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Higashi watched the other three men leave the arcade before dropping his head to the counter, groaning. He wouldn't have minded just helping Kaito, although it was his neck on the line if he got caught. Adding Yagami to the mix threw fuel on the fire in a way he didn't anticipate, although he did feel a little more kindly towards the man after learning about his past from Kaito. But Sugiura... he didn't know what to expect there. He was clearly the youngest in their group but walked in like he ran Charles instead of Higashi, and acted like it through their meeting, too. Higashi made an annoyed sound against the counter before standing up, rolling his neck and pulling his phone out to add Yagami's number and sending a quick text to confirm it.
To Yagami, 10:14pm - Hey, just sending my number back to you. Thanks for looping me into this. Are we set for today?
As he started to clean up the arcade for the night, his phone buzzed with a reply.
From Yagami, 10:16pm - Sorry, I think you have a wrong number. Hope it wasn't too important.
Higashi groaned again. Now he'd have to track Yagami down again to check the number with him, since Kaito was notoriously awful at not replying to texts. He deleted the contact name and saved it under ? instead.
To ?, 10:16pm - Oh, sorry. Not too important, just annoying that my friend gave me the wrong number. Thanks for the heads up.
He gave his phone a puzzled look when it buzzed again. Maybe Yagami had realized his mistake and got his number from Kaito instead?
From ?, 10:17pm - All good, happens to the best of us. Hopefully it wasn't for a date or anything.
Higashi couldn't hold back a surprised laugh at the thought, walking into the back office to lock up for the night.
To ?, 10:18pm - No, but thanks for the laugh. He's definitely not someone I'd want to date. We're just trying to plan a group thing and it's easier with everyone's number, you know?
Reading the text over again, he shrugged, deciding that 'investigating potential medical research fraud and serial killings' could be described as 'a group thing,' grabbing his jacket and closing the door behind him.
From ?, 10:20pm - Oh, I know how that goes. Last time I tried to do that I got stuck in a group chat with fifteen other people, though, so now I avoid it at all costs.
Higashi laughed to himself again, turning onto the street towards his apartment.
To ?, 10:22pm - Fifteen people? I think I'd end a friendship over that, it sounds like a nightmare.
From ?, 10:25pm - It was! My phone's motor died from all the buzzing. It was unbelievable. The worst part was, nobody could agree on what to do, so they just started arguing and then it fell apart, so it was all for nothing.
He shook his head, unlocking the door to his apartment and tossing his coat to the side, scratching his cat gently behind the ears when she came up to weave around his legs, purring.
To ?, 10:27pm - That sounds awful, but thank you for the laugh. He scooped out dinner for his cat and opened the fridge to see what he could eat, sighing and closing the door when the most appealing thing in there was a half-drunk bottle of juice. Regretfully he sent one final text, figuring he could order takeout after.
To ?, 10:31pm - Sorry, I didn't realize it was so late. I should let you go. Sorry for bothering you accidentally, again.
Three replies came in as he was confirming his order.
From ?, 10:33pm - No, it's fine. I was actually having a kind of shitty night so it was nice to have a normal conversation, even accidentally, you know?
From ?, 10:35pm - Actually, if it's not too weird to ask, would you mind if I saved your number? You seem like a reasonable person, and I don't have enough of that in my life right now.
From ?, 10:37pm - Sorry, I knew it was weird. Ignore that.
Higashi typed back quickly, trying to catch all his typos before hitting send.
To ?, 10:38pm - No, I'm sorry, I was just ordering dinner and didn't have a chance to reply right away. I think that would be nice, actually. My life just kind of got flipped around a little and you seem like a reasonable person too. What should I save your number under?
From ?, 10:39pm - I'm not crazy enough to give out my name, at least. I guess under S? That's my initial, so close enough.
He saved the number carefully, making a note to himself to get Yagami's real number tomorrow.
To S, 10:40pm - Sounds good. You can save mine under H. I really will let you go now, though, since it's getting late. Have a good night!
From S, 10:41pm - Thanks, H. You too.
Higashi ate his dinner alone, sitting on his couch, his cat tucked against his leg purring softly, but somehow felt less lonely than he had for a long time.
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From S, 1:04pm - You will not believe the shit I've seen today.
