Chapter Text
The lyrics flowed effortlessly from Akito’s mouth, but there was no thinking behind them, just memorization and practice. As he moved to the beat of the music pounding into the air, his body was on autopilot, his mind in an entirely different place. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of light sky blue whip to the side as he danced with the rest of the group, momentarily becoming zoned-out and lost in thought. Luckily, today was one of their practice days in the Street SEKAI, so there was no real audience. Still, the sneaking glances he stole from his crush was its own kind of drug, a highly distracting medication for his lovesick heart, causing him to stumble slightly on his feet.
Every day, the strain of concealing his feelings for Toya became more and more troubling. Toya was his best friend, his musical partner, and the risk of possibly tearing down everything they had built together was too much. Akito typically wasn’t this anxious about things, but his friend just did something to him that he couldn’t explain.
As he peeked over at the other boy once again, he felt a warm fluttering sensation deep within his chest, the feeling only heightening when it was Toya’s turn to sing. Ever since the beginning of their career together, Akito had been drawn in by his voice, admiring the raw talent he possessed. However, as time went on and his crush grew stronger, he became entirely infatuated. When the melodic beauty of Toya’s voice filled the space, Akito had to force himself not to stop and listen, to keep on moving like they were truly on stage. A faint blush bloomed on his already reddish cheeks, matching the fiery autumn hues of his hair.
Suddenly, before Akito knew it, the song was over, his head so full of Toya that he didn’t hear An calling out to him.
“Shinonome!” she said, an almost devilish grin spreading across her face, as if she could read his mind. “Stop daydreaming and let’s get back to practicing! We’ve got a show in three days, remember?”
A sigh escaped Akito’s lips, running his fingers through his hair simultaneously. “Yeah, yeah, I’ve got it,” he muttered, trying to ignore the unsettling way An was looking at him.
While they discussed what song they should practice next, he felt a pair of eyes watching him intensely, boring holes into the side of his head. When he turned around, he was met with the sight of none other than the blue-haired pianist that had captured his heart. As soon as their gazes locked, Toya glanced to the right, away from him, breaking their momentary eye contact. The two had looked at each other many times before, but this time, it felt different. The way Toya’s head ducked slightly, the way he anxiously fidgeted with his fingers…
“Huh, weird,” Akito thought as he tried to turn his attention back to An, who was now discussing with Kohane about what she thought would be critical to rehearse. It didn’t even register in his head that Toya may like him back. Akito’s singing partner has always been bad with expressing feelings, so maybe it was just another one of those situations. Plus, Toya couldn’t actually like him, right? Like, like like. With his stoicism, he never really showed any possible romantic interest in well… anyone. At least that’s what Akito noticed.
“It’s probably nothing,” the ginger determined. “He’s… he’s not someone who would like me anyway.”
Even though the two were close, they were polar opposites in just about everything. Personality, academics, you name it. An intelligent, sweet person like Toya just wasn’t fit for his gruffness and… “studying” habits. Hell, Akito had literally punched Toya in the face once, and Toya had just walked it off, and for what, a stupid argument? The pianist was just like that; too emotionless, yet too naively, adorably thoughtful for his own good. Everything that Akito wasn’t.
Suddenly, Akito was snapped out of his thoughts once more by the speakers blasting the instrumental of one of their newer songs, the group preparing to get back to their practicing. He quickly got into position, a little startled, as he focused on the sound of the music and the movement of his feet.
As they sang and danced, Akito couldn’t help but put his all into the performance, a subconscious part of his mind wanting to impress the blue-haired boy to his side. He sang with vigor, his efforts not going unnoticed as the girls side-eyed him, initially confused by the random intensity in his voice. However, when they noticed Akito’s consistent glances over at Toya, the reason became all the more clear to them. An just tried to hide her smirk, sharing an amused glance with Kohane, as they left the pining boy to his own thoughts.
Somehow, everyone else could see the boys’ mutual crushes. Everyone but the boys themselves.
…
Once the rehearsal was over, the group decided to head into the Crase Cafe, figuring a drink and a place to sit would be a good way to cool down and relax. As usual, Akito found himself sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Toya, sipping on a new, ice-cold drink MEIKO had recently added to the menu. He couldn’t help but look over at his singing partner, watching as Toya’s soft lips gently pressed against the rim of his mug, wondering what it would be like to feel his lips against his own…
No. Akito had to stop thinking like that, had to stop fantasizing about the different ways he’d show him his love with the most non-platonic actions; but damn, the thoughts were intoxicating. However, the red head knew that the thought of his crush ever liking him back was unlikely. They had such a close relationship, and if Toya liked him back, wouldn’t he know that by now? Plus, there was no guaranteeing that the blue haired boy even had an interest in men, let alone him . Akito had no proof of any of his partner’s romantic or sexual interests, his heart aching slowly and dreadfully, deep within his chest, at the thought.
