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The morning sunlight shone down on the park.
Kohane glanced at the time again, her fingers fidgeting around her sleeve. “Shinonome-kun’s… taking a while,” she said. “He said he’d come early today, didn’t he?”
An stretched her arms above her head. “Yeah, he did, maybe he overslept? I’m gonna kill him if that’s the case.” she said, tapping her foot, concern covered up into teasing.
Kohane hummed, looking at the ground. “I don’t think he would… not today atleast.”
That made An stop tapping her foot. She turned around, staring at the parks surroundings. Still no sight of the ginger. “Yeah… you’re right.”
Toya stood a few steps away. He hadn’t said much since arriving.
Kohane noticed it first. “Aoyagi-kun,” she said gently, “are you feeling okay?”
He blinked and straightened, startled out of his thoughts. “Ah… sorry. Yeah, I’m fine.”
An crossed her arms, squinting at him. “You sure? You look like you’ve been up all night.”
“I’m fine,” he repeated. His voice was even, but his fingers were fidgeting around his sleeve.
“Maybe we could start warming up while we wait? He might show up any minute.” Kohane suggested.
An hesitated, glancing again before sighing. “Yeah, guess we can.” She set the bluetooth speaker they brought’s volume a little higher.
Toya didn’t move.
He watched the sunlight flicker through the trees and swallowed the words that had been burning his throat since last night. The echo of Akito’s voice still clawed at the back of his mind.
“...Ah… Akito, I—”
“...'m sorry...I should’ve said it way earlier.”
“Akito…”
“It surprised you, right…? Right—!?”
“But… that’s… I’m not—”
“I know! Earlier you were just—just surprised. That’s all… y-you didn’t feel a-anything else. I-I get that. I really fucking do...”
“I understand all of that—”
“Akito—”
“But… but… No matter what, it’s no use…!”
“Because you’re… you’re so nice…! I’m sure now, you’ll talk to me like nothing happened… Kohane too… and An… You three will just say, ‘so that’s how it was,’ and you’ll smile, and you’ll keep acting like everything’s fine, like it’s normal…!”
“And the next day, and the day after that, everyone won’t ever change— You’ll make me think nothing’s changed…!”
“...Akito—”
“That’s just… fuck— That’s just how everyone is…”
“It’s good… and I know— I fucking know it’s a good thing—!”
“But—But for that to be ‘cuz this shit happened… I hate it!”
“Akito… please—”
“I’m sorry.”
“Ah—wait—!”
“I’m sorry for not telling you all this time, I’m sorry—because I couldn’t face you.”
He took in a slow breath. “Shiraishi. Azusawa.”
Both girls turned around.
He looked away. “…I don’t think Akito’s coming today.”
Kohane’s eyes widened. “Eh? But… he said he wanted to tell us something, right? Yesterday, after the festival—he was so serious about it…”
“Yeah.” An said, all her teasing gone. “What do you mean, he’s not coming? Did something happen?”
Toya shook his head. “I… can’t say the details.”
That was all he could manage. He didn’t know if he even had the right to tell them what had happened.
Kohane nodded slowly. “Alright…”
Toya nodded once, grateful for her understanding but hating himself for it.
So they continued practice, or at least, they tried to. The music started again, a familiar rhythm filling the park. The Vivids’ voice was strong as ever—but it felt off, missing a thread that usually bound the four of them together.
Toya took his position, but he kept glancing toward the entrance every few seconds.
The girls noticed.
An sang a bit early during one verse, and Kohane stumbled right after her. The music cut off abruptly.
“Sorry,” An muttered, pressing her palm to her forehead. “That was my fault.”
Kohane shook her head. “No, it’s okay. I wasn’t focused either…” Her eyes darted toward Toya. “Aoyagi-kun, are you sure you’re alright? You’ve been… spacing out.”
He hesitated. “Sorry. I just… keep thinking about something.”
“Akito?” An asked.
He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.
An sighed and sat down on a bench, propping her chin on her hand. “Figures. You two are always like that. If one of you’s off, the other’s a wreck.”
Kohane sat beside her, hands folded in her lap. “Did… something happened between you two yesterday?” she asked gently, though her voice was laced with worry.
Toya’s chest tightened. “...You could say that.”
Neither of them pushed further. They just watched him, the weight of unspoken concern hanging between them.
“Y’know, if he really isn’t coming… that’s not like him. Even when he’s sick, he shows up and says something dumb like ‘I’m fine, shut up.’” she said, smiling fondly at the memory. “So if he’s not here…”
Kohane looked down. “Then something must really be wrong.”
She turned down the volume and looked toward the park again, her expression quietly hoping that Akito might suddenly appear there, breathless, shouting an apology for being late.
He didn’t.
An stood, brushing dust from her jeans. “Alright,” she started. “Let’s call it here for now.”
Kohane nodded, but her smile was faint. “Yeah… okay.”
Toya stayed where he was.
When the girls packed up their things and started to leave, he lingered a moment longer.
He pulled out his phone, the empty message box glaring back at him. The last text from Akito was from yesterday morning—
Akito 🧡
See you at the festival partner
10.16
:)
10.17
>:D
10.17
Akito
I’m so sorry
17.19
Please, talk to me.
17.56
Akito…
18.04
He stared at the many messages he tried sending after those. Then typed something. Erased it. Tried again.
