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"That was impressive."
That's the best Jakurai can say at the moment, because the feelings he'd just experienced watching Hitoya are a bit difficult to put into words. Really, that's been how he's felt throughout the day, Hitoya being so endearing in ways he doesn't even realize that Jakurai is at a complete loss at how to describe it. Perhaps that's one way that you know you're in love. You just feel for someone in ways you don't fully understand.
How strange, though, that these feelings are coming up today, of all days. They're at the boardwalk today, but the thing is that they aren't alone. This is the first team bonding trip of The Nagoya-Shinjuku Alliance (as Kuko likes to call it) where all six members of both divisions are present. And yet seeing Hitoya dressed casually in a Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts, watching the way he looks after his own teammates, seeing him actually having fun this afternoon...it's actually rather difficult to think of anything division-related today. Has it been too obvious? He hopes not, though the wink Hifumi had given him when he and Doppo offered to take the kids to the arcade may say otherwise. Or it could just be that since he and Hitoya are an item (and may or may not be why this alliance of theirs exists in the first place), giving them alone time is the standard? Romantic relationships are still a very new territory for Jakurai to personally traverse. He can only hope he's going about this the proper way.
"Impressive?" Hitoya scoffs lightheartedly, looking behind him where the "Test Your Strength" game sits. "Nope…'Impressive' is about two-thirds of the way up. The compliment you're looking for is 'Super-human.'"
Jakurai laughs. "Well then, allow me to rephrase. That was super-human, darling."
"Now that's more like it." Hitoya sits down on the bench next to Jakurai, a stuffed animal in his lap. It's a cute plush rabbit, light purple with long floppy ears and a big purple bow around its neck. There are two things Hitoya likes about boardwalks: roller coasters and midway games. He's actually quite good at them, too, and has won so many toys that he'd needed to buy a tote bag at a gift shop just to carry them all. The idea is that at the end of the day, everyone can go through the bag and get what they want, then Jyushi will take the rest home for his collection. It's honestly amazing how well their divisions mesh together. This is only the first real trip as a unit, but it's as though they've been doing this for far longer. And the arcade hasn't burst into flames just yet, meaning the other four must be doing well.
"That's adorable," Jakurai says, holding the tote open for the rabbit. "I'm sure Jyushi will love it." Unless Doppo decides to take it as a gift for that police officer from Yokohama he's been seeing lately...perhaps once this little alliance is cemented, they could bring that division in, as well? And then slowly work their way into including each division until all six could work together rather than against each other. It's a bit idealistic, but if one were to put in the time…
Having wandered off on a train of thought, it takes Jakurai a moment to realize Hitoya has become a bit stiff, not placing the rabbit into the bag just yet. "Yeah, he would." The lawyer moves his other hand to the side of his neck, rubbing it as he looks away. "But I didn't get this one for him."
Well of course not, the bag is for everyone. So why would he...oh. Oh. Jakurai feels those indescribable emotions flutter up once more as he realizes what Hitoya means. "You mean, you got it for…"
Hitoya's hand drops to his side as he offers Jakurai the stuffed animal, a distinct pink color dusted on his face as he does so. He mumbles something hard to decipher, but Jakurai can make out, "...made me think of you…" and it's enough to make his heart leap right out of his chest.
"...thank you…" The doctor doesn't know what else there is to say, once more at a loss for words as he takes the little rabbit. It's so soft, and somehow even more adorable than at first glance. Jakurai runs his thumb over one of the ears, before he picks up on something. Holding the rabbit up to his face, he inhales, eyes widening at the realization. "It's scented!"
"It is?" Both of them are eager to focus on something else other than these feelings, it seems. Jakurai is more than happy for the distraction at the moment, holding the rabbit up for Hitoya. His face lights up as he recognizes the scent. "Mint?"
"Isn't that darling? You would think a purple toy would smell like lavender, or even grapes…"
"Guess that makes it perfect for you, huh?" Hitoya takes a butterscotch out of his pocket and unwraps it, popping it into his mouth. "You've always liked unique stuff like that."
A unique rabbit from the most unique man of all. Jakurai can't bring himself to say that part out loud, however. Just thinking it does enough. Instead he holds his rabbit in the crook of his elbow as he looks into the bag. There are various stuffed toys in there, from generic fluffy things to anime mascots. "I think this may be the only one I need," he says. "How about you? Will you be taking one?"
