Chapter Text
Supposedly the quickest way to get over someone is to immediately start going on dates, or meeting new people. Pretend you’re moving on and eventually you’ll start to. Takemichi might’ve believed this at one point, if he wasn’t currently on his way to his 10th? first date in just six months.
He tugged at the collar of his shirt, walking swiftly towards the restaurant where he was meeting his date for the night. He could almost feel his wallet ache, having spent a hefty amount of money for all the times he’s been going out recently, mostly from the pestering of all his friends. The air was cold against his face, exposing his forehead. It had been raining recently, and was supposed to rain even harder again tonight.
The streets were busy and the streetlights were starting to turn on one by one as he continued on. A once familiar area to him, as he used to come down this way almost every day just a few months ago. Sure, it might be his fault his evenings are now spent either getting drunk, or going out with people his friends set him up with but he liked to pretend otherwise.
He reached the restaurant, huffing to himself as he smoothed down his hair. The restaurant wasn’t especially fancy, but it wasn’t the type of place you would go for a late night fast food run. A date tonight wasn’t exactly his first option for how he wanted to spend his Friday night but when Akkun had basically talked his ear off about this girl, Hinata was her name if he remembered correctly, Takemichi had no choice but to give in so he’d leave him alone. Takemichi will admit too, the first few dates and bar hopping nights were his ideas. He thought they’d make him feel more liberated but eventually he only started saying yes to fill the void he couldn’t seem to get rid of.
Looking around the semi-filled building, he saw a pink-haired girl sitting alone as she looked down at her phone. Takemichi strides towards her, only slightly clearing his throat awkwardly, gently smiling once she looked up.
“Oh, you must be Takemichi!” She said kindly, standing up before reaching her arms out.
Stiffly, he returned the hug before they sat in their respective seats.
He gestured a hand towards her. “You must be the infamous Hinata then.”
She had a sort of soft spoken voice he quickly realized, it was light and cheerful. She was very pretty too, and he thought she might be the only person who could wear that hair color and make it seem natural. She was definitely more extroverted than him and while he tried to return the same energy, Takemichi was just a naturally awkward person. She quickly began telling him how she met Akkun through cosmetology school and they quickly bonded over having similar hair colors.
He laughed at that, and he actually laughed about a few things she said or did. Before she could tell him a story about how she almost gave herself micro bangs, the hostess came by to ask if they were ready to order.
“Would you mind giving us a few minutes?” Hinata said apologetically, the hostess responding by telling them to take their time.
Hinata scanned the menu, before asking Takemichi if he knew what he was going to get.
“Mm, I usually just get udon noodles with hoisin beef and vegetables.” He replied casually, scanning the drinks, seeing that they added a few new options from the last time he was here.
Hinata looked up with a confused expression on her face. “You’ve been here before?”
“Yeah, I used to eat here with my ex-boyfriend.” He said, not realizing he said the worst thing you could ever say on a first date.
Hinata’s eyes slightly widened when Takemichi’s face dropped, before looking up at her, his mouth slightly agape.
“I am so sorry, I don’t know why I said that.” He buried his face into his hands, his cheeks burning.
He scrunched his nose in embarrassment, only to hear a small laugh coming from Hinata. “Well, as awkward as that might’ve been, I get it,” she shrugged, “I’ve been there. I accidentally called my date by my ex’s name. Wonder why I never got a second date.” She joked.
Takemichi once again apologized until Hinata shrugged it off, asking Takemichi his recommendations instead. Once the hostess returned, she took their orders for both food and drinks. They continued talking, whether it was about work or hobbies. Hinata was great, Takemichi thought.
He imagined that they could be really great friends if they continued hanging out.
After dinner, they decided since they still had time to spare and no rain had greeted them yet, they could walk the streets and grab dessert. It was colder at this time, and the streetlights and lights from the shops were all lit up. The streets were still fairly busy, many people hanging out in front of the stores either eating or buying what the shops uniquely offered. Takemichi was about to speak to tell Hinata they could stop at a family-owned stand that sold different types of mochi and other desserts, since he was previously familiar with it. As he looked over at her, he saw her lightly touching at her wrist, where a silver bracelet clung to it.
“Your bracelet is pretty.” He said softly.
She whipped her head up, meeting his gaze. “Thanks.” He nodded politely, before pointing over at the stand.
They sat at a bench, in between the shops where the heat slightly engulfed them.
“You know, I’m not a big fan of mochi, but… this place was actually kinda good.” She admitted, her mouth half-full.
Takemichi hummed contentedly. “Yeah, I actually haven’t had it in a while. Last time I came was with…” Takemichi trailed off as soon as the realization swarmed him.
Hinata didn’t point it out this time. Instead she silently finished her food, getting up to throw her wrapper in the trash. Takemichi stared at his folded hands as she returned.
She cleared her throat. “Can I ask you something?”
Takemichi looked up at her, before nodding. “Yeah, anything.”
She looked conflicted for a few moments, like she was trying to piece her thoughts together.