Where are you? >>>
He hovered over the send button. Then, slowly, he deleted the message
Without another thought, he swiped to a playlist, Vivid BAD SQUAD’s songs—and scrolled until his finger stopped on a familiar track.
“Ready Steady”
He tapped the screen.
The bright flash of light and colorful triangles transported him into a different place—the Street SEKAI.
Toya exhaled shakily, he walked into Crase Café.
“Ah…” MEIKO looked up from behind the counter, a towel draped over her shoulder. The warm scent of coffee filled the room, mixed with something faintly sweet from the oven. “You’ve come here today too, huh.”
Her voice seemed to understand before he even spoke.
Toya hesitated by the doorway. “…Yeah.”
Miku leaned over the counter. “Oh? Look who decided to drop by.” she said.
MEIKO gestured toward the counter. “Come, sit. I’ll make you something.”
Toya slid into one of the stools, his hands folded loosely on the counter. The seat across from him was empty. He could almost see Akito sitting there—elbow on the table as he teased him over some failed attempt at small talk or another one of Toya’s attempts at customer service.
Miku tilted her head. “You’re looking for someone, right?”
He hesitated. “…Akito.”
MEIKO stilled for a moment, then set the cup down slowly. “You haven’t met him, have you.”
“No… I’ve tried, but…” He glanced down. “It’s like he’s… gone. Even my messages don’t—”
“I see.”
MEIKO rested her elbows on the counter, watching him with gentle eyes. “Toya. You’ve been blaming yourself, haven’t you.”
He froze. MEIKO gave him a knowing smile.
Toya didn’t answer. He just stared at the empty cup in front of him. “…I didn’t know it would turn out like this.”
“No one ever does,” MEIKO said. “Not you, not Akito, not anyone.”
“…But it still feels like my fault,” he whispered.
Miku sighed, spinning her straw between her fingers. “You’re such a serious one, Toya. Always shouldering everything alone.” Her tone turned strangely sharp for a moment, eyes gleaming faintly. “You do know that doesn’t help anyone, right?”
He looked up, startled.
She grinned. “He wouldn’t want you to sit here and drown in guilt. That’s boring. He himself literally ran 3 blocks to talk with you once, didn’t he?”
Toya blinked. “…He did do that.”
“See?” Miku leaned back with a satisfied grin. “You’re learning.”
The moment of levity faded just as quickly.
Toya sighed. “I keep thinking… if I’d been more prepared. If I’d said something, anything, that wouldn’t make him look like that. If I had known it would turn out like this… maybe I could’ve stopped him from running.”
“Maybe,” MEIKO murmured. “But maybe not. No one can predict things like that.”
He clenched his fists on the counter. “Still… I keep replaying it. The things I could’ve said, the way I should’ve reacted.” He breathed out shakily. “When I saw his face—how scared he was—everything I thought I understood just… disappeared.”
Miku’s eyes softened. “You’re human, Toya. You can’t possibly know everything someone else is feeling, and messing up at times of distress like this… it’s natural.”
“That doesn’t make it hurt any less.” Toya said.
Silence stretched between them again.
Finally, Toya spoke again. “Even now… I just want to see him. To talk. To tell him it doesn’t change anything. That I still— that we’re still the same BAD DOGS, the same partners. That nothing about him will ever change that for me.”
Miku twirled her straw again. “Then why are you here instead of there?”
He looked up.
She leaned forward, expression suddenly unreadable. “You want to talk to him? Then go find him. Words just don’t reach through silence.”
MEIKO set down the cup in front of him—black coffee, the faintest steam rising. “Miku’s right. If you think you want to talk with Akito, then it’s better to do so. I’d like you to.”
Toya stared at her. “…You would?”
“Yes.” MEIKO said. “Because no one else could have the same impact as you talking with him. After all, you were the person Akito trusts most, right?”
“And—you can’t just wait for him to come back. And you know how he’s like, he’ll only sink deeper into it if you don’t pull him out.” Miku added.
Toya looked between them. “…But what if I just make it worse? What if talking to him hurts him more?”
“Then you’ll apologize and try again,” Miku said bluntly. “You two are good at that, aren’t you?”
“You can only do what you truly wish to do. There’s no perfect answer. There never is.” MEIKO explained.
He breathed out. “I want to see him,” he said. “I want to find him and tell him— tell him that I’m still here. That I’m not going anywhere.”
MEIKO nodded. “Then that’s enough.”
She stepped from behind the counter, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder. “When you find him… don’t overthink it. Just say what’s on your mind.”
“…Thank you.” he said quietly. Toya stood up. “I’ll meet up with him, I’ll tell him properly this time.”
MEIKO smiled. “That’s all I ask.”
Miku waved lazily. “Go get him, loverboy.”
“Miku—”
She laughed. “Kidding! Kidding! Mostly.”
He blinked, cheeks turning slightly pink before mumbling a quick “thank you” to the both of them.
The morning sunlight filtered through the windows of Kamiyama High.
It had been a long day already, though Toya couldn’t quite remember what any of his teachers had said. He couldn’t focus too much.
His notebook lay open, pen hovering over the same half-finished line. His handwriting looked messier than usual, and his notes were incomplete.
He might have to ask one of his classmates for their notes for once.
When the bell rang for break, he found himself standing before he’d even thought about it. His body moved on its own, a familiar habit having him through the corridor.
