Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was still early, but Daichi had wanted to get a good start on organizing his new apartment. But first, he was set on making a good breakfast to start the day out right. He hummed a cheerful tune as he scrambled up some eggs on the stove, adding in whatever additional ingredients and spices he’d already unpacked. As he was inhaling the rich fragrance of coffee already brewing, he suddenly had a strange sensation that something was amiss.

Allowing his eggs to cook on their own for a bit, he glanced around the kitchen. Although he had only moved in a couple of days ago, he was familiar enough with the layout and couldn’t find anything missing or out of place. Shrugging, he went back to his eggs. 

The feeling was nearly forgotten by the time his breakfast was done and he was dishing it out on a plate. Daichi quivered with excitement as he turned toward his table, but he stopped short when he saw that it was still covered in boxes, as well as the two chairs on either side of it. He could set his plate down and clear it off quickly so he could sit down, but his stomach was growling like a savage monster. 

With a heavy sigh, he leaned back against the kitchen counter and devoured his breakfast standing up. The task of straightening up the kitchen had just jumped to the top of his list, but he was sure that throughout the day his to-do list would reassemble itself several times over, and he’d probably be stuck eating standing up again or sitting on a box.

With his plate cleaned and his stomach satiated for the moment, Daichi turned to set it in the sink. He paused as his eyes caught sight of the old mirror on the wall next to the front door. His skin prickled as he was overcome by the same strange feeling he had earlier, but this time he could plainly see what it was. The mirror was facing him directly, but he couldn’t see himself at all.

Setting the plate down, Daichi turned to face the mirror directly, but all he could see was the apartment behind him. He narrowed his eyes and leaned forward, waving his hand in front of the mirror. No change.

His heart was beginning to race as Daichi reached up and touched his teeth. His canines were the same size as always, so he hadn’t suddenly turned into a vampire. He straightened up and looked at himself, wondering if he had died and didn’t remember it, but then he remembered that he’d just eaten breakfast. Then again, if he had been a ghost, he would probably find a way to keep eating even without his corporeal form.

He sighed and shook his head. There had to be a more logical explanation for what was happening. He stared back in the mirror and contemplated it for a while, but nothing more logical than him being a vampire or a ghost came to mind. 

Maybe it’s not me, but the mirror…

That also sounded absurd, but nothing like that had ever happened to him before and he had just received the mirror as a present from his great aunt before moving to Tokyo. He had been relieved that it was not overly ornate as most heirlooms were, even if it was extremely old. It was a long, rectangular shape, made up of charred wood planks with a simple design engraved into it. 

To be honest, he thought it was really cool and it provided a quick reflection when he needed it instead of having to go all the way back to the bathroom.  Except at that very moment when all he could see was his apartment behind him. He continued waving his hands in front of it, picking up objects and waving them in front of it as well, but it was as if he didn’t exist at all to the mirror. It was then, however, that he realized the apartment itself had some slight differences to the one he was currently standing in.

Firstly, the lighting was off. Glancing over his shoulder, he could see the morning light streaming through the windows, painting the kitchen in hues of pale gold. In the mirror, his apartment was filled with the softer glow of his lamps and the blinds were drawn over the windows. 

There were no boxes littering the space, and the coffee pot was in a different spot, but it was his coffee pot. He couldn’t see the shoe rack on the other side of the door but beyond the kitchen, he could make out his small living room/bedroom and his futon already laid out for bed. When a shadow fell across it, backlit from the bathroom, Daichi nearly jumped out of his skin and whirled around. The shadow wasn’t there but neither was his futon, which he had already rolled back up so he could have more space for unpacking. 

Someone blew their nose. It was such a mundane and comical sound that Daichi relaxed, despite the strange circumstances, and turned back to the mirror. He startled again, however, when there was a loud knock at the door. 

He glanced suspiciously at his own door and quietly crept up to it, looking through the peephole. There was no one on the other side.

This is too weird, he thought as he returned to the mirror. He gasped as a dark figure appeared in it, rubbing his face. As the person’s hands fell, Daichi’s eyes widened, seeing himself in the reflection.

It wasn’t really him, though. The Daichi in the mirror was in different clothes and looked like complete hell. There were dark circles under his eyes and his face was blotchy from crying. Given his career as a volleyball coach, he was known to wear sweats in the winter, but the Daichi in the mirror was wearing the ugliest set of matching sweatshirt and sweatpants he’d ever seen, and there was a strange light green stain running down the front. 

Daichi cupped his chin as he peered at the stain and then nodded. Definitely mint chocolate chip. It was always his go-to ice cream flavor when he felt like the world was ending. That settled it; while the mirror wasn’t reflecting his current reality, it was reflecting some aspect of him at least. 

There was another knock on the door in the mirror-world, and the other Daichi sighed heavily.

“Coming,” Daichi muttered as he trudged to the door. Without even checking to see who was behind it, he swung it open. 

When the door opened, it blocked Daichi’s view of who was behind it, but he recognized the voice immediately.

“Oh… I mean, I expected this but…” 

Suga sighed and pushed Daichi back so he could enter, closing the door behind him. 

It was just another surprise to see him, considering that the Suga in his reality was still living with his parents back in their hometown. It was possible that he had taken a special trip into Tokyo just for him, but he wasn’t carrying any luggage. 

Suga grimaced as he took in Daichi’s entire appearance, his eyes lingering on the ice cream stain on his sweater. “So… are you alive?”

Daichi grunted in response. 

“Great. How about we order some food?”

“Suga, it’s eleven o’clock.”

“Yes, but have you even eaten dinner? Or did you feast on, um…” he trailed off, wiggling his finger at the stain.

Daichi huffed and swatted his finger away. “Leave me alone.”

“No, that’s impossible since you called me weeping half an hour ago. I’m staying over.”

Daichi blinked at him in confusion as Suga whipped out his phone. 

“What about Asahi?”

“He’s stuck at his studio, otherwise he’d be here too. It’s convenient, for once, that it just so happens to be close to his deadline. Usually, I dread it. Life is boring without my arm candy.”

Daichi’s jaw dropped. Did he just refer to Asahi as arm candy? Now that he looked at him, Suga’s hair was cut shorter on the sides and longer on top but styled artistically, more so than Suga could usually manage on his own. Also, his clothes were so on-trend that he was certain that Asahi designed them, perhaps especially for him.

“Come on,” Suga whined, prodding Daichi with his elbow, “tell me what you want to eat. How hopeless is your situation?” he asked, glancing up from his phone.

Daichi winced and slowly looked down at the floor. “We broke up, Suga. How hopeless do you think it is?”

“I mean, I know you guys have been fighting more lately but—”

“He doesn’t love me anymore.”

Suga’s lips parted with a soft gasp. “He said that?”

“No, but I could tell. If he loved me, he wouldn’t have said… he wouldn’t have looked...” Daichi trailed off as his fingers coiled in his sweater.

Pressing his lips tightly, Suga went back to his phone. “All the ramen, then.”

Daichi huffed out a mirthless laugh. “What do you mean, all the ramen?”

“ALL THE RAMEN,” Suga declared and began shoving Daichi toward the other room while continuing scrolling on his phone. “But to get food, you need a bath. Go, go, go, go—”

“Ugh, fine.”

Suga’s smirk was triumphant as Daichi dragged himself into the other room. When the door slid closed, the smile faded, and Suga sighed heavily as he leaned back against the kitchen counter.

“This is the worst,” he whispered, flicking a tear from the corner of his eye and going back to ordering on his phone. 

Daichi straightened up and pressed his hand against his forehead. The one thing he hadn’t considered before was that he could be hallucinating, or maybe even dreaming. He didn’t appear to be feverish, so he pinched his arm and immediately winced from the pain. Wasn’t it possible to feel like you’re in pain in dreams?

While the Daichi in the mirror world took a bath and Suga ordered them food, Daichi walked into the other room. Once the mirror was out of sight, he peeked back around the corner. Nope, Suga was still there. Taking a deep breath, Daichi retreated back into the living room and pressed his back up against the wall.

Maybe it was the future? But Suga didn’t have any plans to move to Tokyo, and he never alluded to any attraction to Asahi, not as long as they’d known each other. Perhaps it was an alternate reality…

How could the mirror show him anything other than reality in the first place, though? His aunt had told him that the mirror was special, that it would give him perspective, but he just figured she was being metaphorical. Who could have imagined that the mirror was magical? That is, if he wasn’t dreaming or hallucinating.

For the time being, he considered it to be an alternate reality. And thinking about what his aunt had said about it, perhaps it was more like a warning? The Daichi in the alternate reality was suffering from a breakup, and he was meant to see how miserable that Daichi was so he could avoid it at all cost. 

But what was he supposed to do, not date anybody? No, he had to figure out who he had just broken up with and avoid that person. Easy… as long as the alternate dimension Daichi and Suga mentioned his ex by name.

With his new mission in mind, Daichi hurried back to the mirror. Suga had turned on more lights and was doing some dishes. Although it hadn’t been long, he could already see the other Daichi lumbering around the other room with a fresh T-shirt and pajama pants. It wasn’t much of a step up from the sweatpants, but at least they were clean. 

“Done already?” Suga asked as Daichi entered the kitchen, scratching the back of his head.

“Yeah, I just took a shower. It’s not like I was going to have a bubble bath with lit candles or something.”

“Why not? That would make me feel better.”

“Maybe it would work for you, but for me… I think it would make me feel more depressed.” Daichi leaned against the wall and frowned at Suga. “Why are you doing my dishes?”

“Shut up and relax. This is what friends are for.” The doorbell rang just then, and Suga perked up as he shut off the water. “Speaking of which…”

Daichi watched as his other self sighed and cleared the table as Suga answered the door. When he appeared again, he had two large bags of delivery, and even though it was in the other reality, it made Daichi’s stomach growl looking at it. He checked his watch and sighed. It hadn’t even been that long since he’d eaten breakfast. 

Once everything was set up, Suga and Daichi ate in silence. The more food he shoveled into his mouth, the more weight seemed lifted from Daichi’s shoulders. For a brief moment, it seemed that he could forget about the pain. Unfortunately, Suga wasn’t about to let him off the hook completely.

“Daichi… what happened?”

“We broke up.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean why? You said it yourself, things have been tense lately and he doesn’t love me anymore. Why should I waste my time on someone who doesn’t love me?” His lips trembled as he spoke, and he quickly slurped up some noodles to try to cover it up. He couldn’t hide the sorrow emanating from his eyes.

“You still love him, don’t you?”

Daichi swallowed and stared down into his bowl for a moment before answering. “Yes,” he whispered.

“Good, because, despite what you said, I cannot believe that Kuroo doesn’t love you anymore.”

Daichi blinked at the mirror and slowly cocked his head. He must have misheard. Or maybe Suga did say Kuroo but meant another Kuroo. It was a popular surname… right?

“You weren’t there, Suga… You didn’t hear the things he said to me.”

“What did he say?”

Daichi clammed up, his shoulders caving in slightly. He stared down into his nearly empty bowl with a haunted expression until he finally shook his head.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

Suga gaped at him. “It was that bad?”

“Yeah. The things he said, they cut deep.”

“You two were arguing though, right? He probably didn’t really mean it.”

“It’s usually when you’re arguing that the truth finally comes out. He meant it. I told him that if he really felt that way, then maybe there was no point in being with me. He didn’t— He didn’t even react when I said it. He just stared at me with cold eyes and shrugged. He shrugged, Suga, and said ‘Fine by me.’”

Suga didn’t reply, allowing Kuroo’s words to linger in the air like a toxic cloud. The longer the silence reigned, the more it seemed to affect Daichi as his eyes welled up with fresh tears. He drew in a long, shuddering breath and released it slowly.

“It’s time, Suga. We— We were really great together, and then… we weren’t. These things happen; it just wasn’t meant to be.” Setting down his chopsticks, Daichi planted his elbows on the table, buried his face in his hands, and sighed. “I wish we never dated in the first place.”

There was another knock at the door, and Daichi gasped, wondering if maybe it was Kuroo coming to talk things out. He was as glued to his own alternate reality as if it were some romantic drama on TV and he wanted to see how it played out. But when the Daichi and Suga in the other reality didn’t react to the knock, it took him a minute to realize that he was the one who had a visitor.

He rushed to the peephole and glanced through it. He lit up, seeing Asahi on the other side of it, wrenched the door open, and yanked him inside.

“Wha—!” Asahi yelped, trying to keep his feet underneath him. “Daichi, what’s wrong? Are there murderers out there or something?”

Daichi stopped and gaped at him. “What? Why would there be murderers out there? This is a nice apartment building!”

Asahi rubbed the back of his neck. “Then why did you pull me in here like that?”

“Never mind that; you have to see this.”

Grabbing Asahi’s arm, he pulled him over to the mirror. He was relieved to see his other self still talking with Suga at the table and watched Asahi’s reaction. But the longer Daichi stared at him, the more he realized that his friend was a complete mess.

His long hair had been up in a ponytail, but most of it was falling out in tendrils and there were at least two pencils sprouting out of it as well. Daichi recognized his shirt under his coat as a part of his pajamas, and along the hem were several fabric pins sticking through it. Tilting his head for a better look, he gazed at Asahi’s face and could see dark circles under his eyes.

“You didn’t sleep at all, did you?”

Asahi blinked and glanced back at him. “I got a little nap. Why?”

