Chapter Text
The busy streets of Manila were hot and the smoke from cars are a little choking but thank the heavens he’s near the National Museum. Walking towards the entrance, he glanced around his environment, the sunlight burning his face a little and the hat he’s wearing was making his hair a little itchy and sweaty. He inhaled, the air of Manila was really different from Japan.
He looked up and saw the Philippine flag before going inside the museum. Well, good thing it’s air conditioned or Kei was sure he will die because of the heat.
“Welcome!” A woman greeted him as he went near the counter where countless of bags were stacked, “Just get your valuables, sir,” Good thing Kei knows English pretty well. After he got out his wallet and camera, he handed the woman his bag, who in return gave him a brochure to know the things inside the gallery. Bowing slightly, he went further inside the museum.
He fixed his glasses and looked around. The paintings and sculptures are exquisite. A true masterpiece. He went near the big painting called ‘Spoliarium’ and looked at the details on it.
Taking out his Polaroid camera, he took a picture of it and waits for it to load. “Cool camera,” Someone suddenly spoke out in English and it made the blond jump up a little. He looked to his side and saw a man with a very unruly black hair, wearing a video game controller printed shirt with his red jacket tied around his waist. His sharp eyes looking at the painting.
Kei just nods and proceeds to explore the museum more.
As Kei walked around the museum, he grabbed something in his pocket and pulled out a face mask and puts it on. He noticed people were looking at his face and he can’t risk being known right now. Even though he knows his popularity rate here in Manila is only 10% and that consists of JPOP fans only but he can’t risk shit.
This is supposed to be his getaway.
From his life, from reality, from everything that will— Kei jumps a little when he felt a presence near him. Looking at his left, he saw that person, again! From earlier, with the red jacket around his waist. Fixing his glasses and taking a deep breath, he ignored him and looked at some paintings again.
While walking towards some sculptures and observing every curve of it. He can see in the corners of his eyes that this red jacket dude is definitely following him because in every room he enters he’s there!
Kei sighs, feeling a little headache coming up, maybe it’s because of the jetlag and that he forgot to take lunch. Walking briskly towards the other room, he looked at the brochure and then the surroundings, it’s filled with information about the past presidents. Looking at his back, the red jacket man is not here yet so Kei decides to hide behind the door, ready confront this stranger whether he’s following him or—
“Excuse me,” Kei asks himself why is he so jumpy today, because he almost, almost yelled but good thing he has a mask on. “Sorry…” Kei apologized for blocking the way as he moved aside, giving way to the red jacket man to enter the room.
He watched as the stranger took pictures or videos, and sometimes muttering something to the camera and Kei thinks he’s going crazy because he’s watching a stranger, and a possible stalker, recording videos. With that thought, he left. Feeling a little uneasy.
The tall blond fixes the cap and the mask he was wearing as he entered another wide room with mural paintings. He took a seat in the mini bench provided inside and sighs, looking at the time it’s still early to go back to his hotel but he doesn’t really know where to go—he didn’t plan this well.
“Nice job, Tsukishima.” He sighs again. He’s been sighing ever since he arrived, he really needs to get his mind organized. He took off his cap and ruffled his blond locks, appreciating the mix of the cool air from the air-condition and the hot sunlight peeking through the window—a shutter resounded the empty room causing Kei to look to his left and saw him! That red jacket dude.
“Sorry, can’t help but take a picture of you,” The man grinned apologetically, holding his polaroid camera on his left hand and the other holds the film, which he assumes is his picture. Kei frowns, removing his face mask and ready to reprimand the rude man when suddenly the rude man gasped and Tsukishima knows he’s been recognized.
The red jacket man quickly went up to him, taking off his jacket in the process and sat beside him. He hovered his jacket over Kei’s head. “What are—”
“I’m Japanese and those people are Japanese. They might recognize you,” The red jacket man spoke in perfect nihon-go that shocked Kei in different levels and as if on cue, the newcomers were speaking loudly in Japanese.
Kei’s heart starts to beat harshly against his ribcage as he waits, the red jacket guy beside him was fiddling with his cap that he dropped on the floor. His face mask clutched tightly in his own hand. He can smell a faint scent of coffee and cinnamon on the jacket, and it kind of calmed him a little. Reminded him of his home.
After a few agonizing minutes, the group of people finally left and Kei heard the guy sigh in relief before taking the jacket off his head.
Tsukishima kind of miss the scent already.
The red jacket guy sighs in relief, smiling at Kei. “Good thing I was fas—”
“Delete the picture,” Kei said coldly, standing up and tries to intimidate the other with his height but it seems like it’s not working. What irks Kei more is that the red jacket dude was smirking. The blond huffed, crossing his arms over his chest, his glasses a little askew but the red jacket dude still finds him adorable.
“Keep ca—”
“Delete it.”
“Apparently, it’s printed honey, so I can’t delete it.” The guy waved the film, as he puts it up in the air when Kei made a move to grab it. “Hey-hey—”
“Throw it!”
“These films are expensive here!” Kei jumps a little, reaching for that goddamn film but no matter how tall he is, he still can’t reach that goddamn thing. “Give it,”
“You’re Tsukishima, Kei right?” That stopped the blond. He stood there, staring at the red jacket guy before sighing, taking his cap the red jacket guy was holding and putting it on. “None of your business.”