He wasn’t thinking of where he was going—just following a path his feet had memorized.
It wasn’t until he reached Class 2-A that he blinked back into awareness.
Someone nearly collided with him. “Whoa—Toya?”
He looked up. “Ah—Shiraishi.”
An straightened up, brushing her skirt off. “What are you doing all the way over here?”
He froze. “Ah… right. I just—walked here without realizing.”
Her brows furrowed. “You were looking for Akito, weren’t you?”
Toya hesitated. “...Maybe.”
“That’s weird, huh.” she said, “He didn’t come to school today.”
“Didn’t come?” he repeated quietly, though he already knew the answer.
“Yep.” she said, popping the ‘p’ sound. “It’s not like him at all. He hasn’t been responding to my messages either.”
He looked away, fingers tightening around his notebook. “I see.”
An sighed. “I mean… he did say he wanted to talk to us, so maybe he’s just… figuring things out?” She tried to sound casual, but her voice betrayed her worry. “Still...”
Toya nodded. He stood there a moment longer after she left, staring at the classroom. The desk near the window—Akito’s seat—was unoccupied, the chair pushed in neatly.
He doesn’t want to see anyone right now
The day dragged on. He went through his classes, wishing school would end faster. When the final bell rang, he gathered his books and headed toward the library.
He had library duty. Stacking books, recording returns, helping a first-year find a novel. The rhythm of it all was steady, calm, something he could lose himself in for a while.
When the clock struck five (17.00), the school had begun to empty. The sky outside was stained orange, soft clouds glowing at the edges. He closed the library door behind him.
He adjusted his bag and started toward the main gate.
That’s when he saw her.
Ena was walking down the corridor from the opposite direction, phone in hand. Her blazer was slightly ruffled, and she seemed to have been in a rush going out
“Ena-san!” Toya called, almost without thinking. “Wait!”
She stopped, blinking at him in surprise. “Eh? Toya-kun?”
He jogged the last few steps to catch up, slightly out of breath. “Sorry—didn’t mean to startle you.”
She tilted her head, smiling softly at him. “It’s fine. What’s up? You don’t usually stop me like that.”
Toya hesitated for a moment. “…I wanted to ask about Akito.” he said.
Ena raised her eyebrows. “Akito?”
He nodded. “He didn’t come to school today. I was wondering if he’s okay.”
For a moment, Ena’s expression softened—then flickered with something unreadable. “He’s… at home.” She paused, eyes darting briefly to the side. “He’s sick.”
Toya’s brow furrowed slightly. “Sick?”
“Yeah.” she said. “It’s nothing serious. He just… needs rest.”
Toya nodded slowly, though his chest ached with the weight of everything left unsaid. “That’s…”
Ena sighed, rubbing at her temple. “You know the truth, don’t you?”
He glanced up.
“He came home late two days ago. Didn’t say anything at first. I thought he’d gotten into another argument, you know how he is. But then…” she stopped. “Never mind. You don’t need to hear that part.”
Toya said nothing, only listening.
Ena exhaled sharply. “I can bet it’s the same ones who ran their mouths back in middle school—I swear to every god out there I’m going to beat the living shit out of—” she hissed.
She caught Toya’s surprised look and sighed. “Sorry, got a little worked up there.”
“No,” he said quietly. “You’re right to be.”
She looked at him again. It really didn’t take that long to piece it together
“…You were there, weren’t you.”
Toya didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. The silence said enough.
Ena crossed her arms, frowning. “So that’s how it is.”
After a moment, her expression softened. “You know… I get it. When something like that happens, it’s hard to know what to do. I promised to wait for them, and I will keep waiting until they can talk to me about it. I can’t imagine how I would be if that happened between us…”
Toya’s eyes widened slightly.
“That’s the thing about people,” Ena continued, her tone gentler. “We can’t exactly force it to have it go our way right? You must’ve waited a while for Akito to talk, right? It’s the same for me with them. All we can do, is keep waiting and be there for them when they need it.”
Ena adjusted her bag strap, eyes softening. “You’re his partner, Toya-kun. He talks about you allooottt—trust me.”
Toya blinked. “He… does?”
“Mm. He tries to act cool, but he talks about you a lot when he thinks no one’s listening.” Ena said, grinning when Toya turned faintly pink.
Toya lowered his gaze, a faint warmth spreading through his chest.
“I can’t say I’ve always been the best sister for him—” Ena started.
“We’ve fought more times than I can count. I didn’t understand him for a long time. But I’m glad—” she paused. “I’m glad he found someone like you Toya-kun”
Toya blinked
“Don’t look so shocked. I can give compliments, you know.” she deadpanned.
“Thank you… Ena-san.”
“Anytime.” She glanced down at her phone, eyes widening. “Oh—shoot, I need to head to class. Class starts in ten minutes.”
She began walking backward toward the stairwell, waving with one hand. “You have my number, right? If you need to talk about him—just text me! I’ll info you about stuff too.”
Toya nodded. “I will. Thank you.”
She grinned. “Good. Don’t give up on him, okay? That’s your job, Aibou-kun.”
He watched her disappear down the hallway, the sound of her footsteps fading into the distance.
He can do this. Ena-san believes in him too.
The members of Vivid BAD SQUAD (minus one.) gathered inside Crase Café.
