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"Azuma-san, are you ready to go?"
"It seems that your pickup has arrived," Guy noted, closing the book he was reading and swiftly arranging his departure. "Welcome, Takato. Do come in."
"Thanks … Azuma-san?"
"Almost ready!" Azuma chuckled, straightening out the collar of his coat. "Guy, if you're going to the kitchen, could you bring back some biscuits for later?"
"Will do," Guy nodded before leaving the two of them alone.
"Are you having a tea party tonight?" Tasuku asked.
"Fufu, maybe~ would you join?"
"Yeah, sure. I can come."
"Perfect! Just one more thing, before we go …" Azuma mumbled, looking for something inside a shopping bag in his closet. "I got you a little something!"
"… you got me something? But it was your birthday …"
"It's not a birthday gift," Azuma smiled, pulling out a long maroon scarf. "It's a get well gift!"
"But I already got well?"
"Well … then stay well, okay?"
It was a quiet plea, accompanied with soft laughter and another gentle smile as Azuma approached Tasuku with the scarf.
"May I?"
"… sure," Tasuku hung his head, closing his eyes.
Azuma threaded the scarf behind his neck, pulling slowly to make both sides symmetrical, and stepping closer as he pondered how to tie it all up. He wrapped the left side around once, then the right one, then tied a careful knot, making sure not to squeeze Tasuku's neck too much as he tucked in the ends and fluffed up the scarf.
"There … all cozy and warm. Please don't get sick again …" he trailed off, his hands just ever so slightly cupping Tasuku's face for a moment before he stepped away.
"I won't, thank you. Is it the same as yours?" Tasuku asked, looking down at the scarf.
"It is! I thought we could share something … plus I knew it would look good on you, fufu~"
"… I hope it does. I'll wear it a lot," Tasuku smiled. "So, shall we?"
It was an uneventful evening drive. Azuma talked about all the things others did for his birthday that Tasuku missed out on because he was sick, and Tasuku listened. It was their usual dynamic - either that, or mutual silence as buildings passed them by behind the car windows, and the engine hummed as the stop lights turned from red to green.
It was always the same drive to the same beach.
But as Azuma stared at Tasuku from the passenger's seat, he sometimes felt like every year, the journey was just a little bit longer. The endpoint a little bit further. The soles of their shoes a little more soaked in the icy sea water as they walked the shore, treading the line between sand and the ocean … and possibly some other things.
It was always the same drive, to the same beach, every year.
And yet Azuma had no idea where they stood anymore.
Perhaps he had spent too long just waiting. Perhaps the sea was a distraction. Perhaps he was being a coward, telling himself it'll be different when they get there this year. Perhaps now, with Tasuku sitting beside him and staring at the road, was the right time. And still … he couldn't move.
The sea came into view.
The car stopped.
The air conditioning no longer warmed up the tiny space between them.
But Azuma felt like he was burning.
With his feet and heart frozen in place, unable to act, hope was all he had left.
And he hoped that this year, they could finally throw themselves into the water.