Higashi started to smile as soon as he checked his phone, and Kaito stared at him. "You got a special someone, buddy?" He shook his head, replying to S quickly.
To S, 1:05pm - Oh yeah? What's going on?
"Yagami gave me the wrong number," he replied to Kaito, "so I accidentally texted the wrong person, but they seem nice, so we're still talking."
Kaito frowned. "This might make me sound old, but isn't that dangerous? Do you know anything about this person?" Higashi shrugged, feeling his phone buzz again.
"No, but that reminds me, I need Yagami's real number. Can you pull it up for me?"
From S, 1:07pm - I don't want to go into too much detail because I think it's supposed to be secret, but it involves a giant underground maze and some freaky guy in a weird leather suit.
Higashi cackled, thanking Kaito and writing down Yagami's actual number (it looked like he'd just swapped two of the digits accidentally).
To S, 1:08pm - I... don't think I want more detail, actually. How does that even happen? Where does that even happen?
From S, 1:09pm - I guess anything is possible in Kamurocho.
"See?" Higashi informed Kaito triumphantly. "It's not a dangerous thing. The other person lives in Kamurocho too."
Kaito frowned again. "That really isn't reassuring, you know. All kinds of weird people live in Kamurocho."
To S, 1:10pm - Hey, I live in Kamurocho too! Wonder if I've seen you around.
"Yeah, but so do we," Higashi said, "and we're not weird. I mean, Yagami is a little weird." Kaito puffed up to defend Yagami, just like Higashi knew he would, giving him a chance to check his phone again.
From S, 1:12pm - Maybe. I don't tend to stick around places with too many people, so you'd have to look pretty hard.
He frowned. What did that mean?
To S, 1:13pm - You're not one of those weird sewer people, are you?
From S, 1:14pm - Oh, gross. Definitely not. I like the rooftops, though.
Kaito was still going on and on, so Higashi just nodded occasionally and hummed when it seemed like there was a pause in the conversation.
To S, 1:16pm - Like the rooftop paths? I've always been scared of heights so I've never been up there.
From S, 1:17pm - You should try it some day. It's not so bad when you know what you're doing. Maybe I'll take you, sometime.
Before he could reply, another text buzzed in.
From S, 1:18pm - Sorry, gotta run. Thanks for the normalcy as always.
To S, 1:19pm - Anytime. Stay safe on the rooftops.
Kaito finished up his Yagami defense speech and took a deep breath. "You're right, he's not that weird," Higashi said as if he'd been listening closely. "Just works in different way sometimes. What did he need us to get done today?"
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Higashi and S texted back and forth casually over the next few days, Higashi doing his best to reply between Yagami dragging him in and out of messes, defaulting to sending pictures of his cat when he hadn't heard from S for a few hours.
(From S, 8:02pm - Oh, she's so pretty! What's her name?
To S, 8:03pm - Aiko, and she's not as pretty when she wakes me up at three in the morning.
From S, 8:04pm - Sure she is, you just don't appreciate her as much then.)
Over a late-night dinner of instant ramen, Higashi considered briefly that maybe Kaito was right, and it wasn't normal to be this dependent on someone he'd never met. But S was always there when he just needed to hear something normal, when he was sick and tired of thinking about bodies without eyes or how Hamura would gladly kill him for still helping Yagami after being directly ordered to stay out of it. S wasn't asking him to be anything other than himself, and Higashi decided that even if it wasn't normal, he deserved a break from the increasingly messy situations he kept finding himself in.
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From S, 9:34am - The barista at Cafe Alps got my name AND my order wrong today.
To S, 9:37am - Have you considered maybe you picked up someone else's order by mistake?
From S, 9:46am - Shit
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To S, 11:09am - How do you feel about bubble tea?
From S, 11:11am - I don't really mind it but it's not the first thing I think of when I want a treat.
From S, 11:12am - Hey, 11:11! Make a wish!
From S, 11:12am - Shit, missed it.
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From S, 4:13pm - I saw the wildest thing today in Theater Square.
To S, 4:15pm - Was it the guy pretending to be a statue?
From S, 4:18pm - YES
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To S, 2:43am - Do you ever feel very lonely no matter how many people are around you
From S, 2:44am - ?
