Chapter Text
7:00 pm, October 31st, Haneda Airport, sounds of passengers trying to find their seats and infants crying filled the air while you sat in a frozen state, looking down at your phone screen with furrowed brows. The single ticks next to your images still stared back at you. Pending. It had been ten minutes, yet he was not owning up to his part of the request he made. Nanami asked for two images, one containing evidence of the bread he recommended you try at the airport cafe. The other is a photo of your choice, just not a picture of yourself since you'll already be bombarding him with plenty throughout the flight.
Your second undelivered message read: "Bossy much? Here you go, it's a pretty sunset, don't you think?"
In your opinion, it was. It was taken while facing a large airport window that gave you a view of the departing planes. The autumn sky was free of clouds, with only clear hues of orange and purple in the image. Its quality made up for the previous blurry bread photo. Exhaling in defeat, you accepted that he may have begun the big task he hinted at having to do that evening. Denmark was fifteen hours away. You'd hoped to depart in a better mood after an anticipated message from your ex-coworker making fun of your poor photography skills. Even two grey ticks would suffice. Your cheeks started to warm just at the thought of his teasing, but you couldn’t let your mind wander or else you wouldn’t stop. Turning to your right, you realized your isle seat was going to be empty, freeing whichever lucky soul from witnessing the nightmare of you smiling at yourself alone. Though, he didn’t deserve that much since you should be upset with him. After shutting off the power on the phone, annoyingly shoving it into your tote bag, and then letting out a scoff, the last bit of your parting conversation with him suddenly replayed in your mind.
~
The two of you walked side by side on the pavement to your apartment building, “Did you pack the neck pillow?” He had already begun interrogating.
“The one that you bought for me. Now imagine the drama if I forgot it.”
“I’m the only person who owns your extra apartment key, so try not to forget anything. Shoko wants me on call later tonight, and I most likely won’t get your messages.
“Okay, but you keep dismissing what I asked earlier. Are you sure there’s nothing you’re curious about in Denmark that you want me to relay to you while I’m there?”
“Nothing my family hasn’t already told me. At this age, I only care to know that I have lineage there. I doubt anyone related to me in Denmark knows I exist. I'm also a sorcerer, and jujutsu sorcery is a shitstorm. Can I ask that you bring me lots of pastries?”
“I could run into your distant cousin and you’re still thinking about bread.” You stop mid-walk to face him in disbelief. Still curious as to how he could address such a deep part of himself like it's an uninteresting topic.
“I'm not curious about it. Baking, on the other hand. Where do I even begin? Is the bakery outside your office building still there? Nothing will compare to that place. Expensive but it was worth it.” Nanami asks, stopping your walk to the entrance of your apartment building to pull out his cell phone.
“It’s not a historical monument. Of course, it’s still there.”
“Then I’ll replace your presence there while you're away.” He was now taking pictures of the bright dawn above him.
“Replacing me also means talking to my coworkers. Your ex-coworkers.”
He cringed at the idea, “Hmm. You were the only person I talked to there.”
You giggle at the current visual of him leaning back with one eye closed. “Exactly. You can admit you miss your bread. Don’t use me as an excuse. Also, the sky isn’t that pretty at this time why’d you take a picture?”
“If it feels right to me, I snap the photo. Not thinking too much about it at the time makes looking back at it more special.” He firmly states while he shows you the image. “It’s a feeling.”
“Don't take offence, but I’m not sure I get it.” You give a sheepish smile, honestly wishing you could understand his vision.
“None taken. It’s nothing complicated. Try it today. When you have a gut feeling that your memory won’t serve you in the future when you reminisce about a specific day, document it with the sky.” He advises while slipping the phone back into his cream-white blazer's inner pocket. “Send them to me too. I’ll create a folder for our sunsets.”
“That doesn’t seem fair. You get pastries, sunsets, and travel photos. I want more than a folder in your camera roll when I return.” You sternly said, with your hands on your hips, but quickly lost your confident stance when the brisk air pricked your bare arms.
Nanami maintained eye contact while removing his blazer to snug it around your shoulders.
“You’re right. How about a date then?”
Your eyes widened. For the new warmth that blanketed your skin and the fact that he had finally said it. The one word you’ve been yearning to hear from him since you started spending time together after he left the company. The interactions that could lift the barrier. The barrier which maintained your label as his good friend. An ex-colleague. Turning the potentially one-sided crush you’ve had on him into a mutual pursuit.
“Not at the bakery.” You mentally slap yourself for being so quick to respond. Thinking you had all the chances to come off as cool.
A deep, raspy chuckle left his body, “No. Not the bakery. You just show up the same as always, lovely and perfect. The experience will be befitting of you.”
“If you say so.” You bashfully comment. Not being able to meet his eyes, you lifted a hand to playfully shove his arm, but he gently held it in place.
With the same gentle manner, he interlocked your fingers. You weren’t sure if it was the blazer doing its job or the earnest brown eyes making you hotter.
Softly grazing his fingers across your knuckles, he brought the back of your hand to his lips. Placing a tender kiss.
“Don’t become a stranger.”
“Impossible.”
~
11:14 pm, October 31st, somewhere in the air.
A hand tugged on the cream-white blazer you used as a blanket, succeeding at waking you up from a nap.
“Sorry to disturb you, ma’am. I’m delivering the next meal to you now.” The soft-spoken flight attendant apologized. She placed the tray on the vacant seat tray table.
Almost forgetting where you were, you half sleepily heartened, “It’s not a problem. Thank you.”
Barely looking in the right direction, it took a couple of seconds, paired with an infant's cries to recall your location.
I’m not suffering again. Where are my EarPods?
Digging into the blazer pockets, you felt a heavy metal. Shit. The weight of your heart had become heavier. The chances of you shitting yourself we’re as high as the crying infant on the plane. You might have just ruined the chances of having your first date with Nanami.
You hijacked the guy’s phone. Any audacity you thought you had to be frustrated with him for not responding to your texts instantly vanished.