Chapter Text
In his car, Yahaba is contemplating whether or not it was the smartest decision to start driving in the rain like this. It isn’t particularly dangerous, of course. It’s hardly even a downpour. But rainy days to him were reserved for at-home activities, like watching movies and such.
However, it’s night. So he has a right to be cautious about every little turn he makes, every tug the wind makes at his car. But he can suck it up, especially considering the reason why he was even out in the first place instead of focusing on the studying he should be doing right about now.
Yahaba’s phone rings and he snatches it from where it’s resting on the center console.
“Yes?” His voice is laced with exhaustion.
“My, my, a little snippy, are we?” He can hear the man on the other line let out a small, but full laugh.
“Oikawa-san! Sorry, I didn’t check who was calling-” Yahaba is scrambling for words, pressing the phone to his ear with his shoulder. It isn’t comfortable in the slightest, but it worked in keeping it propped up so he can still use two hands for driving. He makes a right.
“Do you answer everyone else like this? I’m surprised you haven’t been fired from that little store you’re working part-time at.” Another laugh.
Yahaba is fighting back the urge to grumble. There’s a point to this call, isn’t there? “Oikawa-san, what did you need?”
Oikawa lets out a little sigh. “Always so eager to cut to the chase- alright, fine. I just wanted to check up on you, I know it’s a little bit of a drive from your campus to here.” His friend sounds concerned as if he was regretting asking him out this late. And now it’s Yahaba’s turn to snort.
“I’m fine, okay? I agreed to come out here, so I’ll see it through. Besides, I kind of want to meet these guys you’ve been playing with for the past few years.”
Ah, yeah. The other 4 people that Oikawa will never shut up about.
Oikawa is in a band. From what Yahaba knows about it, they are relatively good and somewhat well-known around their area. Tokyo-based and busy constantly. Yahaba hasn’t had the chance to properly see Oikawa in ages, so this visit is long overdue. Since his school is on break, of course he would take this chance to see him.
Oikawa is like nothing Yahaba has ever seen or heard. He’s sparkling and hooks you in when you least expect it. It’s what had happened to himself, back in high school when he first met the man. When he was still starry-eyed and excited by all things impressive.
Of all the words he can use to describe his long-time friend, it would simply be ‘amazing’.
“Alright, alright! Sorry for worrying about my little kouhai.” He’s teasing Yahaba now, and Yahaba scrunches his nose in distaste. Oikawa can’t see it, but the silence on his end can portray it enough.
“Stop that, I don’t even really play that much these days. I’m not even in that realm anymore, remember?”
Yahaba used to play with Oikawa, all those years ago, but as of recently, he hasn’t even so much as touched an instrument.
There’s a crash and a yelp.
He jumps a little in his seat, gripping the steering wheel. “Oikawa-san?”
“AH! OW, IWA-CHAN!” Iwa-chan. Was that one of his bandmates, maybe? Some more shuffling sounds and then Oikawa is huffing into the speaker again. “Sorry about that, my bandmate was causing me grief. I swear, they’ll give me gray hairs before I’m even thirty!” He whines.
“Uh, that’s alright..do they need you now? I can hang up. I’m only half an hour away, you know.” Yahaba is honestly eager to get off the call anyways, he wants to get some quiet before he reaches the location Oikawa had sent him over text earlier. It’s a popular bar, so it’s probably going to be a little busier than your average hole-in-the-wall.
And where there’s a busy place, there’s going to be lots of noise.
He sounds distracted when he replies. “Hm, yeah, that would be great. I’ll see you soon, Yahaba-kun!” His phone beeps, signifying that the call has ended.
“He always does that.” Yahaba can’t help but smile, though. He’ll be seeing him soon.
Really, what had he been expecting when he walked into the building? Silence? But that wasn’t what Yahaba will be getting, not now, not for the rest of the night either. He pockets his keys and phone, and tugs at his sleeves.
Yahaba is dressed on the more casual side tonight, which seems to have been the best choice since all the other people around him that are finding seats and chatting with their friends are wearing jeans and t-shirts. A few dresses that are on the shorter side of things as well, and oh god. Yahaba’s eyes snap away from the sight.
Don’t stare at people, Yahaba. He curses himself internally. That is exactly the wrong thing to be doing, he isn’t a weird teenager anymore. He knows better.