As the group drank their drinks and chatted, Miku stood behind the counter with MEIKO as she prepared a batch of cookies, eyeing the boys with a glimmer of curiosity. Ever since their arrival to this SEKAI, she had sensed a strong connection between two, one that’s only grown stronger with time. “Much stronger…” Miku said to herself, noticing the tension sparking every time either of them glanced at the other, and the light dusting of pink on their cheeks. She peered over at MEIKO, giving her an inquisitive look, before jerking her head in the direction of the boys.
Akito was fully enamored by Toya’s calm, majestic allure, staring at the boy like his eyes were glued in place. He attentively sat in his chair, his head in the clouds as he listened to his crushes’ voice, a siren song to his entranced mind. MEIKO couldn’t help but laugh softly at the sight, shaking her head as she mixed the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
It was impressive how oblivious the two were to each other’s feelings, considering how everyone else could see right through their poorly-concealed behaviors. Len and KAITO had already placed bets on who would ask who out and when, and Rin frequently checked in with Miku to see if there were any “new advancements” in their relationship. However, the back-and-forth of pure ignorance had begun to become tiresome, and as Miku continued to watch the pair, she knew that she had to intervene somehow.
When the group was about to leave, Miku quickly pulled Akito to the side, grabbing his arm and dragging him to a secluded corner in the cafe.
“What the hell-?” Akito asked harshly, startled by the suddenness of Miku’s appearance and the strength of her pull. “What is it?”
Miku glanced to the side, making sure that the two were fully alone, before turning to him, whispering quietly enough so that no one else would hear. “Everyone can tell you like Toya.”
A fresh bloom of red spread across the ginger’s cheeks, his eyes wide like circularly-cut emeralds. The cafe was silent for a moment before Akito sputtered, trying to find his words after being so egregiously caught off guard.
“What?! I don’t-, he isn’t-” he spat out, frantically trying to clear his name as if he wasn’t acting like a lovestruck fool just moments before.
Miku’s eyes narrowed just the slightest bit, clearly unimpressed by Akito’s lack of admittance, before she sighed with the slightest chuckle. “There’s no need to hide it, Akito. We all know, it’s okay.”
Her attempt at reassurance only made the boy blush more furiously, causing him to snap back in embarrassment. “You’ve got to be fuckin’ kidding me, I don’t-... it’s not that obvious!”
Akito’s words couldn’t even convince himself, and he knew that, but he wasn’t going to let down his pride that easily. However, the look in Miku’s eyes gave Akito the impression that she was going to be equally as stubborn. After a second of intense silence, Akito huffed, crossing his arms as he stared down at the floor slightly, in defeat.
“Okay, it’s just… no one knows that I’m… that I’m gay. I’m not out to anyone. Or, at least I haven’t told anyone myself,” he admits, his voice a muted grumble.
Miku’s lips softly curled up into an understanding smile, nodding. “I understand. It can be scary telling friends about something so personal and taboo. But, I don’t think any of us would mind, especially not Toya.”
Akito’s eyebrows quirked up, his head tilting to the side slightly. “What do you mean ‘especially Toya’?”
“Have you not noticed?” the Vocaloid said. “Toya’s always looking at you the same way you look at him, not to mention the two of you are really close…”
The boy pondered for a moment, recalling the many moments that he shared with his partner. Toya was already so hard to read, his expressions locked away in a safe only few had the key to. Luckily, Akito had that key, but then why now, when his feelings could possibly be requited, was it so hard to decipher how Toya truly felt? If the rest could tell, then why couldn’t he…?
However, as he revisited past memories, analyzing them with this new realization in mind, the undercurrent of romantic tension became much clearer. Moments when Akito caught Toya looking at him across the stage, his eyes bright with admiration and a hint of longing. Or times when the two’d be hanging out at Ken’s cafe, when their legs would brush up against one another’s under the table. Akito had been so caught up in his own feelings for his friend that he failed to see the blaring signs, brushing them off as Toya’s typical struggle with social interactions.
