Chapter Text
The fourth and final signing, as expected, was the biggest. Held on the first floor of a 5-story bookstore, it was the main attraction.
Just before opening, the authors were in their seats at the table, counting down the minutes before the doors opened.
"This really is something, isn't it, Kindachi-san?" Kaemon commented, looking at the line of people waiting to get in. "And on a Thursday no less. I'm impressed."
Yokomizo nodded, gaze following Kaemon's. He felt a sense of excitement, yet at the same time, the sense of peace that comes with finishing an enjoyable task.
"It's been fun, hasn't it?" Yokomizo said to the others.
There were murmurs of agreement and even a few cheers. Next to him, Suzuko leaned in close, as if to discuss a secret.
"Is Oguri-san bringing you lunch today?"
Yokomizo nodded. "He said there's some places he wants to see today, but he'll be here later."
If he had to describe how the morning passed by, Yokomizo would have said it was like a carousel ride-so fast it almost made you dizzy, but so fun you didn't notice you were out of breath. There had to be over a hundred people that came, and with each one, Yokomizo felt his heart swell. It filled him with warmth every time someone told him they enjoyed his work, twice as much so when they mentioned they were a writer too.
When it came time for lunch, Mushitarou appeared, carrying a paper bag from a cafe they'd passed on the way here.
"I'm starting to get why Suzuko-san thinks we're married," he mumbled as he slid the bag to Yokomizo.
Married? Tilting his head, Yokomizo asked, "What was that?"
Clearly not realizing that he'd spoken aloud before, Mushitarou quickly said, "Nothing!" Pointedly, he pushed the bag further forward. "Here. I know you're having fun, but don't forget to eat, okay? I even got you an extra meat bun, so don't let it go to waste."
"I won't, I won't." Yokomizo moved the bag aside, then reached across the table to take Mushitarou's hand in his. "Hey, Mushi-kun, will you stay for a while?"
Mushitarou scrunched his face in displeasure. "All I'd be doing is staring off into space miserablely."
"You can look at me instead."
"...I'd rather just stare off into space."
Yokomizo giggled into his palm.
Mushitarou raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"
"You," Yokomizo told him. "Here, what if I let you sit with me?"
"I-I...!" Mushitarou averted his eyes quickly. "Come on, don't be silly."
"I'm being serious." Yokomizo knew he was teasing his friend too much, but when Mushitarou got like this, it was hard to resist pushing his buttons.
However, Mushitarou knew exactly what his friend was doing. Scowling, he said, "I'm not staying."
"Just for a little bit!"
"No."
"Ten minutes."
"Zero minutes."
"59 seconds is what I'm hearing."
"Yokomizo!" Mushitarou sighed in exasperation. "Why do you want me to stay so bad, anyway?"
"It's nice," Yokomizo said simply. He wasn't entirely sure himself, to be honest. He was throughly enjoying himself, but over the years, Yokomizo had discovered that fun things were always more enjoyable when his friend was around.
That's the whole reason I invited you to this, Mushi-kun.
Yokomizo wasn't sure what expression he had on his face, but it seemed to be the chink in Mushitarou's armor. He sighed again, looked down at their still-clasped hands, then offered a compromise. "How about if I come back early at the end?"
Yokomizo considered it. "Well, okay. Promise me you won't forget, though."
"I promise," Mushitarou told him.
They let go of each other's hands and Mushitarou left the store as more people began to file in. As Yokomizo watched him go, he smiled.
If there was one thing Mushitarou wouldn't do, it was break a promise to Yokomizo.
It was half an hour before closing time when Mushitarou returned. The sun was setting, and with it the number of customers had dwindled.
"Hi," he said once he made it up to the table. "I'm here, see? I've filled my end of the bargain and I'm pretty sure everyone left in your line wants to re-enact their favorite murder plots on me."
Yokomizo smiled. The dozen or so people behind Mushitarou and the clock on the wall that showed the event's end time fast approaching....They all fell away, blurring like rain on a windowpane. All he could truly see was his friend's face. His friend, who had come all the way to a different city, for an event themed around one of the things he loathed most. His friend, who brought him lunch every day. His friend who had come back and waited in line just because Yokomizo had asked.
"Thank you," Yokomizo said softly. "You'll be waiting outside for me, right, Mushi-kun?"
Mushitarou nodded. "Naturally," he replied, his own voice quiet.
After everyone had cleared out, the authors began to leave the building. No big goodbyes were said since they'd all be seeing each other the next night, but there were hugs and pats on the back among all of them.