“Where is Oikawa...” He mutters. Directing his focus to find the brown-haired man is a priority right now, or at least finding an empty table. A quick look around gives Yahaba a good idea of the general layout.
To his left, there’s a mixture of both booths and high-top tables, and on the right of him is the bar. Each side is equally filled with people of all sorts, but there’s a specific demographic that seems to reign the majority here.
“Can I get you a drink?” There’s somebody right next to him, asking the question right up against Yahaba’s ear. His hand flies up to cover it, slightly embarrassed and honestly sort of spooked. What person just does that?
One glance at the guy beside him gives him a clue at what kind of person he is, and Yahaba has to stop himself from saying something snooty. The guy just has that annoying swagger about him. He isn’t a fan of cocky, rude guys.
Is he being judgemental? Maybe. But this is a bar, and it’s getting to be late now.
“No, thank you.” He bites out, a forced smile on his face. And with that being said, he leaves as quickly as he can. There’s no way he’d stick around long enough to find out what reaction he’d get to that brush off. Yahaba may not be one to frequent bars like this, but he isn’t entirely clueless.
Thankfully, he runs into just the right person he wants to see. Yahaba grins, his previous conversation forgotten instantly. Here he is, Oikawa Tooru in all his glory.
“Still looking good, even after becoming a college dropout, Oikawa-san.” Yahaba jokes. Oikawa rolls his eyes in response.
“Shut up and hug me, you damned prick! Running off to college, leaving your poor teacher behind!” Oikawa yanks Yahaba into a soul-crushing embrace, not letting up even when he taps at his shoulder repeatedly.
“You’re,” He gasps a little. “not my teacher, Oikawa-san.” Oikawa laughs, letting go finally. Yahaba rubs his side with his hand to soothe the ache he’s now experiencing. “You sure can crush me, Jesus.” He mutters.
There was a man that approached the two of them, one Yahaba barely recognizes; he looks familiar, with his spiky black hair, green eyes, and ever-present frown on his face. He scrunches his nose, trying to figure out where he’s seen this guy before. But it seems he beats him to it because he’s already extending a hand up in a greeting.
“Oikawa. This that kid you were talking about?” Yahaba tenses as he stares right at him; Yahaba is in no way intimidated by people in general, only irritated by them instead, but this man could easily keep him on the edge of his seat.
“Yes, this is Yahaba-kun, an old friend from high school! He’s taken time tonight to support us, isn’t that great?” Oikawa hums. Yahaba nods.
“Good to meet you..?” The man raises his eyebrows in surprise, and then swiftly wacks Oikawa over the head. Yahaba cringes at Oikawa’s yelp.
“Ow!”
“You didn’t tell him who I was before this?” He shakes his head, looking back at Yahaba with that intense stare. “Iwaizumi Hajime.” Iwaizumi reaches his hand out for him to shake, which he did right away. Yahaba respected him already.
“Well, good to officially meet you then. I’ve heard a lot about you from Oikawa-san.” And he’s seen many posts on Instagram of him; it was just now that he was finally able to put a name to the face.
“Likewise. I’ll be going back again, but feel free to stop by during pack-up. I’m pretty sure Mattsun and Makki would love to meet the infamous student Oikawa brags so much about.” Iwaizumi smiles kindly at the last statement, gives Oikawa a hearty pat on the back, and then walks back behind the stage. Yahaba caught the flash in Oikawa’s eyes when the dark-haired man turns his back after the interaction. He raises an eyebrow at Oikawa.
Oikawa blinks, looking back at him. “What? Is this because I forgot to tell you everyone’s names before you came here? I’m sorry, you know!” Yahaba shakes his head. If he doesn’t get it, no point in saying anything, right? Besides, he didn’t know the context of Iwaizumi and Oikawa’s relationship.
“No, no. Nothing, Oikawa-san.” Yahaba takes a quick look around, and a thought hits him.
He doesn’t know where he should sit tonight. Is there a specific place viewers sit? Is there even an opening left for him? Yahaba teeters, trying to work through it in his head.
Oikawa rests an arm around Yahaba’s shoulders, making him lean in. “Yahaba-kun, you’re thinking too hard again. Let’s get you a drink to loosen you up a little!” Yahaba tries to protest, but Oikawa is not having it by the way he’s dragging him to the bar. So he ends up giving up, letting himself be manhandled.