“I guess that makes sense…” Akito murmurred, his voice low despite the excitement coursing through him. “But… how do we know if that’s for sure? His true feelings have never been the clearest.”
Miku thought deeply for several moments, her brows furrowed in concentration, before an idea came to mind. “How about you ask him out? If he likes you, he has to say yes!”
Akito’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor at the girl’s enthusiastic suggestion, his face turning cherry-red all over again. “What?! Are you insane? I can’t just ask him out! What if he says no, huh? What then? I’ll have embarrassed myself for nothing!”
“But at least you’ll know then!”
The boy groaned, putting his head in his palms as he tried to not snap at Miku. She was only trying to help, even if her efforts weren’t being received as intended. He dragged his hands down his face dramatically before he stood fully straight, crossing his arms.
“You’re sure he likes me?”
“Yep.”
“100%?”
“100%.”
“Okay then,” Akito sighs, hesitating for a moment before speaking once more. “I’ll… I’ll tell him. After the show on Saturday.”
Miku’s sapphire eyes lit up with joy at the boy’s words, a wide smile spreading from ear to ear. She couldn’t wait to tell the other Vocaloids the news. “Great! I’m sure it’ll go fine!”
“ It better, ” Akito told himself in his head, nodding.
“Let’s hope.”
…
“Shit, shit, shit! Fuck…” grumbled Akito as he dashed towards the venue, too scared to look at his watch, because he already knew that he was absurdly late.
For the past three days, there had only been one thing on his mind: confessing to Toya. So much so that the actual show he was going to tell him at completely escaped his memory. He’d daydream for hours, lost in thought, as he played the scenario out a thousand times, thinking of just the right things to say, the things that would win over any man. He imagined the look on Toya’s face as he poured out his heart, the way those breathtaking ice-gray eyes would widen, or how the softest shades of pink would bloom across his cheeks. Akito’d imagine all of the responses his partner could give, wishing deeply for the most positive ones. And maybe afterwards, if things went well, he’d cup Toya’s cheek with the gentlest of touches, slowly lean in and…
But Akito couldn’t get his hopes up. All of those images, stories, dreams… there was no guaranteeing they’d happen. And with his luck so far today, with being so caught up with looking good for Toya that he lost track of time, there was a chance that in the end, he’d be disappointed.
“ Miku better be right, or I swear to god…”
Rain pelted down from the dark sky, soaking through the jacket Akito had so excitedly put on and styled. His perfectly-combed amber hair was now a soggy mess, sticking to his forehead and neck uncomfortably. Water splashed up from the pavement with each fast, frequent step, seeping through the fabric of his shoes and pants. With the realization and rush of being late, he had forgotten to grab an umbrella on the way out. So much for trying to look nice for Toya… and an entire crowd of people.
Once the venue came into view, Akito picked up his pace, not stopping his sprint until he finally reached the outside doors to the backstage area. He burst through the doors, sopping wet and panting, his sneakers squeaking and squelching against the polished floor. Kohane, An, and Toya’s heads immediately snapped in his direction, the three of them already ready to start the show.
“Where were you, Shinonome? The show was supposed to start ten minutes ago!” An exclaimed, adorning an exasperated expression.
Toya was silent as he looked over at Akito, taking in his messed up hair and clothes. He sighed, walking over to the poor boy and started to fix his sodden mop of orange.
“You’re a mess,” Toya murmured softly as he quickly brushed back Akito’s hair, his gray eyes refusing to meet the other’s hazel ones. “Come on. We need to get going.”
Akito tried hard to keep himself composed as Toya remained so close to his face, the feeling of his partner’s fingers tenderly sifting through hair causing his heart to flutter in his chest. He wanted so badly to grab the pianist’s hand, hold it against his cheek and nuzzle into it, feeling his soothing warmth, maybe even pressing a couple kisses into his palm. Maybe if things went well tonight, he’d be able to do that…
“ If we just hurry up and get to the show… ”
“Yeah, c’mon,” Akito responds, reluctantly pulling away from his crush’s touch. “It’s been delayed long enough.”
Kohane and An nodded, their lips curling upwards at the sight of the boys, before ushering them onto the stage. The crowd was restless when the group appeared before them, bustling with annoyed and tense energy, bursting into applause and eager for the performance to begin as everyone took their places. Akito shivered beneath his damp clothing, the chilly air of the indoor venue intensifying the cold of his outfit. However, with the anticipation of the show and the conversation he would initiate with Toya afterward sparked a new, exciting and profound energy within him.
