Chapter Text
If you told Toya, not even an hour ago, that some random guy would chase him just to ask him to sing together, he would’ve called you crazy. But that scenario is reality.
After yet another argument with his father, he left home— not before telling his father, of course, he doesn't enjoy getting scolded by him for leaving without telling– to sing in the streets where other “musicians” his father wouldn't approve of hang out.
It was supposed to be a regular day, keyword is supposed.
After Toya was done singing his heart out to the streets where people would sometimes glance his way, maybe even clap after a song was over, he left with the intention of going home.
Instead he heard footsteps behind him, very fast ones at that, chasing after him. When he turned around he saw someone he could recognize, not by name, but by face.
The guy was around Toya's age, a bit shorter, but seemingly in better shape than himself. He had an absurd amount of layers on, a T-shirt over a long sleeved shirt, and then a zip up hoodie and another jacket—I mean seriously, how wasn’t he suffering from a heatstroke? His hair was short and messy, almost as if he didn't even brush it, and while it was orange it had this streak of yellow in it. His eyes were this green color with specks of gold splattered around, they were beautiful.
He remembers him vividly. The second he saw Toya performing, he stood there and watched the entire time. A bit further away than any crowd would typically be, but still close enough to listen. He stayed there the entire time, until Toya wanted to leave.
Now all of a sudden, the guy is chasing him!?
Should he run? Oh, who is he kidding, he probably should. Maybe that guy is in his class, and he got jealous that Toya got the highest score in the school? Either way he didn't know, and he certainly does not want to find out why he's getting chased by him.
He decided to make a run for it. Maybe if he's fast enough the guy will lose sight of him—
“YOU.” Said the mysterious guy, who stood in front of Toya's possible escape route. Too close for him to run away now.
“Y-yes?” He began silently praying to whoever's above, that this guy won't punch him. The guy's eyebrows were furrowed, so he looked quite angry in Toya’s eyes. He carried himself with this energy that was reminiscent of a flame, and he literally just met him.
“Your singing— wait dude, why do you… Call down, I’m not gonna bite.” His expression changed, he rubbed the back of his neck, and stared off to the side. He was sheepishly apologetic looking.
Toya relaxed a bit. Maybe this guy wasn't here to fatally injure him before he even turned 15. The guy seemed to take Toya finally looking him in the eyes as a sign to keep talking.
“So as I was saying, your singing… Eh, I’m just gonna cut right to the chase, become my partner.” Toya's face flushed immediately, and the ginger started panicking right before his eyes.
“Not like that— I meant it as in do you wanna sing together, dude? Like at least once, give it a try you know?” That certainly made a lot more sense.
No, it did not.
“Your voice is certainly the best I’ve heard in a while, so I began thinking, me and you, singing together. I’m certainly better than most of the artists on this street, so wouldn't it be great for two great singers to sing together?”
“I haven't heard you sing before.”
“Well then,” The ginger seemed to get lost in his head. “How about I show you how good I am? If I match your standards, then can we sing together?”
Toya contemplated the choices laid in front of him. He never got the chance to sing together with someone else, what if it was more trouble than it's worth? Then again, there won't be any actual harm caused by accepting this deal. If the guy wasn't… Great, then he could just pretend he thought about his initial decision again and decided it's not worth it, singing with another person.
That sounds like an alright plan.
“Sure— ah, uh… What's your name?”
The guy beamed at Toya's answer, then laughed at his confusion, before quickly answering. “Akito Shinonome, but you can call me Akito.”
“It’s nice to meet you Shinonome-san.”
Shinonome laughed, he laughed like it was the funniest thing he's ever heard.
“So cold, and we just met. Do you seriously believe I won't be on your level?” He raised an eyebrow and smirked. Toya has never found an action more attractive.
Toya began rapidly shaking his head, and making gestures with his hands while repeating “It’s not like that!”
“It’s just— We just met! It wouldn’t be polite of me to just call you by your first name right off the bat.” While his expression has not visibly changed much, his entire body and tone said a whole other thing.
Akito nearly couldn’t stand anymore. “Dude, it’s fine. Just call me Shinonome-kun at least?”
“Fine, Shinonome-kun.”