Chapter Text
After they all wasted a couple hours waiting for their plane to get there after it got delayed, it was ready to start boarding passengers. They called for Zone 2 and Kohaku got up to follow HiMERU to get in line behind all the other people in first class.
…
When Rinne first announced they’d have to fly for their next live, Kohaku thanked any and every higher power out there that HiMERU volunteered to take care of booking the flight. This meant he’d be choosing seats for them and as Kohaku hoped, he and HiMERU were seated by themselves far away from Niki and Rinne. Kohaku doesn’t know if he could deal with being trapped next to those two for hours on a plane with everyone around them judging all of em’.
Niki and Rinne had complained for sure at being left in economy while HiMERU and Kohaku got to enjoy the perks of first class for sure, but HiMERU shut them up pretty well. Considering they only have first class because HiMERU was nice enough to pay some extra cash out of his own pocket to get Kohaku in first class with him. Rinne and Niki’s tickets are all on COSPROs dollar. Nothing those two can force HiMERU to do about that.
“We are seats 5-A and 5-B Oukawa. Do you have everything you’ll need for the flight?” Kohaku pulled his face into a quick pout at that.
“Yeah yeah I got it HiMERU-han, you saw me double check in my dorm right before we left anyways.” Kohaku sighed, he knows they barely made it only to then have way too much time on their hands but HiMERU needs to chill just a little. He should know at least Kohaku would be on top of his stuff. HiMERU let’s put a little huff and smiles at him.
“HiMERU is just making sure Oukawa, he knows you’re responsible but it’s better to check as much as possible. He would not like you to be missing something you need while Crazy:B is abroad.”
Before Kohaku can reply HiMERU turns away from him to get both their tickets scanned and follows him to the walkway onto the plane. “I knoow HiMERU-han..”
HiMERU cuts in before he could continue his thought “Give HiMERU your extra bag Oukawa, he’ll put it in the overhead bin for you.” Kohaku tugs it away from HiMERU before he can make a move for it.
“I can lift my bag just fine HiMERU-han.”
“Ah, HiMERU merely means he is taller than Oukawa so it would be easier for him than you.”
“…”
Kohaku closes his eyes and sighs to concede, handing his extra bag to HiMERU and cutting in front of him to board the plane.
He quickly glances over the seating labels to reach 5-A and B and shuffles in the sit next to the window. It’s honestly Kohakus first time ever on a commercial flight; or any flight really, so he’s a little excited for such a normal person activity. While HiMERU hefts Kohakus bag over his head he takes out his phone to snap a quick picture of outside the plane to send to Aira.
He insisted that Kohaku keep him fully updated on his trip and how it goes as Kohakus first idol related big trip. Quickly navigating his way over to Hold-Hands he opens up Airas contact.
[Kohakucchi~ 🌸🍡]: Me and Himeru got on the flight. Lettin me have the window seat :)
[Love-Han ❤️]: ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡ AHH FINALLY!!! 4 hours is way too long of a delay…
[Kohakucchi~ 🌸🍡]: It wasn’t too bad, I got to grab more snacks since I had to sacrifice mine to Niki-han.
[Love-Han ❤️]: still.. but at least youre on the plane now!! i hope HiMERU-senpai is good company ദ്ദി(｡•̀ ᗜ<)
[Love-Han ❤️]: i dont think i could sit next to him for 5 hours.. hes got such a cool aura its intimidating ( ;´ - `;)
[Kohakucchi~ 🌸🍡]: Himeru-han is real nice, I’m sure you’d be fine. He’s also a weirdo but he’d listen to your idol stuff, he likes being up to date.
[Love-Han ❤️ is typing . . .]
“HiMERU assumes you are informing Shiratori of our status?” Kohaku glances up to HiMERU smiling at him, looking very fond. He guesses HiMERUs been watching him type for awhile now. Not exactly like putting a bag away and sitting down takes too much time.
“He wanted to make sure our first big live away from ES goes well.” Kohaku smiles telling HiMERU, Aira was stoked to hear that they got an opportunity like this.
“HiMERU is glad you have such an ardent supporter Oukawa. He will make sure to get some good pictures himself for you to send to Shiratori.” It reassures exactly what Kohaku told Aira, a real kind weirdo.
