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“Get a load of that guy.”
“It truly is jarring.”
The hush snickers and criticism did not escape the sensitive ear of an ex-classical musician.
“They want to surpass RAD Weekend? With skills like that?”
The blue-haired man frowned. He parted his lips wanting to say something but was soon interrupted.
“Toya, let’s go.”
He noticed the slight frown on the ginger’s face and the way his voice came out lower than usual. Akito wordlessly slung his arm over his shoulder before ushering him out of the venue.
He felt this quiet anger boiling within Akito. A form of resentment that burned inside of him from the way he furrowed his fist.
Akito said nothing while silently guiding Toya out of the venue. And the Toya quietly followed his lead like he always does.
The two middle school boys entered the empty yet familiar park. With a soft scoff, Toya watched Akito connect the microphone to the small portable speaker he always carried around. He swiftly took the second microphone from his duffle bag.
Throughout the process, no words were exchanged between the two partners. No words were needed to understand what Akito wanted — what Toya wanted as well.
Two powerful yet desperate voices resonated throughout the harsh whispers of the streets; until both their voices became hoarse and sore the next day.
*
“Hey! You’re Aoyagi Toya right?”
He looked towards the source of the voice. They were the faces that consistently bad-mouthed and made fun of Bad Dogs.
‘No need to bother them,’ he inwardly thought whilst casting them a disinterested gaze.
He wordlessly walked away from them and continued to track the streets. After all, he promised to meet Akito at Weekend Garage. He must be waiting.
“Hey~! Don’t go yet!” Those people call out stubbornly.
One of them walked in front of him to block his way. “Say… what do you think of that Shinonome guy?”
The bluenette grimaced at their playful tone. Whatever it is that they have planned, he doesn’t want any part of it.
They didn't seem to notice his frown as they continued in a carefree tone. “I’m actually surprised someone as talented as you agreed to team up with that guy! His singing is awfully dogshit. But I’m sure that isn’t news to you!”
Unknowingly, he bit his lips before glaring up at them.
They stumbled back stunned at his responses. “Woah… what a scary face! It might even be scarier than Shinonome’s scowl,” they chuckled a nervous laugh — not taking Toya’s response seriously at all.
Could this be what Akito dealt with every time he sings here?
“Tell you what! Whenever you get bored of Shinonome, you can always come to us! Our team will always welcome a talent like you with open arms!” They offered rather cheerfully while gesturing for a handshake.
Toya swallowed back his rage as he walked right past them, ‘it’s better to ignore them than to be provoked by them,’ he repeated to himself.
“Come to us anytime!!”
Akito must be waiting. He quickened his pace as he continued to track down the familiar streets.
*
“I’m going to get a drink. Anything you want, Toya?”
The ginger casted him a fond smile. The blaring spotlights gradually dimmed and the loud crowd outside started dispersing — signalizing the end of the show. Both of them were packing their remaining belongings backstage.
Toya nodded. “An iced coffee would be nice.”
Akito gently ruffled the two-toned blue hair while laughing. “Of course… I saw a vending machine outside just now. Wait here. I’ll be right back,” his hand traced the back of the bluenette’s neck to his broad back before giving it a few gentle pats. “Good work today, Toya.”
The loss of his touch left him shuddering unknowingly. Toya craved for his touch to linger a little longer.
“Yo Aoyagi! Thought over our offer?”
Toya winced at that voice that called out to him immediately after Akito left. The group invaded the green room that Bad Dogs were occupying like it was a natural thing. Did they not get the message at all? Why do they still cling onto this nonsensical hope that he would accept their offer?
He parted his thin lips wanting to reject them—
“Honestly? I don’t get why Shinonome is still singing. He could just lip sync your singing and it’ll still be equally if not better than your current performance!”
—but they were a bit faster.
“He’s just wasting your time man. If you really want to go big, you should just leave him! Seriously, Why do you even bother to sing with him?”
He felt his body burn up as a rush of emotions came crashing down on him like a wave. It was as if he was a dam — tanking down all of these wild emotions that boiled in him threatening to explode any second.