"Nah." Hitoya shakes his head. "Stuffed animals aren't really my thing."
"No? But you've won all of these, surely you'd like to keep at least one…"
"The fun in those games is winning, not the prizes. Now if it was money I was playing for, I'd be all over that. But I think the others would get a bigger kick out of these things." He glances at his watch. "Shit, speaking of...we're supposed to meet them for dinner in fifteen minutes. Guess we should head over there for now?"
"Good idea." Bunny rabbit in one arm and the tote in the other, Jakurai stands up and starts for the arcade with Hitoya. All around them families play midway games, knocking bottles down or throwing bean sacks into buckets. Hitoya's played just about every game here, and Jakurai is able to spot prizes hanging from booth walls that have a spot inside the tote. It's a picturesque kind of place, the Sun only just setting so that the midway lights are becoming more prominent. Pop tunes play over the speakers, and the rich scent of funnel cakes is underscored by the salt of the ocean. It's a beautiful afternoon, and it's been a beautiful day, as well. Rides and photos and exhibits and games and...and fun. This has all just been so much fun, and Jakurai's been able to experience it with people he loves and cares about. There's a feeling in him that makes him feel light, and he starts humming along to the music playing as they continue on.
"...hm?" He realizes at about three paces ahead that Hitoya's stopped. "Hitoya?" Jakurai moves back to his boyfriend. "Is everything alright?"
"Huh? Oh. Yeah. Let's go." Hitoya turns away from what he was staring at, but not quickly enough for Jakurai to catch where his gaze had been. There's only one left, and it's fairly small, but it's something that instantly catches Jakurai's eye even if Hitoya hadn't seen it. It's a traditional teddy bear, but with little felt sunglasses on, as well as a little moto jacket and a red plush guitar sewn onto its paws as if it's playing it. Is this how Hitoya had felt, seeing that rabbit at the strength game? Because Jakurai now has a strong determination to win that bear.
"You know...I don't think you played this game." Jakurai walks up to the booth, looking at the game closer. Your typical balloon dart game, where you get a prize based on how many you can pop.
"Eh...I don't waste time or money on things I can't win."
So, balloon darts are a game Hitoya isn't fond of? How frustrating that the one prize practically made for him is at his least favorite game! Jakurai hands Hitoya the bag and rabbit, then takes out his wallet. "I think," he says, placing a few bills down on the counter, "We have time for one last game."
"Jakurai…" From the way the corners of his mouth twitch, it's clear Hitoya is trying to fight back a smile. "You don't have to…"
"Of course I don't." Jakurai doesn’t bother to hide his smile as he’s handed the darts. “But I want to.”
In just a matter of seconds, three balloons are replaced by darts wedged into corkboard, thrown with deadly precision. To think, the remnants of his past training, used to win a teddy bear for his boyfriend...well, there could be worse uses, Jakurai supposes. But that’s not what’s important right now. What is important is that the little bear is now his. Well...not his , anyway.
“I think it’s time someone won you something,” Jakurai says as he holds out the bear for Hitoya. As it’s handed off, he takes his own rabbit back. “It’s adorable, isn’t it?”
“Yeah…” Hitoya seems a bit preoccupied, though. Jakurai is about to ask why, but his question is answered before it’s even asked. Hitoya’s free arm wraps around Jakurai’s back, nudging him a bit closer. It’s an invitation Jakurai is familiar with, and one he eagerly accepts. Hands on Hitoya’s shoulders, he leans down, their lips meeting halfway. It’s sweet and loving, so fitting for this already wonderful day, and fitting for all these emotions that have been swirling in Jakurai’s mind and heart. It’s taken so long to feel this way, and he hopes to continue to feel like this throughout the rest of his life. And with any luck, Hitoya will be the one making him feel this way throughout that.
It has to break sometime, and it does, but it’s not disappointing. Jakurai hooks his own arm through Hitoya’s and smiles at him. “Let’s go,” he says, anything else he could think of to tell Hitoya not needing to be spoken. Already up ahead he can see the other four waiting for them, and his heart feels even warmer than before. This is love. Love for Hitoya, love for his division, love for life itself. And love must be the most wonderful feeling there is.