Kohane sat by the counter, fingers wrapped loosely around her drink. An next to her, scrolling idly through her phone but not really paying attention. Miku, MEIKO, Rin, Len, KAITO, and Luka were all scattered around the café.
Akito’s absence was… pretty noticeable.
“…He still hasn’t shown up,” An muttered, finally breaking the silence.
Kohane looked down, her voice soft. “It’s already been a week since the festival…”
MEIKO wiped down the counter.. “He hasn’t been here either,” she said gently. “Not once since then.”
An’s phone screen dimmed. She shoved it into her pocket with a sigh. “I texted him. Kohane did too. No response.”
The silence that followed pressed against them like heavy air.
Toya stood a short distance away, sitting by the counter. He’d barely said a word since they arrived.
Kohane looked up, hesitating for a long moment before speaking. “Aoyagi-kun…”
He blinked, startled from his thoughts. “Hm?”
“Did something happen,” she asked gently, “between you and Shinonome-kun?”
An turned to him immediately, eyes sharp but not unkind. “Yeah. Because you’ve been weird too. You know something, don’t you?”
Toya froze. His gaze dropped to the floor. “…I can’t talk about the details, but—”
Before he could finish, MEIKO set the towel down, watching him carefully. Miku leaned forward slightly, eyes glimmering with something too knowing for her casual tone.
Rin’s mouth opened, ready to ask more—but Luka stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “Give him a second, Rin.”
Toya swallowed hard. The words stuck in his throat again.
Miku sighed, breaking the tension. “You’re both so stubborn,” she said softly. “You and Akito. Always hiding behind silence until someone forces it out.”
Len shifted uneasily, fidgeting with his sleeves. “But if Akito’s not here, and he won’t answer… what do we do?”
“That’s the problem, isn’t it?” KAITO said, scratching his head. “We can’t really call him if he’s not picking up.”
Kohane looked down at her hands, her voice trembling. “He said he had something important to tell us that day. And now he’s just… gone.”
Toya clenched his fists. “He was going to tell us.”
Miku tilted her head. “Then he probably still does want to. But maybe he needs help finding his voice again.”
“Help?” An echoed, frowning.
“Mm.” Miku’s expression softened. “All of you care about him, right? Then we’ll help bring him back. But in the end…” She turned her gaze toward Toya. “You’re the one who has to talk to him, Toya.”
He stared at her wide-eyed. “Me?”
MEIKO nodded, her tone gentle but firm. “You’re his partner. The person he trusts the most, even when he won’t admit it. You were there when everything happened.”
“…That’s exactly why he doesn’t want to see me.” he mumbled.
Miku tilted her head. “Maybe. Or maybe he’s just waiting for you to try.”
Rin and Len exchanged worried looks, both unusually quiet. “We’ll help too!” Len said suddenly, almost tripping over his words. “If he’s lost, we can look for him, right?”
“Yeah!” Rin added quickly. “We can keep trying to pop up on his phone, just in case!”
Luka chuckled softly. “Fufu~ you two have a lot of energy to keep doing that.”
An leaned back in her chair, pumping her fist up. “If he’s really hiding somewhere here, we’ll find him!”
Kohane smiled, determination flickering in her eyes. “Then… let’s do it!”
Toya stayed still, watching them all.
MEIKO stepped closer, placing a steady hand on his shoulder. “You’re not alone in this,” she said softly. “But remember, Toya—no one else can say the words he needs to hear. That has to come from you.”
He met her gaze and nodded slowly. “…I understand.”
Miku leaned against the doorframe, smiling. “Then go find him, Toya.”
“...Alright.”
Toya’s thumb pressed against the screen, pausing “Ready Steady.” The familiar brightlight wrapped around him, and within seconds, the Street SEKAI melted away.
The air outside was cooler than before, a late-evening breeze brushing past his face as he stepped onto the quiet streets of Shibuya.
Students were already heading home from their clubs, a few shops closing early for the night.
He adjusted his bag over his shoulder and started walking. The weight of silence pressed gently against his ears, but after the noise of the day, it didn’t feel unbearable—just heavy enough to keep him grounded.
His phone buzzed softly in his pocket.
He slowed his pace, glancing at the screen.
Ena-san
Toya-kun, Akito has to go to supplementary classes in a few days.
he missed too many days
I think that would be a good time to snag him
18.27
Toya stopped under the glow of a streetlamp, reading the message twice, three times. The quiet hum of the evening felt sharper all of a sudden.
Supplementary classes.
So Akito would come back to school. It was a sign he wasn’t completely shutting himself off.
His fingers hovered over the keyboard before he typed a reply.
Thank you, Ena-san. I’ll keep that in mind.
18.42
...you’ll talk to him, right?
properly, this time?
18.45
Toya stared at the words, the light of the screen reflected faintly in his eyes.
He typed slowly.
I will.
18.46
The message sent. For a while, he just stood there, listening to the buzz of activity around him.
The idea of seeing Akito again made his chest ache.
He wasn’t afraid of facing him—but he was terrified of saying the wrong thing. He remembered that look on Akito’s face when he had run away—shame, fear, anger, all tangled together in something.
Toya let out a quiet breath, slipping the phone back into his pocket. He continued walking
He took the long route home without realizing, his path winding through streets he and Akito had walked together a hundred times before after practice.