“I’m not much of a drinker, I don’t think I want to change that up tonight.” Yahaba says, sticking his tongue out in disgust when Oikawa hands him something in a shot glass. It looks like whiskey, and he’s not anymore interested in it than he was before.
Oikawa doesn’t like that answer. He looks downright scandalized. “Not much of a drinker? What kind of a college student are you?” Yahaba tries to set the glass down, only for it to return to his hands right after. He frowns.
“A responsible one.” He mutters. Not every college experience has to include drinking, right? Not his, anyway. He was perfectly fine with just sticking to what he does best; studying, and working hard without dependency on alcohol.
“A little too responsible, you look like you don’t even sleep all that much.” Oikawa looks concerned for a moment, before reverting to his normal, smug facial expression. Yahaba knows him well; he’s concerned, just doesn’t want to show it.
Yahaba takes a deep breath, staring down at the glass; he’s thinking about it now. He is at a bar to have fun and catch up with Oikawa, so one shot can’t hurt. Oikawa knows he’s debating because his smile grows a tad softer.
“So just take today to let loose, and have fun. Besides, it’s way more fun to listen to us with a drink in your hand, I promise.” Oikawa gives Yahaba a friendly pat on the back.
“Oikawa!” A muffled voice shouts, coming from backstage somewhere.
“But now, I’ve gotta head back. Sit or stand anywhere, though I’d suggest sitting. Your feet will thank me later.” Oikawa winks one last time before he leaves in the same direction Iwaizumi did, and Yahaba is alone once more.
Yahaba downs the shot in one swoop of his arm, and then leaves the glass on the counter. He didn’t plan on drinking any more than this, and when he turned to pay for it, the bartender shook their head.
“You’re a friend of Oikawa, right? The drink’s on the house.” Their smile was warmer and friendlier than Yahaba expects it to be; although that’s a bartender’s job, to be friendly so they can get more tips. But Yahaba is grateful for the free drink, and he gives them a thank you.
Now, the question is where he should settle down. Most seats are taken, so Yahaba concludes that maybe he waited a tad too long to sit down. But, his eyes catch an empty chair near the stage, and Yahaba makes a beeline for it because, with the bar being as busy as it is, an opportunity won’t come like this again for such a good spot. Especially so close to the stage.
To say it was strange to be sitting down amid all the noise and chatter was an understatement; anybody who knows Yahaba from college knows that he barely ever comes to campus functions or community events. Much less bars.
But that noise quickly turns into roaring applause and cheers, as the curtains begin to pull back from the stage. Yahaba watches with an unwavering gaze, waiting until he sees Oikawa’s face up there.
And oh, does he see him. Oikawa looks completely in his element, with a microphone stand in front of him, his guitar hanging off his shoulder from its strap. It’s so utterly Oikawa, and Yahaba can’t help but smile.
He’s still in love with music, even after all this time. It’s incredible to see again.
Yahaba surveys the rest of the band as he hears Oikawa give their introduction, seeing Iwaizumi on Oikawa’s right, another black-haired man, a pink-haired man, and then the drummer.
Yahaba’s breath hitches, as he takes in the sight.
He was unfairly attractive, with his blonde hair with two black streaks, the eyeliner he can see from even here that defines the eyes Yahaba wonders what color they could be; and the scowl that was ever-present on his face.
But at that moment, the music starts, and he’s lost to the sounds all over again.
Oikawa didn’t tell him what their theme is for tonight, but he can already tell from the way Oikawa’s voice is carrying itself, it’s a breakup song. To who, he wonders? From the looks of it, his bandmates all seem tense, in some way, shape, or form.
It’s amazing, the riffs, the drums, the careful, yet angry tones Oikawa is letting out for the audience to hear. They’re receiving it exceptionally well if you can tell by the way the patrons inside were cheering along. Yahaba can clearly remember the sound from way back when they were both high school students who’d found their passion in expression and music.
Yahaba tilted his head to the side, staring Oikawa down with his curious gaze. Oikawa looked back at him with a bright, mischievous look of his own.
“Like what you hear? I’ve been working on it for a while.” Oikawa’s hands were on his hips, his stance was oozing with confidence only Oikawa could have.
