Work Text:
“I don’t think you realize how obvious you are, Kakeru.” Prince said those words casually as he poured himself another drink around the table set up outside, coming to stand next to Kakeru.
Kakeru and the twins were already fourth years, and they were having a reunion with the old team back from Kakeru’s freshman days. It was nostalgic, seeing everyone together again, having a good time and drinking, and Prince being too observant. Kakeru knew he was staring at Haiji almost the whole time since he arrived, but it was impossible to look away.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kakeru took a long sip of his cold drink to cool down his face. Prince turned to give him a boring look.
“Exactly what I said, you’ve been too obvious about your crush on Haiji for years.” The way Prince said it so casually caught him off guard and Kakeru merely hummed in response while he drank.
Your crush on Haiji.
His eyes widened as he realized what Prince had said and almost spit out his drink. He swallowed quickly and stared at him, thinking of something to say. He didn’t want to deny the statement and knew that Prince would call him out on a lie. Kakeru let out a sigh.
“I thought I’ve been a bit better since freshman year.”
“Hm, maybe. I haven’t been hanging around you lately so I wouldn’t know, but from what I saw just now you haven’t improved on being subtle.”
Kakeru knew that he had some sort of feelings for Haiji ever since they began running together during his first year, though it took a few months for him to accept his feelings for Haiji as something much more than friendship.
-------
Kakeru’s first year - after the second track meet
Kakeru never knew how fun and exciting it was to watch races. He was always in the front, racing alone, never seeing anyone unless he was lapping them. He realized that watching his housemates race, enjoying it, and seeing their efforts pay off was an amazing feeling.
Kakeru was snapped out of his thoughts by somebody screaming names near him. When he focused back on his surroundings he noticed it was Haiji, standing next to him, hunched a bit and swinging his arm furiously while calling everyone’s names. He wasn’t cheering with anger, like his old coach used to at his teammates, but with praise and encouragement. Kakeru smiled softly at his actions and couldn’t resist joining in with him. He cupped his hands around his mouth and started shouting as loud as he could.
If Kakeru thought watching the race was exciting, then cheering on his teammates was a euphoric feeling. Everyone either slowly started to get faster every time they ran by or took fast spurts forward when they were cheering their names. Kakeru had never had anyone cheer for him like this or cheer himself. He always thought track meets were meant to be serious and never thought to do anything like this.
In the end, the twins and Musa got official records, and they went to the bathhouse that night to celebrate and talk.
When they got back to Aotake though everyone was exhausted from the track meet and said their goodnights immediately after a quick dinner. Kakeru was left to clean up after everyone, so he was the last to leave the kitchen. He was about to enter his room when he heard a soft thud from across the hall and what sounded like faint swearing followed.
Kakeru knew that the sound came from Haiji’s room and immediately swung around and crossed the hallway to open his door.
“Haiji!” He called out in the darkness of the room. “Are you ok? What happened?” There was a brief silence before he heard a sound from Haiji that sounded like a groan. He flicked on the light quickly and saw him on the floor with a grimace on his face, clutching his knee. He glanced up at Kakeru and tried to smile.
“Ah, sorry Kakeru. I didn’t want you to see me like this.” He slowly approached him and bent down next to Haiji. “It’s fine, nothing serious. Every once in a while the pain is just a bit much to bear y’know? But
I’ll be ok…” He trailed off as he felt Kakeru start to wrap his arms around his neck, pulling him closer for a hug.
“You don’t have to apologize to me Haiji.” After hearing those words he relaxed into Kakeru’s arms and silent tears rolled down his cheeks. They stayed together like that for a while, Kakeru holding Haiji as he cried, even after he stopped. It was silent for a while before he heard a whisper from Haiji so quiet he almost missed it.
“Thank you, Kakeru.”
-------
Kakeru smiled a little at the memory since it was one of the few times where Haiji opened up and accepted help from him.
“So, have you ever actually talked to him about your feelings?” Prince’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
Kakeru frowned a little at his question, feeling troubled as another memory began to resurface. Prince seemed to notice something was off about the way Kakeru’s attitude changed because he turned to fully face Kakeru with a serious look.
