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Akito walks into the airport.
It's weird to be here alone. He steps forward anyway, curiosity and nervousness and excitement pushing him closer to his gate. He wonders what the label president wants from him. He hadn't expected to be singled out, but if he has to go alone, then he will.
It's weird to be here. He moves on anyway, determination and anger and resolve pushing him away from the place choked with memories of Toya. He wonders who Ken-san's friend is. He was only told that ‘He'll recognize him for sure', and even if he doesn't, he doesn't care.
There's still half an hour until the gate opens, so he sits down in the waiting area, pulling out his phone. There's plenty of messages from the rest of his team, wishing him good luck, and he takes a moment to reply to them all. Next, he opens his browser to see familiar tabs; plenty of information about the label and their talents. He wants to remind himself of some important stuff before he gets on the plane.
There's still half an hour until the gate opens, so he sits down in the waiting area, pulling out his phone. There's a single message from Ena, wishing him good luck, and he takes a moment to reply to her. Next, he opens his browser to do some research; he's staying in New York, so he needs to read up on the teams and livehouses there. He wants to forget about Toya, and this is a good way to do so.
Time passes fast, and soon enough, he boards the plane. It's a little weird to do so without a trembling Toya at his side, especially when they'll probably be flying even more often now. At least he has the SEKAI if he wants to see his partner.
Time passes fast, and soon enough, he boards the plane. It's a little weird to do so without a parent at his side, but his old man barely spared a glance at the documents he had him sign. At least he can leave Toya behind without complications.
His mind wanders as the plane takes off. He didn't expect to return so soon; hell, he never expected an overseas label president to reach out to them. There's a weird sense of déja vu as he looks out the window; he's done this once twice already. Except this time, he's alone again.
His mind wanders as the plane takes off. He didn't expect to ever leave Tokyo; hell, he never expected to be able to travel overseas at his current age. There's a weird sense of unease as he looks out the window; he shouldn’t be alone in this. Except he is, because he doesn't need anyone Toya.
He kind of wishes Toya was here.
He'll be more than fine on his own, but he's gonna miss waking up in the same room as his partner, his quiet breathing contrasting the cacophony of cars outside the window. He's gonna miss their late-night talks, the way Toya's eyes gleamed in the artificial light coming from the outside as they faced each other on their beds, softly recalling the most exciting details of the day. Trying new food, seeing new sights, hearing new music, all of it made Toya's eyes shine, while his own heart sped up in response. It sounds childish, but it felt nice, kinda like a sleepover.
He'll be more than fine on his own, but he's gonna miss having someone by his side, a steadfast presence of support against the tumults of his life. He's gonna miss their practices, how every single one made him just a little better at reading Toya's face, how he learned which microexpression means “excitement”. They went to cafés, wandered to new streets, listened to other musicians, and all of it revealed more and more of who Toya was underneath the stony mask. It sounds childish, but it felt nice, getting to make a friend like this.
Toya offered to meet in SEKAI whenever possible; it's something, at least. He also promised to prepare notes for classes Akito's going to miss, and Akito's really not looking forward to cramming all the material. If he wants to keep doing this, he'll have to get used to studying a lot.
Toya left the country without a word; it pisses him off to no end. He didn't even give Akito a chance to talk, and even though Akito's bad at talking, he would've done it anyway. If talking to Toya made him stay in Shibuya, Akito would've ran to him and spilled his feelings in a heartbeat.
He never really expected to be on his own again.
He's gotten used to having a partner by his side, as well as a team to rely on. It's weird, not hearing An's teasing, Kohane trying to reign her in, Toya's low chuckle at their antics. It reminds him of how overwhelmingly quiet it was when he was alone; the music, the rude comments, the bustling sounds of everyday life were never loud enough, background noise to his lonely voice. There's a speck of warmth in his chest — gratitude, comforting and pleasant. He's glad to have his team, he's grateful they never gave up on him. Without them, he worries knows what he'd end up like.
He's gotten used to having a partner by his side, someone who can support him. It's weird, not hearing Toya’s honest comments, his amazed observations of the mundane, his low chuckle at Akito's jokes. It reminds him of how overwhelmingly quiet it was when he was alone; the music, the rude comments, the bustling sounds of everyday life were never loud enough, background noise to his lonely voice. There's a speck of heat in his chest — anger, righteous and scalding. He's mad that Toya left him, he's pissed Toya just gave up on him. Without him, he knows he will won't succeed regardless.
It's thanks to them he got so far; they're the reason he improved so much, and without them, surpassing RAD WEEKEND would've stayed a dream. Teaming up with Toya, and later with the Vivids, was the best things that could've happened to him. United by a single goal, they push each other to reach ever greater heights.
He doesn't need anyone to get far; his own determination is enough fuel to keep improving, and he doesn't need anyone to make his dream of surpassing RAD WEEKEND a reality. He doesn't need to team up with Toya, or anyone else, and he's better off alone. He has a single goal, and he'll do whatever it takes to reach it.
With the support of everyone back home,
He doesn't need anyone’s support,
he can take on any challenge that gets thrown his way.
Alone.