Chapter Text
Ukyo tries to blend out all the sounds and noises around him. He sighs and rubs his temples, then takes a deep breath.
Focus, he tells himself. Focus.
He isn't and has never been the one to bear loud noises from exterior sources other than his headphones well, and operating at the navy as a sonar technician had developed his sensitivity even further to the point where Ukyo fears to lose his hearing at any sound that barely surpasses the ninety decibel mark. But the passioned worker he's been, he's willingly accepted it and moved on, sure of himself that he was getting used to it.
Well, he thinks with another sigh, he was getting used to it. All for-
The thought irritates him and he furrows his eyebrows, staring blankly at the back of the train's double seats in front of him. He takes off his hat and runs his fingers through his platinum white hair, then closes his eyes.
Should he put his headphones on and listen to some music? Ukyo decides against it. He tends to lose himself lately, in both situations like these as well as in music, and he doesn't feel like adding another blurred layer above his senses.
Maybe he can zone out and not mind his environment anymore, he contemplates, and ignore how he's surrounded by loud kids without manners, parents hastily stowing away luggage into the compartments, group quarrels and general talks.
Maybe he hopes that he won't be as irritated by this soundly melee once he opens his eyes again.
"Pardon me, is this spot free?"
A voice suddenly comes from next to him, and as Ukyo looks up again, he's face to face with a strikingly handsome man. He looks like he's in his early twenties, and his expressions are lively; his honey blond hair almost reaches to his shoulders, with a single strand falling across his face, thick eyebrows frame his brown eyes, and as Ukyo locks eye contact with him, he means to see something close to mischief in them. But it's not ill-intentioned, and surprisingly honest, as far as Ukyo can tell.
And there is this sense of adventure that he radiates. The confident way he stands, slightly leaned back with his hands in the pockets of his expensive-looking navy pants, the way his lips are twirled up to a grin, and his exposed skin at neck and arms from his equally expensive-looking shirt, suntanned.
Ukyo catches himself just early enough to not be caught staring, and his cheeks redden just the slightest bit when he hurries a reply and puts his hat on again.
"Yes. Please have a seat."
"Thank you very much, Sir!" The man sits down on the seat next to him and leans back with a small sigh. He hums, stretching his arms, shifting in his seat, his eyes still fixated on Ukyo, who first tries to ignore him despite well knowing that he was being watched. But he fails and gives up, turning back to the blond with a small smile.
"Sorry, can I help you?"
"Ha, ha! I'm glad you asked!" The man calls out, almost causing Ukyo to startle, and flashes a bright smile and stops stretching, his arms now resting crossed behind his head. "You see, I can't shake off the feeling that I've met you before."
Ukyo smiles again, but it's more genuine now, almost apologetic. "My condolences, then. I cannot seem to remember you."
"What a pity, truly." Ukyo sighs, well aware that his tension isn't subsiding as he realizes how the other male is still studying him. Then he almost flinches when the blond clicks his fingers and laughs loudly.
"Excuse my manners, Sir!" He exclaims with a grin and holds his hand out. "I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Nanami Ryusui, and I'm honored to meet you."
Ukyo can't help but smile back despite how loud he is and how much attention he draws to him. He takes Ryusui's hand; it's warm, and his grip is firm. "Saionji Ukyo," he replies. "The pleasure's all mine, Nanami-san."
"Saionji," Ryusui repeats. "Saionji Ukyo." Ukyo suppresses the flinch going through his body as he hears his name on Ryusui's tongue, and he watches how the man smiles, his eyes soft when he says, "I like the sound. It's a beautiful name."
Ukyo smiles back. "Yeah, that's my name. Thank you."
"May I call you Ukyo?"
"Sure," Ukyo replies quickly. He's surprised by the openness, and Ryusui notices it.
"Please call me Ryusui, then."
"Sir, you appear to be a rather wealthy person, and I-"
"I insist, Ukyo." A determined look appears in Ryusui's eyes. "I might be a businessman, but I don't care about this country's hierarchies. In fact," he laughs, "I couldn't care less! We all call ourselves by our first names in our team, too."
Ukyo shrugs in defeat. Why argue? "If you don't mind."
"I don't." Ryusui shifts in his seat, then changes topics. "Say, what is your matter in Kyoto? Are you on a journey through, or are you there for holidays?"
There's a shift in Ukyo's face. It's minuscule and momentary, as it disappears right after Ryusui furrows his eyebrows, but he has seen and registered it. "It's for work."
"Ah, I see, it seems like a delicate matter. I apologize."
Ukyo is about to reply when the train starts moving, so he closes his mouth and leans back into his seat instead. He adjusts his hat and listens to the excited yells of the younger passengers around him, the announcement in the background that's almost swallowed up by how loud they are, giving instructions about safety on board.
