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Sachiro takes a deep breath as he and Kourai approach his house. This is nothing. This is fine! He's had people over before, and this would be no different. Sure, he hasn’t actually had anyone over in the past few years, nor has he really hung out with anyone, but he could handle this.
Next to him, Kourai keeps talking, either unaware or unconcerned about Sachiro’s thoughts. Sachiro wonders when was the last time Kourai had done something like this. He worked just as hard as Sachiro did, they were probably on the same level weren’t they?
But as they approach his house and Kourai keeps talking completely unbothered, Sachiro starts to doubt himself. No! He wouldn’t think about it, they were going to have fun today no matter what. This would only bring down the mood and —
“Don’t think about unnecessary things,” Kourai says, effectively ending Sachiro's train of thought and pinpointing the exact thing he had been doing. “We’re just picking up Kotaro and saying hi to your mom right? That’ll be fine.”
Kourai’s right, right? So Sachiro tells himself to get it over with and just open the door. All they have to do is go in, say hi to his mom, grab his dog, and get out. Shouko and Fukuro aren't even here today, which makes things infinitely easier. Sachiro has had harder volleyball workouts than this. This is fine! Fine, fine, fine.
It’s with that mantra of fine fine fine that he opens the door, ready for Kotaro to come running and try and knock him to the ground. It takes a second before he realizes he isn’t hearing Kotaro run to the door, but instead footsteps running towards them. He doesn’t have time to think past that, because suddenly he’s being pulled into the house, picked up, and squished between his siblings.
“Welcome home!” His siblings yell in unison, holding him in the air as they hug him tighter and run their hands over his shaved head.
Sachiro barely feels it, only able to stare back at Kourai in horror as his siblings do their best to smother him as much as possible in front of his most recent, and perhaps only, friend. Kourai stares back at him, face carefully blank as Sachiro gets thrown around, eyes wide, taking in the scene in front of him.
Okay , Sachiro thinks, dodging Fukuro’s attempt to noogie him and Shouko’s attempt to kiss him on the cheek. New plan. Get in, get Kotaro, say hi to mom, disown both my siblings, get out.
Unfortunately, Sachiro’s mom does not allow him to disown his siblings.
He keeps it in mind as backup while Fukuro and Shouko peak around the corner as he and Kourai sit in the living room. Kourai glances at Sachiro, as if trying to ask what he should do. If Sachiro knew, he would tell him. But as far he knows his siblings could be expecting Kourai to do anything from run out the door to a backflip.
Sachiro blinks at him to try and convey this. Kourai blinks back.
Sachiro’s not sure if that’s a good sign or a bad one.
He knows they should try and talk about something, maybe even try to stick to the plan and grab Kotaro for his walk and leave his siblings behind. This would be the ideal option if his siblings weren’t blocking the way to the door, and he’s not sure if it would be better to take his chances rushing past them or just waiting them out.
“Are they just going to watch?” Kourai asks while Sachiro’s dog sniffs at his hands and eyes his lap, leash forgotten on the ground in the wake of meeting a new person.
Sachiro shifts as the question, watching as Kotaro continues sniffing at Kourai, “Maybe? They’re weird.” He doesn’t mention they’re probably watching because this is the first time he’s brought a friend home since he was seven. “You know Kotaro is usually pretty bad with new people? I’m surprised he took to you so easily.”
Kourai laughs triumphantly before Kotaro finally decides to jump into his lap and winds him, “Of course he does!” Kourai manages,a little out of breath. “I’m special and I'm your friend! What’s there not to like?”
Sachiro can’t argue with that.
Before he can respond Fukuro breaks and zips into the room with Shouko, quickly introducing themselves. Kourai nods and quickly glances at Sachiro. Sachiro blinks in reassurance. Kourai makes a face at him.
Before Sachiro can retaliate, Kourai is introducing himself to his siblings with the same confidence that he carries in everything. He doesn’t even hesitate when telling his siblings, both top players in the prefecture and top V League hopefuls, about his involvement with Sachiro on the volleyball team. Sachiro can appreciate the lack of hesitance, that Kourai doesn’t spend time being awestruck like others might have.
But then again Sachiro isn't sure what he'd been expecting. Kourai isn't like anyone else.
Shouko laughs at Kourai’s confidence, a smile sliding onto her face in a way that means she decided she likes him. Sachiro almost sighs in relief before catching himself. It's nice Shouko likes Kourai, but he’s still 100% sure she’d say something to embarrass him in a heartbeat.
It turns out his suspicion is misguided, and his true enemy lies in Fukuro, who then decides to speak up. “You know Sachiro talks about you all the time,” Fukuro says, and Sachiro has to remind himself that his mother would be very sad if he committed acts of violence against his brother. “I swear every other call he somehow manages to bring you up.”