Yahaba knew him from around the school, he’d seen him always surrounded by girls, or his friends; never alone, always around somebody. Oikawa was a social creature, very much unlike Yahaba himself. But Yahaba found himself taken by the boy, inspired by how he presented himself to the world.
To say that they were complete opposites would indeed be true, and yet the two found a middle ground, a place they come together and discuss.
“Of course, you’re always amazing, Oikawa-san,” Yahaba replied easily. There was no lie in his words. How could he lie? Oikawa bettered his singing by a long shot and even the best singer in their school’s choir. Not to mention instrumental skills.
“Don’t give me too big of a head now, Yahaba-kun.” His voice had a small lilt to it, friendly and charming. “Say, why don’t I teach you how to play the piano? You’ve got the hands for it.” Oikawa suddenly gasped. Yahaba frowned slightly.
“I only know how to play the violin, though?” He muttered.
Oikawa took one of Yahaba’s hands in his, turning it over, and studied every inch. Yahaba wanted to squirm, but he stayed still and waited for his response.
“Yeah, that’s true. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to play now, right?” And how could he say no to that? Yahaba wouldn’t get many opportunities for lessons from Oikawa. Sure, any teacher or instructor could do it just fine.
But this was Oikawa, somebody Yahaba looked up to.
“Okay, I’ll do it.” He gave in.
“Wonderful! How about we start after school today?”
And so it went, the lessons started right after school that day. They continued up until Oikawa would eventually graduate, leaving Yahaba behind with the piano.
Yahaba would never forget the sounds that Oikawa was able to make, his music was important to him, it showed. Yahaba could only hope to reach that one day.
There’s one last flourish of the guitar, and the song ends. Yahaba has been so focused on his thoughts that he’s completely missed the entirety of the first song; Yahaba claps his hands along with the other people around, dazed.
The night continued with Oikawa’s amazing voice, backed up by some of the best playings he’s heard in a while. So these are the people Oikawa has been with for the past few years. Yahaba can’t help but smile to himself as he taps his foot along to the beat.
Impressive, and amazing.
Drinks are being passed around by runners, one happening to reach Yahaba at one point. He accepts, remembering that Oikawa said the music was better with a drink; and he’s starting to believe it as they play song after song.
Sure, he’s not going to drink himself to a stupor. Only enough to get his throat tingling, and his stomach warm. No more than that, because Yahaba meant it when he said he’s responsible.
He might be out for a good time, but he’s not going to get drunk. He throws back his head, swallowing down the last of his shots, only the 2nd one tonight, and brings his focus back to the music. Yahaba is smiling.
“Yahaba-kun! What’d you think?” Oikawa is speed-walking back to Yahaba, who’s staying behind to pack up. The building is beginning to empty itself of all the people inside, much to Yahaba’s gratitude. He doesn’t know how much more yelling he can take tonight.
“It was a great performance, Oikawa-san. Who chose the music for the setlist?” Yahaba is not going to lie, he’s curious about who put all the breakup songs on it. It isn’t uncommon for them to frequent bands, but tonight was heavy with them.
Oikawa laughs, scratching the back of his head. “Ah, well, that’d be me.” Yahaba raises his eyebrows.
“You?”
“Mm, I got dumped recently! I guess I never told you?” Oikawa hums, and motions for Yahaba to follow. “But that’s a chat for another day, so c’mon and let me introduce you to my second family!” Yahaba nods quickly and follows him to the stage. Oikawa hops up and then extends a hand out to help him. Yahaba pulls himself up, brushing his knees off.
“Boys! Yahaba Shigeru, the guy I told you all about!” Oikawa waves a hand at Yahaba in introduction, and he nods his head in greeting. The pink-haired man he saw from before with the keyboard smirks mischievously.
Yahaba doesn’t know how to feel about this just yet.
“Ohoho, the college student! Nice to finally meet you! Say, has he ever told you about the time he-” Oikawa shushes him right away, and he laughs through the hands covering his mouth.
Oikawa grumbles. “This is Makki, and the pain next to him is Mattsun. You’ve met Iwaizumi offstage,” Iwaizumi waves to Yahaba, and he returns it right away. “And this here is little Kyoken.” Oikawa tries to go in for a side hug, only stumbling into the air as said man evades it. Yahaba does a double-take.