When the sound of instruments cut through the jittery air, the group got straight to the song, moving with practiced ease… except for Akito. His pants stuck to every inch of skin on his legs, his socks awkwardly squishing in his shoes. Each movement he made was met with an internal cringe, a silent wish to run off of the stage and find something more pleasant to wear, something other than a couple sopping fabrics that dragged him down.
“ Damn, I should’ve just asked Toya if he had any spare clothes in the changing room… ”
If it weren’t for the fact that he was on stage and actively dancing, Akito would’ve stopped in his tracks at that thought. Wearing his crushes’ clothes? Sure, he had borrowed things from Toya before, but never wore his clothes . The idea alone caused his pulse to flutter, his mind already starting to spiral into much, much more intimate scenes. He could feel the phantom waves of warmth coming from one of Toya’s sweaters, enveloping him, embracing him in a cocoon of love and security. It’d smell of faintly black coffee and lavender, just like Toya, just like home .
Was Toya his home? Akito wasn’t entirely sure, but what he did know was that his partner would always be the person he turned to. That Toya had his back, and that Akito had his. They’d been through thick and thin together, creating a bond that no matter what the state of their relationship was, it was unbreakable. That much he knew, and he couldn’t help but think what it would be like if their relationship was even closer…
Suddenly, Akito felt the slippery bottom of his shoe slide against the slick, glossy floor, his heart dropping into his stomach for a moment, before he quickly regained his balance. “ Shit, I can’t keep getting distracted like this, thinking about Toya… ” he muttered mentally as he tried to focus more closely on the performance. Yet, whenever he heard Toya’s voice, putting his all into their songs, or saw the way his body swayed with the beat of the music, Akito’s attention went back to those fantasies. He imagined worlds where Toya’s words were directed at him, singing sweet ballads straight from the soul, sung beautifully low and personal, formed by undying devotion. Songs that sang Akito, Akito, Akito…
“Akito!”
The ginger immediately snapped back to reality and turned to the side, noticing the confusion in the crowd and the quietness of the venue as he met Toya’s stern-looking face.
“Yeah…?”
The blue haired boy sighed and crossed his arms, whispering into Akito’s ear. “What’s up with you? You missed five lines. I had to fill in. It didn’t even seem like you noticed.”
Before Akito was even able to respond, the next song started, still a bit stunned from his crushes’ brief comment. From the corner of his eye, he could see the slight tenseness of Toya’s jaw, the way the light in his eyes was dimmer, lacking the enthusiasm they typically possessed. Had he really messed up that much? The late arrival was uncalled for, especially with the fact he was utterly unpresentable, and now he was slacking off…
“ I guess that’s enough to make him upset. ”
But it was strange. Akito never slacked off like this, was never late to shows, and sure as hell didn’t show up like he had just taken a swim with his clothes on. The boy was heavily passionate about Vivid BAD SQUAD, extremely ardent about the music he and his friends produced. He had to get a hold of himself. “ I’ve got to ignore Toya. ”
However, with the impending confession, it was hard to succeed. Akito tried his hardest to pay attention to the lyrics, to the rhythm, anything but his partner, as the concert went on. But eventually… it came.
The new song.
The one that Akito had conveniently convinced An and Kohane to let him and Toya have a duet in. The one whose choreography during said duet was… rather intimate for just some “bros”. The one that was also a love song .
“ Fuck my life. ”
At the time, the idea felt like a sneaky, genius way for Akito to get another boost of that addictive serotonin, to look into Toya’s eyes and blush like an idiot. However, now with the situation that he’s in, the plan feels like the universe’s own way of torturous karma. Karma for being too gay? Perhaps. Karma for draining his parent’s credit cards for freshly-cooked pancakes? Likely. But no matter what he did to deserve this punishment, there’s one undeniable fact: Akito had no idea what the fuck he was going to do.
When the taller boy looked over at the red head, the both of their bodies went rigid, taking in the realization of what they were about to do before the spanning, boisterous audience. However, the show had to go on. There was no stopping now.
As soon as the music started back up, Akito already felt the rush of pure dread and anxiety flood through his veins, causing an unsettling feeling to stir in his stomach. He had completely forgotten of this song’s existence, or the fact that he was going to have to perform it. Fifty tons of solid stone regret crashed down onto the boy’s shoulders as he felt the first brush of Toya’s skin against his. Almost immediately, goosebumps shot up his arm, a thrilled yet embarrassed flush transforming his face.
