Chapter Text
..
a deserted corner in germany, tucked away from the bustling cities and forgotten by time. the streets seemed perpetually draped in a gray veil, the buildings worn and weathered by years of neglect, and the people few and far between. the rain was a constant companion, as if the skies themselves mourned the town's solitude. in this melancholy place, Isagi resided with his elderly parents.
his daily existence mirrored the town's bleak atmosphere. mornings began with the monotonous drip of a worn-down coffee machine, filling the air with the scent of strong, bitter coffee. his breakfast, like the rest of his routine, was plain and unchanging – a few pieces of toast accompanied by eggs, the only offerings available at the somber farmers market.
Isagi had stopped attending the local school after moving to germany. instead, he continued his education at home, isolated from the world outside. his days consisted of self guided learning alone in his room, with the ever invading silence.
despite the depression that surrounded him, he made efforts to go on walks through the gloomy streets, rain-soaked or not. it was his brief escape. and maybe, just maybe, he had hope that he’d discover something.
Isagi sat in his room, the pages of his book turning slowly beneath his fingers. he was nearing the end of another story, one that had drawn him away from the desolation outside. he smiled as he finished the final lines. with a contented sigh, he marked his place, gently closed the book, and set it on the small table by his bedside. it was time to head out into the poorly lit streets once more. Isagi made his way downstairs, where he was met with the smell of brewed coffee lingering in the air. "heading out for a walk?" the boy nodded, meeting his mother’s gaze. "yea, just for a bit. the rain won't stop me."
with her nod of approval, he went to the front door and started preparing for his walk.
first, he put on his sneakers, worn by countless journeys through rain-soaked streets. he slipped into his jacket and zipped it up securely to his chin as if to keep out more than just the chill.
finally, last on his checklist, his umbrella. he opened the door to find it outside, exactly where he'd left it the day prior. shaking off the excess water, he sets out into the streets.
the streets were even quieter than usual, with most residents opting to stay sheltered from the constant downpour.
he strolled through the quiet streets, the sound of rain on his umbrella being the only company. he passed old shops, run down and long abandoned, a reminder of a world that had moved on.
it was a quiet path, reminiscent of the streets he used to stroll back in Japan, where the urban landscape merged seamlessly with the rural outskirts. the sight of it stirred memories of another place, another time.
however, something unusual caught his attention. just around the corner, a boy in a rain jacket sat atop a large rock, his gaze fixed on the wide open fields. Isagi wondered how he had never crossed paths with this stranger before.
suddenly the stranger turned his piercing gaze toward Isagi. the intensity of that look caused Isagi to freeze in his tracks. after what felt like an eternity, the other finally spoke “y’know, i can see you staring at me”
isagi approached the mysterious boy and held out his umbrella without a word. the blonde accepted the gesture "it's raining and you're only wearing a thin jacket. aren't you concerned about getting sick?" isagi took notice of the person in front of him.
the rain had plastered his blonde hair against his forehead, and water droplets clung to his jacket. Isagi couldn't help but notice that his jacket was equipped with a hood. however, it hung idly on his shoulders, unutilized. it was as though he defied the elements, choosing to let the rain cascade freely over him.
beneath the umbrella they both locked eyes, Isagi awaiting a response. he felt a rush of shyness, and his eyes sparkled with a glimmer of hope. the strange boy with an enigmatic smile, softened his expression and let out a small laugh. "you're cute, casually approaching a stranger like that," he remarked “what's your name?” the realization of their close proximity hit them. their shoulders and legs were almost touching, creating an intimate atmosphere neither had opposed.
“Isagi Yoichi, i live here.” he replied with a kind smile. the other leaned in slightly “well, Yoichi, i'm Michael Kaiser, you better remember it,” he said with a sly, playful grin. “say, were you born here?”
the sudden question caught Isagi off guard. he took a moment to collect his thoughts before answering, "i was born in Japan, but we moved to Germany when i was around the age of 11.”
Isagi's expression turned into a small frown but he quickly smiled to ask a question in return. "what about you? what are you doing in this town?"
Kaiser's face took on a more serious tone, and he replied, "i’m staying here temporarily."
Isagi sensed that this might be a sensitive topic and decided not to press further. as the rain cleared and the atmosphere shifted, Isagi asked, "are you busy today?"
