Chapter Text
Aiger glances at himself once more, smoothing over some invisible wrinkles with a frown. He checks his hair again in the reflection of his phone, angling his head this way and that.
"Heh, you'd think you were goin' on yer' first date or something," Ranjiro cackles from where he was lounging, flashing his friend a wry smirk. He had a magazine in his lap, skimming through languidly.
Aiger snaps his face to glare at the other, face practically turning into a kettle—a worrying shade red as a high-pitched noise escapes him. The blond is half-expecting steam to follow next.
"Sh-shut up!" The Achilies blader grumbles, his scowl less severe with his growing embaressment. The other simply snorts, raising his hands in mock surrender before returning his attention to the magazine.
Aiger scowls then shoves his phone back into his jeans. Crossing his arms, he looks around.
They got sent to the airport to welcome Valt and Rantaro. The twins apparently had something they needed to prepare so they didn't tag along.
What in the world could be more important that Valt flippin' Aoi, Aiger is not sure.
Maybe it was a surprise for her or something? Wait, was it her birthday?!
The boy frantically scrambles through his memories to try to find any particular hints. Today wasn't anything special—he's pretty sure.
Not Valt's birthday, not the twins' either. Definitely not his. Neither the Kiyama siblings (Cap'n would've made a scene if he forgot those important dates).
So what could it be?
Did the girl achieve some sort of milestone? No, not that. Aiger would've known. (And the media would have gone crazy.)
'So, what in the name of ever loving Bey—'
"Heyyy!" A voice calls, breaking the boy's train of thought. He looks up and sees two people walking up to them, strides certain and relaxed. "Hey, you two!"
Aiger frowns, trying to discern their features. It's a fruitless effort; the bulky clothing and excessive accessories hides their faces expertly.
Honestly, it's a surprise they can even see ahead, much less walk straight.
The Achilies blader almost sneers, trying to bury himself in the coach to ignore the duo. But Ranjiro was squinting at them, hand frozen as he was just about to change pages. Then his face lights up.
"Bro!" He shoots out of his seat and rushes towards the man, tackling the taller male in a hug. The man, unbothered and clearly delighted, returns the hug before proceeding to ruffle his hair—something Cap'n would usually abhor. The other one, a girl, giggles at the two.
Aiger just blinks.
The four soon exit the place. While the balance-type blader is still trying to process what's happening, Ranjiro chats happily with the two weirdoes. There's a sense of familiarity in his voice, in his relaxed posture.
That's when both of the strangers peel off their diguises.
Lo and behold, it was Valt Aoi and Rantaro Kiyama!
Aiger gapes, staring as the former champion's sliky blue hair frames her face in a delicate embrace. Brown eyes gleaming like molten honey.
"Subtle, real subtle," Ranjiro whispers, elbowing the other. The smaller male immediately spins on the blond, hissing and blushing. Neither of the older bladers seem to notice.
"It's so good to be back!" Valt cheers, grinning at her friend before turning to the younger duo. "And thanks for coming you two. Oh, but where's Nika and Toko?"
"Ah, they had some work to catch up on," the younger Kiyama answers, shrugging, "teachers been on our cases lately."
Aiger narrows his eyes. As far as he remembered, Nika was acing her classes. Toko, despite not exactly being top of the class, was a pretty responsible and hardworking guy. He doubts either would have any school troubles.
If it was just Cap'n then he might've believed it.
But before he could call his friend out, a chime from the blond's phone snatches his attention. And Aiger isn't so rude to interrupt him. He was raised with manners, thank you very much.
Ranjiro scans through the message, smirk slowly quirking before he nudges his brother. The older male raises a brow but glances at the phone as well.
Then at Aiger, at Valt, back to Aiger, then the phone again.
A good minute of silence—before both the brothers shake with laughter, grinning ridiculously.
Valt shoots the balance-type blader a questioning look, which was met with a helpless shrug. "What's so funny?" She asks, confused.
The blonds share another short laugh before Rantaro claps his friend's back lightly, smirking. "Nothing to worry about buddy," he laughs. Then he gestures to himself and Ranjrio, "but me and my lil' bro gotta fly."
"Awh..."
"Hey, we see each other literally everyday. A guy could use a break y'know?"
"Hey!"
There's obvious warmth between them; it's in their smiles, their banter, their eyes. You'd have to be blind and stupid not to see it.
Aiger clenches his hand, nails digging into his palm.
"Anyways!" The younger Kiyama exclaims, a little too loudly, "we best be going, huh bro?"
After a quick goodbye, the duo goes off to... who knows where?
Valt turns to him with a kind smile. "Well, I guess it's just us then."
She snaps her fingers suddenly, remembering something. "Oh, by the way! I was planning to go with everyone to this new place the twins told me about—if you're okay with it, we could go together?"
She beams at him, shy but earnest. And really who is he to deny her?
"Sure, no problem. Can't be letting the number one blader all by her lonesome," he chuckles, teasing. Valt merely huffs, rolling her eyes in an amused way.
As they make their way to the place, it finally dawns on the Akabane boy; the twins didn't come, the Kiyama siblings left and the twins also told Valt about this supposed new place in advance.
....
'Oh, those scheming son of a guns...'