“Never mind. What do you think of this?” he asked, motioning back to the mirror.

“I’m a little confused…”

“Me too, isn’t this craz—?”

“When was Suga here?” Asahi said, pointing a finger at him in the mirror. “What is this, some kind of recording? And why would you put your TV here? Wouldn’t it go better… Oh, I guess there isn’t a good spot in this room. But it is the kitchen—”

“No, Asahi, this isn’t a TV.”

“Oh… Oh! Is it one of those cool mirrors that are actually play things like workouts when you switch it on, you see—”

“No, it’s just a mirror. My great aunt gave it to me and before, it seemed like just a regular mirror until a little while ago when I saw this,” he said, motioning toward it.

Asahi stared at him a moment, then at the mirror, and then at the rest of the apartment. “I’m confused.”

“Listen, when my aunt gave this to me, she said it would give me perspective. I’m thinking it’s like some kind of enchanted mirror that shows me an alternate reality.”

“Alternate reality?” Asahi stepped back and looked Daichi over more carefully. “Have you gotten any sleep?”

“I don’t want to hear that from you. You look like a zombie.”

Asahi sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I know… You look even worse in there though.”

“Yeah, apparently I’m going through a bad breakup.”

“I didn’t know you were dating anybody.”

“I’m not; he is. Suga came over to console me.”

“Suga doesn’t live in Tokyo.”

“He does in the alternate reality!”

Asahi opened his mouth to say something, staring at Daichi as if he’d lost his mind. He closed it, however, and leaned toward the mirror instead and braced his hands on his knees.

“If I hadn’t seen this myself, I’d think maybe you dreamed it… or you were on drugs.”

“Would I ever use drugs?”

“I don’t know, you just moved here. Maybe you got in with a bad crowd already.” Asahi’s face dropped as he watched the mirror, and Daichi turned toward it to see what had grabbed his attention. His heart sank, seeing the Daichi in the other world breaking down completely, unable to talk anymore. Suga had already gotten up and had his arms around him, slowly trying to guide him into the other room. 

As he sat on the sofa, the other Daichi pulled his feet up and he wrapped his arms around his legs. Burying his face into his knees, he let everything out as Suga rubbed his shaking back. He had tears in his eyes as well.

Daichi and Asahi kept watching until suddenly, the vision faded, and they were staring at their own bewildered faces. Slowly, they straightened up and turned toward each other.

“That was… weird,” Asahi said, scratching his bristly chin.

“Yeah.”

“You really think it’s an alternate reality? Maybe it tells the future…”

“I considered that, but Suga lives in Tokyo in that reality. He lives with you, actually.”

“He does?” Asahi leaned back down, staring into the mirror even though it no longer showed them anything but their reflections. “I liked his hair… and his clothes. Do you think I made them for him? They were cool, and suited him well. They looked like my style…” He hummed, nodding as he stared at his reflection. 

Daichi narrowed his eyes. “Is there something going on between you and Suga?”

“What?! Why would you ask that?” Asahi asked, gaping up at him.

“Nothing, it’s just… Suga didn’t say it explicitly but he hinted that you two weren’t just roommates.”

Asahi straightened up, staring off into space as a light blush began to spread across his cheeks. “There’s, um, nothing… I mean, we’re just friends.”

“That’s what I always thought, but now…”

“No, as far as I know, we’re just friends.” 

Asahi chewed on his bottom lip and stared down at the hem of his shirt. He blinked and began picking the pins out of it but as he gathered them carefully between his fingers, he stopped and began looking around the kitchen. Daichi sighed and turned toward the cabinets, pulling out a water glass. 

“Here, keep them in this for now.”

“Thanks.” He dropped the pins in the glass and pursed his lips as he met Daichi’s gaze. “I may… have a small crush on him.”

“Since when?”

Asahi winced. “Always?”

“That doesn’t make it a small crush! Why have you never told me?”

“What was the point? We were all close friends, and he was always so… vibrant, elegant, and wild at the same time. He’d never go for a coward like me.”

“What are you talking about? Okay, sure, you were a bit mousey back in high school.” Daichi chuckled as Asahi whimpered pathetically. “But look at you now. You moved to Tokyo for college and worked through a degree where the competition is deadly fierce. Now you’re starting your own brand; none of that is cowardly, Asahi.”

“Thanks, but Suga’s opinion of me is probably already solidified. I don’t know what this alternative reality Asahi did to capture him but… he must be cooler than I am.”

He sighed longingly, and Daichi rubbed his forehead with a sigh. It was pointless to argue with him about it, but he considered the matter far from closed. There were two different relationships present in that alternate reality and between the two of them, Asahi and Suga’s was the only one that was going well.

“Well, my aunt told me this mirror would give me perspective, and now I’ve got it.”

“What do you mean?”

Daichi shrugged. “All I have to do is avoid dating Kuroo. Or any Kuroo… I’m not sure it’s the one I already know.”

Asahi cleared his throat and averted his gaze. “Umm, it was probably Kuroo Tetsurou.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Well, a couple of things. Whenever our teams were around each other, you two always drifted together.”

“You and Kai were the same, and Suga and Yaku.”

“You two were different.”

Daichi huffed as he leaned back against the kitchen cabinets. “I didn’t have a crush on him back then, Asahi. We were friends, or rivals… friendly rivals.”

“Fine, if you say so.”

“What was the other thing?”

“Huh?”

“Asahi, you said there were a couple of reasons you were sure it was Kuroo Tetsurou. What is the other reason?”

“Oh… that. Um, well, I was actually planning on asking Kai if we could all get together now that you’re in town.” He hunched his shoulders and cringed as if he were waiting for Daichi to deck him. It was tempting if he were being honest, but the whole situation is so crazy it was pointless doing so.

“It’s fine,” he said, shaking his head. “You couldn’t have known that Kuroo and I dated in an alternate reality and subsequently ruined our relationship and now I’m a weeping shell of a human being. Wait, you didn’t already talk to Kai about it, did you?”

“No, no, we’re good. I just won’t mention you moving here at all, because then he’d probably suggest it himself.”

“Yeah, best to avoid it. Tokyo is huge; I can avoid Kuroo Tetsurou easily enough, I’m sure.”

Asahi didn’t seem convinced. “Considering you two run in similar circles, I’m sure you’ll run into him eventually. What will you do?”

Daichi huffed out a laugh. “I won’t fall in love with him, that’s for sure.” He pictured Kuroo, the guy who was all long limbs and hair with a smirk that set Daichi’s blood on fire. Needless to say, not attractive. “If I see him again… it would be rude not to say hello and catch up. I’ll avoid him for now and if we reconnect, I’ll just keep it at a friendship level. Easy.”

“Right…”

“Why don’t you believe me?”

Asahi swallowed hard and frantically looked around the room. “Wow, you still have a lot of stuff to unpack! We should get started on it. And you’ll probably get hungry soon. Maybe we should order food now and then work until it gets here.”

“Isn’t that a little… Hmm, that’s actually not a bad idea. In the mirror, Suga ordered a ton of ramen and it looked really good.”

Pulling out his phone, he did a quick search of delivery places in his area. As he clicked on one, he realized that he totally fell for Asahi’s ruse, but there was no point in dwelling on it. He had a weird magic mirror that told him a relationship with Kuroo was doomed to fail, and that was if he even saw him again. 

He had a lot more important things to worry about at that moment, especially since he started work in two days and had only that amount of time to get his apartment in order. The rest would have to wait and, with any luck, he wouldn’t have to worry about it at all.

—

Over the next several weeks, his mirror continued to show him the other reality. It wasn’t anything as poignant as the first time, just little snippets where the other Daichi was trying to move forward with his life. Some days it seemed like he was doing okay, and then something would trigger a far off and miserable gaze, or even a full-blown meltdown. The most recent happened earlier that day when he watched the other Daichi pull the wrong mug out of the cupboard, a black cat mug, and he stared at it in his hand as if he had no idea what to do with it with tears glimmering in his eyes. 

Although there were plenty of little moments like that, there was no big development that kept the mirror’s visions in his mind throughout the day. He had too much to think about with his new job and seeing things in his weird magical mirror was already part of his routine. Given that he had landed his dream job, working with young kids at a volleyball clinic, he’d rather invest all his time and effort into that instead.

The days were long and physically exhausting, but he was loving every minute of it. He had spent the last several years being an assistant coach for middle schoolers, and while most coaches aimed for high school and higher where the tournaments mattered more, Daichi was more than pleased when he was hired by the Japan Volleyball Association to run an afterschool volleyball clinic for elementary students.

As he watched one group of kids passing balls to each other, Daichi beamed and clapped his hands.

“Oh! That was a good catch, Todo. Misaki, don’t be afraid to move a little bit to hit the ball at a better angle. Yes, that’s much better!” 

He watched one little girl wince as the ball smacked on her forearms, and his smile faded. “You alright, Izumi?”

She bit her bottom lip as she cast a quick glance at Daichi before focusing back on the ball. “Yes, I’m okay, Coach!” 

“I know it can sting for a while, but your arms will soon get used to it. It’s okay if you need a break. Just speak up.”

“Yes!” she shouted with an assertive nod. As the ball returned to her, he could see the strain on her face, trying not to show her discomfort as it smacked against her arms.

Daichi sighed and picked up his whistle, giving it a couple of blows. “Alright, everyone take a quick water break!”

The entire gym erupted, kids scrambling toward the outskirts of the gym to pick up their water bottles and towels. While he was the head coach, he was thankful to have several assistants scattered throughout the gym. It allowed him to focus on the group as a whole and work on worthwhile training methods to prepare them for middle school volleyball, if they wanted to continue. 

When they did their practice games, he had all the kids cycle through every position to get a good feel for each of them. If they weren’t playing in that rotation, he had them waiting on the sidelines as ball catchers, which he knew from experience was one of the best ways to study the precise direction and strength of a spiked ball, and how to catch it. It was how he learned to receive as well as he did, and it was also how Hinata finally made a breakthrough with his own personal training back in his first year of high school, which of course set him on a course to being one of the most sought after professional volleyball players in the country. 

Daichi made sure to bring that up whenever one of the kids complained about being put on ball boy duty. After hearing that, they took the role as seriously as being a setter or spiker and he couldn’t have been prouder as he watched them slowly refine their skills. Most of all, though, he wanted them to keep having fun.

“Coach?”

Daichi glanced down and smiled as little Izumi shuffled next to him, shyly playing with her water bottle. “What’s up?”

“Um, will it really stop hurting after a while?”

“It will if you keep practicing, but remember to rest properly, too. Otherwise, you could hurt yourself even more.”

Izumi brightened and gave him a nod. “Okay, Coach!”

Daichi chuckled and patted her head, careful not to mess up her hair. From having two younger sisters, he knew how dangerous that could be. 

“Don’t worry about it right now,” he assured her. “You’re going on ball duty next, so you’ll be catching with your hands.”

Izumi’s smile widened. “Thanks, Coach! I like catching it with my hands.”

“Good, but for now, take a load off.”

“Yes!” she chirped and ran off to join her teammates. 

Daichi watched as she promptly sat on the floor and guzzled more of her water. He shook his head with a gentle laugh. Something about the girl reminded him of Yachi when she first started training as manager. She was a nervous wreck back then, but passionate and eager to learn, and he had no doubt that Izumi would grow just as quickly as she had.

“Well, well, well, I heard they got quite a young looker for the new head coach, but I didn’t think he’d be such a smooth talker as well.”

Daichi stiffened. The voice was familiar, deeper than he remembered, but it held the same sly tone that instantly heated his blood. Slowly, he turned around to confirm his suspicion but as his gaze landed on the tall, lean figure sauntering toward him, his breath hitched.

Kuroo was obviously older than when he last saw him, but Daichi had never imagined him wearing a suit. Even less would he expect him to look so damn good in one. He wasn’t even wearing the whole thing; his jacket was draped over his shoulder and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his forearms. He pulled that look off well, and Daichi swallowed hard, trying to bury the overwhelming attraction he suddenly felt.

Luckily, seeing Kuroo’s infuriating grin knocked some sense into him, and Daichi grinned back at him.

“Kuroo! What the heck are you doing here?”

Kuroo’s smile widened into something less leering and immediately held out his hand. “That’s my line, Sa’amura.”

Daichi huffed out a laugh and grasped Kuroo’s hand, giving it a good, hard squeeze for old time’s sake. “What’s with the suit?”

“Standard uniform for my line of work. I work with the JVA, but I suppose you do as well, now, huh?”

“Yeah, I’m running the clinic. Wait…” Daichi’s smile slipped away as he held Kuroo’s hand firmly in place. “You’re not my superior, are you?”

Kuroo’s eyes glittered menacingly as he loomed over Daichi. “What if I am? Damn, I think it would be fun bossing around the stalwart captain of Karasuno.”

That was his cue, the moment he was supposed to throw an equally taunting line back at Kuroo, but Daichi found himself momentarily distracted by the sheer broadness of Kuroo’s chest pressing closer to his face. The vest he was wearing accentuated it even further, especially as it cut in to highlight his slender waist. Daichi’s own chest was nothing to sniff at, so it was bewildering why it would catch his eye at all.  

The pause in their banter was growing noticeably awkward, and Kuroo’s eyebrows rose up questioningly. Desperate to cover up the fact that his mind was spiraling straight into the gutter, Daichi quickly recovered and smirked.

“So, that’s a no, then. We both just happen to work for the JVA.”