Those emotions were strikingly similar to when he had to defend Akito in front of his father.
“I have no plans to change partners,” he curled his fingers and dug them down his palm so hard he was sure it would leave a mark.
They seemed to shrug at his rejection before whistling in a sing-song tone. “Yeah sure. Again, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find us.”
“Seriously, how are you able to stand someone like Shinonome? You sure he didn’t bully you into singing with him?” one of the members hummed in a playful tone.
“That’s what I’m saying! His singing is so fucking shitty I bet my 5 year old sister could sing better than him,” a mocking response from another member followed causing laughter to fill the room.
That’s it.
Something in him seemingly snapped. The dam that held back all his fuming emotions seemed to break at their carefree laughter.
No… they can’t be saying all that stuff about Akito when they don’t even know him. He had to defend him…
“Hey…”
…for what kind of partner would he be if he didn’t?
“…take that back.”
Their laughter abruptly died down at his tone that was fumed with anger. They stared at him with a variety of emotions evident on their faces — some dumbfounded, some amused. Their leader’s expression in particular slowly morphed into a mischievous smirk like he was rather entertained by this sight.
“Oh? Now you’re defending him?” He laughed with his arms crossed, “I would like to see you try. Tell me Aoyagi — why exactly do you stick around with Shinonome?”
“That…!”
“I know!” The leader cut him off and stared at him straight in the eye. “Is it because he’s good-looking? That’s why you stuck around?”
At the leader’s words, he felt his face flare up with dust of pink at that statement. Akito was pretty good-looking — he knew that fact from the way multiple girls ask for his contact every time both of them walk down Vivid Street.
Plus, the way his eyes shone every time he picked up the microphone to sing beside him… the way he gets easily flushed after finishing a singing session… and the way his fingers run through his blue strands of hair every time he ruffled it…
Toya quickly shook those thoughts away and swiftly replied, “It’s not that…!”
“Oh? Then what could it be? It can’t actually be because of his singing, right? His singing is so unremarkable there’s really nothing to talk about.”
They have no right to talk about Akito’s singing like that. Not when they never heard him sing his heart out before. That voice laced with determination and fueled with passion always successfully gravitated Toya from the first time he sang with him.
“Speechless now?” They seemed to mistook Toya’s silence for something else.
He hastily parted his lips, “Akito is—”
“—that’s enough Toya. Let’s go.”
The blue-haired boy flinched at the sound of his partner’s voice. Toya quickly glanced back to catch Akito standing at the entrance with two canned drinks in his hand — both of which had water droplets accumulated on its tin surface. Multiple thoughts boiled within him at this sight.
How long was he standing there for? And how much did he listen in?
The leader’s expression brightened up upon Akito’s entrance, “Shinonome! We thought you left already! You don’t mind us having a little chat with your beloved partner right~?”
He didn’t seem to be remotely remorseful about the fact he had just been talking shit about Akito — and that made Toya’s gut twist in disgust.
Usually when faced with harsh criticism and provocation, Akito would respond rather recklessly. Either casting them a frightening glare enough to almost start a fight or getting involved in a singing battle (which Toya had been dragged into a few times).
But this time was different.
Akito’s expression remained blank — that was the calmest demeanor Toya had ever seen him put up. He wordlessly passed Toya his drink before motioning for both of them to leave.
And somehow, his calm reaction this time made it even more unsettling.
A shadow of unease seemed to bubble within Toya. Every fiber of his body was screaming that something was definitely wrong.
“Let’s go, Toya,” he repeated a second time — this time more quietly. More shakily.
And Toya obliged.
A gust of cold breeze brushed past Toya’s cheek as both of them exited the venue. It was a nice change of scenery from that suffocating backstage.
Toya thought Akito was going to lead him to the park again. He was already expecting him to give him a microphone and sing until both of their voices became hoarse. He mentally prepared what sort of excuse he would use to explain to his father the next day. He already…
“Toya. Go home.”
…huh?
He stared at him puzzled before muttering in an unsure tone, “Is that really alright? I’ll accompany you home…”
“Don’t,” he rejected in a heartbeat, “Your father is waiting for you at home. I don’t want you to get into trouble because of me.”