“Wait...have you told him?”
“Huh? No! No, I haven’t told him.” He had never told Haiji, but like what Prince said, he was extremely obvious his freshman year.
-------
Kakeru’s freshman year
Kakeru was out enjoying the stars on the balcony at the place the team was staying for their summer retreat to train, thinking about what he should do. His past was going to come out sooner or later, and the team should know, especially Haiji. His outburst at Sakaki had to be explained at some point, and he couldn’t keep on causing trouble for the team. Kakeru just didn’t know how to bring it up.
All of a sudden he heard the door open to the balcony. He looked over to see Haiji holding two cups in his hands.
“You must be cold.” He said, wearing his usually soft smile. “I heated up some milk.” Kakeru accepted it, still deep in thought as Haiji started to talk about the view.
Why did he come out here…
“How much do you know? About me.” Haiji looked over at him, confused by his question for a second, but then it clicked and he looked back out at the stars.
“I just did a quick search to find out who you were, and found out that you were ranked nationally until your records stopped suddenly during your third year, but I didn’t look further than that.”
He accepted me onto the team without knowing?
“I can’t cause any more trouble for the team.” He gripped his cup and glared out in front of him. “I can’t control my emotions.” Kakeru turned his head to face Haiji.
“Haiji, I-”
“Kakeru. If you want to talk about it, don’t you want everyone on the team to hear?” He felt a bit relieved after Haiji said that. He wasn't sure if he was fully ready to talk about it right now.
Before he could respond, Hana opened the door.
“Oh, you’re still awake?” Haiji turned to face her and saw that she had just gotten out of the bath.
“Sorry you had to go last. Was the bath dirty?”
“Not at all!” She replied with a smile, then turned her gaze towards Kakeru. “You cleaned it for me, right?” Haiji turned to look at him too.
“Oh? You’re that considerate?” He felt a small blush rise to his cheeks as he responded.
“Yuki told me to use my head.” Haiji chuckled a bit at that, and then looked at Kakeru in a way he never had before.
“You seniors can teach you all kinds of things.” His cheeks got warmer at Haiji’s words. “By the way…” Oh, Kakeru did not like how Haiji was looking at him now.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” Haiji said excitedly as he slung his arm around Kakeru’s shoulder.
“H-huh?! No…” He stuttered, trying to keep his obvious blush hidden from Haiji. “I don’t have a boyfriend either…” He muttered under his breath, which he realized was a mistake a second later. He looked at Haiji and found him staring at him with an unreadable expression. Kakeru was so shocked that he didn’t even realize Haiji had pulled his arm away. When he did notice, he was already a few feet away saying something to Hana about needing sleep.
What just happened?
Kakeru knew that he muttered something about a boyfriend, but he didn’t think Haiji would hear it. Even if he did hear it though…
Was he disgusted? Is that why he pulled away from me?
He didn’t think Haiji was the kind of person to be that way towards those kinds of things, but maybe Kakeru didn’t know him like he thought he did.
“Kakeru!” Someone was shouting his name, no, it was more like a whispered shout. He snapped out of his thoughts and looked over. It was Hana.
“Hey, I’ve been calling out your name a few times. I’m heading in too and wanted to tell you goodnight!” Hana smiled sweetly and waved at him as she started to walk away.
“Oh, goodnight Hana.” He quietly called out after her.
Kakeru went in soon after her, dwelling on what happened with Haiji.
-------
“Wait a minute,” Prince said, sitting at the kitchen table. He and Kakeru moved into the house so Kakeru could tell him what happened his freshman year. “That happened between you two? But everything seemed fine the rest of the year.” It sounded like Prince whispered something to himself, but Kakeru chose to ignore it.
“It was for the most part. I was still close to Haiji and he didn’t seem to mind, but there were some times where I could tell he realized something and was just more cautious.” He looked back at Prince, who was in deep thought over what he just said.
“I don’t think I can help you with this one Kakeru. You and Haiji need to speak.”
“But-”
“Nope, you’re speaking to him and I’m gonna force you if I have to. I can’t believe you haven’t talked to him about this for three years now! I should’ve gotten involved earlier apparently.” Kakeru felt as though he was getting scolded by Prince.