To S, 2:46am - Shit
To S, 2:46am - Sorry, didn't mean to wake you up.
From S, 2:47am - No, I was already up. You okay?
To S, 2:49am - Yeah, sorry. Just a little too much to drink.
From S, 2:52am - Okay, if you're sure.
From S, 2:58am - But I do, too. If that helps.
To S, 3:03am - It does.
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From S, 8:19am - Hey, you doing okay?
To S, 8:21am - Yeah. Sorry again for last night.
To S, 8:22am - And thanks for checking in.
From S, 8:24am - Always happy to help. Glad to hear you’re feeling better.
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Higashi didn't have a chance to text S during the whole mess at the ADDC, checking his phone after they'd all limped home, Sugiura and Yagami staying at the hospital for a once-over before being released. He had a string of unread texts, all from S, and he frowned as he opened the thread and scrolled up to the top, sitting slowly on his couch to read through them all.
From S, 4:39pm - Hey, so. I'm about to do something kind of stupid and just wanted someone to know before I do it.
From S, 4:42pm - I don't really have a choice about doing it because it's important but I'm still a little worried.
From S, 4:43pm - Sorry, I don't want to scare you. I'm sure it'll be fine. Just
From S, 4:44pm - If it isn't fine, I really liked talking to you. Thanks for sticking around for me.
Higashi stared at his phone, heart starting to race. What had S been doing?
To S, 8:56pm - Hey, I'm so sorry I missed these. Are you okay? What happened?
He stared at his phone, feeling it slip in his too-tight grip as his hands started to sweat, waiting nervously for S to reply. He almost dropped his phone when it buzzed again.
From S, 8:58pm - Don't worry about it, I'm okay
From S, 8:58pm - I don't think I can talk about it legally but I'll be okay.
Higashi sighed, his heart starting to slow down.
To S, 8:59pm - You will be okay? Like you aren't currently?
From S, 9:00pm - Yeah, kind of. But I'm not too not-okay, don't worry about me
To S, 9:01pm - How could I not worry about you?
He reread his last text several times as he waited for S to reply, feeling his face start to flush. Was that too weird?
From S, 9:03pm -Thanks, H. That means a lot to me.
Higashi steeled himself to text back, hitting send before he could rethink the message.
To S, 9:04pm - You can say no if it would be too weird, but would you want to meet up? You kind of scared me with those texts and I'd like to know you're okay.
S didn't text back for almost ten minutes, in which time Higashi had decided he could definitely just throw his phone into the sewers and move out of the country.
From S, 9:12pm - Actually, I think I'd like to. I was kind of scared too when I thought I wouldn't be able to talk to you again.
To S, 9:13pm - You up for tomorrow morning at Cafe Alps?
From S, 9:14pm - Sure. The one off Theater Square, right? I'll wear a white hoodie and dark jacket so you know who you're looking for.
The description sounded a little familiar to Higashi, but the thought escaped his mind as he hurried to reply.
To S, 9:15pm - Sounds good. I have to wrap up a couple things early, but I'll meet you there at 9.
From S, 9:16pm - Looking forward to it.
Higashi tipped over to scream into the side of his couch, startling Aiko, who hissed and batted at his hair before lying down huffily on his back.
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He was late. His meeting with Kaito had run longer than expected, and when the older man had asked why he was so antsy, Higashi made the mistake of actually telling him, so he had to sit through the whole stranger danger lecture again. He had only escaped by promising to text Kaito every ten minutes as a check-in, carefully not mentioning the fact that Kaito had only ever texted him back once, and now it was past 9:15 and he was only just turning into Theater Square. Rushing to the door, he reached for the handle as he scanned the windows, seeing a white hood over a dark jacket, orange hair barely brushing the collar -
- and he froze, hand reaching for the door, watching as Sugiura pulled out his phone to check it, frowning when he saw the time and looking around the cafe like he was waiting for someone.
Waiting for... Higashi.
He stepped back from the door, feeling like someone had just dumped ice down his back, phone buzzing in his hand.
From S, 9:16am - Hey, you running late? I grabbed a coffee for you already.
He couldn't text back. S was Sugiura, and Sugiura knew him, and knew his life, and wouldn't want anything to do with him when he figured out Higashi wasn't just some normal guy, and -
Higashi turned and walked away, body feeling numb, not seeing anything around him as he went on autopilot and headed towards Charles.