Back then, Akito would always walk slightly ahead, talking about song ideas, or about what new trick An had pulled off, or about how Kohane’s voice was “kinda unfairly good, huh.” He’d laugh, hands either gesturing while talking or touching Toya one way or another, and Toya would listen quietly, replying just enough to keep him going.
He missed that sound—Akito’s voice.
Toya slowed again, looking down at his hands. He missed his partner’s physical affection.
If he wanted to hear that voice again, he couldn’t stay like this—unsure, hesitant. Ena-san was right; he had to face him properly this time.
Still, he couldn’t shake the uncertainty curling in his chest. He needed guidance—not from Kohane or An, not yet. They deserved to know, but he couldn’t tell them until he’d steadied himself first.
He needed advice from someone who could look at things clearly, someone who could advise him like an older brother far more than his own older brothers..
The Tenma household was a second home to him.
He stood at the front door for a moment before raising his hand to knock. The sound barely finished before it swung open.
“TOYA!” Tsukasa beamed. “Good to see you!”
Toya bowed his head slightly. “Tsukasa-senpai… sorry for coming so late. I just—”
“Nonsense!” Tsukasa interrupted with a wave of his hand, grinning. “You my dearest little brother, are welcome at any hour! Come in, come in!”
He stepped aside dramatically to let Toya enter.
“I, uh…” Toya glanced down. “I won’t stay too long. I just really need your advice.”
That got Tsukasa’s attention. His smile softened immediately. “Advice, huh? Alright.”
He gestured inside again. “Come in, then. Oh, and don’t worry about your shoes!”
Toya automatically bent down to take them off anyway, polite to a fault.
Tsukasa laughed. “I should’ve guessed. Ah—your slippers are there!” He pointed to a neatly arranged pair by the rack, navy blue with stars stitched at the sides.
“You visit often enough, so Saki insisted we keep them ready!” Tsukasa said, puffing his chest out proudly.
Toya blinked, faintly smiling. “…I see.”
Tsukasa led him toward the living room. The space was as full of life as the rest of the house—soft cushions, one of the many pegasus plushies the Tenmas owned, and other stuff. It was far more cozy than the sleek, hard couch Toya had at home.
Toya sat down on the couch when Tsukasa motioned for him to, sitting with perfect posture even as his hands rested tightly on his knees.
“So!” Tsukasa began, plopping down across from him. “What weighs so heavily on your mind, Toya?”
Toya took a slow breath. “It’s… about Akito.”
Tsukasa tilted his head, gesturing at him to go on.
“He was going to tell me something,” Toya began. “Something important. But before he could… some people told me first. And when Akito found out, he ran away. I tried to reach him, but I couldn’t.”
Tsukasa’s brows furrowed slightly. He didn’t interrupt, just listened.
“I haven’t seen him since,” Toya continued. “He hasn’t come to practice, hasn’t answered anyone. Ena-san said he’s been home, but… he doesn’t want to talk. I’ll have a chance to see him soon, but I still don’t know what to say when I do. I thought maybe… you’d know what to do.”
Tsukasa sat back, crossing his arms and humming thoughtfully.
The silence stretched just long enough that Toya started to worry he’d said too much. Then Tsukasa looked up, eyes determined.
“I can’t say I’ve faced the exact same thing,” Tsukasa admitted. “But I’ve had to bring someone back before.”
Toya blinked. “You have?”
Tsukasa chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Ah, yes. You see… there was a time when my dear troupe members and I had quite the falling out.”
Toya stayed silent, it was his turn to listen now.
“But I realized something,” Tsukasa explained. “You can’t bring someone back just by waiting for them to return. Sometimes, you have to step forward first, even if they push you away. Especially then.”
Toya’s gaze dropped to his hands. “…I don’t know if I can. I already said the wrong thing once.”
Tsukasa shook his head. “Toya, I’ve said the wrong thing many times before. You wouldn’t believe how often Nene scolds me for it.”
“Still,” Tsukasa continued, “what matters isn’t what you said before. It’s what you say now. People aren’t like statues—they move and they change. So can the words between you.”
He paused for a moment, eyes glinting with that familiar warmth. Then, with a grin, he said, “I might have an idea.”
Toya looked up.
Tsukasa straightened, folding his arms dramatically but with a smile that was all heart. “It’s not exactly the same situation,” he admitted. “But it’s close enough that I think it might work.”
The back of WEEKEND GARAGE was quieter than usual that afternoon.
Toya stood in front of the small table. Kohane and An sat across from him, both listening intently.
When he finished explaining, neither spoke for a moment. The air hung still, heavy with the weight of what he’d just said.
Then An leaned back, exhaling through her nose. “So that’s your plan, huh?”
Toya nodded once. “Yeah.”
An’s lips curved into a grin, determined. “Alright. I’m in.”
Kohane blinked, then nodded quickly. “Me too, of course! If it’s for Shinonome-kun, I’ll help however I can.”
Relief flickered faintly across Toya’s face. “Thank you.”
An tapped her fingers against the table thoughtfully. “Alright, then. Strategy time. If Akito’s going to be at supplementary classes in a few days, we should figure out how to catch him before he runs off again.”
Kohane tilted her head slightly, brow furrowed. “Catch him…?”
“Not literally,” An said quickly, though a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes. “But maybe we could wait near Kamikou’s front gate. He’s gotta go through there to head to class.”
