Work Text:
When Akito agreed (reluctantly, mind you!) to join Toya as a wedding extra, he didn’t realize how much work it would be. Ever since he stepped foot into the venue, that Rui guy had him dancing non-stop until his creative vision was realized. He had imagined the choreography would just be a little musical theater two-step like most of the flash mobs he’d seen online, but with just an hour until the ceremony, Akito was beyond exhausted. He would’ve quit by now, but he didn’t want some other poor guy to have to deal with Rui’s eccentrism.
Finally, he was given a ten-minute break so Rui could go work on a ‘surprise’ for the ceremony, and he wasted no time looking for Toya. After weaving in between the extras standing around the hall, Akito found him in a secluded part of the garden, likely the only place they could rest without running into the other extras. Toya was sitting on a white metal bench, mumbling under his breath and gesturing to no one.
Before he could ask what Toya was doing, the building’s door slammed behind Akito.
♫
Instinctively, Toya swiveled around on the bench and bowed, assuming a stranger came out to use the area. “Don’t mind me- Oh, hey. Sorry, you startled me a bit.”
“You look like you’re losing it. Everything alright?” Akito scratched the back of his head nervously.
“I’m fine; just trying to get this confession right. It’s.. it’s harder than I imagined.”
“What’s so hard about it? Never seen a romcom?”
Toya’s gaze wandered, his lips pursing. “I just don’t know what exactly I should say in the moment for it to be believable that I’m in love with the bride. I don’t actually know her, after all.”
“That’s it? Man, just think of something that you do love and channel that passion into your acting. Imagine how you feel about dancing and singing, and pretend the bride is some kinda representation of that. Got it?”
If only Akito knew that his advice was nearly identical to Rui, Toya thought. He’d probably throw a fit!
“That does make sense, thank you.”
A moment passed, only birdsong and the bubbling fountain water breaking the silence. Despite the serenity of the scene, something tense hovered over them; like a feeling of missed opportunity or words left unsaid.
“Are you gonna go back to talking to yourself if I leave?” Akito finally asked.
“I’m sure you have important duties as the dance team lead. I don’t want to trouble you.”
“Where’d that come from? If you were bothering me, you'd know. But man, if you keep that serious look on your face I’m worried you’re gonna start steaming or something. This isn’t worth getting a headache over.”
“I want to do my best!” Toya exclaimed, “I just need to practice more.”
Akito sighed and walked back towards the door. “Your loss. I’m gonna go see if there’s anything to eat in there. Don’t forget you still owe me pancakes in Sekai!”
“Right, sorry. Good luck with that.”
That lingering feeling returned as Akito let the door slowly close. Yet just before Toya’s image completely disappeared from view, he shook his head and swung it back open. With an eyeroll, he returned to the bench. “Practice on me.”
Toya was taken aback. Yes, Akito was his closest friend, and sure they’ve given each other advice before, but he never would have thought to practice confessing to him of all things. He never would have asked in a thousand years, and wouldn’t have expected the offer- no, the command, in a million more.
Seeing the lack of response, Akito was quick to amend his demand. “If you want, obviously. Just seemed like you wanted the help. ‘S all.” His hands fidgeted in the pockets of his suit pants. “Doesn’t make a difference to me”
“No, I would really appreciate it.” Toya smiled. “Only if you don’t mind, of course.”
To make the situation realistic, the pair wandered further away from the building, where a lovely white arch overlooked a pond, flowers creeping up the white metal like a trellis. The ground was too wet to kneel, so Toya decided to just stand in front of Akito, who was at the arch as if it was the altar on the other side of the venue. Though not as grand as the actual wedding, the scene was not without its romantic qualities.
Once they were in position, Akito prompted Toya to begin. “Show me what you’ve got.”