He tries his best to ignore the glances he keeps getting from his new acquaintance.
The train moves to the outer parts of the city. Ukyo watches the landscape change; the skyscrapers of Tokyo diffuse into city scenery, then into suburb areas, then blend into green landscapes with traditional, whitewashed houses, until the signs of civilization vanish and there's no more than the rise and fall of green hills and low mountains.
He only snaps back into reality when Ryusui next to him shifts in his seat once again.
The blond is currently reading something on a tablet. He has AirPods in his ears, and his expressions tell that he's deep in thought. It occurs to Ukyo he's glad the man had found a better activity than staring at him, and he lets out a sigh of relief he didn't know he was holding.
He then stiffens immediately when Ryusui looks up and locks gazes with him.
They stare at each other like that for a while before Ukyo breaks the silence. "What... are you reading?" He asks, hoping to overcome the awkwardness that has just settled in.
"Huh?" Ryusui is even louder with earbuds on and he realizes as Ukyo bites his lower lip. The blond's quick to put his AirPods away and apologize to the passengers around him before turning around to Ukyo again.
"Apologies. I didn't hear your question."
Ukyo waves him off and nods to the tablet in Ryusui's hand. "I was asking what you were reading," he says.
"Ah, it's a text about cruise ships." Ryusui smiles as he looks at the device. "I happen to be fond of sailing. Perhaps I'll spend the rest of my life sailing around the world once I retire, what do you think?"
"Sounds like a grand plan," Ukyo comments, smiling back. "I've been on ships every now and then, too."
There's curiosity and an unspoken question lying in Ryusui's eyes, so he continues. "I've worked as a sonar operator for a while," he states. "It was a great job, although I do regret that I stopped doing it."
"Sonar operators can prove quite useful on cruises," Ryusui states, his eyes glimmering in the typical manner of one that has just gotten a great idea. "A collaboration between a former captain and a former sonar technician, doesn't that sound promising? I've decided, I'll hire you once I buy a ship!"
Ukyo laughs at this abstract idea. "That sure seems like an interesting adventure. How could I decline?"
Having found a common topic to talk about, they start to engage in a conversation about sailing. Ukyo tells he's been sailing from time to time with his colleagues, and learns that Ryusui was a passionate sailor in exchange. The blond is quick to warm up on this topic, and his eyes are shining as he talks, using gestures and introducing Ukyo to details about sailing that he's never thought about before.
Ukyo notices himself paying attention to every of the man's words. He nods, makes remarks every now and then, shares a memory once a while, and he continually smiles as he listens to his new acquaintance.
His surroundings suddenly seem a lot less bothersome.
There's a single interruption during their conversation when they are offered snacks by the train's staff and Ryusui gets two cokes for him and Ukyo, who is quick to protest, but loses his words when Ryusui pulls out a ten thousand yen banknote to pay the baffled staff member.
Ukyo doesn't know how he's supposed to act in regards to that. (He still insisted on paying the coke back regardless.)
The train soon arrives in Kyoto, and the pair exits the train, coming to a halt on the platform.
"It seems like this is where our ways part," Ryusui says, a hint of disappointment in his voice. He extends his hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Ukyo. I wish we could've spent more time together."
Ukyo smiles and shakes Ryusui's hand firmly. "Likewise. Although I do regret not being able to pay you back for the coke."
"Please, don't mention it." Ryusui chuckles as he remembers how much the shorter man had insisted on doing so. He then reaches inside his chest pocket and pulls out a business card. "Feel free to contact me anytime. Who knows, perhaps I happen to have built a ship by then?"
They exchange a knowing smile. Ukyo takes the card and glances at it before looking back at Ryusui.
"I'll make sure to stay in contact," he replies. He means it.
"I'll be looking forward to your call, then!" Ryusui is still smiling widely, before another thought crosses his mind and he adds, "One last thing! I'm well aware that you seem sensitive about your business here in Kyoto, but since you're already here, I'd recommend trying to enjoy your stay as much as possible. The nature is too beautiful to not do so."
He winks and Ukyo finds himself reassured for the first time during the trip. Perhaps the man was right and he was focusing on the negatives too much?
"Thank you for your words," he replies, adjusting his hat once again. His face is soft as he adds, "I hope you enjoy your stay as well. See you around."
"Thanks! I look forward to meeting you again!"
Ukyo smiles and waves wearily as he turns around and walks into the opposite direction, dragging his suitcase with him. He turns around one more time to see Ryusui standing at the same spot and notices how he's still watching him as he parts. He smiles to himself and continues his ways again.
When he looks back the next time, Ryusui's gone.