Toya frowned, shaking his head slightly. “What if he’s avoiding those routes too? He’s been… good at avoiding people lately.”
Kohane pressed her fingers to her lips, thinking hard. Then, suddenly, her eyes lit up. She leaned toward An and whispered something into her ear.
An’s eyebrows shot up. Kohane whispered a few more words, and soon An’s grin spread wide again. “Actually… that’s not a bad idea at all.”
Toya looked between them, confused. “What idea?”
Kohane giggled, pressing a finger to her lips. “It’s a secret for now, Aoyagi-kun.”
“Don’t worry, it’s perfect. Leave the details to us, alright?” An said with a smirk.
He nodded. “Alright—”
The three of them sat there for a moment.
Then Kohane spoke again. “Aoyagi-kun, remember what Miku-chan said?”
Toya looked up.
“She said that, in the end, you’ll have to be the one to talk with Shinonome-kun.”
“Yeah! You’re his partner, after all” An said, looping an arm around Kohane’s waist. “If anyone can reach him, it’s you.”
Toya’s expression softened, his gaze distant for a moment as though replaying every memory—every late-night talk after practice, every moment when words didn’t need to be said, everything he’s ever been through with his partner.
“I have many things I’d like to say to Akito,” he said. “I’ll make sure he knows… we accept him. No matter what.”
Kohane’s eyes glimmered, and An smiled softly.
“That’s the spirit,” An said, pumping her fist up. “We’re not letting him run away forever. Not when we’re still his team.”
Kohane nodded. “Once we manage to bring him into the SEKAI, we’ll wait at Crase Café with Miku-chan and the others. And after you talk to Shinonome-kun… we’ll figure out what to do from there.”
An tilted her head, smiling gently. “However Akito wants to continue it.”
Toya looked at both of them—their determination, their warmth, the trust that bounded them all together.
“…Right,” he said. “However he wants to continue it.”
The three of them sat together for a while longer, finalizing the small details of Kohane’s plan. But by the end of it, one thing was certain—
They were going to get Akito back.
The entrance to Kamiyama High wasn’t too crowded that day.
Toya, Kohane, and An stood hidden just a little ways from the front gate, half-shielded behind a row of trees that lined the sidewalk. They’d been there for nearly twenty minutes already, watching students pass as they waited.
An crouched low with her phone in hand, thumbs tapping quickly against the screen. “Okay… ready?” she asked.
Kohane leaned over slightly to peek. “You’re sending it now?”
“Yeah.” An smirked, pressing the send button. “And… done!”
A moment later, her message pinged into the Vivid BAD SQUAD group chat.
“There.” An grinned, spinning the phone around so the other two could see the screen. “If he sees that, he’ll think we’re all at the SEKAI. No way he suspects we’re waiting here instead.”
Kohane exhaled softly, both nervous and excited. “I hope this works…”
Toya’s voice was calm but low, steady. “It will. We just have to trust that Akito still checks the group chat.”
An grinned. “Oh, he totally does. You know how he is—he reads everything even when he pretends not to care.”
Kohane giggled hands pressed together. “Then… we wait.”
So they waited.
The minutes stretched slow. Kohane fidgeted, checking her phone every few seconds. An tried to act casual, but her nerves showed in the way she kept smoothing her skirt. Toya remained still, paying attention to their surroundings.
Finally, a flash of orange caught their eyes.
Akito.
Akito walked down the street with a more hurried stride, hood up, hands jammed into his pockets.
“Tch…” he muttered under his breath. His sneakers scraped against the pavement. He didn’t even want to go to school, not really. Every step felt heavier than the last.
But he had no choice.
His grades were already shit enough—missing more days would only make things worse. He couldn’t drag everyone else down by repeating a year. Not when the others were doing their best. Not when he had already let them down enough.
He sighed, rubbing at the back of his neck, when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, expecting another notice from the school. Instead, it was a message from the Vivid BAD SQUAD group chat.
Vivid BAD SQUAD!!!!
An
don’t forget practice today!!! meet in sekai!!
15.14
Kohane
ദ്ദി ( ᵔ ᗜ ᵔ )
15.17
Toya (Partner) 💙
👍
15.17
For a second, he felt better.
So they were still meeting today, huh. He’d missed too many already. Maybe… maybe he could drop by later, after the supplementary class. Just to see them. Just for a bit.
He stuffed his phone back into his pocket, walking faster now, his heartbeat quickening. He didn’t even notice the shadows waiting near the gate until—
“Gotcha!”
An lunged from behind a tree, tackling him with all the subtlety of an explosion.
“What the—?!” Akito stumbled, but before he could react, Kohane appeared from the other side, throwing her arms around him.
“Please don’t resist, Shinonome-kun—!” she squeaked.
Akito’s eyes went wide. He tried to twist free. An was clinging to him, Kohane was holding on for dear life, and the two of them were shouting something he couldn’t even process. His body froze, panic rushing through him before he could even find the words to speak.
And then—
A firm hand grabbed onto them.
Akito looked up, breath catching, and saw Toya standing over them.
His other hand was already moving, pulling out his phone. The reflection of light glinted against the screen—Ready Steady.
Light erupted around them alongside the burst of holographic triangles.
Kohane held on tighter, An’s grip unrelenting. Toya’s eyes stayed locked on Akito’s, steady and unwavering even as the glow surrounded them.