Toya stood planted at his spot unmovingly. His gaze told Akito that he wasn’t going to just leave him here after all that.
He sighed before shaking his head, “I’m fine, really. This isn’t the first time they talk shit about me. I’m used to it,” he smiled before accompanying him to the nearest subway station.
Toya should’ve seen the signs. The unsettling signs were all there — how Akito’s voice trembled slightly. How he didn’t call Toya’s father ‘your old man’ disrespectfully. How he was forcing out that corporate-setting smile the entire way. How he avoided Toya’s gaze the entire night.
But even if he asked him, what would he willingly tell him? And what could he say to comfort him? Unknowingly, both of them reached the subway station with Toya’s mind wandering deep into thought.
As the subway door swung open, Toya quickly grasped both of Akito’s hands before whispering, “Call me if something is wrong. I’ll be there to listen.”
“Aight aight… I will,” he answered half annoyed as he pushed Toya into the subway.
A ‘beep’ was heard to signal the closing doors. Toya quickly yelled out one last time, “Call me later!”
He chuckled dryly, “Alright.”
Akito never called that night. Toya’s calls were all sent straight to voicemail. Worst of all? Toya heard the soreness in Akito’s voice the next day.
…
Liar.
*
“Ayo Aoyagi? Singing here alone this time?” A voice filled with a sense of playfulness was heard.
Toya eyed him warily — it was the leader from the other day.
“So? Finally decided to drop that Shinonome guy? It’s rare to see you singing alone on the streets,” the leader remarked as he motioned at Toya’s set-up.
Toya winced at that voice before briefly explaining, “Akito has extra classes today so I’m warming up before our practice session.”
“Aw man! And here I thought you finally dropped him~!”
His grip on the microphone unknowingly tightened. Just when would they stop pestering him?
“I know what could change your mind!” The leader of that group snapped his fingers before suggesting, “Why not we sing together!”
Toya frowned, “I don’t think…”
“It’ll be fun, trust me!” He ignored Toya’s protest and took the second microphone that had always been reserved for someone else. “Treat it as a fun bonding session with a fellow musician alright?”
Fun? Bonding session?? With someone who consistently bad-mouthed and mocked his partner??? Is this guy even hearing himself out??????
“Who knows? Singing with me might convince you to change your mind,” the leader said with a glimmer of hope, “You never sang with anyone else other than Shinonome. Maybe you just don’t know what’s out there for you!”
Toya stared with a dumbfounded look at his shamelessness before swiftly shaking his head. “I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m perfectly fine with warming up alone.”
The leader frowned and let out in a displeased voice, “I really don’t get you Aoyagi. I don’t go out of my way to invite musicians to my group like this, you know?!”
‘But I never wanted you to do any of that?’ Toya inwardly thought.
“I see you have so much more potential and pity you for wasting it all for a guy like him. That’s why I’m so eager to let you into my group!” He continued his ramble, “You deserve so much more than him!”
“I’m completely fine staying with Akito,” Toya bluntly responded, “I don’t see the need for you to keep pursuing me like this.”
“Dammit! You really don’t get it don’t you??” The guy yelled while pinching the bridge of his nose. “If Shinonome really wants the best for you, he should let you go!! That’s how you’re really going to reach your full potential!!”
“You’re not making sense,” he shook his head with an irritated frown. “How does that—”
“Seriously, are you fucking oblivious? Can’t you see that all he’s doing is holding you back?!”
Thud!
A loud sound of something dropping on the ground was heard followed by a bottle of water slowly rolling out from behind the wall. Toya directed his vision to the source of the sound and spotted a familiar lock of orange hair sticking out from the wall that disappeared in a flash…
“Akito…!” He yelled out towards that direction before breaking into a sprint.
*
‘Maybe I should’ve worked harder in PE lessons.’
That was the only thought swirling in his head as he continued to chase his partner down the streets. Strictly speaking, he was trying his best to keep up with Akito’s pace.
“Akito wait—!!” He yelled out between breaths as his silver eyes locked onto the back of his partner.
