it sounds almost… sad.

“Oh.”

“What’s with the questions anyway?”

“Nothing really,” Toya shrugs. “My aunts were saying somethings and it made me… curious, I guess.”

“What kind of things were they saying?” Akito says, squinting his eyes. 

“They uh- asked me if I was seeing anyone,” He responds, feeling slightly awkward. He’s never talked to Akito about these things. Not that he ever talks about this kind of stuff to anyone, but with Akito, it feels especially embarrassing. 

“Sounds like a nosy family to me,” Akito huffs.

“They also said that I’m right about the age where people start thinking about that stuff.”

Akito glares for a second before sighing dramatically. “Is this what’s keeping you up?”

“Maybe…”

“Toya, you know that’s bullshit,” He groans.

“I know,” he exhales. “It just got me thinking. I’ve never really cared about dating or… liked anyone. It makes me wonder if I’m missing out on something.”

“You’re not,” Akito solidifies. “That’s not- It’s not the kind of thing you choose, you can’t force that sort of thing on yourself or anyone else.” He mumbles the last part. 

“I know,” Toya sighs.

“Hey, I’m not saying you can’t think about it,” Akito reiterates. “Just… don’t let it keep you up at night. And don’t let your nosy aunts get in your head. Things will work out.”

“Thanks, Akito.”

“Yeah, yeah, now get to bed. You don’t wanna be exhausted tomorrow.”

“You’re right,” Toya has to stop himself from frowning. He doesn’t want the conversation to end here. “Sorry again for waking you.”

“I said don’t worry about it,” Akito rolls his eyes.

“Mhm, goodnight, Akito.”

A small smile spread across the other's face. “Night, Toya.”

❈────────•✦•────────❈

The flight back was much more manageable than the first time around. Toya was still absolutely terrified, but he found better ways to deal with it. Blasting music in his ears and wearing an eyemask— a recommendation from Akito— so he could pretend he wasn’t all the way up in the clouds. He struggled, but he survived. That’s all that really matters. 

Saying goodbye to his family was an adventure in itself. There were more photos and hugs in those 30 minutes than he’s ever experienced in his life. Though he can’t quite complain, those are precious memories he’ll hold onto for a long while. 

Now, he’s back at school, barely running on three hours of sleep. He wishes he were able to pay more attention, but his body won’t let him. He can feel his eyes closing on their own and his brain drifting to anything but the notes in front of him.

“Toya,” an excited voice pulls him out of his daze. He turns to the side, watching as Mizuki makes her way over to his desk. Her pink ponytail sways as she walks, and her smile is nearly blinding. “Pair up with me!”

“Huh?” He questions with a tilt of his head. 

“Pair up with me,” She states again, waving a piece of paper in front of him.

He squints, trying to read the fine print, only to realize that it’s the exact paper he has on his desk.  

“Are you okay?” She leans in closer.

“‘M fine,” He replies, trying to wipe the exhaustion from his eyes. “Just zoned out.”

“Makes sense,” She says, grabbing the chair from the desk in front of him. “Tired from your trip?”

“Yeah…”

“Don’t sweat it. The teacher said we can work on the practice problems in pairs.” She slams her paper on his desk. “So, you wanna work with me?”

He straightens out, finally understanding. “Sure.”

“Perfect,” Mizuki grins. “I’ll do evens, you do odds?”

He nods, grabbing his pencil and looking at the problems. He tries to make sense of it, but all the numbers seem to jumble in his head. Math has never been a problem for him, but the lack of sleep is messing with his head. Maybe he should get a coffee at lunch, extra espresso. 

He stares at the problem for a while before his brain gets too distracted. He ends up glancing up, taking in the sight of Mizuki. She’s focused, nibbling on her eraser as she stares at the paper like it personally offended her. He has to hold back a giggle at the sight. 

The more he looks at her, the more he begins to think. She’s pretty and smart. Not to mention how good she is at talking to people despite her rare appearances at school. Maybe she’s dating someone… or at least has someone she likes.

“Do you like anyone?” He blurts out before he can stop himself.

Mizuki flinches, dropping her pencil and looking up at him. “What?”

“Ah, sorry I was just wondering.”

“Trying to make me spill my secrets?” She smirks, immediately shifting the mood.

“No… sorry, you don’t have to answer that.”

She shakes her head. “It’s fine, I was just shocked. If you’re really curious, I do.”