Kuroo shrugged. “Yup, I’m in a different department. But I have been involved in setting up the clinic as it’s part of my passion, so I have to say I’m pleased that they hired you to be in charge of it.”

“Part of your passion?”

“Yeah, uh, to make volleyball available to everyone, no matter how old they are, where they’re from, and what their starting skill set is. It’s what Coach Nekomata did for me when I was just their age,” he said, nodding at the surrounding kids, “and I’ll never forget it.”

Kuroo’s smile softened as he gazed at the kids, and Daichi couldn’t take his eyes off him. Even Kuroo’s face had matured since they were in high school, sharper lines and the faintest whisper of a five o’clock shadow. As Daichi wondered how it would feel if he traced his finger across his jaw, his heart raced.

Oh no…

The realization struck him like a frying pan across his skull. What was he thinking? Kuroo’s appearance was so sudden that he’d forgotten his own personal oath not to be too involved with him.

Unfortunately, it was far easier to imagine dating Kuroo now that he was standing right in front of him, even though he’d seen how horrifying their relationship would end up. That mischievous nature of Kuroo’s had matured in a way that was less irritating and more alluring, and that was just his personality. Daichi had never given much thought to what his physical type was but just seeing Kuroo as an adult, looking absolutely strapping in a suit, solidified it. He was royally fucked.

Daichi flinched as Kuroo’s gaze landed back on him, and he quickly cleared his throat. “I’ll be honest, I’m happy you helped influence the JVA to open this clinic. This was just the sort of opportunity I was looking for and so far, it’s going great.”

“Looks like it! But this does bring up another critical point, Sa’amura.” Kuroo’s fingers tightened around Daichi’s hand and pulled him closer, narrowing his eyes. “That means you’ve been living here for weeks, but I never heard you moved here. Why have you been hiding from me?”

Daichi laughed nervously and freed his hand so he could shove him back playfully. Another minute and he would have been imagining Kuroo staring down at him with that inscrutable gaze in an entirely different scenario, and he needed to put a stop to it before he blushed.

“I haven’t been hiding. I’m still just settling in, and you and I haven’t spoken in years.”

Kuroo crossed his arms tightly, seeming unconvinced. “You’ve had a few weeks, and it’s not like we don’t have connections. I went out for drinks with Kai and Asahi two nights ago and he hasn’t said anything about it either.”

Shit…

“I’ve hardly hung out with him myself, so it probably just slipped his mind. You know how little that guy sleeps, right? I’m glad to know he took the chance to hang out with you guys though.”

“Yeah, but you should have come too. Hmm, well, I suppose I can forgive you both.”

“How magnanimous of you.”

“If you go out for drinks with us tonight.”

Daichi cocked an eyebrow. “Just how often do you go out for drinks?”

“Not that much, but this is a special occasion.”

“It’s the middle of the week.”

“What are you worried about? It’s not like the clinic starts early in the day. You’re not a lightweight, are you, country boy?” 

Daichi’s temple throbbed at the jab and he scoffed. “I doubt you could handle my pace, prissy city boy.”

Kuroo threw his head back and laughed. “Then it’s a date! I’ll text around and see who’s available, then I’ll send you the directions to this great izakaya we always go to. You’re gonna love it. Oops, better let you get back to the kids. Looks like they’re getting rowdy.”

Glancing over his shoulder, Daichi grimaced. “Yeah, I better round them up. See ya tonight.”

“See ya!” Kuroo sang, looking absurdly smug about something as he spun around on his heel and wandered out of the gym. 

Daichi shook his head and brought the whistle to his lips, blowing through it a couple times to get everyone’s attention. He sent the groups into their next rotation and grinned as the kids bounded across the gym with more energy than they had before. The fact that they were enjoying it so much made everything worth it. 

As he made his way around the gym, giving each group a little attention, Daichi realized that he’d once again forgotten about his plan to stay away from Kuroo. He had tried to get out of the drinking party initially, but Kuroo knew just how to rile him up. 

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later, Daichi thought, shrugging it off. Now it’s on to Plan B, keeping our relationship at a normal friendship level. So what if Kuroo’s hot? I always thought Shimizu was beautiful and I kept myself from crushing on her. Kuroo Tetsurou has nothing on my self-control.  

—

As Daichi approached the door to the izakaya, he paused and took a deep breath to collect himself. Asahi had texted him already to let him know that he and Kai were already there, so he wouldn’t be left alone with Kuroo for a moment. He also said that it wasn’t too late to bail out if Daichi thought he couldn’t control himself. 

He scoffed. Who can’t control himself? He was Sawamura Daichi, the oldest brother of five kids, and a ringleader of monsters. 

Besides, all he was doing was meeting up with some old high school friends and sharing a friendly beer. Sounded like a relaxing evening to him. 

If only the damn butterflies would settle down in my stomach, he thought as he rubbed his belly. It growled back at him, and he laughed softly. He was just hungry, of course.

Shaking his head, he opened the door and stepped inside. Immediately, he breathed in the scent of fried chicken and exhaled slowly. If he didn’t get some delicious food soon, he was likely to become hangry.

“Eeeeeey, Saaaamurrrra!” Kuroo called from a nearby table, and Daichi grimaced. 

Apparently, that expression was exactly what Kuroo was hoping to see as he buckled forward with laughter. Daichi rolled his eyes and shuffled through the tables, which was no easy feat. The izakaya was crowded, but it had a nice, friendly ambiance to it. If the food was as good as the atmosphere, then Kuroo was right when he said that Daichi would love it.

“You know,” Daichi said as he settled across the table from Kuroo, “as crowded as it is here, I’m not sure I needed that loud of a greeting to find you.”

Next to Kuroo, Kai snickered. “I’m pretty sure he had other reasons to call out to you like that. How are you doing, Sawamura?”

“I’m doing great, it’s good to see you. How’s the flower shop doing?”

“Really well. There are plenty of shops around, but I’ve been building a loyal customer base for the last couple of years, so business has been steady. So, now that you’re here, do you think Suga will move to Tokyo as well?”

Daichi shook his head. “He has no plans to, but it would be nice to have him here.” Hearing a heavy sigh next to him, Daichi gave Asahi a sly smile. “Maybe I should talk him into it. Otherwise, this big guy will pine away forever.”

Kai and Kuroo laughed, giving Daichi the impression that they knew all about Asahi’s crush already. He was a little sad Asahi had never confided in him, but it was possible he was too close to the situation. Plus, he had the propensity to be blunt, and Asahi probably didn’t want to hear it from him that he didn’t have a chance.

As Asahi stammered, Kuroo jumped into it, eager to poke him a little more. Daichi smiled as he watched the antics ensue, but his eyes lingered on Kuroo. He had changed out of his suit and was wearing a basic white V-neck under a dark blue jacket. Daichi spied a necklace tucked into his shirt as well, and he wondered what it looked like.

“You alright, Sa’amura?” Kuroo asked, propping his chin on his hand.

Daichi flinched, realizing he had been caught staring at him. He could feel Asahi’s gaze weighing heavily on him as his face burned up.

“Sorry,” he said, chuckling as he rubbed the back of his head. “I spaced out; I’m a little hungry. Actually, I’m starving, wasting away… I won’t last much longer.”

Kuroo cackled as he waved his hand in the air. “Waiter? We need to get some food in this man before he disappears on us. And he’ll probably want a beer, right?” he asked, winking at him.

“Definitely.” 

It was going to be a long night.

Unfortunately, the alcohol did nothing to make Kuroo less attractive. In fact, it was the opposite and, throughout the evening, Daichi found himself fixating on another aspect of Kuroo that he never noticed before. He wasn’t sure if it was the soft lighting of the izakaya, but he’d never noticed how warm his amber eyes were and how they sparkled as he teased Daichi.

Another worrisome side effect of the alcohol was that Daichi’s defensive walls were crumbling into dust. It was difficult when the conversation flowed easily, and the laughter was so natural that Daichi’s sides were beginning to ache. It wasn’t as if his life was bad before but suddenly, he felt like he’d been missing out on something amazing.

“I’m serious!” Kuroo said, pointing at Asahi’s face. “That poor girl was gazing up at this guy as if he’d hung the stars in the sky, and he turned her down without even realizing that she was asking him out!”

Daichi burst out laughing and, across the table, Kai fell into a fit of giggles. Asahi hung his head as he stared down into his half-drunk beer.

“I didn’t realize that’s what she meant. Even if I had though, she wasn’t my type.”

“Yeah, yeah, we know, big boy,” Kuroo teased.

With an indignant huff, Asahi turned toward Daichi and nodded at him. “And Daichi’s far worse than I’ve ever been.”

“Huh?!” Daichi squawked and, unfortunately, Kuroo leaned in eagerly to hear more.

“Ooooooh, I want to hear more. Is he a heartbreaker?”

“No!”

“Yes,” Asahi countered. “You’d be surprised how many girls were crushing on him at school.”

Daichi rolled his eyes. “You’re making that up.”

“Exactly!” Asahi said, pointing at him. “You never realized it! Do you remember how every Valentine's Day, you’d get all this chocolate and Tanaka would wail about it?”

“Those were friendship chocolates!”

“Not all of them! You can easily tell the difference. And then there was poor Michimiya…”

Daichi flinched. “What about Michimiya?!”

“Who’s Michimiya?!” Kuroo asked, glancing between them like he was watching an intense game of ping pong.

Kai hummed as he leaned forward onto the table. “I suspect she was closer to Sawamura than the others. What happened?”

Asahi shook his head sadly. “She and Daichi went to the same middle school, and she ended up being captain of the girls’ team the same time Daichi was captain of our team. I have the feeling she’s had a crush on him ever since their middle school years. Classic unrequited love story.”

Kuroo and Kai cooed sympathetically, and Daichi clicked his teeth.

“That’s not true. We were just friends!”

Kuroo sighed. “Oh, Sa’amura, you sweet, naive, absolutely clueless human being. It sounds like you need some one-on-one lessons with a master of love,” he purred as he wiggled his eyebrows up and down. 

Humming, Daichi leaned forward on the table with a wide grin. “Hmm, maybe you’re right.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah… Do you know where I could meet one?”

Kai and Asahi burst out laughing, especially as Kuroo’s face fell with utter dismay. 

“You know I was talking about me! I’m an expert!”

“I cannot imagine it. What do you think, Kai? Is Kuroo a master of love?”

Kai snickered. “He’s always thought of himself to be one. Honestly, he doesn’t give bad advice, but he’s rather pathetic when it comes to his own love life.”

“That’s not true!”

“Then tell me, Kuroooo-san,” Daichi teased, “how has your love life been lately? Active?”

“I—Well, about that… It’s just that things at work have been— Okay, guys, it’s not that funny.”

It was hilarious, especially seeing Kuroo sulk as his cheeks turned bright red. Daichi wanted to reach across the table and pinch one of them, but he wouldn’t have put it past Kuroo to bite him like a feral cat.

Kai cleared his throat and lifted his beer. “To our pathetic love lives.”

“Here, here,” the rest of them said and they all clinked each other’s glasses. 

“Honestly,” Kuroo said to Daichi after setting his glass down, “it’s probably a good thing you’re not with anyone right now.”

“Why’s that?”

Kuroo shrugged as he propped his chin on his hand. “Long distance relationships are difficult, and if my hunky boyfriend suddenly moved to Tokyo to be in charge of a youth volleyball clinic, I’d be worried about him being hit on by all the assistants and single mothers.”

“And sports promoters,” Kai muttered into his beer glass.

Kuroo glared at him sharply, but Kai ignored him admirably. Daichi, however, wasn’t sure how to respond. His heart was racing at the implication that Kuroo would hit on him. Has he flirted with Daichi already? Given their previous conversation, if he was to acknowledge that Asahi was right that he was clueless in that regard, it was possible that Kuroo was flirting with him and he hadn’t realized it. 

To break up the tension, Daichi laughed. “I wouldn’t say I’m hunky. I’ve tried to stay fit but lately it’s been easier to lift than getting any kind of cardio.”

“Really?” Kuroo asked, perking up. “I go for a run in the morning, several times a week. Would you like to join me?”

Daichi cringed. “In the morning? Like, how early?”

“I’m usually walking out the door around five-thirty.”

“Then no, I do not want to join you. That sounds horrible,” Daichi laughed, but Kuroo didn’t seem put off as he leered back at him.

“Come on! What are you going to do if you start stretching out those snug T-shirts you wear?”

“They’re not that snug.”

“The one you were wearing earlier today looked like your biceps were about to split the material. If your tummy starts fighting it too, that shirt won’t stand a chance.”

“Never mind about my tummy!”

“So, you’ll start running with me?”

Daichi glared at his wide, toothy grin. “I’ll consider it.”

“Yay!”

“I didn’t say I would!”

“You’ll consider it, which means I’m halfway there. Just gotta use all my wiles to lure you in,” he said, rubbing his hands together.

“Sounds like you’re trying to seduce him,” Kai muttered and again ignored Kuroo’s sharp glare.

Asahi scratched his beard. “You could just buy bigger shirts.”

“No!” Kuroo scolded, pointing a finger in his face. “Bad idea. Bad Asahi. We need to be promoting his health and not enabling bad behaviors.”

“You’re just saying that because you like the tight shirts.”

“Not the point. Besides, who wouldn’t?”

Kai hummed. “I think Sawamura would look cute with a little tummy.”