But no matter how loud he yelled, his voice didn’t seem to reach Akito. No, it was as if he was deliberately blocking out his cries — ignoring him as he continued his way.
“Akito…!!”
Thud!
Mistaking a step caused Toya to slip and fall harshly onto the floor — scraping his forearm and shin in the process. But thanks to that, the boy he had been chasing down for what felt like forever finally turned back.
“Toya?! What the hell…!!” He swiftly jogged towards his direction with worry laced all over his voice. He quickly bent down in an attempt to help him up, “Dude… are you ok?!”
“Akito!!” Toya didn’t miss the gap and immediately grasped both of his arms to prevent him from getting up and running away again. “Why did you run away?”
“Hah??” Akito’s expression told him that he was at a complete loss for words. “Nevermind that. Can you walk? I’ll help you rest against that wall and I’ll grab some first aid from—”
“I’m not letting go until you answer me…!” The grip on his arm tightened as Toya stared back with a determined gaze.
“…Toya, this isn’t time for—”
“Why are you running away?” He repeated the question — louder and more desperate.
Like stuck in a stalemate, both of them stayed awkwardly in that position — Akito half-kneeled before Toya due to Toya locking arms with him from the floor.
“You didn’t answer any of my calls the other night either,” Toya let out in a strained voice, “Tell me what’s going on.”
Akito let out a grunt, “I told you already that it’s nothing.”
“I’m not letting go until you tell me what’s happening,” Toya strengthened his grip along with his resolve to help his partner.
“You really… there really is no helping it, hah…” Akito seemed to whisper underneath his breath. He hesitated before averting his gaze, “Toya… why do you stick around with me…?”
Huh?
Toya blinked at him, confused.
“Those musicians are… they have a point,” Akito spat out bitterly, “I’m holding you back. Someone as talented and amazing as you shouldn’t bother with—”
The ginger’s words were abruptly cut off as he felt a gentle force pushed against him. He collapsed from his bent position with his ass on the ground. Gripping both of his shoulders, Toya straddled above him and locked eyes with him.
“…Toya??” He mouthed stupidly as he tried to hide the pink flush emerging on his cheeks, “I seriously don’t think this position would make it any less awkward…”
“Akito.”
“Let go of me, Toya. You’re hurt and you need first aid immediately—”
“Listen to me!” Toya slightly raised his voice as he leaned in — both their foreheads a hair’s length away from making contact.
For some reason, Akito’s face flushed even redder at this act. Toya wasn’t sure why but as long as it could get him to shut up, he would take it.
In truth, Toya doesn’t know how long he would stick around to sing street music. His decision to sing was an act out of spite against his father. Once Akito learns about this, he was sure Akito would be the one who would leave him because of his weak resolve.
So it would be hypocritical to tell Akito that he only wanted to sing with him. Not when he was going to leave eventually. Therefore…
“Akito. I love your voice.”
“Hah????” The ginger let his jaw drop in stupor.
Since young, the bluenette never knew how to express himself properly. He could never find the right words to say during the right time. That’s why he was always so afraid to confront Akito — too afraid that he might say the wrong thing and hurt him. But this time…
“Your voice has this certain power to it. It overflows with passion that undoubtedly gravitates me towards it without fail every single time. It’s raw and fueled with love for music,” he elaborated.
“You’re just saying that,” Akito scratched his head sheepishly, “the fact remains that I…”
“What others think of your voice doesn’t matter! They never sang with you before so they wouldn’t know,” Toya interrupted him as he grabbed onto Akito’s shoulders. “I love your voice and the way you sing!”
“Oi you…”
He inhaled sharply, “I believe that you have a voice that is capable of surpassing RAD Weekend!!”
Silence.
Toya's declaration seemed to have rendered Akito speechless. He dropped his head bashfully before muttering out weakly, “you really think so?”
“Akito,” he started, “how many times do you think that musician invited me to his group?”
“How the fuck would I know?” Despite cursing in his usual manner, his voice still came out rather frail.
Toya cupped his hands on both of Akito's cheeks to tilt his head up — forcing him to look straight into his eyes, “it’s three times. They persistently asked me to join them three times. And did I accept any of the invites?”