“Oh,” He blinks a few times, shocked he got a response. “Who is it?”

“Not telling,” Mizuki teases, crossing her arms. 

“That’s fair,” He mumbles. “Are you ever gonna do anything about it?”

She leans back in her chair, a contemplative look on her face. “I don’t think so. We’re friends right now, I don’t want to ruin that.”

Toya feels a weight settle in his chest, stirred by something in Mizuki’s voice. “And you’re okay with that?” 

“For now, I value their friendship a lot.”

“I see.”

Suddenly, the lunch bell rings, drawing both of their attention.

“Uhh, sorry I didn’t get much done,” Mizuki cringes.

Toya glances down at his empty page. “Me neither.”

“We’ll have time after lunch,” She responds with a sigh. 

“Hopefully.”

In an instant, An comes barging in through their classroom door, dragging Akito behind her. There’s a small pout on his face, which immediately shifts as he and Toya lock eyes. It makes Toya feel warm inside.

“Toya! Mizuki! Let’s have lunch together!” An announces, dropping her bento on an empty desk.

“Yay,” Mizuki claps her hands, scooting over so the other two can pull up desks. Akito pushes his desk right next to Toya's, settling next to him while An sets up beside Mizuki. 

“Hey,” Akito greets. “Sorry, I brought loudmouth with me.”

“Hey!” An shouts, stomping on his foot. Akito immediately recoils, mumbling curses under his breath.

“You two made it just in time! Toya and I were just talking about romance,” Mizuki states smugly.

“Ooooo,” An squeals, while Akito just side-eyes him suspiciously. “Toya, this is unexpected of you!”

“I just asked a question,” He defends himself, feeling his cheeks grow flush. 

“What was it?”

“Oh, please,” Akito interrupts. “Can we talk about anything else?”

Toya watches as An stares at him sympathetically before shifting the conversation. She goes on some tangent about a girl in her class, but Toya can’t help but find it strange that she didn’t keep poking at Akito. It’s usually her specialty, getting under his skin and making him feel embarrassed. It makes Toya feel like he’s missing out on something.

He doesn’t linger on it too long, eventually getting lost in the conversation. As fun as his trip was, he’s glad to be back, surrounded by his friends once again.

Chapter Text

Gulping down the last of his water, Toya leans back against the couch. Now that his adrenaline is dying down, he can feel his body beginning to ache. An overwhelming exhaustion was taking over, making Toya yearn for his warm bed. But, he’s not quite ready to leave yet.

They just got back from a successful performance, deciding to celebrate at the Weekend Garage. They spent the first while hyping each other up, eating an ungodly amount of pancakes, and planning for the next step. Now, they’re all sitting in the back room, content doing their own things.

An and Akito are scrolling on their phones, both letting out little laughs when they find something amusing. Kohane’s curled up on the couch, quietly talking to Rin, who’s ranting about something Toya can’t quite understand. 

He enjoys quiet moments like these, the four of them simply existing together. It’s not something he ever expected himself to enjoy, but here he is.

“Aww, guys, look,” An breaks the silence, holding her phone out so they can all see. “They added otters to the aquarium!”

Toya looks at An’s screen. There’s a flyer with two otters cuddled up together. He has to admit, they’re very cute. The picture itself is enough to bring a small smile to his face.

“Ohh,” Kohane leans in closer. “Minori was telling me about that! I didn’t know the exhibit was done already!”

“Let me see! Let me see!” Ron’s voice calls from her phone. 

Muttering a small apology, Kohane lifts her phone up, letting her get a look. Within seconds, Rin is squealing, calling the other vocaloids to take a look.

“I guess they just finished it,” An adds. “Sounds like they’re opening it up tomorrow.”

“I thought they already had those,” Akito pipes up, his eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“Not the local one,” An shakes her head. “There are some a little further away that do, though.”

“Hm,” Akito hums, attention immediately falling back on his phone.

“Oh come on! That’s all you have to say?”

“I’ve seen an otter before,” Akito rolls his eyes dramatically.

“Still,” An pouts before turning her attention towards Toya. “What do you think? Aren’t they cute!” She pushes her phone closer to his face.

“They are very cute,” He agrees. “I just wouldn’t expect them to be at the aquarium.”

The others raise a questioning brow, An being the only one to speak up. “Why not?”

