Chapter Text
The bell above the door chimed with a soft ring as Daichi stepped inside the little café. It was tucked between a used bookstore and a laundromat on 3rd Street, the kind of place you’d miss if you didn’t already know it was there. But he knew it. Of course he did. Sugawara had chosen it years ago—said it reminded him of an old film or a dream he couldn’t quite remember.
It was always quiet. A little too warm. The lights were soft and golden, and the air smelled faintly of cinnamon and roasted beans. Daichi scanned the room instinctively, though he already knew where Sugawara would be. Third table from the back, pressed against the window. Same spot. Always.
Sugawara was already there, fingers curled around a cup of tea, smiling as if he hadn’t been sitting alone for twenty minutes.
“You’re late,” he said, teasing, the corner of his mouth lifting.
Daichi slid into the seat across from him, tugging his jacket off. “Traffic.”
“You live eight blocks away.”
“I stopped to get you something,” he said, producing a small paper bag and setting it on the table. “Those almond pastries you like.”
Sugawara raised an eyebrow, amused. “Bribery?”
“More like an apology,” Daichi said. “You’ll forgive me faster if you’re chewing.”
“Smart man.” Sugawara opened the bag and took a bite, making a pleased sound. “Still warm.”
Daichi watched him, caught in that moment for a breath too long. Sugawara’s hair had grown out again, a little messier than usual, soft around his temples. He looked older in subtle ways—more delicate, maybe. Lighter in frame. But his eyes were the same: warm, intelligent, and always searching for something more in the silence between words.
“You’ve lost weight,” Daichi said before he could stop himself.
Sugawara blinked, caught off guard. “Wow. Straight to the throat.”
Daichi frowned. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know,” Sugawara said softly. “It’s just… life, I guess. I’ve been busy. Haven’t been eating great.”
“Is everything okay?”
There was a pause, and then the practiced smile returned. “Yeah. Just tired lately.”
Daichi didn’t believe him, not completely, but he let it go. It wasn’t the first time Sugawara had shrugged something off with that same look. As if he was more comfortable being someone else’s comfort than allowing anyone to worry about him.
They talked for over an hour. About work, old teammates, memories from Karasuno. Sugawara told a story about Nishinoya chasing a stray cat down the hall of the school, and they both laughed so hard they nearly cried. Daichi felt the years between them fall away. It still felt easy, being around him.
But easy didn’t mean uncomplicated.
As they finished their drinks, Sugawara glanced out the window, eyes catching on something far away. He looked tired in that moment—not just physically, but deep down, in a way that made something twist in Daichi’s chest.
“What’s on your mind?” Daichi asked.
Sugawara didn’t answer right away. When he finally looked at him again, the moment had passed.
“Just thinking about how fast time moves,” he said. “Feels like we were seventeen five minutes ago.”
Daichi nodded. “You ever think about going back?”
Sugawara smiled wistfully. “Sometimes. But I like who we became.”
They stood to leave, walking out into the crisp evening. The sky had darkened to a soft indigo, the first stars beginning to appear. Sugawara pulled his scarf tighter around his neck.
“I’ll walk you,” Daichi offered.
“You always do.”
They didn’t speak much as they walked. Their arms brushed occasionally. They passed by familiar shops, homes with light spilling out of windows. There was a peace in their silence. And yet, beneath it, something unsaid hummed like static.
When they reached Sugawara’s apartment, he turned to him with a small smile. “Same time next week?”
Daichi hesitated. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
Sugawara looked at him for a long moment. And for a second, something in his expression cracked open—vulnerability flashing like lightning behind his eyes. But just as quickly, it was gone.
“I know,” he said gently. “Goodnight, Daichi.”
Daichi watched him go inside. He stood there a while longer, his breath forming little clouds in the air. He didn’t know what he was waiting for. Maybe for Sugawara to turn back. Maybe for himself to say something—anything—that could change the weight between them.
But the door stayed closed.
And so, he turned, and walked away.
⸻