“Prince, I appreciate you trying to help, but I know what happened that night. The more I think about it the more it makes sense. He’s straight and doesn’t like guys. Moreover, he’s even disgusted by someone who is attracted to guys!” Kakeru was standing up now, looking down at Prince who was glaring at him now.
“Kakeru, you can’t-”
“Hey! I heard some raised voices, is everything ok? I hope nobody is feeling down during the party!”
Prince was interrupted by none other than Haiji himself, standing in the doorway, looking stupidly beautiful as always and smiling.
Before Kakeru could say anything Prince stood up and walked towards Haiji. He placed his hand on his shoulder and turned his head to make eye contact with Kakeru, smirking.
“Haiji, perfect timing.”
“Really?” Haiji was still smiling, though a little confused.
“Yeah, you see, you should sit down and explain to Kakeru how none of his upperclassmen are straight.”
Kakeru’s jaw dropped at Prince’s statement, trying to figure out what he meant, but got distracted by Haiji’s face, which had turned a deep red.
“O-oh? Prince, I don’t see why you can’t…” By the time Haiji finished his sentence, Prince was already down the hallway and heading out the door to join the rest of the group. Haiji looked a little lost for a bit, switching his gaze from the hallway to Kakeru a few times. He finally cleared his throat and slowly entered the kitchen, pulling out the chair Prince was in, across from Kakeru, and sitting in it.
“Well, to start off, Prince was telling the truth.” Kakeru was going to say something to go against Haiji’s words but didn’t know how to respond to that, especially with Haiji still blushing and avoiding eye contact.
“But I never thought of telling you cause I assumed you’d just know since you’re into guys as well.” Kakeru sucked in a breath.
He just said it so casually, but he knows about me. But wait, what about him-
Kakeru got his thoughts cut off by Haiji who was still talking.
“I mean, you already have a boyfriend even.”
Wait, WHAT.
He was very confused now and wanted to say something, but Haiji just kept on rambling on and Kakeru couldn’t put his thoughts together.
“Oh yeah, you’ve been dating since your freshman year right? How’s that going? I mean, I’m sure it’s going well of course and-”
“Ok Haiji, please shut up.” Kakeru thought Haiji's face couldn't get darker. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap but I just really needed you to be quiet so I could put my thoughts together and figure out what you’re saying.”
That seemed to calm Haiji down a little bit, he breathed in and out deeply and finally made eye contact with Kakeru.
“Ok…” He started, thinking of what to mention first. “You’re into guys? And the others except for the twins as well, right?” Haiji nodded along, and when Kakeru said that it clicked with him.
“Nico-senpai and Yuki?” Haiji seemed to loosen up a bit more and chuckled.
“Yes, those two got together during the season.”
“Oh, cool. And speaking of being together, I have a boyfriend?” Kakeru was trying to keep serious, but his face was betraying him, flaring up and making a blush spread across his cheeks while he mentioned his “boyfriend”.
Haiji looked away again when he spoke.
“Yeah, I’m sure you don’t remember, but during your freshman year I heard you mutter that you had a boyfriend after you denied having a girlfriend to Hana and I.”
Huh? What did he say?
“But...you pulled away from me, I thought for sure you were disgusted by me being gay.”
“Kakeru, I’m gay.”
“Yeah well, I don’t have a boyfriend and never have. Should we tell each other anything else the other doesn’t know?”
Haiji nodded along to what Kakeru said, “Yeah, I don’t have anyth-” He cut off and whipped back around to look Kakeru in the eye again.
“You’ve never had a boyfriend?”
“Haiji, you found me on the street freshman year stealing bread, you believed I could get a boyfriend?” Kakeru said, exasperated.
Haiji still looked shocked at what he was saying, but simply replied,
“Uh, yes. The way you run is amazing, I’d bet you that everyone who’s watched you run has had a crush on you. And you’re nice and considerate towards everyone once you warm up to them. Being cute is also a plus.”
Kakeru was just staring at Haiji, wondering why he was saying all of this. Was he trying to convince Kakeru he could get himself a boyfriend?