Kaiser, upon hearing Isagi's invitation, simply gazed at him curiously, not immediately providing an answer.
Isagi's voice softened as he spoke, a hint of shyness creeping in. "if you aren't busy, you could come over to my place. dinner will be ready soon."
Kaiser, positioned opposite Isagi, replied with a playful smile, "lead the way."
Isagi couldn't help but grin at Kaiser's response. "let's race, then. the winner gets to decide the penalty." with that, he sprinted ahead, the flooded streets becoming their racetrack.
Kaiser, laughing as he followed, shouted, "hey!" as he picked up his pace, his smirk never fading.
Isagi glanced back and saw Kaiser catching up surprisingly quickly. he couldn't contain a sudden scream of panic, but it quickly transformed into laughter. Kaiser's laugh echoed alongside his own, a shared moment of joy and spontaneity.
with an impressive burst of energy, he overtook Isagi, leaving him in awe of Kaiser's physical prowess. however, Kaiser soon slowed his pace to match Isagi's. he didn't seem out of breath in the slightest as he casually remarked, "Yoichi, you do know that i don't know where your house is."
slightly huffing, Isagi pointed at the obvious house up front. "it's right there." Kaiser only laughed. as they approached Isagi's house, they slowed down, catching their breath and allowing their heartbeats to return to their normal rhythm. Isagi, his cheeks flushed from both the race and his own spontaneous scream, gestured toward the small but cozy house in front of them. "here we are," he said with a bright smile.
Kaiser looked at the house and then back at Isagi. "nice place you've got here" he remarked, curious about what lifestyle the younger boy lived. they walked up to the front door, and Isagi fumbled for his keys with an endearing sense of anticipation.
he finally found them and unlocked the front door. as they stepped inside, the warmth of the cozy house enveloped them, a stark contrast to the damp chill of the soaked streets.
isagi made his way to a small coat rack by the door and began to take off his jacket and shoes. the other male followed, removing his own jacket and sneakers. Isagi noticed that the blonde seemed a bit uncertain about where to place his jacket, which prompted him to take the lead in a friendly and helpful manner.
with a warm smile Isagi said "here, I'll take this from you." he gestured to a nearby coat rack, creating a sense of ease for Kaiser, appreciating Isagi's thoughtful gesture.
"make yourself at home," Isagi said to Kaiser with a warm smile. "i'll just check where my parents are."
Kaiser nodded and began to explore the living room, still taking in the surroundings with curiosity.
Isagi walked into the kitchen, where he spotted his phone lying on the counter next to the coffee machine. he picked it up and saw a message from his mom. it read that she and his dad were meeting a friend and wouldn't be home until late in the evening. however, the good news was that dinner was ready, just needing a bit of reheating.
he returned to the living room, phone in hand, and informed Kaiser, "my parents won't be back until later tonight, but dinner is ready. i just need to heat it up." Kaiser looked at him “i’m in no hurry, take your time.”
..
as Isagi was about to begin reheating dinner in the kitchen, he felt a sudden presence behind him. startled, he turned around to find Kaiser standing there with a mischievous grin. it was as though he had silently materialized, surprising Isagi with his quiet approach.
Kaiser's blue eyes held a playful glint as he spoke, "need a hand with that?"
Isagi couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected surprise. "sure, you can grab some plates from the cabinet if you don't mind."
with everything prepared, they settled into the chairs on opposite sides of the table, their eyes meeting briefly before they each focused on their plates. the quiet rhythm of their meal began, with each bite of tonkatsu and every sip of tea.
Isagi couldn't help but sneak glances at Kaiser from time to time. he observed the enigmatic boy who had entered his life so unexpectedly.
Kaiser's blue eyes sparkled with a playfulness that had not diminished since their race. his blonde hair, damp from the rain, clung to his forehead in a way that Isagi found strangely mesmerizing.
in his mind, he remarked on the way Kaiser handled his chopsticks with grace and ease. his movements were confident and deliberate, reflecting a sense of self-assurance that intrigued Isagi.
his eyes flickered to Kaiser's figure as he continued to eat. hidden beneath the layers of clothes, Isagi couldn't help but wonder how well defined the other boy’s muscles were.
Isagi pondered the questions that still lingered in his mind: who was this guy, and what brought him to this quiet town?
the blonde male broke the silence by asking, "so, about that race?" he held strong eye contact while still consuming the warm food.
