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Serizawa liked this bar; it was tucked away in a basement, but the atmosphere was quiet and a little cozy. He slowly, sipped his Asahi while Reigen decided to be adventurous and order a Midori Sour and spent a few minutes remarking that the combination of green and cherries looked like Dimple. Reigen's face was a light pink from the alcohol as he rambled a story to Serizawa, something about a spirit haunting a client's elderly dog only for it to have arthritis, and Reigen learning briefly about dog massage (It's a thing Serizawa, look it up!) and an idea that he had so he could pet all the dogs.
"Reigen? Reigen-kun is that you?"
A microexpression crossed Reigen's face, shock? Apprehension? Serizawa only caught it because he was gazing so intently at his boss (That's your Business Partner, Serizawa). A young man, in typical Salaryman attire, smiling as he approaches their table. Reigen face finally settled on the bland 'customer service' smile as he turned to the newcomer.
"Hanai-san, it's been a while. What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same, I haven't seen you since Highschool. How could I forget that hair!" Hanai-san said with a laugh. Oh, Serizawa did not like that laugh. "Oh, who is this with you?"
"This is Serizawa Katsuya, my business partner.”
There is a note of pride in Reigen's voice that makes Serizawa sit up straighter, he bows slightly to the other man.
"It's nice to meet you, Hanai-san."
It was not, but Serizawa was improving his ability to lie.
"Likewise, mind if I join you?" Hanai-san says as he pulls a chair over without asking. The smile on Reigen's face grows a little more plastic.
"Sure, go ahead."
"Oh, man. This is great! I thought I wouldn't see you until the reunion." Hanai-san said as he drank the beer in his hand. "Does Reigen, ever talk about the shit we used to do in school."
Serizawa doesn't like the lack of honorific but chooses not to say anything.
"He doesn't want to hear about that..." Reigen said, "What have you been up to Hanai-san, what brings you to Seasoning City?"
"On a work trip, attending a seminar. I wanted to blow off some steam away from my co-workers. This bar was close to my hotel."
"I see..." Reigen muttered.
"Anyway, hey Serizawa-san did Reigen ever tell you about the time he snuck into the school pool?"
"No," Serizawa answered. Reigen hunched his shoulders and ordered another Midori Sour.
"It's great. It was summer and one-day Reigen catches up to as we were playing and said he can get us into the pool at the high school. Turns out there was a gap in the fence that he could squeeze through and open the gate. So, one day we snuck in and had a pool party. We were goofing around, swimming when we hear people coming. Turns out the Highschool Swim team still met for practice. We run but Reigen is still trying to find his things and he ends up getting caught and put on cleaning duty when school starts up." Hanai-san laughs as he finishes his story. Reigen just sighs, Serizawa can see his face flushing, but he can't tell if it is alcohol (likely) or embarrassment (highly likely).
"I later found out that Tanaka-san hid my clothes so that I would be caught, and they'd get away." Reigen mutters under his breath. Serizawa narrows his eyes at Hanai-san.
"Reigen was always pulling stupid shit like that. He was such a try-hard. Although, good to see that hasn't changed." Hanai-san said.
"Excuse me?" Serizawa asked.
"Y'know, that broadcast, it was everywhere! The guys all saw it." Hanai-san smirked. Serizawa remembered the brief spike of fame Reigen had on the internet but had been too embroiled in Claw to follow it and Reigen refused to talk about it unless a client brought it up. "They even dug up that essay you wrote, how'd they even get that?"
"Yeah..." Reigen's voice sounded strangled. Serizawa glanced between Hanai-san who had this mean smile on his face and Reigen whose smile was more brittle with each hour.
"Well, that's not THE most embarrassing thing...it's not like they found that love letter you wrote to Arai-sempai."
The air seems to freeze and Reigen's smile finally slips, looking a little frantic.
"Hey that's – “
"Rumors spread throughout the school that you were both gay and Sensei called your parents. Kind of became hard to be around you, even after the school backed off after your dad threatened to sue."
Reigen opened his mouth, but Serizawa was faster, using his power he sent Hanai's chair to the floor dumping the onto the hardwood floor. The man landed with a crash making everyone turn toward the commotion with vague interest. Serizawa stood, his aura tight and focused but he was furious.
"I think you've had enough for one night, Hanai-san. It's getting late." Serizawa's voice is even, stern, as he levels dark eyes onto Hanai laying in the puddle of beer he spilled. "Come on, Reigen-san. Let's go home."
Serizawa helps Reigen up and pays for their drinks. They leave that horrible man confused and stammering on the floor.
The walk back is silent, Reigen can sense that Serizawa is angry but can't figure out why. The air is crisp, and their breath makes small clouds in the air. Reigen feels his face cooling from the combination of embarrassment and alcohol as he tries to formulate a response.
Hanai was an asshole and had always been an asshole. He was always the first to get Reigen into trouble and always seemed to disappear when the teachers came. Most of his friends in school had been like that. Reigen fell easily into the butt of the joke, and even though it had been years since high school he let that jerk ruin their night.
"Listen, I'm sorry I let Hanai sit with us, I should have just said we were busy." Reigen began and jumped when Serizawa turned to him, his face confused.
"You think I'm angry with you Reigen?" Serizawa asked his voice soft and incredulous. Reigen shrugged and started moving his hands.
"Well, I should have just told him to leave, and stopped him from telling such embarrassing stories."
He watches as Serizawa takes a deep breath and slowly breathes out, then sincere dark brown eyes looked at him.
"Reigen, I was mad because he was telling those stories to bully you," Serizawa explained carefully. "I am mad because he was hurting you."
Oh.
Had it been that obvious on his face? Serizawa moves close to him and takes his hand, it is warm despite not having gloves. Reigen dared to look up at Serizawa's face and blushed at how close it was.
"All I heard was that little you didn't have many friends, just bullies who acted like them," Serizawa said quietly. Reigen laughs and it sounds a little watery to his ears.
"Damn, you figured it out quicker than little me did."
Serizawa's brows furrow and Reigen is struck by the urge to kiss them and immediately backs away, and spins on his heel to clutch at his shirt. He misses how Serizawa's shoulders droop in disappointment.
Calm down Reigen, he's your business partner don't fuck this up with your damn feelings.
Luckily, the cold forces his hand as he shivers and looks at his watch.
"Oh shit! Run Serizawa or we'll miss the last train!"
Reigen's lungs burn in the cold air as he sprints beside Serizawa, but he strangely feels a bit lighter.