“Haha,” Sachiro fakes, smile sliding onto his face as he grasps for any measure of damage control, “You always over exaggerate things—”
“No, I think he’s right,” Shouko interrupts. Both of Sachiro’s siblings are traitors. She hooks an arm around his neck and starts using her other hand to try and noogie him. “I was kind of surprised by how quickly you warmed up to him.” Her fist finally lands on his scalp and she digs it in as she continues, “You’re not always one for new friends y’know?”
Sachiro manages to bat her hands away and straighten up, doing his best to try and keep any sort of dignity in the face of his siblings' attempts to take it away. He glares at both of them , who respond with happy smiles. He sighs and glances back at Kourai. Is this weird? Does Kourai think he's weird now?
But Kourai is just smiling, looking oddly happy at Sachiro and his siblings. He looks fairly pleased as well, his hands gliding easily through Kotaro’s fur as he watches Sachiro’s family tease him. Before Sachiro can think about it too much, Kourai meets his gaze and quickly takes advantage. He raises an eyebrow at Sachiro, smile turning into a smirk, and Sachiro stands up before Kourai can add to the teasing.
“I’m getting water,” He announces. He sends a look at his siblings. “We have to walk Kotaro today,” He adds, trying to make sure his siblings know they are not invited on this walk. Shouko rolls her eyes and Fukuro salutes sarcastically.
Sachiro reminds himself it's not worth indulging them as he leaves the room.
“So you like volleyball then?” Fukuro asks once Sachiro turns the corner, and Sachiro rolls his eyes. Figures they’d get back to volleyball. Kourai responds enthusiastically, asking Fukuro about the rumors about him getting scouted by the Adlers.
“You didn’t tell me they’d be home today,” Sachiro sighs to his mom as he grabs a glass.
She laughs lightly, filling the glass for him before handing it back. “They asked me not to. They really wanted to meet your friend. They were interested in meeting the person who managed to catch your attention.” She teases, and Sachiro grumbles into his drink. “We’re happy about it,” she adds. “You’ve been happier recently, how could we not be interested?” She ruffles his buzzcut. “Just know we’re grateful for him okay? He’s always welcome here.” She squeezes his shoulder and walks out, leaving Sachiro to stare at his glass and think.
She pops her head back in before he can reach any grand conclusions and adds, “But you might want to go now before your siblings rope him into an impromptu match and try to keep him here forever. We have enough kids for now.”
Sachiro puts his glass down and runs out, knowing his siblings weren’t above using any opportunity for an impromptu match. His mom laughs as he scolds Shouko and Fukuro for almost managing to set up a two on two, using Kotaro’s leash to try and cause enough of a distraction to leave. Kourai laughs too, realizing why Fukuro and Shouko were in trouble and Sachiro feels himself smiling despite everything. When he looks back at his family they have knowing smiles plastered on their faces, and he has to look away as he clips Kotaro’s leash on.
Kourai luckily doesn’t notice, and Sachiro takes a moment to make a face at Fukuro and Shouko— they both laugh. He sighs as he leads Kourai out; they were never going to stop bothering him about this. Kotaro barks in agreement.
Sachiro lets out a breath as they finally escape his family, closing the door behind him.
“Your family is awesome!” Kourai exclaims as they begin walking, Kotaro doing his best to pull him along.
Sachiro feels a smile tug at his lips, Kourai is definitely the only person who thinks that.
“The word you’re looking for is embarrassing,” Sachiro sighs, just happy to have gotten out before his mom made them stay for lunch.
“Nah it’s definitely awesome!” Kourai insists, now slightly ahead of him as he keeps pace with Kotaro.
“It’s not!” Sachiro calls, speeding up as Kourai breaks into a jog, “Hey! You’re not supposed to let Kotaro lead you like that!”
Kourai laughs, now running along with Kotaro, “Why not! If it’s a race, I’ll prove I’m faster no matter what!”
Sachiro knows he should just walk, not play into whatever Kourai’s trying to do. He’s been relaxing more, but he’s not going to change his entire mindset in a day. He knows this, but it doesn’t stop his feet from speeding up under him, and his arms from coming up by his side.
“Hey!” He calls, Kourai still running side by side with his dog. “Slow down!” But Kourai is still running, smile wide and bright, and Kotaro’s tongue is hanging out of his mouth as he tries to race past, panting happily.
“Don’t cry when you lose!” Kourai yells, not even bothering to turn around, and Sachiro is already running after them.
Sachiro would never admit it, but he’s panting as they get to the park. Kotaro had only been encouraged by Kourai running, and by the time they finished their friendly race had turned into a full on sprint. Sachiro rests his hands on his knees as he breathes, giving himself a second to catch his breath before Kourai gets there.
Kourai barely gives him the chance, arriving right after him and panting just as hard. Sachiro mentally congratulates himself on winning. It wasn’t by much, and somewhere in the back of his mind he wonders how much of it had to do with their height difference. Kourai hadn’t lost by much; if Sachiro were even one inch shorter would he —
Sachiro doesn’t get the chance to finish this thought, because then Kotaro arrives. He immediately barrels over Kourai, knocking the both of them into the dirt. Sachiro’s mouth drops open in shock as Kotaro tries to lick Kourai’s face, his attempts only succeeding in covering Kourai’s clothes in dirt.