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From S, 9:25am - H?
From S, 9:31am - You still coming?
From S, 9:43am - I'm sorry if I did something wrong.
From S, 10:05am - I guess you're not coming.
From S, 10:42am - I'll stop texting you now. Sorry again.
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"What the fuck," Sugiura hissed, slamming his hands down on the coffee table in front of Higashi, who jumped off the back office couch and stared at him in shock, "is your problem?"
"I-" Higashi stammered, trying to back up but falling back onto the couch, staring up at Sugiura helplessly. The younger man glared back at him, eyebrows pulled together and eyes looking - almost suspiciously shiny? "Wh- How did you-"
"How did I know?" Sugiura snarled back. "I figured it out when Kaito came busting in, looking for you. Imagine how surprised we both were when we put the pieces together and it turned out that I was the stranger you were supposed to be meeting." He stood up, turning away from Higashi for a second to rub at his eyes. "He was pretty happy you weren't dead, at least."
Higashi just stared at him, dazed, and Sugiura's shoulders drooped, losing all his anger. "You could've at least said you weren't interested, you know, instead of just ditching when you saw that it was me," he muttered, rubbing at his eyes again and sniffing a little bit. Higashi felt his body thaw a tiny bit and stood up again, reaching for Sugiura but hand freezing when he was met with another glare.
"It wasn't that it was you," he tried. "Well. It was, but it wasn't. It- " he cut himself off, huffing in frustration, and Sugiura raised an eyebrow at him.
"Was it or wasn't it?"
Higashi sighed and tried again. "I'm not good at being... normal." That felt right. "I don't get to do things like- like go out for coffee, or make friends, or date cute guys," he continued, gaining steam. "It just felt normal texting with S- with you. It felt normal, and good, and I wanted to keep that. And then I saw it was you."
"And I'm not normal," Sugiura finished, shoulders falling a little more and eyes starting to shine again.
"No, it’s not like that," Higashi said quietly. "I just got scared, because you already know me. I didn't think you would want to know the other side of me that I don't get to be around everyone else." He stared at the coffee table, waiting to hear Sugiura leave.
"That's stupid." His head jerked up and he stared at Sugiura instead, who now had his hands on his hips.
"What?"
"That's stupid," Sugiura insisted, ignoring the tear sliding down his face. "You should be whoever you want to be, because that's what matters, and people who don't want to know all of you shouldn’t matter." He sniffled. "Besides, I got to know that side of you when we were texting. I like that you a lot, but I like this you too."
"You do?" Higashi asked, startled into speaking. Sugiura nodded and sniffled again, wiping at his face. "Oh."
They watched each other quietly for a few moments, Sugiura taking deep breaths and Higashi trying to unclench his hands at his sides.
"Can we -" he started, having to stop and clear his throat. "Can we maybe try this again?"
Sugiura sighed. "Are you going to ditch me this time?"
"No," Higashi replied immediately, reaching for Sugiura, who stepped a little closer. "I won't. I promise." He pulled Sugiura close to his body, giving him a brief hug and pulling back when the younger man yelped. "Shit, I forgot - how's your side?"
"Been worse," Sugiura said (a little too casually, Higashi thought, for someone who had been shot). Higashi frowned, remembering -
"When you texted me about that something stupid, was that right before the ADDC?" Sugiura nodded sheepishly, and Higashi sighed, holding him again a little more carefully.
"You scared the shit out of me with those texts," he murmured against Sugiura's hair, "I had no idea what you were talking about. Thought you were jumping off the rooftops or something."
Sugiura laughed against his chest, shaking his head a little. "You and the rooftops. They're not that bad, you know."
Pulling back, Higashi opened the back office door and led Sugiura out, heading back up the stairs and turning towards Cafe Alps again. "They're terrifying, and knowing it's you up there running around doesn't make it any better, you know." He carefully reached for Sugiura's hand, watching his face for any sign of hesitation, and felt his shoulders sag with relief when Sugiura not only took his hand but squeezed it back gently.
"I'll be careful, just for you," he said a little teasingly. Higashi couldn't stop himself from smiling back.
"That's all I can ask for."