When Yokomizo came out, he could feel that his cheeks were lightly flushed from sheer joy.
"You look happy," Mushitarou observed. "It was that much of a success, huh?"
"Oh Mushi-kun, it was," Yokomizo replied. The sun was beginning to dip in the sky, and its rays glittered off the buildings. It made everything look like a fantasy book illustration.
Mushitarou shook his head, but there was a small smile on his face. "I'm happy for you."
Moving a little closer as they walked, Yokomizo said, "What did you do? I want to hear all about it."
Mushitarou glanced at him, then began, "Well, I decided to go over to the next street..."
It was nearly sunset when they returned to the hotel.
"I'm glad the party isn't until tomorrow," Yokomizo said once they'd entered their room. He massaged his inner forearm gingerly, trying to ease the ache. "If I thought my wrist wasn't sore before..."
"Here." Mushitarou opened their fridge and removed something from the freezer compartment. It was a frozen washcloth. "I stopped back here earlier. I figured this might help."
Gratefully, Yokomizo accepted the washcloth and held it carefully over his wrist. He sighed in relief. "You were right, Mushi-kun."
Mushitarou sat down on the bed, exhaling in his own exhaustion. Yokomizo knew he'd been on his feet the majority of the day, and it must have felt good to finally take the pressure off them.
Yokomizo sat down beside him, washcloth still wrapped around his wrist. "What about you, Mushi-kun?"
"Huh...?"
"Did you have fun today?"
"Yeah," Mushitarou said. "I guess I did."
Neither of them felt like going to a restaurant. Instead, dinner was meals from the convenience store across the street. They'd eat fancy food tomorrow, they reasoned.
After they finished eating and had showered, both men sat on the bed, leaning back on the pillows. They were close enough that Yokomizo could smell the scent of the hotel shampoo drifting off Mushitarou's hair. He was sure his own hair was dripping warm droplets every now and then onto Mushitarou's sleeve. They were quiet, the sort of exhausted but content quiet that comes after a day like this.
This almost feels like the first night, Yokomizo thought to himself, suddenly feeling a sense of nostalgia.
Apparently having the same thought, Mushitarou said aloud, "This reminds me of our first night here." He looked out the window, gaze almost wistful.
Yokomizo nodded in agreement. "You know, it's hard to believe it's only been a few days."
"Yeah," Mushitarou said, eyes seeming to be focused on something far away in the darkened sky.
Yokomizo chuckled, poking Mushitarou in the side playfully. "And to think you almost didn't come."
Swatting his hand away, Mushitarou said, "Well, you didn't make the offer very tempting."
"You're right, I should have told you about Suzuko-san's books right away."
"See, that would have had more appeal. You're a writer, you should have known how to give the readers what they want."
They both laughed.
A while later, the two of them laid down in the bed together, both in the lazy sort of state between being awake and falling asleep. Wordlessly, Yokomizo moved a little closer, his head falling onto Mushitarou's shoulder. His friend stiffened for a moment in surprise, but he relaxed again after a moment.
"Tired?"
"Mmm-hmm," Yokomizo murmured, shutting his eyes. "I think I'm about to fall asleep."
"Not on me, I hope," Mushitarou said, but he made no move to free himself.
Yokomizo turned his head a bit, letting it rest in the crook of Mushitarou's neck. He could feel the slight movements of his friend's breathing, his pulse. It was soothing, and Yokomizo was on the verge of falling asleep when he heard Mushitarou's voice again.
"Hey, Yokomizo?"
"Hmmm?"
Mushitarou didn't reply at first. Yokomizo felt him swallow hard, then heard him say, "Do you..." He trailed off.
"Mushi-kun? What is it?"
Mushitarou started to shake his head, then realized that wasn't a smart idea. Instead he said, "Do you want me to turn the light off?"
"Sure," Yokomizo replied. He knew Mushitarou had wanted to ask something else, but oddly enough, he had no idea what it could be.
I won't push you, Mushi-kun. But you know you can share any part of your heart with me and I'll hold it gently, okay? Yokomizo almost chuckled to himself as he realized they both were holding something back. And you'll do the same for me when the time comes, won't you?
As if answering him, Mushitarou tilted his head to rest on top of Yokomizo's.
"Good night, Yokomizo."
"Good night, Mushi-kun."
Outside, the night hummed softly with the sounds of the city. It reminded Yokomizo of hearing a radio in the next room over.
What a lovely song, he thought as he drifted off to sleep.