“He would… but I also want to get him to run with me.”

“My tummy,” Daichi growled, “is nobody’s business but my own. And on that note, I think it’s time for me to head out. I’ve still got work tomorrow.”

“It’s not that early!” Kuroo whined. “You have time for another beer.”

“I’m not sure my tummy could handle it,” he said, giving Kuroo a cold look. 

Kuroo giggled and gave him an impish smile back. “As long as you run it off, I’m sure it’ll be fine. Tomorrow, I was planning on running at a very nice park. I’d love to show you it.”

“Some other time. Thanks for the welcome party,” he said, putting down enough cash to cover his part of the bill. 

“I’ll come with you too,” Asahi said, paying his part as well. “I’m beat.”

“Thanks for coming,” Kuroo said softly just before they walked away. It was a general statement, but his gaze was on Daichi alone. All the good relaxing with his friends had done was obliterated as his warm smile caused Daichi’s stomach to squirm like it was caught in a blender.

He rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, it was fun. See you.”

“Next time.”

Daichi mentally groaned and made a hasty retreat out of the izakaya. Once they were out on the street, Asahi fell in step with him but didn’t say anything right away. It was obvious what he wanted to say, and not hearing it was driving Daichi crazy. With the screaming silence reigning between them for two blocks, Daichi finally gave Asahi a warning glare. He laughed back and butted Daichi gently with his shoulder.

“You’re not as clueless as you used to be, are you?”

Daichi sulked as he looked away and shoved his hands in his coat pockets. “No.”

“Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not. He’s amazing, okay? He’s handsome and charming and devastatingly handsome and funny and not nearly as annoying as he used to be and handsome—”

“Yeah, I got that.”

“It’s true, okay?! It’s literally the worst thing that could have happened. Now, what am I supposed to do?”

Asahi glanced at him quizzically. “What do you mean?”

Daichi huffed and dragged his fingers through his hair. “Plan A was to not see him at all, and that was ruined earlier today, so I automatically went into Plan B, which was to keep our relationship completely platonic, and that’s already ruined! I don’t even have a Plan C. What am I supposed to do; move out of the country? Reverse time?”

“I may have a radical suggestion.”

“More radical than reversing time?”

Asahi chuckled. “Maybe you should just date him.”

Daichi’s shoes skidded on the sidewalk as he pulled to a stop. “You’re joking, right? You saw how that would turn out.”

“I saw how it could possibly turn out, and that’s no different than anyone else’s relationship. Besides, are you going to let a weird, magical mirror tell you what to do?”

“I don’t know. I feel like gruesome fairy tales always occur when the protagonist ignores the warnings from magical entities.”

“This isn’t a fairy tale, Daichi. Listen,” he said, glancing back in the direction of the izakaya. “Take this from someone who loves a person who will never love them back. You’ve both done a lot of growing up over the years and now, it’s obvious that you’re clicking in all the right ways. You both couldn’t stop smiling at each other and making each other laugh. As your friend— as both your friends, it’s all I could want for either one of you. You shouldn’t live your life thinking that something will definitely go wrong.”

Daichi opened his mouth and then closed it. Asahi had grown up as well, probably far more than he had. He still had faith in what the mirror had shown him, but he couldn’t fault anything that Asahi had said either. It was full of wisdom, the kind that came from personal experience, and it made his chest ache. 

“You don’t know that Suga will never love you back.” He gave Asahi an encouraging smile and jabbed him with his fist. “If I shouldn’t live my life thinking something will definitely go wrong, then you shouldn’t deny a possibility before it’s had a chance.”

Asahi blinked, surprised by his counter, and then chuckled. “I think I’m way past that, but thanks. Come on, before Kuroo catches up to us on our way to the station.”

“Ugh, I don’t need another interaction with him tonight.”

They were both quiet for the rest of their walk together. Asahi had given him a lot to consider, and it was tempting to give into the idea of dating Kuroo for real. Visions of them snuggling on a sofa and kissing began leaking into his mind and Daichi promptly shut them out before he got too carried away.

Before they separated to hop on their separate lines, Daichi turned toward him. “Maybe I was just overreacting. You know, because I had just seen him for the first time in years. I could calm down and then we could still be friends. What do you think?”

Asahi considered it a moment and shrugged. “That’s possible.”

“You think so?”

“No. Good night, Daichi,” he chuckled and waved over his shoulder as he walked away.

“Jerk,” Daichi muttered back, scuffed his toe against the ground, and turned in the other direction. 

When he got home, he kicked off his shoes and flipped on the lights. He was only slightly buzzed from the beers he had, but he was still craving some water. As he filled up a tall glass, he heard a distant knock. He closed his eyes and slowly exhaled. He’d seen enough visions in the mirror to know when it wasn’t his door that was being knocked on. 

“Coming!” Daichi called, hustling to the front door.

Disgruntled, Daichi leaned against the counter and watched the scene as he drank his water. He wasn’t in the mood for it tonight. After spending the evening with Kuroo and enjoying every second of it, he didn’t want to be reminded of the horrific result of dating him would be. Especially after he had been considering what Asahi had said as well. Watching a scene from depressed Daichi’s life would just make him more confused.

“Hey, aren’t you going to be late?” Daichi asked as he stepped back, allowing Suga to come in. 

“I have a little time. Asahi went ahead to let the others know.”

Daichi nodded and folded his arms. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

Suga appraised him carefully, his gaze lingering on his face. “Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

Daichi’s face tightened. “Are you crazy?”

“It’s been a couple of months. Most of the anger has simmered down enough for a conversation, don’t you think?” 

“That— That’s not what the problem is.” Daichi huffed and rubbed his hands over his face. “What is there left to say? What makes you think he even wants to talk to me?”

“You’re miserable, and you’re an idiot if you think he isn’t miserable as well. It’s just that you’ve both got too much pride or something to breach the gap.”

Daichi peeked back at him above his hands. “He’s miserable? Like, he said that he is?”

“No, but he’s terrible at faking it. He wears this terrible smile that doesn’t look right on his face and he spaces out whenever no one’s talking to him. Yaku called me the other day and told me to kick his ass for him to get him out of this funk, but, for once, I’m not sure that’s what he needs.” Suga sighed and reached out, tugging at Daichi’s arm. “Come with me.”

“I’m not going to crash his birthday dinner.”

“It could be just the gift he needs.”

“Or his worst nightmare. Maybe we’d talk, or maybe we’d argue and cut even deeper wounds. I can’t do that to him… not tonight.”

Suga stared at him in silence and slowly lowered his hand. “You’re sure?”

“Yeah. I don’t know if I’ll be ready soon, but I will talk to him again. I still—” Daichi choked on the word and rubbed his reddening eyes. “I still want him in my life somehow.”

“You’ll get there,” Suga assured him and turned toward the door. “I better get going.”

“Wait, since you’re here…” Daichi stepped back and rummaged around in a drawer. He pulled out a small box and held it out for Suga to take. “Can you give this to him?”

“You got him a present?”

Daichi winced. “I didn’t mean to.” As Suga stared at him incredulously, Daichi sighed. “Someone at work was going on and on about these being the best. I was at the store, saw them, and bought them without thinking. He goes through earbuds so fast, and these are especially made for runners.”

“You want me to say they’re from you?”

“No! Just, um, tell him they were a gift from someone else and you couldn’t use them.”

Suga snorted. “If someone gave me these as a gift, I’d keep them, and he’d know that.”

“Ugh, just make something up. Please, Suga?”

“Fine, but you owe me.” 

After Suga left, Daichi slumped against his kitchen counter. 

“I hope he likes them,” he muttered.

Daichi flinched as he was suddenly staring back at his own reflection. The scene had drawn him in just as it had the first time he watched what the mirror wanted to show him. It made him aware of a couple interesting facts. For one thing, time wasn’t moving at the same speed in the mirror; the Suga in the alternate reality had said it had been two months when it had only been one month since Daichi first started seeing visions.

The other thing that caught Daichi’s attention was how the Kuroo in the other world was doing. Suga said he was miserable. If he hadn’t gotten over the breakup either, perhaps it wasn’t what he really wanted either. If the two did manage to have a civil conversation with each other, maybe there was still hope?

He sighed and shut off the kitchen light, heading into the other room to get ready for bed. If he thought any harder about his reality, an alternate reality, how sexy Kuroo Tetsurou had gotten since high school, how suddenly his terrible laugh was cute, and how Daichi was totally screwed, his head would explode. He needed some sleep.

—

The following week, there were many times where Daichi would be watching the kids during their games and his phone would buzz in his pocket. He’d smile to himself, having an inkling of who it was from. His suspicion was always confirmed whenever the kids took a short break and he’d sneak a peek at it. 

Once, it was a link to one of Kenma’s posts featuring a video chat with Hinata while he was over in Brazil. Another was a picture Kuroo had snapped of a crow and a cat fighting over some trash in an alleyway followed by a lot of keysmashing. Many times, it was a picture of a bar or cafe that he wanted to take him to and Daichi, without thinking, eagerly agreed to it.

The week after that, they started to hang out. It was innocent at first, a quick lunch at a diner on a day they were both busy and needed a break. Then Kuroo lured him out under the pretense of business, so how could Daichi refuse that? Especially when it was perusing a sportswear shop that the JVA had an account with, and he could update some of their equipment for the clinic. He couldn’t have predicted how much they’d reminisce about old times and have to lean against each other for support when they laughed so hard that they could hardly stand.

When Kuroo called him up one day to invite him to go clothes shopping, he put his foot down.

“I have plenty of clothes.”

“Sorry, Sa’amura, but I’ve seen you in the same two shirts every time we hang out and no, you can’t count your tracksuits you wear for work.”

“How do you know that I don’t have a closet full of the same two kinds of shirts?”

Kuroo barked out a laugh. “Then we definitely have to take you shopping. Listen, if you don’t do something about your wardrobe soon, Asahi is going to freak out on you and design an entire line just for you and you won’t have any excuse not to wear it.”

“What?! There’s no way I’m wearing clothes that trendy. I’m more of a classic kind of guy.”

Snickering, Kuroo said, “Then I guess you better come with me then and pick out your own. Come on, I need some things too.”

Unfortunately, his argument was flawless, so Daichi went. They met up in Shibuya and Kuroo guided him through a couple of shops he’d picked out ahead of time that he thought would fit with Daichi’s style, and he was absolutely right. The clothes were flattering and well made, but nothing ostentatious that would make him feel uncomfortable. It would have been a perfect outing, had it not been for a few issues. 

Daichi never once considered the intimacy of both of them changing in a dressing room with just a little curtain between them. There was no one else there, so he could hear every zipper being undone and material dropping to the floor. With his heart racing out of control, Daichi took a deep breath and focused on trying on some different clothes.

Then Kuroo started to hum. Daichi didn’t recognize the tune, but he wasn’t completely up to date with new music. Whatever it was, it sounded just right in Kuroo’s carefree voice, as soothing as a lullaby. He was overcome with the desire to rest his head against Kuroo’s chest and listen with his eyes closed.

Needless to say, his plans weren’t working. Plan A was obliterated on the day they met. Plan B could work if Kuroo stopped being so damn attractive in every single way. Plan C would take time for him to get his passport in order and find a job overseas, and he had to admit that Plan D was basically ridiculous. Even in a reality where he owned a magical mirror that showed him an alternate reality, reversing time was currently impossible.

So, he needed a new plan and Asahi was being no help to him. The only advice he gave was to date Kuroo, and he kept repeating it to Daichi like an annoying parrot yapping on his shoulder. The rate in which he was falling in love with Kuroo was speeding at the rate of a bullet train, and he was starting to get desperate. Time to bring out the big guns.

There was a knock on his door, and Daichi hustled through his apartment to answer it. He opened it and grinned as Suga struck a pose amidst a huge pile of luggage.

“Hey! Did you miss me?”

Daichi shrugged. “A little. This is a weekend visit, right? Or were you planning on moving in?”

“Shut up. A lot of these are empty; my family wants souvenirs.”

“Tokyo isn’t even that far away.”

“We're needy people; leave us alone.”

Daichi chuckled and helped him bring everything in. Once they were inside and Daichi started brewing him some coffee, Suga appraised him.

“Okay, you look pretty good for having a crisis. What’s the big deal that you couldn’t tell me over the phone?”

Daichi grimaced and turned around, leaning back on the counter. “You better sit down first.”

Suga’s eyebrows shot up, but he obeyed, settling himself down at Daichi’s kitchen table. With a prior warning not to interrupt, Daichi went into the whole story about how he discovered his mirror’s power, what it showed him, and everything that had happened since with Kuroo. 

Unfortunately, every time he mentioned his attraction to Kuroo, Suga would burst out laughing.

“That is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard! I can’t imagine you being into Kuroo!”

“That’s crazy? Not my mirror showing me stuff?”

“Okay, that’s difficult to believe, too. I don’t think you’re lying to me because you’re you. And I don’t even think you’d do this as a prank.”

“Thank you for the confidence.”

“I will need to see it to really believe it though.”

“That’s why I had you come here first. It’ll do something while you’re here, I’m sure.”

Suga gazed at it thoughtfully and hummed. Daichi sighed as the coffee beeped to let him know it was done and promptly poured them both a cup.