Isagi laughed nervously, "i suppose you won.” with a grin he added “go easy on me”
while looking at his food, kaiser stated “i’ll decide later” with an expression that mirrored his thoughts.
isagi and kaiser sat across from each other on a soft, plush carpet, a sense of cheeriness filling the room as they engaged in simple game of UNO. the colorful cards were spread out between them, and their laughter filled the air as they plotted and strategized against one another.
Isagi had a gleam of victory in his eyes, his hand of cards poised for the final play that would bring him one step closer to winning the game. the atmosphere was relaxed, and they enjoyed the friendly competition and the light hearted rivalry.
just as Isagi was about to claim victory, he eagerly declared, "UNO!" a triumphant smile spread across his face. his next move would have clinched his victory.
however, Kaiser's eyes twinkled with mischief as he reached into his hand, pulling out a block card, one +4 card, and then another +4 card, stacking them with precision. the revelation left Isagi in shock, and his hopeful smile transformed into a stunned expression.
"double +4? you've got to be kidding me!" he exclaimed, momentarily astonished by this sudden turn of events. but then, his playfulness took over, and he couldn't help himself. he lunged at Kaiser, grappling him in a friendly, joking attempt to fight back.
it was a lighthearted, friendly brawl, with neither of them aiming to hurt the other. Isagi, with a burst of energy, managed to gain the upper hand, straddling Kaiser as he playfully teased him.
Isagi's victory seemed assured, but Kaiser, with his competitive spirit, was not about to give in easily. he quickly plotted his comeback. with a deft maneuver, Kaiser managed to reverse their positions, pinning Isagi down on the carpet.
grinning mischievously down at Isagi, Kaiser playfully teased, "not so fast blueberry boy”
neither of them noticed that Isagi's parents had returned home, their presence felt just outside the room. it was a delightful, unsuspecting surprise for Isagi's parents to see their son enjoying the company of a new friend.
as the boys finally caught their breath and sat up, they heard a polite cough from the doorway. startled, they turned to find Isagi's parents standing there, wearing bemused expressions.
Isagi's mother spoke first, her tone gently teasing. "well, it looks like you've made a new friend, Isagi. we didn't expect to find such a lively atmosphere when we got back."
blushing profusely, Isagi stammered out an introduction, "this is Michael Kaiser. we just met today."
his father, with an amused smile, extended his hand to Kaiser. "nice to meet you, Michael. i'm Isagi's father."
Kaiser shook his hand, maintaining his composure despite the unexpected meeting. "likewise, sir."
Isagi's mother couldn't help but chuckle. "well, don't let us interrupt your fun.”
...
as his parents excused themselves and left the room, Isagi couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of embarrassment. once they were gone, he turned to Kaiser, a shy smile on his face. "sorry about that. i didn't expect them to come back so soon."
Kaiser's expression shifted into a sly grin. "come closer."
Isagi inched closer to Kaiser, his heart racing. “closer, yoichi”
‘even closer?’ he thought. ‘is this guy trying to kiss me?’
“what are you trying to achie-” before Isagi could finish his sentence, Kaiser jumped him, causing them both to burst into laughter. Kaiser leaned over Isagi, his eyes dancing mischievously. "I win" he declared, still smirking.
the dark-haired, breathless from their antics, could only chuckle and shake his head. "you're something else."
Isagi gazed into Kaiser's eyes, the close proximity between them sending a rush of emotions through his body. the playful atmosphere had shifted into something more intimate, and Isagi couldn't help but feel a connection he hadn't experienced before.
Kaiser's mischievous smirk softened into a warm smile as he looked into Isagi's eyes. "you're not so bad yourself, Yoichi."
the room seemed to not exist as they continued to lock eyes, a silent understanding growing between them. Isagi felt a mix of curiosity, excitement, and a hint of nervousness as he considered what might come next.
the blonde’s voice broke the silence. "hey uhm, do you mind if I stay a bit longer?" Isagi's cheeks flushed as he nodded. "i'd love that."
Kaiser speaks hurriedly, not willing to waste a moment, "can i even stay for the night?"
