Chapter Text
Tsukasa was cleaning a glass until he saw an orange haired man walking into the bar. If he recalls his name correctly, it was Akito. Tsukasa often sees him going on runs, or hanging out with Toya. Tsukasa has known Toya for a long time, and he has never been very talkative. That is, until he starts talking about Akito. Toya always talks about Akito with such fondness in his eyes. So Tsukasa has started to think of those two as an item, but of course, he's not going to make any claims. It is mearly a hunch.
Akito was now walking into the bar with a wobble. He wore a formal attire and appeared to be a bit tipsy. He had probably been to a party, since his tie was all loose and his hair looked like a mess. so maybe it was a particularly intense party. But it appered as if the orange haird man hadn't had his fill of drinks, since he took a seat near the counter and called on Tsukasa to fetch him a drink.
“Hey.. waiter.. ‘hic’ give me.. ‘hic’ the strongest one.. you’ve got..”
“Alright.”
Akito has already had his fair share of drinks at this supposed party, but it was rather strange that he would choose to leave said party, just to go get a drink somewhere else. Though Tsukasa didn't feel the need to bring it up.
Tsukasa had finished mixing the drink and brought it over to the man. Akito took the drink and began looking longingly into the reflection, before taking a huge gulp and downing the alcohol in the blink of an eye. Akito slammed the drink into the table, let out a defeated sigh, and promptly face planted into the counter.
“Sir, are you alright?”
“euuhuhhuh… I’m such a loser..”
"Oh? how come?"
“I saw him.. with someone else.. They looked like they were hitting it off..”
“Ah..”
“And.. ‘hic’ like the loser I am.. I just.. left.. I’m just a jealous piece of.. ooh it doesn’t matter.. If I can’t ‘hic’ even stand him talking with anyone else ‘hic’ then maybe.. maybe I should just quit..”
Tsukasa pondered for a moment, is he perhaps referring to Toya?
“Sir, do you know if this man was the one who initiated the conversation?”
The orange haired man groggily looked up from the table.
“Geh? I-I don't know!"
Akito's eyes drifted back down
"But.. when they were talking.. he was..smiling.."
"Ah.. I see."
...
"You don't suppose he was just trying being polite?"
"Hell if I know!"
Akito suddenly lashed out at Tsukasa. But he didn't stay mad long, since the anger in his eyes quickly turned into remorse.
He slumped back down in his chair, and went back to face planting the counter.
"I-I'm sorry.. that, 'hic' wasnt cool.. not cool.."
“heh.. I don't blame you for being upset, I've been there."
Akito wasn't saying anything nor was he requesting a drink, so Tsukasa took the opportunity to continue cleaning his glasses
There was a moment of silence between the two before Akito decided to speak up again, his face being firmly glued to the counter.
“he was smiling at them.. just like ‘hic’ he smiles at me.."
“Hm..”
"Wait.."
Akito suddenly got a moment of clarity..
“Wh- why am I telling you this? I don’t even ‘hic’ know you..”
Tsukasa only chuckled in response. "That's unfortunately not something I can answer you, sir."
“But I'm here to listen.”
"Ugh.."
Akito scoffed at Tsukasa's request, as if he was going to pour his heart out to someone he barely knows. Besides, his drink was empty and he wanted a refill.
"Just give me 'hic' a-another one already.."
"Aha Alright, it will be ready shortly."
Tsukasa began elegantly mixing the drink, and finished asembling it in record time. If Akito wasn't so tipsy, he would've probably acknowlaged the skill on display. But right now, Tsukasa's bartending skills was the last thing on his mind.
Just like before, the drink was gone before Tsukasa had time to realize it. Akito must have it rough right now. He was downing alcohol like it was his only leash on life.
“I just.. wish he could 'hic' read my mind.. you know?? Then he would k..know.”
“Hmm yes that would be nice.”
“...”
“Why are.. ‘hic’ feelings so hard to describe with words..?”
"Oh?"
“I have soooo many things I ‘hic’ want to tell him.. but I end up saying none of it..”
"Hm.."
“I have no right to be upset right now.. and yet I can’t help it! I act as if he is all mine.. even though I have no clue if he feels the same..”
“...”
It appears as if Akito is quite unsure of the other’s feelings. Looking at this situation from the outside, gives Tsukasa a strange feeling of nostalgia. He remembers being in this same exact situation, so he can’t help but empathise with his struggles.
“I can’t expect him to read my mind.. I can’t be mad at him when I haven’t told him how I feel..”
“Well what is stopping you from changing that?”
"Eh?"
“You.. like this man.. correct?”
Akito looked away from Tsukasa’s sight, but he couldn’t help but mutter back a response, even if it was embarrassing for him to admit it.
“y..yeah.. He’s just.. so– so– AUGH!! He’s just so.. Everything!! you know?? His voice, his laugh, his personality.. everything about him makes me act like a fool.. You feel me??”
“haha.. Yeah I understand what you mean..”
“...”
“but.. I don’t think you should be the one telling me that.”
"Huh?"
“I think he would be extremely happy if you told him that.”
“uhmhm… But it’s so.. embarrassing.. you know?? It’s so sickly and ehh.. and what if.. what if he..”
“Being too scared of the future is only going to keep you stuck in the past.”
“...”
Akito's eyes began darting from one side to another, his face flushing a red hue still visible despite his already red cheeks.
Tsukasa looked at him with sympathy, he really hopes things will get better for him. But Tsukasa couldn’t dwell on it long, someone was calling for him.
- Hey.. Tenma bartender sir??.. could you give me and my Girls some more juice If you know what I mean?? -
“hehe. alright, I’ll be over in a second.”
Tsukasa took one more look at the orange haired boy, and gave him his final words of encouragement.
“Go get em champ, I think you’ll find that Toya feels the same.”
Akito suddenly tensed up.
“WH..HUJ?? H-HOW CAN YOU BE- H-HOW DO YOU KNOW THATs HIS NA-”
- Tenma-kun.. what’s the hold up hottie?? The drinks ain't going to mix themselves -
“Ah, I’m coming!”
And with that, Tsukasa swiftly made his way to the others. Leaving Akito alone with his thoughts.
Unbeknownst to Akito, Toya had already told Tsukasa all he needed to know.