When he felt his crush’s hand slip into his, their fingers momentarily intertwining, Akito let out a soft gasp, his blush only spreading farther as they continued the choreography. The lyrics Akito sang were a lot choppier now, his voice strained and hesitant despite the upbeat demeanor of his friends. As they danced, he felt the palpable tension radiating off of Toya, kin to the energy seeping from his own form. Every whisper of a touch, every moment of eye contact, sent the boy into a frenzy, his internal systems nearing the point of failure if he didn’t stop growing more and more flustered.
The concerned looks from the audience didn’t escape An and Kohane, the two also extremely aware of the way Akito was acting. His dancing was subpar, limbs as stiff as sticks, and his singing was… well, it’s been better. Definitely not as shaky. For the first time, the crowd genuinely seemed to not be enjoying the show.
Once the climax of the song finally arrived, Toya turned to face his partner, stretching out his arm to take his hand. It took a moment for the shorter boy to comply, but once they were joined, Toya took a deep breath, willing away his nerves and slight blush as he shifted to look out at the audience.
“Daisuki desu,” Toya sang, full of love and power, expecting his partner’s voice to echo with his. However, when it was only his voice streaming throughout the venue, he snapped back to face Akito, his heart stopping at the sight.
The orange-haired boy was as frozen as ice, arm fixed into a straight line, his hand clenching painfully around Toya’s. Not a sound came out of Akito’s mouth, but his wide-eyed expression spoke a thousand words.
Silence fell over the group as the boy continued to stand there, unmoving and quiet. Several very, very awkward moments passed before Akito sprung back to life, nearly jumping out of skin at the realization that everyone was staring at him now.
“ What the actual fuck am I DOING?” he frantically squawked in his head before yelling, “Shit! God damn it, God, I’m so sorry, I-”
Before he could say anything else or let his feelings get in the way, he bolted off of the stage, disappearing behind the curtain until he was completely out of view. A look of utter shock was visible on the rest of the group’s faces, their own forms stuck in place, before they quickly followed after the run-away.
Toya felt his heart shatter in his chest, the sight of Akito so distraught and panicked a foreign and upsetting view. However, he couldn’t help the feeling of hurt that rose within him. The way Akito had tensed from his touch, the way he couldn’t get the words “daisuki desu” out, as if saying them was shameful and humiliating… it stirred something in Toya that he’d never felt before. His head felt light, an aching of dread pulsed in his stomach. Still, he wouldn’t let his partner run off like that. He still wanted him, and he wasn’t going to let him give up.
“Akito!” Toya yelled, jaw slightly clamped, as he quickly tracked Akito down. Toya wasn’t much of a runner, but he ran anyway. Finally, he discovered Akito lost in thought in the dressing room. “What was that? Why’d you run off?”
The boy’s fists clenched as he spun around, his body thrumming with a new intensity of nervousness. Things had gone completely off track that night, farther from what Akito could’ve ever wanted. However, he had made a promise with himself that that night would be the night; that he’d follow through with his plan. And there was no backing down. Not now, not ever.
He’d daydreamed about the moment ever since Miku first suggested it, imagining the multitude of ways that he could express his eternal feelings. If he didn’t do it now, if he hesitated… lord knows when he’d get the guts to do it again.
So, with a shaky, deep breath, Akito stepped forward, his still-wet hair sticking to his forehead and slightly obstructing his eyes.
“Toya,” Akito started with a tremble, praying silently that his partner can’t hear the frantic beating of his heart, “we… need to talk. About something important.”
The boy didn’t stop walking until he was face-to-face with Toya, the air between them crackling with a flurry of emotions. There was a sternness in the other boy’s icy gray eyes, mixed with a desperate need to see through Akito’s.
“I know that I really fucked up tonight,” Akito sighed. “I was distracted, and off-beat, and messing up lines. Hell, I showed up late, completely soaked in rain water… it’s downright disrespectful, not just to the crowd, but to you, too.”
The red head’s fists strained tighter, his head hanging low, unable to meet Toya’s gaze. He felt frustrated with himself, frustrated with the world. Frustrated that he couldn’t just have Toya all to himself and not have to worry about the potential of a life without him by his side, as more than just a friend.“I’ve been shitty. My performance tonight was shitty. You don’t deserve that from a partner like me. I’m sorry. And, before I say anything else, I want to let you know that… well… you’ve been the best partner I could ever ask for. I just… wanted to tell you that before-”
“ This. This is it, ” Toya thought as his mind went back to the song they had sung just minutes ago, remembering how Akito refused to sing the words Toya wanted so desperately to say, with all of his chest. The sting of heartbreak and doomed longing lingered in his abdomen, dull yet ever-present, as he stared at the orange haired boy.