“So, this is my crisis,” Daichi continued as he sat down across from him, “The mirror is warning me about being in a relationship with Kuroo, and yet I can’t stop falling in love with Kuroo. I’m seriously trying but every time I’m around him, I forget all about it. He’s just so much fun,” he muttered as he stared down at the aromatic steam rising from his mug.

Suga giggled. “Did the mirror say, ‘Do not date Kuroo Tetsurou, or you will be doooooomed!’”?

Daichi glared back at him. “No, but it’s basically showing me that. My great aunt said it would give me perspective. Asahi’s telling me to ignore it and date Kuroo anyway.”

“Wait, Asahi said that? I would have thought he’d be fretting over it.”

“He’s changed a lot, actually, and he’s made some valid points. He told me not to live my life expecting everything to go wrong.”

Suga gaped at him. “Huh… I’m surprised.” He picked up coffee and sipped at it, but Daichi could still see the gears turning around in his head. Smiling, he picked up his own mug and drank. It wasn’t any clear sign that maybe Asahi would have a chance with him, and Daichi certainly wasn’t going to push it, but it was nice seeing Suga change his perspective of him a little bit.

As he thought that, Daichi frowned and set his mug down. “Hmm, perspective…”

“See, I was thinking about that too,” Suga said, leaning forward on the table. “So, the mirror showed you two break up, but you wouldn’t be that devastated if your relationship hadn’t been amazing at one time, right?”

“... Right.”

“Exactly. I don’t think the mirror was giving you an ill omen; it was giving you perspective. Did the Daichi in the other reality tell you what went wrong?”

“Oh, um, we were arguing a lot.”

Suga shrugged. “Couples do that. Give me more.”

“It wasn’t very specific, but it sounded tense. We both said hurtful words to each other.”

“Ah, yes, a very common problem,” Suga replied sagely as he sat back in his chair. “I have to explain this one to my students all the time. Emotions can be scary, and how we react to other people’s emotions is just as important as handling our own.”

“Suga, I’m not in elementary school.”

“No, but maybe you should go back if I have to explain this to you. You do tend to be blunt and clueless, so perhaps this is something you should work on as you delve into your relationship with Kuroo. I’m not close with Kuroo, so I can’t say this for certain, but he does strike me as an individual who would rather not say stuff exactly as they are. He’d rather talk around things in his witty way, which could just go right over your head.”

“I’ve never had trouble understanding him.”

“But you two haven’t had any issues yet. It’s part of the dating process and right now, you two are in the super excited, seeing each other through rose-colored glasses stage. How would you feel if you both reached for the salt at the same time and your fingers just grazed each other?”

Daichi shivered before he could contain himself. His face flooded with heat as Suga burst out laughing.

“See? Your doppelgangers in the mirror are way past that stage. They brushed stuff under the rug where it built up and up until it became a literal obstruction in their relationship. I’m not saying you have to make everything a big deal, but if you date Kuroo, just try to really hear what he’s saying and if you don’t get it, ask him to explain himself better in a kind way. Knowing you, you probably won’t always do that.”

“What do I do when that happens?” Daichi asked, leaning closer. He winced as Suga huffed and flicked his forehead hard.

“Apologize, dummy! Have I shown up in this alternate reality? What am I doing? I should be kicking your ass.”

“Oh, you’re there. Actually, you live—”

A knock on the door startled them, and Suga jumped out of his seat. “Is that Asahi? I’m going to surprise him with my newly reformed judo chop!” 

Daichi winced as Suga dove toward the door and wrenched it open. Instead of hearing Suga’s hand colliding against Asahi’s head, however, he heard Suga’s breath hitch.

“O-Oh.”

“Hey, Suga! Did you have a good trip?”

“Uh, yeah, it was alright.”

Slowly, Daichi turned around in his seat. He immediately stifled a laugh when he saw Asahi on the other side of the door. For once, he was well rested, and his glasses sat perfectly on his freshly washed face. His hair was tied up neatly in a bun and his embroidered white button-down didn’t have one pin stuck in it. He was clean, stylish, and extremely confused by Suga’s dumbfounded reaction.

“So, um, are we going to get something to eat? I made reservations at one of my favorite restaurants.” His smile was warm as he leaned forward, hovering over Suga. “I think you’re really going to enjoy it. It has some spicy dishes that would make a normal person’s head explode.”

Suga belted out a slightly maniacal laugh and then held up a finger. “Sounds great. Could you excuse me for a minute though? I’ve got to freshen up,” he said, and slammed the door in Asahi’s face. Whirling around, he wrenched Daichi out of his seat and slammed his back against the wall. “Why didn’t you tell me?!” he whispered furiously, holding Daichi’s shirt in a grip of death. “You’re in a crisis?! What about this crisis? You couldn’t have cared to mention that Asahi got hot?!”

Daichi could barely restrain his giggles, but he did his best before he was murdered by his best friend. “I’m sorry, but he’s not my type, so I guess I didn’t realize it.”

“Huh?! He looks like something off the cover of a freaking romance novel.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. He’s waiting for us, by the way. Don’t you need to freshen up?” 

“I hate you,” Suga huffed and released him. He stomped back into the living space and tore into his luggage, looking for something else to wear. 

Daichi chuckled and smoothed out his shirt. “Can I let him in at least? He’s just standing out there.”

Suga grabbed a handful of clothes and a small bag, hissed at him, and then fled into the bathroom.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He shook his head as he opened the door, revealing an extremely bewildered Asahi.

“Was it something I said?”

“You’re fine. It’s just Suga. Want some coffee before we go?”

“Sure, I’ll have a quick cup. Did you tell him about the mirror?” he asked as he followed Daichi into the kitchen. 

“Yup. He just gave me relationship advice, so I’m fairly certain he thinks I should go for it as well.”

Asahi hummed. “I’m glad. Wait, relationship advice? Is he, um, dating someone right now?”

“Not that I know of.” Although it would put Asahi’s heart at ease, for his own pride he didn’t want to explain that Suga’s relationship advice was catered toward elementary age children. 

A few minutes later, Suga reappeared in the kitchen, fresh-faced, hair combed, wearing a cozy navy blue knit sweater that hung off his slender frame. Asahi nearly spit out his coffee.

“Sorry for the wait!” Suga sang as he sashayed toward them. “Do we still have time to get there for our reservation?”

“Um, yeah, uh,” Asahi stammered and then quickly glanced at his watch. “Yup, just in time, if we leave now.”

“Then let’s go!”

Daichi rolled his eyes as he pranced toward the door and bent over to put on his shoes, putting on a whole show for Asahi. He didn’t need to try so hard, especially since Asahi was trying to look everywhere but his ass. Sighing, Daichi turned off the coffee pot, put their empty mugs in the sink, and followed the others out the door. It was going to be an interesting evening.

When Daichi finally settled down that night with Suga spread out on the futon next to him, he was subjected to a stream of nonsensical raving about how different Asahi was since their high school days yet, at the same time, was still just as loveable and caring. He could understand the crisis Suga was going through since he had just gone through the same thing with Kuroo. The big difference was that Suga didn’t have a premonition-like event warning against their doomed relationship. 

It had been fun, though, having their trio back together again. Slipping back in time was easy with them and, luckily, kept the other two from flirting too much in front of him. But when it came time to say goodnight, Daichi nearly excused himself out of embarrassment. Hearing Asahi speak to Suga in low, gentle tones and watching Suga bat his eyelashes at him as he stood up on his toes to get closer to him was more than his stomach could handle.

If there was one thing that didn’t make progress, that was Daichi’s situation. They hardly discussed it all night and anytime Daichi tried to pull the subject to it, they both laughed at him. 

“Just date him, Daichi,” Asahi sighed. “I know you want to.”

Suga giggled. “I still think it’s funny though, Kuroo Tetsurou stealing your heart. Does he still look like a shady conman?”

Asahi winced. “Yes. He’s grown up a lot, quite studly according to some, but he still looks shady.”

“In that case, I can understand why you’re worried, Daichi. Maybe that’s why you broke up in the alternate reality. I bet he owes you a lot of money.”

Daichi dropped the subject. There was no point going into it when both of them were on the same side trying to rile him up. 

“Are you listening, Daichi?”

“Um, I zoned out around the time you were talking about how that one tendril of hair looked fetching against his cheekbones. Sorry.”

“You don’t sound sorry,” he huffed petulantly, but then he giggled as he turned onto his side to face him. “I’m kidding. I’m sorry that I’m going on and on about him. It’s just really surprising.”

“That Asahi turned out to be a hunk?”

“Yeah, but it’s more than his looks. Confidence works well for him,” Suga murmured as he played with the hem of his pillowcase. “Do you want to hear something crazy?”

“Sure.”

“The truth is, this year isn’t going so well for me at school. I love my fellow teachers and the kids have been wonderful. Well, I have a couple of troublemakers, but that’s nothing unusual. But I’m still just a temp there and while I’m popular with the staff, there are rumors going around that the board may hire someone else in my position permanently, someone with connections to the chairman.”

“Seriously? Suga, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I wanted to enjoy this weekend, and help you with your crisis, of course. But since you left already and I don’t have many other friends that stuck around, I’ve been thinking about relocating myself. So, I’ve actually already applied to some jobs around Tokyo.”

“Whoa… That’s interesting.”

“Do you think it’s crazy?”

“No, you gotta do what you gotta do, and it would be nice to have you here as well. Besides, did I mention that in the alternate reality, you already live here?”

“What?!” he screeched, sitting bolt upright. 

Daichi shushed him. It was late, and the walls of his apartment were fairly thin.

Suga glared at him and relaxed back on the futon. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t have a chance. We went to dinner right after you got here and I only had time to explain so much.”

“Hmm, so I live here,” Suga mused, resting on his back and propping his arms underneath his head. “Did I move in with you?”

Daichi grinned. “Nope. You live with Asahi and, um, I don’t think it’s platonic.”

Suga’s eyes widened and he slowly turned his head to gape at him. “Seriously? Ahhh, this is crazy! If you had told me this morning that I would feel like this toward Asahi of all people, I would have laughed in your face!”

“I can picture it clearly.”

“How did this happen?”

Daichi shrugged. “Moving to Tokyo was good for him. Maybe it would be good for you too,” he added with a teasing smile.

Suga giggled and lightly jabbed at his chest. “I guess we’ll see. I’m going to spend all day with him tomorrow. Why did I ask him to show me around again?”

“Because you were a flirtatious maniac trying to milk whatever you could out of a quick weekend trip.”

“Hmm, I guess that makes sense. I may have gotten a little ahead of myself but I have no regrets. Are you sure you can’t come with us?”

“The very idea of tagging along with you two makes my stomach queasy. Besides, I have to head into the office to do some planning for this week. I’m switching up the kids’ teams so they can get used to working with other players. It keeps them on their toes and cuts down on too much rivalry.”

“Pfft, yeah, otherwise you’d see little Daichi/Kuroo pairings forming all over the place.”

“Shut up, you haven’t even seen us together lately.”

“I’ve heard enough from Asahi. I really do think you should just date him, otherwise, you’d just go through life wondering what could have been.”

“Except I’ve already seen what could happen.”

Suga sighed heavily. “That’s just one possible outcome, Daichi, one that many couples go through if they can’t work out their shit. As long as you’re constantly mindful of that, you should be fine.”

Daichi raised an eyebrow at him. Asahi had told him to date Kuroo and not worry about what could go wrong, and Suga was telling him to constantly remember what could happen if he messes up. Perhaps he had entered an alternate reality and didn’t know it.

—

Daichi’s job was meaningful, and every day was a new adventure. But, like all jobs, he did have bad days. In fact, on this particular one, it seemed like nothing could go right.

One of his assistants was out sick, so they were already stretched thin. A couple of boys had been butting heads lately and chose that day to let it escalate into shouting matches and light shoves. While Daichi and another assistant tried to separate them and sort it out, another child got injured on another court. It wasn’t too serious, but they took him to the hospital anyway to make sure. 

By the time Daichi trudged through his apartment door that evening, he felt like a complete failure. He passed through the kitchen and flopped down on his sofa, covering his face with his arm. As he exhaled slowly, his body felt like it was deflating and all he was left with was an ache in his chest.

He rolled the events of the day through his head over and over, trying to work out what he could have done differently to prevent it all. Tensions had risen since he mixed up the teams, but that was part of the experience for the kids and to learn good sportsmanship. Perhaps he should have waited later in the year to do it, but that would have made it more difficult for the kids to set aside established rivalries to work together.

As for the child getting injured, it was the result of a simple collision, the kind that happens all the time in volleyball. The boy that was taken to the hospital only had a sprained finger, luckily. It could have been much worse. On instinct, Daichi moved his tongue over the gap in his teeth.

His phone vibrated in his pocket, surprising him. It continued to buzz, signifying a phone call rather than a text, and he groaned as he fished it out. Holding it above him, he nearly dropped it on his face when he saw Kuroo’s name across his screen.

His stomach coiled up in a knot. He didn’t want to talk to Kuroo; he was too ashamed about what happened. Maybe he was warning Daichi that he was going to be fired. At the same time, however, there was a part of him that wanted to talk to Kuroo. Hearing his voice and terrible laugh could cheer him up in the worst of circumstances. 

Before the call went to voicemail, Daichi sighed and answered it.

“Hey, Kuroo.”

“Heeeeeey, how are you, Sa’amura-san?” he drawled, though his tone sounded gentler than it usually did. He definitely knew what happened, otherwise he wouldn’t be treading so lightly. 