Isagi hesitated for a moment, considering the circumstances and the fact that his parents were home. but as he gazed into Kaiser's bright blue eyes, he couldn't deny the bond that had formed between them. "sure, you can stay" he replied, his voice filled with genuine warmth and a touch of shyness.
as the night wore on, they exchanged stories and laughed together, creating memories that would last a lifetime. the room seemed to shrink around them and it felt as though they were the only two people in the world. Isagi's parents, after returning home earlier and seeing their son so happy, chose to respect his newfound connection and let him have this time to get to know Kaiser better.
…
for the past few months, this unique connection between Isagi and Kaiser had continued to flourish. almost every occasional day, Kaiser would sleep over at Isagi's, sharing a big enough bed, exchanging stories, and making plans for the following days. their laughter and whispered conversations would linger into the night, forging a bond that grew stronger with each passing day.
on the first day of April, they celebrated a special occasion - Isagi's birthday. it was fitting that they had met in autumn, Isagi's favorite time of the year, and they decided to celebrate it with heartfelt wishes and a cake, surrounded by the warmth of their friendship.
"Yoichi, look at the camera and say sweet sixteeeeeeeen" Kaiser playfully urged, capturing the moment as Isagi sat on the table with a cake adorned with sixteen candles in front of him.
with a grin, Isagi followed the request, "sweet sixteen!" Kaiser took a snapshot of the cheerful birthday boy.
Kaiser then presented a gift to Isagi, a beautifully self-made scarf. it was a thoughtful present, especially for the perpetually chilly german weather. summer was still far away, and Kaiser knew the other could make good use of it.
Isagi's parents were present at the celebration, their eyes gleaming with pride as they watched their son and Kaiser, who had become like a part of their family. the small gathering radiated warmth and happiness, and Isagi couldn't help but feel immense gratitude for the unexpected friendship that had brightened his life.
and as they laughed and celebrated, Isagi couldn't help but hope that this friendship would endure the tests of time and remain a cherished part of his life.
…
two weeks later, Isagi stood at their designated meeting place, the excitement of their usual get-together lighting up his face. he had anticipated a day filled with adventure and joy. but as minutes turned into an hour, and that hour into two, Isagi's eagerness began to wane, replaced by a growing sense of concern.
four hours passed, and still, there was no sign of Kaiser. he knew that Kaiser was not the type to leave him hanging, especially without a word.
his thoughts raced, trying to piece together an explanation for Kaiser's absence. maybe he had fallen terribly sick, lying helpless somewhere, or perhaps he had succumbed to a sudden illness. isagi couldn't help but fear the worst, his imagination painting grim scenarios in his mind.
then, there was another possibility that Kaiser had shared with him before – his troubled family circumstances. Kaiser had hinted that home wasn't a safe or welcoming place, and he often avoided being there as much as possible. could it be that something had happened on that front?
time ticked by and worry grew on Isagi's face. his gaze was fixated on the spot where Kaiser should have been, and he couldn't help but wonder if he was okay. the uncertainty gnawed at him and he hoped that whatever the reason for Kaiser's absence, it was something that could be resolved.
he returned home, hoping to find kaiser waiting there. but to his misfortune - no kaiser. at dinner he asked his mother. “mom, have you seen Kaiser today?”
she noticed the heavy and uneasy expression her son wore. concerned she replied “no honey, you guys didn't fight or anything, right?” Isagi furrowed his eyebrows, had he done something wrong?
“Yoichi, darling.” she pushed her chair back, ready to stand up and hug her beloved son, but he intervened.
“i need to go to bed.” as quickly as he said that, he disappeared in the dark stairs, not bothering to switch on the lights.
his heart heavy with concern. he reached his room and quietly closed the door behind him, enveloping himself in the solitude of his thoughts.
sat on his bed, contemplating the events of the day and the growing uneasy feeling. a part of him wanted to believe that Kaiser's absence was due to unforeseen circumstances or that he had misunderstood something, but doubt gnawed at his mind.
flickering street lights outside cast subtle patterns of light and shadow on the walls of his room, reflecting the inner turmoil that churned within him. what went wrong? did something he say or do push Kaiser away? uncertainty left him feeling restless and trapped in a web of self-doubt.
hours seemed to pass as Isagi layed in bed, replaying the moments he had shared with Kaiser in his mind. he couldn't help but wonder where Kaiser was. he wasn't ready for all of this. to part ways. yet he unexpectedly found himself in that exact moment.
eventually, exhaustion began to take hold and the weight of his concerns seemed to pull him into a fitful slumber...