That’s what kicks Sachiro into gear, and he immediately pulls Kotaro off. Kotaro struggles in his grip as he’s carried away, too busy trying to reintroduce himself to his new friend. Sachiro isn’t sure whether he should be happy about Kotaro getting along so well with his new friend or lamenting the fact that it seems like every member of his family is intent on embarrassing him in front of Kourai.
“I’m sorry,” He says as Kotaro thrashes in his grasp, still trying to nip at Kourai’s hands. “He’s usually never like this I don’t know why —”
He cuts himself off as Kourai gets up, twigs in hair and dirt smudged on his face.
Smile as wide as ever.
Kourai offers his hands to Kotaro, who breaks free of Sachiro’s grip and goes over to properly attack him. Kourai laughs, telling Sachiro something about how much he loves Kotaro, how great Kotaro is. And normally Sachiro would eat up the praise, taking any opportunity presented to him to brag about his dog. But now —
Now he can only think of the warmth in his chest and just how bright Kourai can look sometimes.
Sachiro doesn’t have time to think about it. Kourai’s already clipping Kotaro’s leash back on (when had it come off?) and walking into tall trees of the park. Sachiro watches Kourai walk ahead of him for a minute, before shaking it off and going to follow.
He would think about whatever that was later.
Kourai doesn’t make it easy, keeping the smile on his face as he lets Kotaro lead them through the trees and bushes. He’s talking about school and his family again and Sachiro wants to listen, he really does, but it’s starting to feel sort of surreal. Here he is, with his friend in the park, walking his dog together, and he’s… happy? Yeah, definitely happy. No volleyball required.
He laughs to himself at that; for once his life had felt like it needed volleyball, a sign hanging on his back, No Volleyball, No Shoes, No Service. But it looks like Kourai was right when he said Sachiro was too focused on it. He smiles at the canopy the trees provide, letting himself bask in the cool cover it provides from the sun as Kourai continues talking about his family. He thinks he likes this too.
He looks back down when he realizes that Kourai had stopped talking. He looks at Kourai, only to find him looking back with that face that Sachiro has come to understand means he’s either going to say something life changing or incredibly dumb.
“What,” Sachiro asks. “What’s that look for?”
“You’re thinking about something unnecessary again huh?” Kourai says, looking completely sure of himself. Sachiro bristles.
“I am not — I don’t even know what that’s supposed to mean!” Sachiro defends himself. This wasn’t unnecessary , he was just— he was trying to appreciate the moment!
“Yeah yeah, just make sure you stay with me then. It’s pretty obvious when you zone out and start thinking like the world’s going to end if you don’t overthink everything.”
Before Sachiro can dignify that with an answer Kourai perks up and points out a small clearing in the trees, just clear enough that there’s a patch of light that breaks through the canopy.
“We can probably let Kotaro play off leash there right?” He asks and Sachiro nods in agreement. “Great! I’ll go find him something to play with.” Kourai hands him the leash and runs off into the bushes.
Sachiro eyes Kotaro as they walk into the clearing. “You’re not gonna be bad right?” He asks, hand hovering over the leashes clasp. “No more tackling one of the very few friends I have?”
Kotaro stares back at him, panting with his tongue hanging out of his mouth happily. He sits and blinks up at Sachiro innocently, so Sachiro releases the clasp.
Then Kourai comes crashing back into the clearing, holding a stick triumphantly over his head. “I found —”
He doesn’t even get the chance to finish before Kotaro jumps and knocks him to the ground again. Sachiro lunges and grabs Sachiro’s collar to pull him back, ready to apologize.
Kourai surprises him again, just letting himself lay in the dirt for a second, laughing.
“How can you just let him do that,” Sachiro asks confused, Kotaro’s tail still wagging as hard as ever like he hadn’t tackled Sachiro’s friend into the ground twice today.
“How can I blame him?” Kourai responds, still laughing as he gets up, Kotaro straining against Sachiro to try and lick his face. “He just sees how small I am and takes advantage!” Sachiro blinks, but Kourai’s not done, “Still!” He continues as he cups Kotaro’s face in his hands and shakes it. “I’m not gonna lose!” He says, completely serious, and Sachiro’s not sure if he’s still talking to Kotaro.
He can really only stare after that, watching Kourai lead Kotaro into the sunny patch of their little clearing as he remains in the shadows. He’s come to realize something. Others might not know it yet, but Sachiro’s absolutely sure Kourai’s going to become someone incredibly interesting.
Yeah, He thinks to himself, I think I am going to stick around for a while Kourai. Thank you.
Then he has to duck as Kourai throws the stick Kotaro was chasing directly at him, and Kotaro comes over to try and tackle him into the dirt too. Once Sachiro recovers from the attack, he can see Kourai sending him a smile— a challenge.
Well, Sachiro has never been one to back down from a challenge.
He laughs as he chucks the stick back, and runs over to join Kourai in the sun.