Akito stumbled forward as his feet hit solid ground again, gasping as the light around them faded.
“Wha—what the hell—?!” He blinked rapidly, realizing where they were, the realization hitting him like a jolt of cold water.
The Street SEKAI.
He spun around, panic rushing in. He didn’t want to be here now. He didn’t want them to see him like this.
“Don’t—” he started, trying to bolt, but a firm grip caught his wrist before he could take two steps.
Toya’s hand.
“Let go of me!” Akito struggled, pulling back hard, but Toya didn’t. His grasp tightened just enough to keep him from running without hurting him.
“Akito—”
“I said let me go—!”
Kohane rushed in from behind, murmuring a quick, panicked apology as she snatched Akito’s phone from his pocket.
“Huh—Kohane—!?”
“Sorry, Shinonome-kun!” she stammered, holding it close to her chest as she turned to An. “Here, An-chan—!”
“Got it!” An grabbed the phone and sprinted off, Kohane following right after her toward Crase Café.
“Wait—!” Akito shouted, but the two were already gone.
Which left only him. And Toya.
The silence that followed pressed like weight against the air, filled only by the faint hum of distant music and Akito’s uneven breathing.
Toya didn’t let go. His hand still wrapped firmly around Akito’s wrist.
“Akito—” he began.
“Don’t,” Akito muttered, eyes fixed on the ground. “Please… you don’t have to—”
“Just hear me out first,” Toya said softly.
Akito froze.
Toya took a step closer, still holding his hand, his thumb brushing against the edge of Akito’s knuckles without even realizing. The small, rhythmic motion was almost calming, tracing soft circles over his skin.
“I’ve been thinking,” Toya said. “About that day. What I could’ve said. What I should’ve said.”
Akito’s breath hitched, but he didn’t interrupt.
“I kept wondering—if I had just said something different, if I hadn’t frozen, if I’d said the words you needed to hear… would things have gone differently? I don’t know the answer. But now I do know what I want to say—”
Toya drew in a quick breath. “I want to stay with you, Akito. Forever.”
Akito’s head snapped up, his eyes wide. “Toya…”
But the word barely made it out. He tried to look away, trying to keep the tears from spilling. “Just… just give up on me already, damnit! Why do you have to be so… so—!”
His voice rose, shaky. “I don’t want you to keep getting dragged through the mud with me! You’ve already had to put up with so much crap because I’m shit at singing, because I’m—”
“Don’t say that about yourself!” the bluenette yelled. “You’re wrong, Akito!”
Akito flinched
“I don’t care what other people would say!” Toya continued. “That’s not what I wanted to talk about. I don’t want to lose you again, Akito. And I’m not going to start treating you any differently because of this. I just want to stay by your side.”
“Toya…”
“Forget about how I’ll feel! All of that doesn’t matter. Because being with you—” Toya’s breath hitched. “Being with you is the best thing in my life— If the option is between that, or losing you forever, then I don’t fucking care!”
Akito’s eyes widened. Toya didn’t swear often. It hit Akito harder than anything else—the certainty in Toya’s voice, the desperation.
“Just tell me what you want, Akito,” Toya said quietly, his tone shaking. “Please.”
Akito opened his mouth, but no words came. His knees buckled, but before he could hit the ground, Toya caught him. They both sat down on the ground, Toya pulling him close.
The ginger’s hands clutched weakly at Toya’s jacket. “I don’t want anything to change between us—between Vivid BAD SQUAD. I can’t just accept people treating me like I’m made of glass because of it. But I just—” He choked, voice splintering. “I don’t want you to leave me again!”
Toya’s own tears spilled before he could stop them, his arms tightening around Akito’s shoulders.
“I’m not leaving,” he said. “Never again.”
Akito pulled back to face Toya.
“Is it really okay… for someone like me to stand next to you?” he asked quietly.
Toya let out a short, breathless laugh and brushed a hand through Akito’s messy hair.
“Akito,” he said softly. “You’re my best friend. The first real friend I ever got myself. And… you’re my most precious partner. If you want to, then—”
Akito looked up through the blur of tears, his lip curving into a small smile. His hand moved up to grip Toya’s sleeve, tugging him closer until their foreheads touched.
“If I want to, then I can…” Akito repeated. “It really was just that simple, huh?”
Toya smiled through his tears. “Yeah. It really was.”
Akito laughed weakly, before he leaned forward, burying his face against Toya’s shoulder, and Toya’s arms wrapped around him again, holding him tightly.
When the tears finally slowed, the air around them felt... lighter. Better.
Akito sat back a little, the under parts of his eyes were red from him rubbing at them too hard, his breathing coming in slow, uneven exhales. He wiped the corner of his eye with the back of his hand and let out a tired laugh. “Thanks man… For not giving up on me.”
Toya’s answer came immediately, simple and warm. “Of course.”
The word hung there, solid and sure. It was the kind of reply Akito didn’t know how to respond to, so he didn’t. He just looked down, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.
Silence settled for a bit.
Eventually, Akito exhaled. “…I still wish I could’ve told you myself.”
Toya looked at him quietly, thumb brushing over his hand again. “If you want,” he said softly, “you could tell me now.”
Akito blinked at him. “Huh?”
