Chapter Text
Iwaizumi would never forget the scene which his best friend and his bride stepped into the hall, smiling like the most blissful couple on earth. Everyone was clapping and cheering to congratulate the new couple, including himself.
‘Iwa-chan, I have finally found someone whom I want to spend the rest of my life with. Of all the things I want, I want your blessing the most. Will you be my best man for that day?’ Oikawa was crying tears of joy after his girlfriend had accepted his proposal.
Iwaizumi did not know what he was feeling then. Bitterness? Jealousy? He did not know anymore. He only knew that his best friend got himself married and his world turned somehow dull grey.
‘Sorry, Oikawa. But I am going off to England to further my studies. I do want to do more research and the university sees this as a good opportunity for me to go. Looks like I can’t keep up that promise of looking after you future child.’ Iwaizumi told Oikawa a week after Oikawa and his wife came back from honeymoon.
It had been four years. Iwaizumi let out a sigh. He had been gone for four years and he had finally gotten a Doctoral degree in Entomology and Insect Science, waiting for his flight at London City Airport. He did video conferences with his parents frequently but he just could not bring himself to contact Oikawa. The thought of Oikawa having a happy family was painful for him. But nonetheless, Iwaizumi was happy for him.
‘Passengers who are boarding JL7080 please proceed to gate D3. Passengers who are…’
Iwaizumi took his jacket and hand luggage, ready to go.
The trip was a smooth one, having woken up twice to have some food, Iwaizumi had almost slept through his journey back to Japan. The airline food was mediocre, although it was much better than having steak and potatoes for meals every day. Iwaizumi let out a yawn before standing up to get his hand luggage, ready to step onto the land of Japan. He took a deep breath after retrieving all his luggage. The air smelled home. The skies were blue and he was longing for the sunlight to shine onto his skin again. England had too much cloudy weather to his liking. He hesitated for one minute, before taking out his phone and called his home.
‘Iwaizumi speaking.’ It was his dad who picked up the phone.
‘Dad, it’s me. I ‘m back.’
‘Oh, Hajime! How I missed you! It’s been four years, four freaking years. You didn’t even come back during new year dammit. Always busy with your insects.’ Iwaizumi’s mum almost broke into tears when she saw her son at the door. ‘Come in. Your dad cooked your favourite agedashi tofu. Go change your clothes and get ready for dinner dear.’
‘Thanks mum.’ Iwaizumi hugged her mum before getting everything into his room.
His room still looked the same. His mum must have been helping him to clean and guilt just start to wash over him as he thought about how cowardly he had run away from Oikawa and everyone, including his parents, although they knew nothing about his feelings towards Oikawa. He opened his wardrobe and found some of Oikawa’s shirt still in it. Hajime, get a grip. He told himself. Your best friend is married and happily started a family. He tore his eyes away from the shirts which did not belong to him and closed the wardrobe with a little too much force.
‘Hajime! Are you okay in there?’ His mum called out from downstairs.
‘Yeah! I’m coming!’ He called out as he pulled his t-shirt over his head and headed down.
‘Are you alright, dear? You took awfully long to change.’ His mum looked a bit worried.
‘Yes, I’m fine. The plane ride was a little tiring. I can’t stretch and stuff. Plus I was trying to unpack my luggage a little.’ Iwaizumi offered a sheepish smile as he took a bowl of rice from his mum.
‘Thank you for the food.’
After dinner, Iwaizumi helped his mum with the dishes, something he had been doing since young. As much as he did not want Oikawa to be part of his life anymore, he was still itching to know how he had been. He decided to ask the one who was relatively close to Oikawa’s family aka his mum.
‘Oh, you haven’t been in touch with Tooru? Well, I think he hasn’t been easy, after divorcing and then having to bring up a child by his own. He often drops by to see how we are doing though. You ought to see his son! He is such a sweetheart and-‘
‘So he has a son now, huh.’ Iwaizumi murmured. ‘Hopefully, his son won’t turn out like him.’
‘Hajime! That is not a very nice thing to say!’
‘Mum, I was just stating a fact. You ought to see Oikawa in high school.’ Iwaizumi replied. ‘I’m going to continue to unpack my luggage. Night, mum.’
He did not unpack his luggage as he told his mum. Instead, Iwaizumi took out his phone and messaged Matsukawa.
To: Matsukawa
From: Iwaizumi
Hey. I’m back.
One minute later, Matsukawa did not bother replying his message but gave him a call instead.
‘Oi, Iwaizumi. It’s been so long. Where the heck have you been?’ Matsukawa talked with a little excitement in his voice and Iwaizumi could hear him putting down the phone and yelling ‘Takahiro! Iwaizumi is back!’
‘Wait, why are you with Hanamaki?’ Iwaizumi was confused. He knew they were close but why were they together at 9 pm?
‘Oh. We sort of get together. But it is not about us dude! It’s about YOU and Oikawa! Say, how long have you ditched us for the UK, Mr Spiky hair?’
‘Shut up.’
‘Anyway, heard that you have not been keeping up with Oikawa as well.’ Matsukawa bluntly stated. ‘Well?’
‘Well, what.’ Iwaizumi scowled.
‘He hasn’t been doing very well, raising a kid on his own. Pretty sure that kid would have loved another dad.’
‘Huh?’
‘You know what I mean. We usually meet up once per month and our next meeting is just two days later. The usual place, at 7 pm. I guess I will be seeing you by then?’
‘Yeah.’ Iwaizumi replied quietly and hung up, after which he flopped onto his bed.
…Matsukawa knew? His phone made a sound, indicating that an email was sent to him.
To: Iwaizumi
From: University of Tokyo
Dear Dr Iwaizumi,
Welcome back to Japan. Please report to the university on the 26 October at 9 am. An administrative staff will give you information of the research you will be taking part in and details of your apartment. Have a nice week ahead.
Two days arrived faster than Iwaizumi expected. He sort of regretted when he reached the usual place which they used to hang out together back in High School. Matsukawa and Hanamaki were already there.
‘Yo, Iwaizumi.’ Hanamaki greeted him with the usual sly smile he had.
They looked a little different, yet the same. Four years, not too long, not too short for people to start changing.
‘Oikawa should be here any moment. Just take a seat. We told him there will be a surprise for him.’ Matsukawa stared at Iwaizumi with his lazy eyes. ‘Ah, speaking of the devil. Oikawa!’
‘Oh, Mattsun! Makki! I-Iwa-chan?!’ Oikawa’s voice squeaked a little when he called out to Iwaizumi.
‘Long time no see.’ Iwaizumi heard himself saying.
‘IWA-CHAN!’ Oikawa enveloped Iwaizumi with a bear hug. ‘You are horrible you know! Running off like that.’
‘Um, yeah. Glad that I am back though.’ Iwaizumi felt a little awkward as he hugged Oikawa back, he could feel Oikawa’s soft hair tickling his neck.
‘Tobio, this is uncle Iwa that I have been telling you. Remember the photos I showed you?’ Oikawa let go of Iwaizumi and squatted down, talking to a small dark blue haired boy who looked a little lost.
‘U-Uncle Iwa.’ Tobio quietly greeted him.
Iwaizumi knew something was wrong when he saw the boy. Oikawa’s ex-wife did not have black hair, nor Oikawa. So why did this boy, who was supposed to be Oikawa’s son, had dark blue hair? Oikawa must have known what Iwaizumi was thinking because he leaned in and whispered something into Iwaizumi’s ear.
‘I’ll explain later.’