“Thanks HiMERU-han, I’m sure Love-han will be excited to hear you thought of him too.” HiMERU hums in acknowledgement while he bends over to fish something out of his bag, handing 1 of 2 headsets to Kohaku, which he looks at quizzically. He was just planning to chat with HiMERU or read a book to pass the time, he wasn’t exactly tired enough for a nap or interested in a movie.
HiMERU just motions for him to put it on, which he does. It becomes clear though why HiMERU thought to bring these as he sees Rinne and Niki board the plane. They were in the very last zone, and it was a pretty full flight. He supposes HiMERU just wanted to ignore them for as long as he could, Kohaku thinks it was a good idea considering Rinne looks like hes trying to (very loudly) talking about something to the two of them as he passes by. Which gets Niki complaining from what he can tell. HiMERU very prudently ignores their presence entirely.
It isn’t until they’re all the way at the back that HiMERU takes off the noise cancelling headphones and Kohaku follows suit. They mutually decide in their own heads to not acknowledge them.
He takes out his phone to check the reply Aira had been typing before they announce when they’re gonna take off.
[Love-Han ❤️]: mmmm if youre sure kohakucchi… ill put together my most useful idol gossip for him ᕙ( •̀ ᗜ •́ )ᕗ
[Love-Han ❤️]: i have to go now, hiiro was hungry and now were all tagging along for a late lunch! (๑ᵔ⤙ᵔ๑) have a safe flight 💞💞!!
[Kohakucchi~ 🌸🍡]: Thanks Love, I’ll letcha know when we land 💖
Before Kohaku can turn on airplane mode and put his phone away, he gets one last message.
[Jun 🍓]: have a safe flight sakura, lemme know when you land
[Sakura☆Chan]: 👍
[Sakura☆Chan]: Don’t call me that
[Jun 🍓 reacted with 🫡 ]
Kohaku lets out a huff of air that ruffles his bangs before he sets his phone to the required mode and puts it away safely in his bag. He sees HiMERU looking curiously over at him for just a moment before he tries to play it off.
“Just Jun-han wishing me a safe flight as well, m’sure he wants you to have one too.” It’s more Kohaku trying to be polite on Juns behalf more than anything, what with his and HiMERUs… weird history. Though the attempt at gaining Jun a brownie point just makes HiMERUs smile lose the real kindness behind it.
“HiMERU will tell Sazanami thank you when we land then.” It makes him purse his lips and furrow his brow for a second before he decides to let it go. Being the guy stuck in the middle of whatever weird thing his unitmate and his roommate had can be real awkward sometimes. He just wishes it’d get sorted but with HiMERU being HiMERU he highly doubts that’ll happen anytime considered soon.
After whatever deliberation HiMERU was having in his head he finally speaks up “Should we take a commemorative photo Oukawa? Both for Shiratori and to potentially post later to your socials? It would be good engagement for fans.” It’s not a half bad idea, plus he’s sure Aira would appreciate as both a friend and an idol fan.
“Mm- good idea HiMERU-han.” He leans around HiMERUs shoulder as the man adjusts his phone for a good angle and puts on his best idol smile.
He sees HiMERU stare at the picture just a little too long and gets this- look in his eye. He dunnos what that’s about so Kohaku decides to not think about it too much. For now at least, any hint about HiMERU at all deserves deliberation.
“Hmmm~ ♪ HiMERU will send you it later for you to post Oukawa.” HiMERU finally comments before putting away his own phone. Right after the plane jostles with movement. They’re on their way to taking off. It has Kohaku turning around to the window to look outside.
He watches as the plane pulls out from where it was docked to make its way over to the runway, where the jet engines roar to life.
“Best to sit back for this part Oukawa.” Kohaku sits upright in his seat and turns his head to keep an eye on outside as the plane surges forward. Not intense enough to really be scary or adrenaline inducing, but there’s something fun about takeoff that he can’t really put his finger on.
The magic is eventually postponed when his ears start to feel weird, which his seatmate notices practically immediately and hands him some gum. “There are a couple ways to pop your ears once the plane has reached cruising altitude, but HiMERU has always been partial to chewing gum to get rid of it.” At that Kohaku pops the gum in his mouth to start chewing.
“Thanks, yer a real pro at this stuff HiMERU-han.”
He hums a little at that. “[I] have done a lot of traveling.” It’s something that Kohaku nearly misses, not really processing it until far later when the moment has long passed.