“I feel, um, pretty awful right now, to be honest.”

“Hmm, I figured that. You want to get something to eat and talk about it?”

Daichi wrinkled his nose. “I could eat but I’m not sure I want to talk about it.”

Kuroo snickered. “In that case, want to meet me in Odaiba?”

“Why Odaiba?”

“I’m going to treat you to the greatest ramen you’ve ever had.”

Daichi huffed. “That’s bold of you to say.”

“You can tell me I’m full of shit after you’ve tried it. Come on.”

He sighed heavily as he stared up at the ceiling. What did he have to lose?

When he finally arrived at the place Kuroo wanted him to try, he was disgruntled to find a long line outside. Kuroo spotted him and laughed at the look on his face. If he hadn’t looked so handsome, Daichi probably would have just walked away.

“Don’t worry, it goes fast! Just trust me, okay?” 

Daichi had a taunt ready, but Kuroo reached out and took his hand. They had shaken hands so many times, both of them always gripping with every ounce of strength they had. Kuroo’s touch this time was nothing like that. His long fingers wrapped around Daichi’s hand and wrist, yet the touch was delicate. With the slightest of tugs, he led him to the back of the line and Daichi could hardly remember why he was so grumpy a minute before. 

Once they’d taken their place, however, Kuroo released him and stuck his hands in his jacket pockets instead. Daichi missed his touch already; his hand had been warm and soothing. 

“So, you really don’t want to talk about it?” Kuroo asked, smiling slyly.

Daichi frowned. “I don’t know. I don’t even want to think about it but it’s been bothering me constantly, like it’s eating me up inside.”

“Then how about you get things off your chest, and then we can change the subject once we sit down to eat?”

“Hmm, I guess I can’t feel any worse… Unless you tell me that I’m going to be fired.”

Kuroo snorted loudly. “Why on earth would you be fired?”

“A kid got hurt.”

“Yeah, good point. I’ve never heard of anyone getting hurt in volleyball.”

“Shut up.”

“Come on, I know what happened. You were short-handed and trying to handle a dispute between two other kids before it got out of hand. Even if neither of those two things happened, injuries are bound to happen. That’s why we have the parents sign a waiver,” he added with a wink, and Daichi finally cracked a smile. 

“I still hate it that it happened.”

“Of course, but it wasn’t that serious. You know, I put in a call to the family before meeting up with you, just to check in on the kid.”

“You did? How is he?”

“His mom told me that he was crying because he was worried he’d have to take a break from volleyball.” He chuckled and grasped Daichi’s shoulders, giving it a squeeze. “Our objective is to get kids to fall in love with the sport, Sa’amura. If anything, today proved that you’re the best person for the job.”

“Thanks,” Daichi muttered as he stared down at the ground. His face was burning, and he didn’t want Kuroo to see it. Unfortunately, it burned even hotter as Kuroo pulled him close and leaned in toward his ear.

“If it’ll make you feel better, you could call me when you’re short-handed. I’ll just grab my gym back and head on over to help you out.”

Daichi huffed out a laugh and swatted him away. “Right, with all the spare time you have.”

Kuroo shrugged. “I’ll make it work. If it keeps you from getting down on yourself, then I’ll be there in a heartbeat.”

Daichi smiled as he gazed up at Kuroo thoughtfully. He wondered if he’d go to such lengths for any of his friends. Probably, but, somehow, Kuroo always managed to make him feel special.

“My hero,” he sighed, and Kuroo belted out a laugh that startled a few other people in line.

“Whatever I can do to sweep you off your feet, Sa’amura. So, feel any better?”

“Surprisingly, yeah.”

“What do you mean surprisingly? Did you think that I couldn’t cheer you up?”

“No, it’s not that. I was so down that I didn’t think it was possible. I was drowning in my guilt.”

“Well, I’m happy to be of service. Please don’t go jumping off any bridges anytime soon. Oh, speaking of which, I’ll have to show you around. There’s a great view of the rainbow bridge nearby.”

Daichi chuckled. “We still have work tomorrow.”

“We have the whole evening! Let’s relax a little, okay?”

Now that Kuroo had taken away most of his stress, Daichi was eager to have some fun. And they were nearing the front of the line and his mouth was beginning to water from the scent of ramen wafting out of the restaurant. His judgment was thoroughly clouded as he agreed to let Kuroo show him around Odaiba later, but that could be a problem for tomorrow. He’d had enough problems for one day.

After his stomach was bursting with the most delicious ramen he’d ever had, he groaned. “That was amazing, but I think I’ve gained about ten pounds.”

Kuroo snickered. “I doubt it was that much, but I know how you feel. Luckily, I’m going for a run in the morning.”

“That doesn’t help me.”

“It could,” Kuroo said, propping his elbow on the counter and resting his cheek against his hand as he gave Daichi a wide grin, “if you come with me.”

Daichi narrowed his eyes at him. “What time would you be meeting up with me?”

“I could meet you around six thirty.”

“Ugh.”

“Come on! It gets easier the more you do it. I promise.”

“I’ve already promised to spend the whole evening with you. What makes you think I want to spend tomorrow morning with you too?”

At that, Kuroo’s cocky smile faded and he glanced away, scratching the back of his head. “Um, I’d say it’s less thinking that you’d want to and more hoping? I get what you mean though, too much of a wonderful thing could be annoying,” he said with an awkward laugh. “We should get moving so someone else can have the seats.”

Quickly, he grabbed the receipt and headed up to the counter to pay. Daichi swiftly followed after him and touched his elbow.

“I’ll think about it, okay?”

Kuroo peeked at him over his shoulder and smiled. “That’s good enough for me.”

They were quiet as they left the restaurant, but Kuroo seemed to have a particular destination in mind as he led Daichi through the area. He was perplexed when they arrived at a seaside mall and Kuroo immediately headed for the elevators.

“I thought you could use a little walk after that meal,” Kuroo explained as he hit the button for the fourth floor. “Besides, the bridge is best viewed after sunset, when all the lights are on.”

“That’s fine but if that’s the case, shouldn’t we start from the bottom floor?”

“Nah, then we wouldn’t have time to see the best part. Just trust me.”

Daichi eyed him warily. “You’ve been testing my faith a lot for one night.”

Kuroo laughed. “I guess I have, sorry. It’ll be worth it though.” He perked up as the elevator doors opened and he playfully wrapped his arm around Daichi’s shoulders. “Come on.”

The idea of strength was a bit subjective. To Daichi, it was just as much a mental fortitude and resilience as much as it was physical prowess. He’d worked hard to become a man of strength ever since he was young but with Kuroo’s body pressed against his with his arm wrapped around him, Daichi felt like a pool of jelly. And despite suffering from losing every ounce of willpower he had and all the effort he’d put into denying Kuroo, he was totally okay with it.

Not only that, but the area Kuroo led him to was definitely worth it. It was called Daiba Itchome Shotengai, and it was an area completely made up of retro-style shops that were reminiscent of fifty years ago. Vibrant colors bedazzled the atmosphere, and Daichi wanted to explore every shop and try delectable treats or buy some nostalgic trinkets that he knew his siblings would enjoy.

“Having fun?” Kuroo purred into his ear, and Daichi laughed.

“I can’t imagine not having fun in a place like this.”

“You’d be surprised. I brought a date here once and she thought it was lame.”

Daichi stopped dead and glared at him. “You’ve already been here with someone else?”

Kuroo’s eyes widened. “Sa’aaamura… Are you jealous?”

Pouting, Daichi turned his face away. “No.”

“Oh my God. Sorry, I know you’re grumpy right now, but that makes me so happy. Don’t let it bother you, though. I’ve loved this place ever since I was a kid, so I don’t even consider it a date spot.”

Daichi relaxed and glanced back at him. “Really?”

Kuroo covered his mouth. “You are so cute with your big brown eyes. Ahh, don’t hurt me, I’m sorry!” he cried, holding out his hands when Daichi pulled back a fist. “But seriously, my grandparents would bring me here on the weekends. I lived with them and my dad, but they were always crazy busy with work. Since they had a couple days off, they’d always try to have fun with me here. Just think of it as a special place in my heart that I’m now sharing with you,” he murmured, rubbing the back of his head.

Daichi pursed his lips as he stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets. “Well, for what it’s worth, I think this place is amazing. It’s almost like another world.”

“That’s how I always felt about it. No matter what I was going through, the two things that helped were spending time with my grandparents here and playing volleyball. And the friendships I made along the way, of course,” he chuckled, brushing his arm against Daichi’s.

Smiling, Daichi hummed and nudged him back. He didn’t look up at Kuroo’s face as they veered back toward the elevators. He didn’t trust himself to be able to look away.

When they left the mall, it was already getting dark and everywhere Daichi looked, the city was beginning to light up around him. It wasn’t like other parts of Tokyo. Each area had its own purpose and aesthetic to go with it, but this part was like a special treat for every sense in Daichi’s body. Lively music was always being heard from one area or another, and delectable aromas made Daichi’s mouth water despite having eaten a heavy meal already. 

The buildings were spectacular and well-designed, but everything faded to the background as Kuroo gently grasped his arm and led him onto a wide bridge. The sun was long gone, but it hardly seemed dark among the pillars of light sprouting up from the bridge and rising up to practically touch the sky. Even beyond the bridge, the lights of the city and the ferris wheel across the water illuminated the entire area with every color imaginable, and all of that was mirrored in the rippling water beneath them.

It was stunning, and Daichi quickly looked around to express his overwhelming feelings to Kuroo. His stomach dropped when he saw that he was alone. There were many couples and several families surrounding him, but no sign of the tall, lanky silhouette that he’d come to adore. He jumped when he felt a light tap on his shoulder, but he relaxed and sighed in relief when he saw that it was just Kuroo, waiting right behind him with an amused smile.

“I thought I’d lost you.”

Stifling a laugh, Kuroo leaned in close. “You won’t lose me. I’ll always be right behind you, waiting for you to pull your head out of your ass.”

He cackled as Daichi tried to take a swipe out of him. Daichi couldn’t stay angry as he watched Kuroo wander toward the edge of the bridge with a little bounce in his step, and he chuckled as he followed him. As Kuroo’s words sunk in, however, Daichi’s face fell.

Was Kuroo in the alternate reality waiting for him to pull his head out of his ass? The mirror-world Suga had said Kuroo was miserable too, so there was a chance. The thought made him want to weep, to shove his hand into the mirror, grab the other Daichi, and give him a good punch on the nose to wake him up. 

Stop wasting time, he wanted to scream at him. Daichi scowled as he lumbered after Kuroo and leaned against the wrought iron fence. The other Daichi was an idiot… but so was he. They were the same person, oblivious and hopelessly in love with the wittiest, most vibrant person they’d ever met.

“Nice, isn’t it?” Kuroo asked as he gazed across the water.

Daichi was thankful he hadn’t noticed him stewing and he quickly shook off his negative feelings. He needed to stop wasting time.

“It’s beautiful,” he replied, gazing up at him. His heart ached, seeing the colored lights shimmering in Kuroo’s eyes. As Kuroo returned his stare, Daichi laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head. “Did your grandparents bring you here too?”

Kuroo beamed. “They did. My grandpa used to pick me up by the ankles and try to hang me over the edge, and my grandmother hated it. Of course, he got too old and I got too big for him to do it for long, but we always teased her about it.”

Daichi chuckled. “Those are some good memories.”

“They are. They’re precious to me.” Suddenly, the smile faded from Kuroo’s face, and he seemed oddly hesitant as he turned toward Daichi and leaned against the fence. “Hey, Sa’amura, can I talk to you about something?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Um, I’m not sure if you’ve picked up on it… If not, this is going to really come as a shock, but seeing you again and hanging out with you, it’s really made me feel things for you that aren’t…” he paused, motioning with his hand as he struggled to find the word, “platonic.”

Daichi’s jaw dropped. “Oh,” was all he could say as his whole world suddenly flipped upside down. He wasn’t ready for this conversation, and he certainly hadn’t expected Kuroo to come to him so soon, if at all. He hadn’t made a decision yet on how he would handle everything and now, it was all happening whether he liked it or not.

“Yeah,” Kuroo said with a nervous laugh. His eyes were moving around quickly, glancing at everything but Daichi. “I tried to just cool off, you know, but I was so overwhelmed seeing you again and whenever I spend time with you, I just forget about everything else. You grew up well, very attractive, ugh,” he groaned, rubbing his eyes. “What I’m trying to ask is if you feel the same or if you just think of me as a friend? Or if it’s just as a friend, do you think you could feel something—” 

He stopped as he finally looked at Daichi. His eyes widened and, for a moment, it looked like he was going to cry.

“Whoa, I’m sorry that I said anything,” he said quickly, taking a step back. “You look absolutely horrified right now, it’s obvious that I misread—”

“No, wait!” Daichi said, jumping forward and grasping his arms. “Kuroo, it’s not like that. Um, sorry, I’m not horrified at all.”

Kuroo seemed to shrink between his hands. “You’re not?”

“No, of course not. Just hear me out, okay?” Daichi waited as Kuroo considered it and then tentatively nodded. “Thank you. You haven’t misread anything; I’ve been feeling the same things you have. I like you, Kuroo, a lot.” Daichi’s heart raced as Kuroo lit up.

“Really?”

