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“It has been a while since we’ve done this, hasn’t it?”
“Indeed it has. If we weren’t in different factions, we’d do this more often.”
Hirotsu knew the other was right but even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t leave the mafia for anything. Just like Fukuzawa won’t just ditch the agency he worked so hard to create. “Then let’s savor the moments that we do have together.”
Nodding, Fukuzawa picked up the sake glass and clanked it against Hirotsu’s before taking a sip. It was spring time and it was the evening. Work was slow which rarely happened so they decided to meet up and just have some time to themselves and reminisce of the old days.
“That was you?” Hirotsu asked after minutes of conversation. “My word, you looked nothing like what you are now, you looked immensely beautiful.”
Fukuzawa faintly smiled as he shrugged. “I had a lover at the time who was into fashion. Though it was short lived, it was one of the best times of my life. I still have the kimono hanging in my closet. The most expensive item I had at the time.”
Chuckling, Hirotsu hummed. “I have a few of them myself. To think we crossed paths during that night. I actually tried to win the competition that night. I had a few names myself when I was younger. To see someone was amazing if not more was something that the younger me could not stand.”
“What a coincidence, I had the same thought.” Fukuzawa hummed. “I was hoping you would make a move but instead we just bounced around and what’s more lost to someone else in the competition. I went with someone else that night.” He sighed. “Maybe it was for the best we didn’t spend the night together.”
Hirotsu supposed but he would be lying if he were to say that he wasn’t attracted to the man at the time, he still thought of him as handsome and beautiful but the years had changed him so to speak. He was about to say something when he noticed someone walking by and found himself staring at them. “Oh my, that person is very colorful at this time of night.” He stated.
Raising and eyebrow, Fukuzawa looked over and smiled. “Oh, I know who that is.” He pulled out his phone and started texting.
Confused, Hirotsu then heard a cute like chime not too far and saw that the person was looking at their phone and looked around. It was then they made eye contact.
Fukuzawa waved a bit, getting the person’s attention.
That person’s expression brightened before they made their way over to the two older men. “Fukuzawa-san, fancy meeting you here~”
“Like wise, it’s nice to see you again.” Fukuzawa smiled.
The person went up and took a seat on the blanket and noticed that Fukuzawa wasn’t alone. “Oh sorry, I didn’t see you. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise, young man.” Hirotsu nodded with a faint smile of his own.
“This is Ryurou Hirotsu, a drinking buddy if you will.” Fukuzawa did the introduction. “Hirotsu, this is Doppo Kunikida. He’s the one I told you about, the candy shop.”
His eyes widened as he looked at Kunikida who waved back before Hirotsu hummed. “Now I see. I don’t believe we met before.”
“First time, yeah.” Kunikida smiled. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything, I was just in the neighborhood and all.”
Fukuzawa shook his head. “Not at all. In fact, I think it’s better that you are here.” He moved a bit and got out a small basket. “We have some extra snacks and we wanted to share this with someone. Do you want some?”
The basket was filled with cookies and small treats as well as a couple cans of soda. It was given to the president by Yosano earlier that day.
“Oh thank you Fukuzawa-san. Then don’t mind if I do~” Kunikida took a cookie and bit into it. “Mm…so good~” He then looked at the other two. “So what are you doing? Just talking and having a good time?”
“Yes, just drinking sake and telling old stories.” Hirotsu nodded. “We do not have many chances to do this so we savor them as they come.” He had been told about the candy shop owner and how the agency respected and care for him but he didn’t think the other would be this…bubbly. Not a bad thing but he never seen anyone look so colorful before.
“What kind of stories?” Kunikida was curious as he leaned a bit forward.
Looking at each other, Fukuzawa nodded as Hirotsu smiled.
“Well, you see….”
--
“Ah~ That’s so cool! I wish I was around to see it.” Kunikida was all smiles hearing about the others’ drag days. “I never would have thought—well it’s none of my business but you two really are…?”
Fukuzawa nodded. “Yes. Unlike the present, it was hard to be something that society just wasn’t ready for so we have what you call ‘safe spaces’ for us to be ourselves or at most, flaunt it.”
“Well we can safely say that the world is changing for the better in that aspect, slowly but surely.” Hirotsu agreed. “So I’ll take a drink to that.” He drank more of the sake.
Nibbling on the cookie, Kunikida hummed. “That must have been hard for you guys. I couldn’t even imagine….” And he thought he had it bad. He should count himself lucky.
“Well whether one is old or young, in a better place or worst, pain isn’t selective on who they cause harm on, no matter the reason.” Fukuzawa looked at Kunikida and smiled faintly. “What matters is what to do with that pain and choose a path that will lessen it.”
Falling silent, Kunikida soon smiled as he nodded slowly. “You’re right. I…some days are worse than others sometimes, even if the world is getting better, doesn’t mean the pain I feel will go away fully. But I’m here now and as myself and that is all that matters.”
Fukuzawa nodded and patted Kunikida’s shoulder before giving him another cookie. The young man had a long way to go but he’s getting there and that was all that mattered.
Hirotsu wondered what kind of life that young man had before Fukuzawa had met him but like the mafia is doesn’t matter what the past is as the present is more important. He took another sip of sake before he remembered something. “Oh right, there is supposed to be an event in the upcoming weeks, a familiar kind of event if you will.”
Humming, Fukuzawa crossed his arms with thought. “Well, we’re no spring chicken anymore but I’m willing to come for old times’ sake.” He glanced at Kunikida. “Perhaps let him see first hand how things used to be for the two of us.”
Nodding, Hirotsu placed the cup down. “Young man…Kunikida, was it?” The blonde look at him. “Would you be interested in coming with us to a drag show event? Maybe if you like, you can dress your very best with us. Who knows, maybe you’ll have a good time.”
Kunikida looked between the older man and Fukuzawa who nodded in encouragement. He then chuckled. “I never been to a drag show before but I’m curious to see one. I would love to come~” There are things in his childhood that he never got to experience but then again, he wasn’t alone in that.
One can never be too old to have fun, he supposed.
--
END