Toya stares for a moment, not understanding why they all seem confused. “I uh- I thought the aquarium was only fish.”

“It’s mainly fish,” Kohane nods. “But sometimes they have other animals that live near or by the water.”

“Hm,” He hums thoughtfully. “Makes sense.”

“Toya,” An says cautiously. “Have you never been to the aquarium?”

He can feel all their gazes on him, each filled with concern and curiosity. It feels like he’s been put on the spot, all of the focus now on him. “I haven’t… I wasn’t exactly allowed to do that sort of thing as a kid.”

There’s a long pause, one that leaves Toya wondering if he said the wrong thing. Eventually, An clears her throat, a smile replacing the concerned frown. 

“Well, I guess we have no choice but to go!”

“Sounds like fun,” Kohane says, clasping her hands together.

“Make sure you get tickets ahead of time,” Akito groans. “Those lines can be a real pain in the ass.”

In the background, Rin speaks up, begging to join. But, he isn’t focused on that. All his attention is on the other boy. He expected more of a fight from Akito, for him to try and reject the idea or call it stupid. Akito seems to notice his gaze, turning to face him with a grin. “Don’t get too excited, it’s just a bunch of fish,” He says.

“Do I look excited?” Toya tilts his head.

“Yeah,” Akito points to his eyes, “Your eyes are all lit up like a toddler that just tried ice cream for the first time or something.”

“Oh,” He feels his cheeks growing warm. “I guess I am a little excited.”

“Of course you are,” An butts in. “Akito’s just a buzzkill! It’s plenty fun, trust me!”

“I didn’t say it wasn’t fun,” Akito argues.

It didn’t take much convincing from his Dad. He prepared a whole slideshow that included all the train routes they would take and a well-organized plan of their day —which ended with him spending the night at Akito’s. But, all of his effort was proven fruitless when his Father agreed almost immediately, the only rule being that he has to text when he makes it to Akito’s. Not that he can complain much, he gets to go out with friends without having to plead.

Now, they’re all seated on the train, only a station away from the aquarium. The heavy weight of anticipation lies in his chest. He knows it’s ridiculous, it’s just an aquarium, but he can’t help but feel excited. It’s another thing he can cross off his list, another thing that was taken from his childhood that he now gets to take back. No matter how small it is, it makes him happy.

“Okay,” An starts, grabbing all their attention. “In order to give Toya the whole experience, we need to do everything we can.”

“We really don’t have too…” Toya begins to argue.

“Nope! We’re doing everything!”

“There really isn’t much,” Kohane reassures. 

“So, we have to see the otters, and I looked online and saw they’re doing the shark feeding at 12, so we have to make sure we’re there for that. Then, we have to get snowcones, oh, and face painting-”

“Excuse me?” Akito interrupts.

“You heard me,” An crosses her arms, glaring at him. “We’re getting the whole experience.”

“I’m not walking out of there with sparkly paint on my face,” He deadpans. 

“But Toya wants to,” She answers, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. “Right, Toya?”

“I do,” He nods confidently. He wants the whole experience, everything the aquarium has to offer, no matter how silly it is.

“Fine,” Akito growls. “But no pictures.”

“I knew you’d come around,” An winks at him before continuing. “Anything else I’m missing?”

“What about petting the stingrays?” Kohane adds.

“Oh yes! How could I forget?”

“You can pet them?” Toya asks.

“Apparently,” Akito shrugs. “I never did, though.”

“I bet you were scared,” An teases.

“I was not!”

“I was scared when I was little, too. Kohane giggles. “I’d make my mom hold my hand the whole time.”

“I said I wasn’t scared,” Akito growls, but it falls on deaf ears, as An and Kohane only continue to plan out the trip. 

When they arrive, Toya takes a moment to admire the view. A large building stands before them. Little kids are running around, smiles tugging at their lips as their parents frantically try to catch up. It makes a strange feeling pull at Toya’s chest, wondering what it would be like if he had gotten that.

Luckily, his thoughts are interrupted when Akito bumps his shoulder. “Come on,” He grins. “An bought tickets ahead so we get to skip the line with screaming children.”

“The kids are just having fun,” Toya offers, letting out a small sigh.

“Doesn’t make it any less obnoxious,” He rolls his eyes playfully. “Come on now.” Gently grasping Toya’s wrist in his hand, he pulls them over to where Kohane and An are standing. 