“Yes, but wait, I’m not finished. I like you so much, and I have this crazy feeling that being in a relationship with you would be one of the greatest experiences of my life. I’ve also been trying to stay just friends with you and every time we hang out, I can’t remember that at all! I just lose myself with you and it’s an incredible feeling. I know that we’d be great together. But… that’s also what makes it so terrifying.”

Kuroo’s eyebrows shot up. “It’s terrifying?”

As his stomach clenched, Daichi grasped Kuroo’s arms a little tighter. “I’m already getting attached to you. If we were to have a relationship with each other, our bond would deepen even further. I know it would be amazing, but with that would also come routine and complacency. Our quirks might start to annoy each other and if that starts to wear us down, we could break up and that…” Daichi closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. “That would destroy me. I’m scared to have something great with you and then have it torn away. I don’t want to lose you forever.”

“Oh, Sa’amura,” Kuroo murmured and pulled Daichi into his arms. Squeezing his eyes tighter, Daichi melted into his embrace and buried his face into Kuroo’s shoulder. His body relaxed as Kuroo’s warm arms wrapped around his back, and he shivered as Kuroo’s fingers slipped through his hair.

“I’m scared, too,” Kuroo continued, his voice tickling into Daichi’s ear. “I don’t want to lose you either. It’s weird because what you described was very similar to how my parents split up. Little annoyances turned into reasons for shouting matches, and eventually it became too much. Unfortunately, I lost a mother in the process.”

“Kuroo,” Daichi said, a bitter taste filling his mouth. How his mother could purposely leave him behind was inconceivable to him. He had seen how miserable the other Daichi was now that he no longer had him. “She must be crazy.”

Snickering, Kuroo pulled back and cupped his cheek. “It’s okay. I mean, it wasn’t okay when I was young, but it got better. My grandmother tried her best to fill in, and Kenma’s mom practically adopted me. What happened between my parents happens to a ton of couples; it’s only natural that, once the sparkly feelings are gone, we’d start to see each other’s flaws. But there are good things that happen with that, too. Like trust and comfort. I wouldn’t mind settling into some routines with you,” he said as he leaned down, gently butting his forehead against Daichi’s.

Smiling wistfully, Daichi sighed. “I’d like that, too. But that doesn’t mean we won’t get into fights and eventually break up. I just don’t want to hurt you, especially to the point that it makes you hate me.”

“Sa’amura, I cannot imagine hating you.”

Daichi winced, remembering what the other Daichi had said to Suga right after they’d broken up. The Kuroo in that reality had been cold and said some things that cut deep. It was almost impossible for Daichi to imagine it himself, especially with the warmth emanating from Kuroo’s voice and the tender way he was stroking Daichi’s cheek. To think that he could drive Kuroo to that point…

“I think I could make you hate me. My obliviousness and bluntness may seem hilarious to you right now, but eventually it could push you away from me. Seriously, I can be really thick sometimes and if there’s something you need me to know, you’ll have to spell it out for me.”

Kuroo grinned in amusement but still, he nodded. “I’ll keep it in mind, I promise. And you know, I’m not perfect either. Relationships are a minefield but if we’re properly communicating with each other, we’ll be able to navigate it before everything explodes, okay?”

Daichi sighed heavily. “Okay.”

“Sooooo, does this mean you’ll go out with me?” Kuroo asked with a toothy smile, and Daichi flinched. 

Kuroo had completely lowered his guard, assuaging every one of his fears. It felt silly to hold back any longer but still, he was holding back. To jump into a relationship with Kuroo felt like he’d be turning his back on everything the other Daichi had suffered. Would it be betraying him by ignoring the mirror’s warnings and going for it anyway?

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” Daichi began, and his chest clenched as he watched Kuroo’s smile fall. “Can I just think about it for a bit?”

Kuroo finally released him from their embrace and stepped back, and Daichi shivered as the cool night air washed over him. 

“Of course you can,” Kuroo replied with a slight smile. “Honestly, I probably rushed into this a little too soon. There have been rumors fluttering around the office about this person wanting to set you up with their daughter, and then there’s one of the other girls wanting to ask you out, and I think I got a little nervous that I’d miss my chance.”

Daichi’s resistance was crumbling quickly, and he had to clench his fists at his side to keep from grabbing Kuroo and pulling him back to him. “You don’t have to worry about that. Whether we decide to date or not, I have strong feelings for you. I wouldn’t just date someone else when I feel like this.”

“Ah, that’s a relief,” Kuroo laughed as he raked a hand through his hair. “Then I’ll gladly be patient while you think it through. We can even talk about it more tomorrow during our run.”

“Wha— I haven’t decided to do that!”

“You better decide quickly; it’s getting late.”

“Ugh, fine, I’ll do it. But you better go easy on me,” Daichi growled, and Kuroo giggled as he placed a hand on his heart.

“I solemnly swear that I will set an easy pace. The last thing I want to do is make you mad when I’m trying to convince you to date me.”

Daichi was relieved it was dark as he felt his cheeks grow uncomfortably hot. “In that case, I think we should go. I’ll need to get to bed if I’m waking up that early.”

He turned and after a quick glance around, determined the right direction to head in to find the station. He’d only taken one step when he heard Kuroo’s hesitant voice.

“Wait, Sa’amura, there’s just one more thing.”

Daichi stopped in his tracks, his stomach clenching again. Whatever Kuroo had to tell him, it sounded serious. 

Turning back around, he said, “What’s the matt—”

He gasped as Kuroo was on him in a heartbeat, grasping his arms tightly. Daichi’s lips were suddenly encased in a soft, tender heat that melted him in an instant. Kuroo was kissing him, passion overflowing from his lips as they guided Daichi’s mouth open. Daichi whined as Kuroo’s hot tongue slipped inside just as one of his arms wrapped around his lower back, pulling him deep into the kiss. 

Thank goodness Kuroo had a good hold of him, or he would have fallen in a heap on the ground. While his mind had completely shut down from the shock of being kissed, his body was eager to just go with it. Of course, feeling Kuroo’s smirk against his lips snapped him out of his reverie and he scowled as he pulled back from the kiss.

“What happened to being patient?” he asked, panting.

Kuroo’s wide grin looked as brilliant as a crescent moon, though not nearly as soothing. “I am patient. I just wanted to leave you with a little incentive. So… how fast is your heart beating, Sa’aaaamura?” he purred, leaning back in.

Daichi planted his hand over Kuroo’s face and shoved him back. “You bastard.”

Kuroo cackled as he hopped back, slipped his hands in his pockets, and whirled around on his feet. “Come on, Sa’amura! We’ve got an early start tomorrow!”

Growing and muttering under his breath, Daichi stomped after him, which just made Kuroo laugh even harder. Eventually, however, Daichi relaxed and smiled to himself. Sure, his heart was still racing from the sudden kiss, but Kuroo was practically skipping on his way back to the station, seeming over the moon. 

One of the greatest fears Daichi had for the future was the prospect of hurting Kuroo. There was just as much potential to make Kuroo happy, however, and Daichi’s mind was filled with all the possible ways he could do so. 

When they finally arrived at the station and Kuroo loomed over him for a moment, giving him a wink and purring, “Until tomorrow morning, Sa’amura,” that clinched it. There was no way he could refuse Kuroo Tetsurou anything.

—

Daichi woke up the next morning with his thoughts revolving around the kiss he shared with Kuroo. It was absurdly early for him and the fatigue weighing his body down was telling him that he didn’t get nearly enough sleep to go on a run. There was no way he was going to cancel, though, not when all he wanted was to be near Kuroo.

He bit his lip, imagining what it would be like to wake up with Kuroo next to him. Was he a cuddler? A part of him hoped so, wanting to feel the warmth of his body seeping into his own. The other part imagined his long limbs wrapped around him like ropes and he wouldn’t be able to get up and use the bathroom.

Chuckling, Daichi threw off the covers and wandered into the bathroom unfettered. If that was a problem for the future, he’d deal with it then. Maybe Kuroo was ticklish?

A couple of months ago, he never would have thought he’d be so enamored that he’d actually be excited to go on an early morning run. On his way to the kitchen, his stomach growled as usual, but he paused before starting on breakfast. Was it good to eat before a run? Should he even make coffee? After considering it for a moment, he shook his head and opened the fridge. Kuroo promised him an easy run, so he’d just eat like normal until they could have a proper conversation about proper nutrition for runners.

First, he started the coffee so it would brew while he worked on making his breakfast. He hummed as he gathered some eggs to scramble and set them carefully on the counter. Turning to grab the pan, he nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw someone staring at him. 

It was the other Daichi, standing right in front of the mirror. It was a shock, seeing him so close. Before, Daichi usually saw him meandering around the apartment. Now, he was doing nothing but gazing into it, but it felt like his eyes were boring a hole straight through Daichi. 

Swallowing hard, Daichi said, “Hello?” but the other Daichi didn’t respond. Cautiously, Daichi approached the mirror and waved a hand in front of it but again, the other one didn’t react.

Daichi watched as the other one took a sip of his coffee and then raised his chin confidently.

“Hi Tetsu— No, Tetsurou… Kuroo, ugh… Tetsu, I’m sure you’re surprised to hear from me— No, that’s no good.” 

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and looked back in the mirror. 

“I hope it’s okay that I called you, it’s just that I really needed— wanted, no, needed to talk to you. I know that it’s selfish, but I wanted to hear your voice… I miss you. Ugh, stupid. I was wrong… so wrong, and I can see it now. I should have seen how much I was hurting you at the time, and instead of getting defensive, I should have listened. I’m not asking for your forgiveness, and I’m not asking you to-to take me back,” he paused as tears welled up in his eyes. He breathed in a deep, shuddering breath and released it slowly. 

“I don’t deserve you, but if it’s at all possible, could I still see you? It can be with everyone else, and you don’t even have to talk to me if you don’t want to. Shit—” he hissed, stepping back from the mirror to rub his eyes. 

Daichi gaped at the mirror. The other Daichi was going to call Kuroo, finally. He had gotten up early to prepare himself, he could see that from the dim light in the windows and the fact that Daichi was still in his pajamas, just like him. The fact that he was currently preparing his speech, however, meant that Daichi probably wouldn’t get to hear his apology and how Kuroo would react to it. 

He sighed as he gazed at his other self, watching him attempt to combat his emotions long enough to rehearse his speech again. “You can do this,” he whispered to him, touching the cold surface of the mirror. “He’s worth it, and you know it.”

“I’m sorry,” Daichi said softly as he leaned back against the counter, grasping his mug of coffee between his hands. He gazed down at it tenderly, probably seeing Kuroo’s face instead of his own reflected in it. “I should have treasured you more, every moment that I could. These last couple of months have been torture… I stayed away, not because I was still angry, but because I didn’t think you’d have me back. Maybe you won’t now but—”

Daichi nearly dropped his coffee when there was a knock at the door. He stared at it and then glanced at the watch on his wrist. He gasped and then slowly set his mug down on the counter.

Swallowing hard, Daichi crept up to the door and peeked through the peephole. He hopped back, covering his mouth in surprise. Taking a deep breath, he leaned in front of the mirror, fixed his hair quickly, and then opened the door.

“Hey,” he said gently, and, on the other side of the door, there was a soft laugh.

“I thought you’d take longer to answer,” Kuroo said. “I was worried about waking you up this early.”

“No, it’s fine. I mean, I’m not usually up this early nowadays, but today was… different.”

Kuroo hummed and, for a moment, nothing happened. Then Daichi huffed out a laugh and stepped back, letting him inside. Kuroo wandered in hesitantly, dressed in leggings with loose shorts over top of them with a compression shirt on top. Despite looking like a whole-ass meal, there were dark circles under his eyes and the worry he felt showed itself in his furrowed brows. 

Hesitantly, Kuroo leaned back against the table and fiddled with his earbuds resting around his neck. Daichi’s eyes fell to them, and he pursed his lips. When Kuroo noticed his gaze, he blushed slightly and rubbed the back of his head.

“Sorry about, um, barging in here like this.”

Daichi shook his head quickly. “No, it’s fine. It’s strange, actually… I was planning on calling you today.”

Kuroo’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. I mean, I wanted to call you earlier than that, but I think today was the day I actually gathered enough courage to do so.”

They stared at each other as Daichi started to blush as well. Slowly, a smirk rose on Kuroo’s lips.

“Beat you to it.”

Daichi hung his head and snorted and, just like that, the tension broke. They both seemed to breathe easier as they relaxed, Daichi leaning back against the counter and Kuroo against the windows on the opposite side of the kitchen.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“Yes, please.”

Chuckling, Daichi turned and pulled a mug down from the cabinet. After filling it, he held it out for Kuroo, but he hesitated to take it as he stared at it.

“You kept it?” he asked, finally taking it from him and caressing the cartoony cat face with his thumb.

“Of course I did. It was a gift from you.”

“I was the only one who used it.”

“Still… I couldn’t get rid of it.”

Kuroo hummed and took a long sip. Daichi picked his mug up and did the same. 

Daichi covered his face and groaned. He had a whole speech prepared and there he was, sipping on coffee with Kuroo standing there in his kitchen. 

Come on, Daichi, don’t miss this opportunity, he thought as he took a steadying breath and continued to watch the scene.

“I’m sorry,” they both said in unison, and then they both laughed.

“Sorry,” Kuroo said again with a grin. “You look good.”

Daichi barked out a laugh. “That’s kind of you to say. Were you out on a run? You don’t even look sweaty.”

