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For a while there, Ai felt like he might be alone forever. Well maybe not romantically, he’s been in a few relationships in the past and has a boyfriend right now. Besides them, however, he never thought he’d have a best friend. Somebody he’d share everything with, talk shit about people they don’t like together, and spend hours on the phone talking about everything and nothing.
Ai did have friends, he actually had quite a few. He had Rin and Sousuke, but they were closer with each other than they were with him. He had Momo, but that’s his boyfriend so he doesn’t really count in his eyes. All the other boys on his old swim team were nice, sure, but he never really clicked with any of them. He had just accepted that he was destined to be a floater, swimming back and forth between friend groups he didn’t quite fit into.
One night, Momo had invited him over for a family dinner with his parents, siblings, and his sister's girlfriend. One panic attack and several “positive self talks” later and he found himself seated at the dinner table across from his ex-boyfriend's sister, Gou Matsuoka. They never really talked much while the relationship was active but they especially didn’t post-breakup. They were cordial at joint practices in the past and that’s all they needed… until now.
Momo’s entire family just went along with dinner like everything was fine, all the while Ai and Gou were trying hard to avert eye contact. There was this strange mutual understanding between them that this was far more awkward than practice. Ai tried not to focus on it too much. It was his first time meeting Momo’s parents and he wanted to hone in on making a good impression.
After dinner was over, Ai and Gou ended up having to walk back to the same train station to get home. At first the two walked in silence, only looking up from their phones long enough to cross the street. As the walk went on, the tension in the air became palpable. Ai knew they had to talk about it, if not it’ll be like this at every Mikoshiba family function they attended together. He took a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts.
“I’m sorry if this is inappropriate,” Gou speaks up. Ai nearly jumped, he wasn’t expecting her to talk, “but I just need to ask you this.” She stopped walking and took a deep breath, “Why did you break up with my brother?”
Ai stood there stunned for a second. He didn’t break up with Rin, it was the other way around. They had gotten into a pretty big fight the night before and Rin decided it would be better if they split. While Ai was heartbroken at the time, he was grateful for everything that happened. Besides, he’s never been happier than he is with Momo. It all worked out in the end.
Rin and Ai are on better terms now but Gou must’ve been holding a secret grudge, “… breakup with Rin?“ he muttered, still confused as to how she came to that conclusion.
“Yea, he came home one morning all gloomy and went straight to his room. He didn’t even tell mom or me that he was coming home! He never ever comes home unannounced.” She takes a deep breath.
“Did he tell you I broke up with him??” Ai questions again, still confused as to why this miscommunication even happened.
“… No. But he just seemed so upset! There’s no way he would be that distraught if he wasn’t broken up with.”
Ai laughs a bit, “Well it wasn’t me, that’s for sure. His secret second boyfriend must’ve broken up with him because he dumped my ass.”
“He had a secret second boyfriend??” Gou looked scandalized.
“I sure hope not!” Ai laughs again. Gou relaxes a bit, physically slumping her shoulders down.
“Oh.. we’ll I’m sorry Nitori, I shouldn’t have assumed anything at all. I’ve made things awkward, huh?”
“Don’t worry about it! Let’s just start over.” Ai smiled at her and her mouth formed a smile in response. “Also, you can call me Ai.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah! We may be in laws one day so why not?”
“Oh! Well… you can call me Gou, then!” She replied with a wink. Both giggled and continued their walk.
They ended up talking the entire walk home up until Gou’s train came to take her home. They exchanged numbers before leaving, something they’ve surprisingly never done. Their strained relationship aside, she had been the one to plan joint practices out and Ai was the captain. Nevertheless, that was behind them now for the better.
The two began hanging out more and more at their partners house during get togethers or other family events. One day, Gou invited Ai alone out to go to a concert they’d both been excited for. After that they begin hanging out regularly, soon becoming inseparable.
“Yea, they literally tell everyone they’re just friends but literally nobody believes them.” Ai is laying in his stomach, FaceTiming Gou the night before a competition out of nerves.
“Aww, that’s sweet! Between you and me, and don’t tell another soul, my brother said he saw them holding hands on their walk home once.” Gou whispered the last part as if Ai didn’t have headphones in. He rolled his eyes at that. Gou is a dramatic at heart.
“I thought so. Y’know, they would be totally cute without the mutual damsel in distress complex.” That earned Ai a laugh from the other end.
“You’re so mean Ai, I literally love you.”
“I love you too, Gou.” They say it all the time but Ai can’t help but let an adoring grin cross his face.
He can’t exactly remember when or how they became so close but he’s happy it happened.