All four of them enter, An holding up her phone so the lady at the front can scan their tickets. After checking them in, she gives them each a wristband before letting them in.  

Within moments, An is running up to the first tank, dragging Kohane behind her. “Whoa, look at that one! The colors are so pretty!” 

Toya follows closely behind, pressing his hand to the glass. He watches as all the little fish swim around, some grouped together creating interesting patterns. 

“Oh, look,” Akito steps in, pressing his finger to the glass. “Something’s wrong with that one’s tail.”

Toya’s gaze falls onto a smaller fish in the middle, a little piece of its tail missing. He’s still swimming around, but seems to struggle more than the others around him.

“Oh no,” Kohane frowns. “I hope he’s okay…”

“I’m sure he’s fine,” Akito leans in to get a better look. “I mean, he’s still keeping up, just has to work a little harder.”

“I wanna see! I wanna see!” A voice calls from Kohane’s pocket, causing them all to flinch. After taking a look around, ensuring the surrounding people are distracted, she pulls out her phone. Strategically, she holds out her cardigan, blocking the sight from anyone passing by. 

Len and Rin immediately pop out of the screen, their eyes brimming with anticipation. “We wanna see the pretty fish!” Rin begs.

Holding a finger up to her lips, Kohane reassures them, “I’ll show you, but you have to be quiet, okay? There are a lot of people here.” 

“We will, we promise!” Len says as Kohane takes the opportunity to show them the fish, still working to keep her phone out of sight.

They continue walking around, stopping at every tank. Toya takes time to read every sign—even if Akito says it’s useless— he finds the little facts to be quite interesting. They see turtles, stingrays, eels, and so much more. There’s one room completely covered in glass, creating an immersive experience. It leaves Toya in awe, watching as the stingrays glide above him.

Due to An’s expert planning, they make it to the shark exhibit just in time for the feeding. It’s interesting, watching them hunt down the food. Toya finds his eyes glancing over at Akito, who looks completely lost in it all. It’s almost funny, especially considering how uninterested he’d been acting the whole time. Toya finds himself tempted to tease him, watch as his face goes red from embarrassment, claiming it’s ‘not that cool.’ But he decides not to, not wanting to ruin the moment for the other. Instead, he sneakily takes out his phone, snapping a picture to embarrass him later.

That’s when he sees it. There’s a couple standing behind Akito, their arms wrapped around eachother. He watches them for a while, watches how they’re more caught up in eachother than the sight in front of them. Then, they lean in, pressing their lips together before pulling away with dopey smiles on their faces. It makes his heart feel heavy.

“Toya?” Akito questions, forcing him to look away. He looks at Akito, a light blue shadow casting over him from the water's reflection. He looks nice like this, makes his eyes stick out more. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” Toya nods. “Sorry, just got distracted.” 

“Hm,” Akito hums. “Here, take a look at this.” He grabs Toya’s arm, pulling them closer to the glass before squatting down. “See that down there?” He points to the bottom of the enclosure, where a shark lies flat against the ground. It looks much different than the other sharks, much flatter. “That’s an Angel Shark. They were my favorite when I was little. I thought they looked funny.”

Toya snorts a small laugh, causing Akito to bump his shoulder.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Toya shakes his head. “It’s just… funny that that’s your reason for liking them.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Akito sighs. “Laugh all you want. I thought they were cool. I liked that they were different, y’know.”

Akito stares down at the shark, a small, almost nostalgic smile on his face. It makes Toya feel warm, content. “Yeah,” He whispers. “I know.”

They finish walking around, the last enclosure being the otters. An squeals as they approach, pulling out her phone and taking numerous photos. The otters swim around, doing spins near the glass as if they are putting on a show. Toya takes out his phone to take a few pictures for himself. He even takes a moment to send one of them to his brothers with the caption ‘Otters at the aquarium :).’

He watches two otters in the back. Their arms are interlocked, holding tight as they float across the top of the water. It reminds him of the couple he saw earlier. He'd almost forgotten the excitement of the day blocking out his thoughts. He can't help but wonder why it made him feel so weird. He's seen couples before and never spared them a second thought. But ever since the wedding, these kinds of things have occupied his thoughts constantly.  Especially, the kiss the couple shared. Toya never thought about kissing before, always just something he knew of. But now, now that he's curious about dating, he realizes one day he's going to kiss someone. But... won't it be awkward? He doesn't think it'd be very enjoyable... not unless it was someone he was close to. He can't even fathom being affectionate with someone he hardly knows... let alone kissing them.