Kuroo looked startled by the comment and looked down at his clothes. “I was planning on running but instead of going on my normal circuit, I went straight to the station, boarded a train, and came here. I’d say that I finally gathered my courage like you, but I feel like it’s more out of desperation,” he said with a laugh. 

As he gazed back at Daichi, however, he sobered. “When we parted, I said some things to you and I swear, as soon as they were out of my mouth, I regretted it. It’s like, every night I lay in bed and I see your face, the hurt that I caused, and I’ve been agonizing over it. Shit, sorry,” he said as his eyes grew red and glassy. “I didn’t mean one bit of it. I was just angry, and I knew exactly what would hurt you the most, so that’s what I said. It was cruel, and you didn’t deserve it. I’m so sorry.”

“No,” Daichi said, shaking his head. “I deserved it. No, really, I did. I pushed you to that point and I can’t keep blaming it on being naive or oblivious. You and I were together so long that I should have seen the signs that you were getting upset or needed extra love, and I just ignored it. I was a total idiot, and I’m so sorry.”

Kuroo stared at him, blinking. “So… you don’t hate me?”

“Of course I don’t.”

“Then, why haven’t you talked to me all this time?”

“I didn’t think you wanted to see me or talk to me.”

“I did!”

“Then why didn’t you talk to me?”

“Because you’re the one who suggested we break up!”

“You didn’t even argue!”

“I was in shock! I couldn’t believe you’d even suggest breaking up. It broke my heart and I just… I just had to get away. I was hoping you’d take it back or something, but I never heard from you again.”

Daichi growled and swore under his breath as he buried his face in his hands. Kuroo watched him with his lips pressed in a tight line. Finally, Daichi dropped his hands and gazed back at Kuroo hopelessly.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t actually want to break up; I was just angry and said a lot of stupid things.”

“So did I,” Kuroo said, his voice almost imperceptible. 

He opened his mouth again to say something, and then closed it. Daichi watched him closely, waiting patiently for him to speak. At last, Kuroo took a deep breath, straightened up from the windows, and lifted his chin.

“Daichi… Can I come back?”

Daichi’s eyes widened. “You want to come back to me?”

“Yeah, I do. With the way I acted, I don’t deserve it, but I think we can work it out. It may take some time for you to forgive me, but I’ll—”

“Tetsu, stop,” Daichi said, crossing the room in two steps and cupping Kuroo’s cheek. “There’s nothing I need to forgive you for. Please, just come back to me.”

“Oh, thank God,” Kuroo sighed as he plowed forward, wrapping Daichi in a tight embrace. 

Daichi squeezed his eyes shut and stood up on his toes, trying to hug Kuroo as close as possible. “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too. Don’t break up with me again, okay?”

“Never. You’re stuck with me, Tetsu.”

Kuroo laughed breathlessly and pulled back from the hug. Cupping Daichi’s face, he leaned in and kissed him deeply. Daichi wasted no time in kissing him back, wrapping his arms around his neck and grabbing his hair. They hummed and moaned as they stumbled across the kitchen, and they parted only as Kuroo picked Daichi up and set him on the counter, nearly spilling his coffee. 

“Whoa,” Daichi murmured as he watched the two desperately rip off each other’s clothes. Once Kuroo had peeled off his shirt and tossed it over his shoulder, Daichi turned away. It didn’t feel right seeing him half-naked when it wasn’t his Kuroo. He wanted to experience that for himself. 

Even though he was no longer watching the mirror, he could still hear their lips smacking together and their breathy moans. When the alluring sounds started to affect him physically, he cleared his throat and left the room to get ready. He’d just grab a quick breakfast once the mirror gave the other two their privacy. Hopefully, it would be before his Kuroo showed up at the door.

Still, it felt like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. It had just been a stupid fight and it was his own fault that they had broken up. He couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t do something stupid in his relationship with Kuroo, but he would do his best to avoid the same mistakes. 

It was also a relief knowing that they had reconciled in the alternate reality. He didn’t have to worry about the other Daichi anymore, not when he could see how much Kuroo still loved him and was willing to forgive him. In fact, he wondered if the mirror would show him anything in the future, now that everything seemed cleared up.

Glancing at his watch, he decided that that was a problem for another time. If he didn’t hurry, Kuroo was going to show up while he was still in his pajamas. As he sighed and reluctantly opened his dresser for running clothes, he paused as he glanced over his T-shirts. Smirking, he pulled out one that was a little tight and showed off his assets well. 

Kuroo better be prepared. Daichi finally knew what he wanted, and he wasn’t going to hold back any longer.

—

Knock knock knock

Daichi groaned and rubbed his face. He hadn’t meant to fall back asleep, but the overwhelming relief combined with making love to Kuroo had wiped him out completely.

Whatever, I don’t have to work until this afternoon anyway.

“Aren’t you going to get that?” a sleepy voice purred in his ear. Despite the question, his long arm wound tighter around Daichi’s waist, keeping him close.

“Get what?” Daichi yawned back.

“The door.”

“Hmm? Oh, that wasn’t my door.”

“What? There’s no way that was a neighbor’s.”

“No, it’s the other—” 

Daichi’s eyes popped open as he gasped. Kuroo didn’t know about the mirror. Sensing Daichi’s reaction, Kuroo propped himself up on his elbow and gazed curiously at him.

“The other what?”

“Um… Have you ever noticed the mirror I have by the door?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

Knock knock knock

Daichi flinched at the reminder and slowly sat up. “Okay, so for a long time, I just thought it was a normal mirror, but sometime after we broke up, it started showing me this weird alternate reality where I could see myself but I had just moved to Tokyo and you and I hadn’t met again. So, that Daichi was all cheerful and didn’t want to just die, while I was here just miserable.”

For a moment, Kuroo stared at him with an open mouth. “Hah?!”

Rolling his eyes, Daichi threw the covers off and yanked Kuroo up with him. “It’s easier if I just show you.”

“Wait, you’re seriously not pulling my leg right now?” Kuroo squawked as Daichi dragged him, naked, into the kitchen to show him.

“Nope, you’ll see. Happy little Daichi in the alternate reality in three, two—”

And there he was, running around his own apartment like a crazy person. 

“Be right there!” he shouted, falling into a chair and lifting up a foot. He swore as he tried yanking a sock on and failed miserably.

Daichi blinked as he watched him. It was strange, the other Daichi being up so early, and wearing workout gear at that. Before he could think about it any further, Kuroo leaned in close to the mirror.

“What the hell?” he whispered and looked around the kitchen before peering back into the mirror. “It’s really some other reality? That’s not you?”

“Nope. That Daichi has never dated you, so he hasn’t suffered from any breakup either. I used to be jealous of him for that, until…”

Kuroo tore his eyes from the mirror and cocked his head. Daichi sighed and gazed deep into his amber eyes. With a slight smile, he reached up and brushed the hair off Kuroo’s forehead, chuckling as Kuroo closed his eyes at the gesture.

“After a while, I felt sorry for him,” he continued. “Sure, I was miserable after our breakup, but at least I had all of our memories together. All our inside jokes, little adventures, the stupid competitions, and the sweet quiet times… He didn’t know anything about them.” 

His eyes began to tear up and Kuroo quickly pulled him in, kissing his forehead. 

“It’s okay,” he whispered. “I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“Thank you.”

Kuroo snorted. “You don’t have to thank me for that.”

“Yes, I do. But that Daichi doesn’t have you, and that sucks for him.”

“Of course it does. Life without Kuroo Tetsurou… how dull would that be?”

Daichi groaned, but he couldn’t disagree. And as Kuroo’s wide, cat-like grin spread wide, it warmed his body all the way down to his toes. Which was nice because he was a little chilly from standing in his kitchen naked.

While he was busy gazing at that infuriating, wonderful smile, Kuroo’s eyes glanced back at the mirror since the Daichi from the other reality had finally managed to answer the door. When Kuroo’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped, Daichi stiffened and whirled back to the mirror to see what was happening. He gasped, seeing a familiar, lanky figure saunter into the other Daichi’s kitchen.

“Nice place, Sa’amura,” Kuroo said as he checked out the apartment.

“Thanks. I was lucky to get a place so close to the train station.”

“Yeah, but you don’t get as much exercise that way. Speaking of which…” Kuroo said, giving Daichi his signature grin, “think you can keep up with me today?”

Daichi frowned and crossed his arms. “You promised me last night that you’d go easy on me. Unless, perhaps, you want a less than favorable answer regarding the other matter we discussed—”

“No, no! Just teasing you a bit,” Kuroo chuckled nervously. “I promise I’ll go easy on you. Um, about that other thing, have you thought about it anymore?”

At that question, there was a heavy silence, filled with anticipation. Both Daichi and Kuroo were leaning so close to the mirror, their noses were practically brushing against it.

“What other thing are they talking about?” Kuroo whispered though it wasn’t as if the others could hear them.

Daichi shook his head. “I have no idea. I didn’t even know that they’d met! All I’d seen happening out of the ordinary was Suga visiting Daichi in Tokyo and freaking out about Asahi.”

“Wait, they’re not together yet?!”

“It’s only a matter of time. Shh, I think Daichi’s about to answer.”

Daichi hummed with a serious expression on his face. He took a step closer to Kuroo and reached out, gently touching his arm.

“I have thought about it, and I think I’ve reached a decision. However… I’m sorry, Kuroo. To find that out,” he said and, slowly, a smirk rose on his lips, “you’ll have to treat me extra nice on this run.”

Kuroo was stupefied, staring down at Daichi with a look of horror frozen on his face. As Daichi began to sputter, Kuroo covered his face and let out a muffled scream.

“That was cruel, Sa’amura! Who’s teasing who now?”

Daichi snorted and grabbed the front of Kuroo’s shirt, giving him a little tug to command his undivided attention. “You have to admit, you’re just getting what you deserve.”

“I didn’t deserve that!”

“After that sneaky kiss last night?”

Kuroo snickered and rubbed the back of his head. “Okay, that was a bit underhanded. But it’s not like you didn’t enjoy it, right?” he purred, leaning in close enough that they could easily kiss if Daichi chose to. Instead, Daichi huffed out a laugh and pushed him back.

“I guess you’ll find that out for sure… after our run.”

“Ugh, you bastard.”

“You want me,” Daichi said with a shrug and strutted toward the door with an air of confidence. 

“Damn,” Kuroo snickered. “This is crazy though, so different from how we got together. Oh, watch this. When he bends over to put on his shoes, that Kuroo’s totally going to check out his ass.”

“He is not, they’re not even together yet!” Daichi countered, but he sighed heavily as the scene unfolded exactly as Kuroo predicted. He winced as his ears were assaulted by Kuroo’s cackle. 

“Told you! Look at him checking out every angle! He’s going to get caught.”

“Nah, I think that Daichi’s just as clueless as I am.”

“All the better.”

Daichi clicked his tongue. Still, he couldn’t help but chuckle as he watched the Kuroo from the other reality straighten up quickly as Daichi turned around, pretending as if nothing had happened. As the two headed out the door to go on their first run together, the mirror suddenly turned back to normal, showing them their own reflections. 

“Good luck,” he murmured, smiling wistfully at it. As he turned toward Kuroo, however, he was surprised to see him serious and contemplative. “What is it?”

“How long did you say this stuff was happening?”

“With the mirror? Since we broke up.”

“Weird timing, don’t you think?”

“I thought about that too. My great aunt gave it to me and told me it would give me perspective. I just brushed that comment off to be metaphorical, especially since nothing ever happened until recently. It wasn’t until I started seeing that other Daichi that I even remembered that.”

“Huh. This might sound crazy, but maybe it went both ways?”

“What do you mean?”

“Maybe that Daichi was seeing our breakup while you were seeing him living without me in his life.”

“If that’s the case, I can’t imagine he’d be tempted to date you,” Daichi teased.

Kuroo huffed in offense and jabbed him with his elbow. “Maybe he could see that I’m worth it.”

“Hmm, I wonder,” Daichi said, glancing back at the mirror. While nothing much seemed to be happening with the other Daichi, he did seem preoccupied with something. Was that something he had been wrestling with? Seeing his pain but wanting to date Kuroo anyway? 

“Regardless of how elusive he was being to his Tetsu,” Daichi started as the wheels kept turning in his head, “it seemed like had already made his decision to date him, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, he wouldn’t have been teasing him otherwise. When they get back from their run, they’re probably going to bone.”

Daichi snickered. “Definitely. I think you’re right. Seeing my situation put things into perspective for him as well, and learning from my mistakes, they may avoid breaking up altogether. Hey! That’s not fair. If I suffered through it, shouldn’t he?”

Kuroo barked out a laugh and drew him close, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist. “Is that really how you feel, love?” he asked gently and pressed a kiss into his hair.

“No,” Daichi admitted as he surrendered to the hug. He smiled and buried his face against Kuroo’s neck. Since they’d broken up, it had felt like a chill was clinging to his bones, one he couldn’t shake no matter how many layers he wore or how many hot baths he took. Now, Kuroo’s heat melted every bit of the lingering chill and he felt safer and content than he had in a long, long time. 

Kuroo was right. He wanted the best for the other pair, for them to know each other’s warmth without suffering the absence of it. If it was as Kuroo said and the other Daichi had been watching him as well, he was confident that he would go into their relationship a little wiser than he had been. And now, he would do the same. A treasure like Kuroo Tetsurou was worth all the effort in the world.