He wasn’t sure what Akito was going to say, but in his mind, there was one answer that was certain: whatever their relationship was, Akito didn’t love him the way Toya did. And that was enough to divide them forever, mentally, socially, and physically.
“Akito, stop,” Toya suddenly interjected, his frame taut, a choked sound in his throat. “Stop it, just stop it.”
Toya exhaled, crossing his arms. “I get it, okay? You… you’re done. And you’re done with me. The way you acted while performing, the way you refused to say the words… I…” He paused, trying to get his words out properly. “Just… you’re leaving that easily? After one little mistake, and all of the time we’ve spent together, working as a team? That’s not the Akito I know.”
Akito’s face hardened, his eye twitching, as the sentences fell from Toya’s mouth, his body going still in confusion and already fiery appearance sparking into more flames. Did Toya really think that he’d give up that easily? Even though he knew that Toya was misinterpreting his words, considering the way Akito was overly apologetic, the assumption he spoke was not one the boy took lightly. Akito had heard many insults in his life, yet this one seemed to take the cake.
“... What? Why the fuck would you think that?” Akito grumbled, his grim stare a silent, yet impactful intimidation. “Out of all the years you’ve known me, I would’ve never thought you’d think of me that lowly.”
The shorter boy leaned in closer, so close that Toya could feel his hot, angry breath on his face. “You think that I’d give up ?” Akito growled slightly, trying his hardest to contain his frustration, but unable to stop the littlest bits slipping through the cracks. “You’re right, that’s not the Akito you know. Cause that’s not me. I don’t quit. I work hard for this, hard for us . Hell, I’m probably the damn hardest worker in this group!”
While sometimes Akito could be a hot-head, this level of fury was unfamiliar to Toya’s eyes and ears. A scowl formed on the blue-haired boy’s face, his already rigid voice turning more harsh. “We’re all a team, Akito,” he said. “We all work together. And yes, you’re hard working, and exceptionally so, but we all put in equal effort. I’m not suggesting that you’re-”
“Then why’d you think I was leaving then?!” Akito interrupted, the cracks finally bursting open in a flood of built-up fear and stress. “If you think that I’m not lazy and a quitter, then why the hell would you think that’d I’d give up on us?! On all of us!”
Toya recoiled as Akito grabbed the front of his shirt, his fingernails digging into the soft, well-ironed collar. “Akito-” he faintly gasped, eyes blown wide in shock and concern. “Hey, I didn’t mean it, I’m sorry-”
A flicker of realization and regret dawned upon the furious boy, hesitating for a moment as he took in what exactly he was doing. This wasn’t the first time they’ve fought, and certainly, yet unfortunately, not the only time things have become physical. All of those memories of Akito hurting the one he loved most came back in a rush, and reluctantly, he let go of the boy’s clothes, taking a step back. However, the anger he felt still boiled, an uncontrollable force.
“It’s whatever,” he mumbled through gritted teeth. “You always say everything straight up, bluntly, just exactly how you feel . You don’t need to lie to me, I heard you the first time.”
Toya instinctively tried to reach out for Akito, but before the pianist could do anything, Akito cut him off once more, shrugging his shoulder away from the approaching grasp of Toya’s palm.
“You think I’m a sore loser. That I’d abandon you. Fine. Maybe I am. Maybe I will, if that’s what you want.”
Without a second’s more indecision, completely ignoring Toya’s protests, Akito turned away, still-soaked shoes squeaking against the polished floor as he ran out of the backstage door, escaping into the pelting rain.
Just then, as the door swung back into place, the room empty except for the now-hollow shell that was Toya’s body, An and Kohane came rushing in, searching for Akito after the scene he had made on the stage.
“Where’s Shinonome?” An questioned as she jogged up behind the frozen boy, curiously glancing around.
“He… he just left,” Toya whispered, not moving a muscle as he stared at the space his partner just occupied.
“Aoyagi… what happened?” Kohane asked with a hint of worry, stepping into place next to An.
Toya gulped, not turning to look at the girls despite their presence.
“I think I just made the worst mistake of my life.”