It’s the guy he’d been staring at for the majority of the performance. Yahaba felt the air constrict in his throat, clenching his hands at his sides. The drummer glares right back at him, which takes Yahaba aback.
“His hair looks stupid like yours.” A gruff voice states and Yahaba can’t help but take offense to it.
“Excuse me? Yours isn’t any better.” He snaps. Sure, he’s been admiring him, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that this guy’s hair looks like a tennis ball.
“Tch.”
“Kyoutani, stop. Have some manners here.” Iwaizumi frowns at Kyoutani (apparently not actually named Kyouken), and said man scowls even more, but gives a curt nod.
Oikawa sighs, brushing off his shoulders. “Like I said, they take years off of my life.”
Yahaba pries his annoyed gaze away from Kyoutani, so he’s looking back at his friend. “Doesn’t really surprise me now that I’ve met them.” He mutters. Kyoutani snorts.
“You’re not all that Oikawa hyped you up to be either.” Yahaba clenches his teeth. Do not engage, do not engage. So, his initial view on the man isn’t all that correct. His personality emulates something resembling a burning garbage can. At least, from what Yahaba can tell so far.
“I should probably be heading back soon, it’s what..after midnight?” Yahaba opts to check his phone, pursing his lips when he sees that it is indeed after 12am. He needs to at least get some amount of sleep, or his sleep schedule will suck more than it already does.
“You’re such a college student. Yahaba-kun, you have the weekend, right? Just stay with me.” Oikawa pouts a little. It’s obvious he won’t be letting up anytime soon, and he knows just how easy it is to get Yahaba to agree to what he says. He closes his eyes, sighing.
“If you end up ruining my sleep schedule, I will refrain from overnights in the future.”
Oikawa attacks him with a hug, a smirk on his face. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t the best idea to trust him. But it has been years, and Yahaba misses the company. He really does.
“Promise we won’t get you too drunk.” Mattsun draws an x over his heart, a solemn expression on his face. Makki cackles.
“Yeah right, that’s what you said last time when we had Watari over! Don’t trust this man, he’ll do anything to get you hung over the following day.” Makki dries the tears out of the corner of his eyes with the back of his hand, letting out a few stray laughs.
Yahaba has a small smile on his face as he listens. “I don’t really give in easily, so that won’t be an issue.”
“You hear that Iwa-chan, Kyoken? Looks like somebody else is in the running for most stubborn. You think he’ll beat you?” Oikawa lets out a bark of laughter. Yahaba gapes at him. He’s not stubborn!
“Oikawa-san! I’m not that stubborn, alright-”
“Ah ah ah, Yahaba-kun. Don’t think I don’t remember how you were back in high school.” Oikawa tuts. Yahaba shakes his head.
“High school is different, I’m a grown adult now.”
Iwaizumi clears his throat. “If there’s one thing you should know about being an adult, it’s that time doesn’t always let things fade away.” He’s looking dead straight at Oikawa, who’s coincidentally staring off into space. Yahaba frowns, but nods.
“Right.”
Mattsun and Makki are trying to grab hold of Kyoutani, with little to no success. He’s dodging them very well, and Yahaba is slightly impressed. “So Oikawa, where will Yahaba be sleeping?” Iwaizumi asks finally, a question Yahaba was wondering himself.
Oikawa thinks for a moment. “Well, my room makes the most sense really.”
“Hold on. Does Oikawa not live by himself?” Yahaba finds this weird, he’s been assuming that he just lives in an apartment somewhere in the city. Location wise and job wise, it makes sense.
Iwaizumi shakes his head. “No, he happens to live with the four of us. If anything, I’m the one losing years of my life having them in the house. But Oikawa’s room has more space anyways, so you don’t have to worry about sleeping around a stranger.” Yahaba is thankful for that.
“That makes sense, I suppose. You are bandmates after all.” Yahaba says, a hand on his neck.
The three of them jump when they hear cymbals crash onto the ground, a string of swear words and heavy profanities following after it. Iwaizumi grumbles. “Oikawa, go get Yahaba into the car. I’ll handle these shits myself.” He rolls up his sleeves, and Yahaba barely has time to admire the strength of them before he’s being whisked away from the stage, and out of the building.
This is going to be a wild night, Yahaba thought. He’s most likely going to be tired out of his mind tomorrow.