“I’m Kuroo, Tetsurou. I watched some of your dramas.”
“Bye,”
“Wait-” Kuroo grabbed his wrist causing Kei to glare at him. “What do you want?” Kuroo gulped at the intensity of the blond’s voice but to be honest, he’s not scary. He just looks like a lost puppy that’s mad at the world. “Wanna hang out?” Kei looked at Kuroo and then at his outstretched hand. Contemplating whether to trust this man or not. I mean, his life depends on this. If anyone finds out he’s here, especially his manager, he will return to his robotic and tiring life.
“Why would I?”
“I— I’ve been here at Manila two times and I can tour you around.”
“I don’t—” They heard loud talking coming from outside and Kei quickly puts his mask on and fixed his cap. Tetsurou smiled, taking hold of Kei’s wrist and proceeds to explore the museum.
~*~
“Tsukki, want me to take your picture?”
“Don’t call me Tsukki.” Kuroo pouts, looking at the beautiful painting before them. Kei has been grumpy and they’ve been together for about 20 minutes only. Kuroo just shrugged, taking a video of the painting and then another one.
Kei had questioned Kuroo earlier on why he takes videos of random things, like the paintings, the ceiling and his foot. Kuroo simply answered that he’s vlogging.
“So you’re famous, too?”
“You actually know Youtube?”
“I’m not void to the internet.”
Kei was just thankful enough that Kuroo wasn’t involving him in his vlogs.
“Aren’t you tired?” Kei asks, eyes glancing at the paintings and can’t help but take a picture of it. He took the film that came out of his Polaroid and shook it, looking at Kuroo who was still filming. “I’ll be there, just—yes. Okay done.” Kuroo smiled brightly that caused Kei’s heart to do some unexpected backflips but the blond just puts his Polaroid up and took a picture.
Kuroo was taken aback, the shutter blinding him a little. Kei smirked, waving the picture in a teasing way like how Kuroo did earlier. “Payback. Giving this to the police.” Kuroo just rolled his eyes playfully, saying that he’s hungry and he knows a place.
Kei looked at the retreating back then at the picture. Kuroo was smiling and the sun shone behind his back. Perfect. He puts it in his pocket as he follows the said Youtuber.
~*~
“What’s this?”
“They call these bad boys, chickenballs.” Kei gave Kuroo a ‘are-you-fucking-with-me’ look but it seems that Kuroo was serious and kept eating the said balls. They exited the museum not long ago and had been roaming the streets of Manila. It was nearing 6 PM so the sun heat wasn’t that bad unlike earlier. Kei kept his mask and cap on for a reason. “I thought you said you know a place.”
“Well, you gotta eat what the locals’ eat.” Kuroo grinned, grabbing another chickenball and popping it in his mouth. The blond looked at Kuroo and then the vendor of said food. In the vendor’s cart, there are different types of dipping sauce and in the middle is a big wok with lots of oil in it and lots of various Filipino foods he doesn’t know, and mostly it consists of something circle.
“Come on! Eat up. I’ll pay,”
“Is this even safe?” Kei lowered his mask to his chin and took a stick, he inspected the variety of foods before picking up one that Kuroo was eating. Glancing one last time at the lad, blowing on it, he put it in his mouth and chewed.
Kuroo awaits for the blond’s reaction, still eating but his eyes are glued to him. “It’s good.” Kuroo broke into a smile and urges the other to eat more.
~*~
Kei sighs tiredly, putting his bag on his bed, removing his cap and mask off, he plopped himself on the bed. Today has been a long day. First, he has to go through all that heat, he didn’t know it will be that hot in Manila, second, he was almost recognized, oh wait. He was recognized.
The third is, Kuroo Tetsurou. That annoying but ridiculously handsome Youtuber.
Kei immediately sat up straight, grabbing his bag before taking out all the Polaroid films he took. When he landed on the picture of Kuroo, he rolled his eyes.
He was annoying but he’s helpful.
“I’m going now…”
“Where hotel do you stay? Maybe we can see each other again! Tomorrow!”
“No.” Kuroo pouted, sauntering towards Kei. “I heard Manila Ocean Park has fishes!” Kei just sighs, looking at Kuroo before glancing down at his watch. “Goodbye, Kuroo-san.” Kei hailed a taxi and entered, Kuroo holding the door with a smile.
“I’ll be at the Ocean Park, 10 AM, Tsukki!” Kuroo grinned, waving.
“Don’t call me Tsukki.”
He stared at the smiling picture of Kuroo, looking at it intently before putting it on his night stand.
~*~
Kuroo stared at his laptop, scrolling down through his notifications and he can’t help but flinch. There were positives and negative feedbacks to his last video but he can’t help but feel all the negative comments even though the positives are more.
I wonder when he will be back
Isn’t it a little too over acting for him to leave youtube for a while?
I WILL MISS TETCHAAAN!!
I wonder where he will go???
His videos are getting less… idkk, less creative? =(
Kuroo immediately closed his laptop, groaning as he tossed it aside carefully. He sighs, hovering his arm over his eyes as his mind roamed to somewhere else.
“I’ll be leaving, Kuro…”