Toya hesitated, searching for the right words. “Those people—they never told me exactly. They were just being stupid. Inconsiderate. And frankly uneducated assholes.” he said, completely deadpan.
Akito’s eyes went wide for a second before a startled laugh broke through. “Toya, I will never get used to you swearing.”
A small smile flickered on Toya’s face. “I’m serious.”
“I know,” Akito said, shaking his head. “You’re terrifying when you mean it.”
Toya just gave him that patient look again, grabbing the younger’s hand. “My point is, they never actually told me. So… go ahead. Tell me, properly. This time in your words.”
Akito stared at him for a long second, then took a shaky breath. “…I’m trans.” His voice was quiet but clear. “I wasn’t born a guy—but…”
Toya didn't let go of his hand. “Akito is Akito… nothing will ever change that. You’ll always be my precious partner”
Akito’s throat tightened again, but this time it wasn’t from panic—it was from something else. Relief maybe.
After a long pause, Toya spoke again. “The rest of Vivid BAD SQUAD is waiting for you. Do you… want to tell them now too?”
Akito glanced toward the faint glow of Crase Café in the distance and nodded slowly. “Yeah. I-I promised them I would.” His voice wavered. “God, I’m pathetic—”
“How dare you say that about my precious partner,” Toya interrupted immediately, his pout so exaggerated it actually caught Akito off guard.
Akito laughed again. God his lungs hurt from how much he cried and laughed today. “Dude, stop. I get it.” He nudged Toya’s shoulder lightly.
They started walking together toward Crase Café, the sound of their footsteps falling into rhythm.
When they stepped through the doors, the warmth of the café washed over them. Kohane and An were sitting near the counter, deep in conversation with Miku and Luka, while MEIKO, KAITO, Rin, and Len were huddled at a nearby table. The chatter fell silent the moment the door opened.
“Shinonome-kun!” Kohane’s eyes lit up, relief washing across her face. She stood so quickly her chair almost toppled. “You’re back!”
An grinned, though her tone was softer than usual. “About time, man. You scared the hell out of us.”
The Virtual Singers all turned to look too—Miku smiling warmly, MEIKO nodding, Luka’s gaze kind, and KAITO waving a little too enthusiastically before MEIKO elbowed him. The twins beaming at the Akito’s return
Akito rubbed at the back of his neck, awkward under all the attention. “Uh… hey.” His voice cracked, and he grimaced. “I—uh, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you guys for a while.”
Toya stayed beside him, their hands still loosely joined. He gave Akito’s fingers a quiet squeeze.
Akito took a breath that shook a little on the way out. “I’m… I’m trans,” he said. “I wasn’t born a guy, but I am one now. I just—wanted you to hear it from me.”
The silence lasted only a heartbeat before An suddenly lunged forward and tackled him, nearly knocking him backward. “Dude—”
“An—!” Akito wheezed, but she was already hugging him, arms tight around his shoulders.
“Thanks for telling us…” she said.
Kohane quickly joined them, wrapping her arms around both. “I’m glad you told us, Shinonome-kun!”
Akito froze for a moment, overwhelmed. But then slowly—he melted into it. His hands came up, clutching their sleeves, his breath trembling out.
Toya stepped closer, kneeling down just enough to wrap his arms around the three of them.
“I’m sorry,” Akito managed to whisper, voice breaking again. “For running away. For cutting you all out. I just—”
An’s grip only tightened. “Bro,” she said, voice half laugh, half sob, “you’re one of my bestest best friends. You could kill someone and I’d help you hide the body.”
Toya gave her a look. “Shiraishi.”
“What?” she muttered, grinning through her tears. “Point is, whatever you are and whatever you do, none of that is gonna get rid of me.”
Kohane sniffled, shaking her head but smiling softly. “Mhm! Shinonome-kun is Shinonome-kun. That won’t ever change for us.”
Akito’s vision blurred again. He pressed a hand over his eyes. “You guys are ridiculous…”
Before any of them could say more, two voices chimed in—“Group hug!”
Rin and Len threw themselves into the pile with zero hesitation. “Uwahhh we missed you too Akito-kunn!” the yellow haired virtual singer cried.
Miku, MEIKO, Luka, and KAITO stood a little ways away, watching them with quiet pride.
“They did it,” MEIKO said softly. Miku smiled. “They always do.”
They broke apart the hug eventually, eyes still wet.
The Kagamine twins were quickly pulled back by Miku so that the teenagers could have their moment.
An wiped at her cheeks and gave Akito a light punch on the arm. “You—don’t ever do that again, man,” she said.
Akito rolled his eyes (affectionately). “Yeah, yeah, I won’t run away again. Besides…” He paused, his smile softening. “It feels good. To finally tell you all.”
Kohane covered her mouth. “Shinonome-kun, you’re going to make us cry again—”
“Too late,” An muttered, sniffing and rubbing her eyes again.
Toya laughed quietly beside them. “We’ve cried enough for a year already,” he said, though his eyes were still glistening too.
Akito looked at them all. Their tear-streaked faces, their stupid, shining smiles.
“…Thanks,”
An nudged him with her elbow. “Don’t thank us, idiot. We’re a team.”
A team…
Yeah.
Because they are a team.
They keep moving forward together.
And…
Akito looked to his side, his gaze meeting Toya’s. His partner smiled back oh so fondly at him.
Yeah… he wants to stay with Toya forever too…