Chapter Text
An’s never really been a big fan of rain.
Sure, it’s helping the ecosystem or whatever, but she can’t ever do anything because of it! People don’t go out to eat in this weather, she can’t go out and perform on Vivid Street, and she can’t go and see her friends. It’s all gloomy and dark and sad. So, here she is— lying on her bed in her pajamas bored out of her mind.
Long story short, it sucks.
What sucks even more is just how much it’s raining. Seriously, it’s like there’s a typhoon going outside! She’s heard her window shake at least a couple times now and that usually doesn’t happen now, does it?
She pulls out her phone and begins to scroll through social media mindlessly. Still, maybe it’s for the best that they’re not meeting for practice today.
It hasn’t been that long since Akito’s come back to his senses. He probably needs to rest. It’ll be good for him.
She huffs, leaning back on her bed, looking up at her ceiling. Honestly, that boy. What was he thinking going off on his own like that? Doesn’t he know that they’re all there to support him? They’re supposed to be a team after all. He can’t go off on his own like that.
Ugh, great. Now she’s thinking about that stupid face of his. Oh, there’s his smug grin. There’s his annoyed face. There’s his… grateful and considerate smile? It feels weird on his face, but it's a good weird. It doesn’t feel out of character for him, honestly.
Now that she really thinks about it, Akito’s actually a pretty expressive person.
Well, okay, expressive might be pushing it a bit, but she has picked up on a few things about him whenever he’s in a certain mood recently. He tends to click his pencil on the table whenever he’s annoyed and can’t solve a problem, his voice raises a bit in volume whenever he’s excited, and he clenches his teeth and drums his fingers whenever he’s upset.
Small things, but noticeable ones.
She feels she’s gotten just a little bit better at reading Akito. Originally that was a bit of a struggle given his… y’know… demeanor … but something has changed. Something happened to make him change, and An probably knows what it was.
It was their duel with Arata.
After that battle was declared a draw, the way that he apologized to her, Kohane, and Touya and the energy from the cheer he gave after; it was something she’s never seen from him before. It was like he was more himself if that makes sense. More… human.
He looked happy, and he didn’t try to hide it like he normally does. There was a fire in his eyes that wasn’t there before, or maybe it was there the entire time and she only noticed now. She’s not entirely sure herself, but she was happy for him. Truly, truly happy.
An couldn't help but smile at it. So, the first thing she could think of? She held out her fist.
He was a bit confused at first, wondering— in his own words— what the hell she was doing. She remembers how she had to explain that it was a fist bump and the dumbstruck look on his face made her laugh.
He caved too, a small chuckle escaping his own lips. They still did the fist bump though, even if the awkward air around it was there.
An finds herself smiling again at the memory.
It’s been almost two weeks since that day, and she feels Akito has changed after that. Something in him feels more… open; more approachable.
She’s found that he’s starting to speak his mind a bit more. She’s found him laughing a bit more. He’s even become a bit more open to her sudden hug attacks.
Those were always her favorite way to mess with him, but what was once a growl to get off of him with some colorful language to go along with it, she was instead greeted with a roll of the eyes and a tired smile.
That was what tipped her off that there was a change in him at all. Akito never smiled when he was touched.
That chip on his shoulder that kept him guarded and safe has begun to dull. He’s become more… gentle.
It’s weird using that word to describe Akito of all people, but there really isn’t a better word she can use to describe the change he’s gone through. He really has begun to rely on all of them more. He’s letting them all into his heart, and it makes hers begin to flutter.
He also stood true to his word when practice would be getting harder. An’s found herself struggling a bit at times with the things he thinks up, but it’s made her really start to think about Akito in a new light.
Akito’s always been kind, she knows that much, but it’s a kindness that is rough and can hurt someone if not handled correctly. She’s seen it first-hand after all, but every now and then… she sees a bit deeper. She sees the person behind the mask he so often wears.
She knows he puts on a brave face. She knows their dream is something that is criticized. She knows it’s a long shot. She knows that it may even be next to impossible to do. She’s heard people say such things to her too to some degree, but it’s never something harsh. It’s never ridiculing or downgrading.
She’s the daughter of a famous musician after all. She knows people wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.
She also knows Akito doesn’t have that luxury.
Kotarou mentioned how he was judged and ridiculed, how he was practicing till his throat went hoarse… and there he was— going off and acting recklessly on his own, entering event after event and nearly collapsing right in front of her. It was stupid and reckless.
He should know better by now, shouldn’t he? Honestly, he goes on and on telling her, Kohane, and Touya to be serious and then he goes and pulls that crap.
She just doesn’t get it! What was he trying to prove?
An kicks her feet into the air. She wonders if he’s ever truly been afraid of the competition he faces. Kohane gets butterflies in her stomach after all, and An finds it hard to comfort her whenever she’s feeling nervous or not good enough at times. Music has been part of her life since… forever after all. She’s never really felt that.
But Akito? She’s seen him do it in spades. She’s seen the way he knows exactly what to say to her to make her feel better. She’s seen the way he pushes her just a little further and the way he and Kohane celebrate.
Maybe it’s because he was just like her once.
It’s a bit strange to think about— how Akito is able to connect with her own partner better than she can at times. It makes her feel a bit fuzzy and icky inside. She doesn’t like it, she finds. She knows it’s not a feeling she should have, but she doesn’t even know why she’s feeling it at all. It hurts to think about at times.
She sighs to herself. Rain really does put her in a mood, doesn’t it? It’s weird thinking about all of this… how he’s wormed his way into her thoughts.
That’s when she hears a banging sound downstairs.
An jumps at the sound, her thoughts back to her surroundings, and she finds herself panicking. What was that? Did something fall downstairs?
She hears the noise again, more clearly this time. It sounds like… it sounds like someone knocking. The harsh, uncoordinated bangs grow louder each time, and An begins to worry. Who could that be?
Mom and Dad are both here, and it’s not like anyone would come visiting in this weather. Could… could it be someone trying to break in? No, no of course not! There’s no way a person would rob them like that! Maybe it’s just the wind. No, don’t be stupid. That has to be a person! Or… maybe it’s a ghost?
Oh god, please don’t be a ghost…
She then hears her phone buzz, and An looks down at the screen and her eyes widen at what she reads.
Her feet move before she can think.
She bolts out of her room, not even bothering to try and look presentable, and rushes down the stairs. She looks through the glass, confirming it’s him, and she pulls him into the house, closing the door behind her. She watches as he takes off his hood, seeing the set of familiar orange hair, and she freezes at what she sees.
“Hey. Mind if I crash here for the night?”
She’s never, never seen Akito look like that.