“Don’t take this the wrong way.” She began, pursing her lips.
“Why are you out on a date when you look like you’d much rather be with your boyfriend right now?”
He began to open his mouth, before shutting it again.
“Please don’t think I’m having a horrible time with you right now. I think you’re insanely awesome, and, and…” He began to exhale.
Hinata nodded, a smirk on her face. “I knew it!”
Takemichi looked defeated, before staring off into the distance, too embarrassed to look at Hinata. He tried to explain himself again, because how embarrassing is this for him right now? He was unlucky in life when it came to relationships. Letting go of the only person he ever really loved was evidence, and he’d be forced to remember that for the rest of his life.
“I hope this is our first and last date.” Hinata replied quietly.
Takemichi looked back at her, confused. “What?”
“If you still think about him this much, you obviously still love him, right?” She asked, tilting her head.
Takemichi’s stomach dropped only slightly. “I—“
She stood up, gently hitting her fists against the table. “Takemichi, how long has it been since you’ve seen him?”
“Around six months.”
Her face dropped a little. “Oh, wow. I thought maybe three months tops.”
“Anyway,” she waved her hand, stepping out from the bench, and Takemichi stood up.
“You were an amazing guy, Takemichi. But I feel like I should confess something too.”
He waited for her to continue, nodding at her.
“I think this date also made me realize… I really miss my girlfriend.” She huffed.
Hinata grabbed his shoulders firmly. She gently shook him with a determined expression on her face. As she exhaled again, he could see her breath from the temperature dropping.
“Maybe he also misses you.”
Takemichi felt sick for a second. This was definitely the weirdest date he’s had, and one of his dates brought her hamster. He looked around, almost feeling whiplash as years of memories crashed like a wave into his head. Of course he missed him. He’s missed him everyday since. He hated how he left things, purposely avoiding him, their friends also having to get involved so they wouldn’t have to see each other. At first, Takemichi really wanted to move on and he thought he did. Until he and his friends went out on a random weekend, and the entire time Takemichi was slurring Chifuyu’s name, almost drunk texting him til Yamagishi hit him over the head, declaring his phone privileges done for the entire night.
Hinata was right, Takemichi did love him a lot.
Takemichi swallowed. “Hinata, I—I need to go somewhere right now, but I can call you a cab or something?”
Hinata shook her head diligently. “Go.” She said softly.
Takemichi began to protest til she cut him off. “Takemichi.” She urged. “Really, go.”
Takemichi gave her a quick hug, whispering, “Thank you.”
He quickly turned, the wind hitting his face as he squeezed in between the crowd of people. His heart felt like it would leap out of his throat if he opened his mouth. He slowly began to jog, almost bumping into people, and earning a few glares. He crossed the street, now sprinting as his black hair met the wind.
Just his luck, he started to feel droplets of water hit the top of his head. The rain quickly started to pour, which made Takemichi pick up his pace, his legs starting to burn as his chest tightened. Painfully unathletic, Chifuyu once described him.
Takemichi didn’t know much, but he did know his way to Chifuyu. As he sharply turned down the streets, he remembered how the first few times he started going over to his apartment and he’d get lost on the way because “there was too many buildings”. Chifuyu would curse him over the phone but would eventually meet him halfway. The streetlights were more dim this way, barely flickering enough for Takemichi to know where he was at.
This might be a mistake. He hadn’t seen him in what felt like forever, and he didn’t even consider that he might just get a slam of the door in his face. Closure would be better than anything, though. Maybe they could try to be friends again, even if that never worked before for them. He ignored the sudden buzzing of his phone coming from his pocket, looking up at the worn out brick building in front of him.
He rested his hands against his thighs, hunched and heavy breathing. His legs shook and he felt like he was going to vomit, either from nervousness or exhaustion. He licked his lips, jogging towards the staircase to the upper apartments. The metal railings were rusty, almost slipping as skipped every other step.
He wiped his forehead, finally shielded from the continuous pouring of the rain from the roof. There was a potted plant in front of the last door at the end of the building. Takemichi sniffed, his legs felt heavy but he marched straight ahead.
Wasting no time, his hand shakily rang the doorbell, then roughly pounded his fist against the door. It felt wrong, knowing usually he’d just walk in whenever he wanted. He waited nauseously, his heart clenching at every second there was no answer.
“Chifuyu...” He said warily. “Can we please talk?”
He rested his forehead on the door, defeated. He let out a shaky exhale, his fist clenched against the door. Takemichi closed his eyes, the rain drowning out any other sound. He knew this ended up being an awful idea, and now he was just cold and embarrassed to add on to it. He stepped away from the door, his hands falling to his sides.
“Takemichi?” A confused voice called out.
Takemichi turned his entire body, his eyes widening. Somehow, he felt even colder than before, seeing Chifuyu stand about ten feet away, umbrella in one hand who looked equally confused as he sounded.
He warily walked closer. “What are you doing here?”
Takemichi forgot everything he wanted to say.
“Hi.”