Wait that doesn’t even make any sense.
“Kakeru.” He was broken out of his thoughts by Haiji’s quiet voice. He had put his hand lightly over
Kakeru’s and was looking at him softly with his pretty golden-brown eyes.
“I’ve already half confessed so...what I’m trying to say is that I’m surprised you don’t have a boyfriend because I find you beautiful, talented, funny, and straightforward but kind.” He laughed a bit at the last part, and that made Kakeru crack a little smile too.
“I like you, Kakeru.”
Even though he knew those words were coming, they still hit hard when Haiji said them.
He likes me. He likes me back.
Kakeru couldn’t respond, even though he knew it was just four simple words back, so he just went with his instincts. He stood up quickly and rounded to the other side of the table as quickly as possible, taking a few long strides and grabbed Haiji’s shoulders, bending down to kiss him.
It felt like an eternity to Kakeru, with Haiji’s soft lips against his. He’s never felt this way before, like everything is finally coming together. He had found his passion for running with Haiji’s help, and it wasn’t complete without him. Kakeru finally pulled away and opened his eyes to look at Haiji.
“I like you too.” He breathed out.
Haiji’s reaction was priceless. He was opening and closing his mouth while his blush was getting deeper, even the tips of his ears were red. Kakeru was about to lean down and kiss him again when they were interrupted.
“You owe me twenty bucks, Yuki.”
Kakeru whipped around to see Nico and Yuki standing at the entrance to the kitchen, exchanging their bet that he realized was placed on them.
“Hey! What’s going on in the kitchen?”
“Yeah! Are we moving the party in here for one last drink?”
Oh no.
The twins soon crowded the entrance, along with everyone else from the old Aotake house. Prince squeezed his way through and gestured at the two.
“Well, these two finally got together.”
There was a moment of silence before three voices chimed in at the same time.
“They weren’t already dating?”
-------
2 years later
Kakeru stepped up to the start line, his heart pumping and adrenaline high. He took a deep breath in and out, then waited for the gun signal to begin.
It was the 2020 Olympics, and they were right in Tokyo. He couldn’t believe it when he got scouted for the Japan team and ran so fast to Haiji’s apartment he almost plowed down his door. Now he was here, with Haiji in the crowd somewhere cheering him on.
Even though the race was long, ten kilometers on the track was twenty-five laps, it went by fast. Kakeru kept pace with the lead pack, letting the guys in front set the tone for the race. He knew what he was capable of.
They slowly picked it up at the halfway mark, with guys dropping off the pack gradually, and soon there were only four laps to go.
One mile.
Kakeru started to make his move, inching his way past runners one by one. Soon there were only two laps left and Kakeru was right behind the leader.
I can do this. I can go faster.
He extended his stride, moving his legs faster, and passed the leader with one lap to go. The last lap went by in a blur. Kakeru was alone once again, racing towards nothing but the finish line. His adrenaline was fading, and he was starting to have labored breaths come out.
What happened? I can't get tired now.
As soon as he slowed down the littlest bit he felt breathing next to his ear. He could see him, out of the corner of his eye, the leader of the race was up and with him again. Kakeru got a new breath of fresh air and felt the power come back to his legs. They both rounded the corner and were neck and neck the last one hundred meters. He willed his legs to go faster, faster, but the leader got the final step in right before him.
Kakeru couldn’t stop smiling when he was finished. He truly loved running, and now he got to race against the best of the best, no longer alone. He congratulated the winner and looked around for Haiji.
I hope they let him in here.
“Kakeru!” He turned around and saw Haiji running towards him. He was smiling and crying at the same time when Kakeru saw him a little closer. They met each other, hugging tightly while the cameras were flashing everywhere. They pulled back a bit and Kakeru leaned it to give him a chaste kiss. Haiji pouted a bit with a blush on his cheeks.
“We’re on live television Kakeru.”
“Mhm, don’t see why I can’t kiss my boyfriend because of that.” They kissed once more, a little longer this time and Kakeru truly never thought he would have ever been here, and it was all thanks to Haiji.
I love him.
They pulled apart again, resting their foreheads together.
“Move in with me.”