Kohane pats his arm, pointing and drawing his attention to an otter circling in front of them. His thoughts are taken over when it flips around, enjoying the attention. 

After they each get their fill, they move on to the next part. Which is petting the stingrays, Toya’s a little reluctant and first, but eventually gets on board. He’s surprised to find out they are rather… smooth?

Now, they’re all sitting at a table eating snowcones with their faces freshly painted. An has a dolphin, Kohane got a seal, Akito was forced to get a turtle, and Toya picked out a sea horse. It’s almost silly, four teenagers sitting around with their brightly colored snowcones and glittery faces. But it makes Toya happy, makes him feel like he’s young again, experiencing things he never got to.

“We should hit the gift shop on the way out,” An offers, taking a big bite of her snow cone. “And the photo booth!”

“I said no pictures,” Akito growls at her.

“Come on!” An pouts. “We need some way to remember today!”

“You took plenty of photos on your phone.”

“This is different,” She sighs. “Besides, no one will see them, it’s just for us.”

“An…”  Akito starts, but Toya cuts him off.

“I think I would like to. It’ll be a nice keepsake,” He eyes Akito, hoping to convince him.

Akito’s face scrunches up, lips falling flat before he sighs. “Fine, but no one can see it!”

Which is how they all end up in the photo booth, crammed together. It’s much smaller than he expected, the camera hardly fitting them all. When the countdown starts, An squeezes them all in closer. The sudden movement makes him and Akito clash together. Their cheeks press together, and Toya can feel the slight stickiness on Akito’s face from the paint, but he doesn’t mind. The only thing he can process is how warm the other is. Akito’s always been warm; it makes him feel comforted. Every time they sit near eachother, Toya can’t help but want to move closer, to get some of that warmth himself. It makes sense, he’s always seen Akito like the sun, so bright and so warm. 

When the photos are done, An hops out, grabbing all the pictures and passing them around. “So cute,” She grins. “I’m gonna put this on my wall!”

“We agreed that no one will see…” Akito grumbles, his face bright red.

“Oh come on, your face paint isn’t even visible,” An waves her hand dismissively.

“That's not…” He groans, cutting himself off. “You know what I’m talking about.”

“Do I?” An smirks.

The two continue to argue, but Toya blocks it out, eyes fixed on the picture in his hand. Akito’s face in the first photo is bright red, eyes blown wide as if he were caught off guard.  Everyone else is smiling brightly, including himself. A genuine smile, one he never thought he’d see on himself. He was always told his smile was stiff… forced. But here, he looks so unapologetically happy.

“I think I’ll hang mine up too.”

“Toya…”

They finish off their adventure with a trip to the gift shop. Akito looks at some plushies for Ena while Kohane looks at the hat collection. Toya wanders around hoping to find something cheap to remember today with. The photo should be enough, but he can’t help but feel greedy. He wants something more; he wants to etch this memory into his mind forever.

That’s when he runs into An, who’s squatted down in front of the keychain section. In her hand is a small turtle keychain; she’s looking down on it with melancholic eyes. 

“What’s that?” He asks gently, trying not to scare her.

“Oh,” She straightens out, smiling up at him. “It’s just a keychain.” 

He kneels down next to her, “It’s cute. Are you gonna buy it?”

She shakes her head, looking back down at it. “No… I already have one at home.”

“Oh,” He pauses, watching as her hand tightens around the little turtle.

“Nagi bought it for me,” She mumbles, biting her lip. “I used to come here with her all the time when I was little.”

“I see,” He lifts a hand, placing it on her back. He’s never been good at comforting people, but he always tries his best.

“I’d make her come with me all the time… and she’d never complain once.”

 “She sounds very kind.”

“She was,” An nods, swallowing loudly before continuing. “I didn’t even have to ask her for this… she just- noticed that I was eyeballing it and bought it for me. I just- I miss her. A lot.”

“I get it,” Toya offers. “It looks like they have other animals of the same kind,” He points to the collection in front of them. “Maybe we can all get matching ones?”

An smiles at him, a slight glassiness in her eyes. “I’d like that.” She looks back down at the keychain before speaking again. “Do you think… It’s okay if we make one more stop after this?”

“I’m sure Akito and Azusawa won’t mind.”