Toya closed his eyes, imagining the scene he would face in just an hour’s time. “Excuse me miss, before you say ‘I do’, please listen to me! This wasn’t what I thought I would do today, but I can’t just sit and let this happen. I have to tell you that I’ve been in love with you for a very long time, and I know it’s sudden, but I was hoping that-”
Before he could even finish, Akito laughed, almost a scoff. “You think anyone would listen to you if you started like that? Talk about lame!”
“Huh? What did I do wrong?”
“You gotta be more confident, make me believe that you’re desperate to get your feelings out. Less long-winded, more longing.”
“Alright, I’ll try again.”
Toya conjured up every romantic stereotype he could think of, hoping this time he would come off like a real heartthrob. “Ever since we first met, I’ve been thinking about you constantly. You're all that’s on my mind from the moment I wake up and even in my dreams at night. We’re like peanut butter and jelly, so please understand that we’re meant to be together!”
This time, Akito’s face was one of disgust. “That was the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen you do, dude. I know that director guy’s crazy about dramatics, but you gotta dial it back a little.”
“Thank you, I appreciate the feedback. This one should be more natural.”
“You know what? Switch places with me, I’ll show you what I’m talking about.” Akito blurted out, his heart racing as soon as the idea left his mouth.
Despite the absurdity of the situation, Toya nodded curiously and stepped over to the arch. Akito adjusted his tie and cleared his throat.
“Toya, your friendship has meant the world to me these past couple of years. I know I can be hard to deal with sometimes, but you’ve already made me into such a better person and I love performing with you. I can’t wait for the day we hold that legendary event together- all I ask is that you promise to be my partner for as long as we both may, uh, sing. Whaddya say?” Akito extended out his hand. There was a passion in his eyes that was impossible to miss, a sort of self-assurance mixed with vulnerability that was rare for him.
Is this… was he… truly confessing? Was that why he came up with the idea of practicing, why he agreed to join the event in the first place? Why now, of all times, to admit how he felt?
“Akito.. I..” Toya struggled to find the words to respond to such a brazen speech. It was just so sudden!
Luckily, Akito playfully hit his shoulder before he could give a full response. “See, that’s how you do it. You want her to be surprised like that, so overcome with emotion that she just might say yes.”
It was just acting after all, Toya thought, breathing deeply to calm his racing heart. “I see. Yeah, that was… very good.”
The sound of the door creaking open stole both boys’ attention. Rui stood in the doorway, a red flower petal stuck in his hair. What in the world had he been working on?
“Ah, so this is where you two’ve been hiding from me? Please return to the rehearsal space, I have a new addition to the script to tell everyone about!” Rui gleefully put his hands together, and Toya noticed Akito tense up out of the corner of his eye.
“We’ll be there in a second!” Akito grumbled. The switch from his prior demeanor was so jarring that it was almost as if they had been interrupted before a big moment. Again, Toya second-guessed their interaction.
Pleased, Rui shut the door, leaving the pair alone again. Toya tried to meet Akito’s eyes for any indication of his thoughts, but the moment was gone.
♫
The reception came and went, and all was well. Toya was proud that he was able to act well during the objection scene, and he even got some compliments on his singing from the wedding guests. By the time it was over, he was positively starving, and he was sure An and Akito were too. So, when he suggested a visit to Street Sekai, they wasted no time finding an empty area and transporting themselves to Meiko’s cafe.
As Akito devoured his well-earned pancakes, Toya still couldn’t get the confession out of his mind. Nor could he forget how good his teammate looked in a suit. Maybe he’d suggest for them all to perform in them someday, just to see it again.
When Akito looked up and noticed Toya staring at him, he was quick to avert his gaze. He may have been reading too much into it, but he could’ve sworn there was the faintest of blush dusting Akito’s cheek.
“You guys were so cool today,” An sighed dreamily. “I didn’t know you could act, Toya!”
“I learned from the best.” He looked at Akito once again. “Akito, you should think of joining a troupe someday.”
Akito didn’t even look up from his plate. “What do I have to do with anything? I don’t act.”