“No…” he trailed off.
Toya nodded. “Exactly. In contrast, how many times did you ask me to partner up with you?”
Akito’s eyes widened before stupidly muttering, “one.”
“That’s right. I took up your offer after singing with you for the first time,” Toya added, “I adored your voice the moment I heard it. There’s no need for me to settle for anything less.”
Akito stared at him with his mouth slightly agape before muttering softly under his breath, “Why you…”
Before Toya could react, Akito pulled him into a hug and buried his face onto Toya’s shoulder. He felt Akito’s orange locks tickle at his jaw. Oddly enough, it was comforting.
“This is so goddamn pathetic…” A muffled trembling voice was heard. What accompanied it was the warm tears that started staining Toya’s sleeves.
“Don’t ever doubt yourself again… rely on me more,” he let out a whisper while idly running his fingers through the orange strands of hair, “I won’t ever sing with another music team. Your voice sounded better than all of them combined.”
“Dude… you can’t just say things like that,” he let out a dry chuckle while tightening the embrace.
“Why not? It’s all true,” Toya innocently tilted his head and bluntly asked.
“Oh my god Toya…” Akito choked out a helpless sigh before shaking his head, “it’s… nevermind. Forget I said that.”
The two boys stayed in the position for what felt like an eternity basking in each other's presence — neither of them willing to let go. It was as if one of them would disappear instantly had they chosen to part.
As if breaking out from a spell, Akito suddenly exclaimed, “shit dude… your wound!!”
Toya huffed, “it doesn’t hurt.”
It does. But he didn’t want to let go.
“Bullshit! It was bleeding, you know?” Akito freed himself from the embrace before studying Toya’s wound on his forearm and his shin.
Toya shook his head. “It’s really not that bad. See? It stopped bleeding already. It’s just a scrap.”
“Shut up. I’m getting the first aid,” Akito announced in a voice all too determined before helping Toya to sit down against the wall.
After settling down Toya, Akito examined the wound. “I’m going to go get the first aid. Hopefully the shop down the street will have a kit or something.”
Toya nodded. “Alright.”
“Wait for me, ok?”
Was Akito really asking Toya to wait for him to get the first aid? Or was he asking him to stand by him? To trust that he can catch up with Toya in terms of skills until he can finally proudly stand beside Toya as his partner?
Toya didn’t know. But whichever it implied, it didn’t matter. Because his answer was clear—
“Alright. I’ll wait.”
—for he trusted his partner like this.
*
The cheers of the crowd slowly died down after what felt like hours since the event ended. Despite that, excitement and pure adrenaline still lingered through the air in COL. Toya thought he could hear various inspired musicians setting up outside and started singing their hearts out right after their event. All their voices were still evidently drunk from the exhilarating event his team just hosted.
But that was inevitable. After all, their team had just surpassed a legend.
He gently rested his head on the headrest of the couch in the green room and closed his eyelids, trying to soak in and come into terms with the fact they had just successfully surpassed the collective dream they pursued together.
“Toya? Are you good?” A voice he adored called out from the entrance of the green room.
He flustered his eyelids open before smiling, “yeah. Just a little restless.”
“Ahh. It’s to be expected,” Akito nodded while sitting down next to Toya. “But seriously though, you were crazy out there! And the song you wrote was so peak I knew it would blow up the venue!”
The glistening silver eyes studied the ginger unknowingly as he rambled on their accomplishments on this very night.
“Akito,” Toya called out while grabbing onto one of his hands.
Akito chuckled fondly, “What is it?”
Toya allowed his eyes to trace Akito’s exhausted yet relaxed expression before smiling, “I told you before — you had a voice that could surpass RAD Weekend.”
“…!”
“I was right,” he grinned proudly. “Never doubt yourself, partner.”
“Why you really…” he helplessly sighed and reached out to ruffle Toya’s hair, “Yeah. You’re right. Thanks partner.”
His hand dropped from Toya’s hair to offer a fist bump — something they both have grown accustomed to after 3 years of being in this partnership. Naturally, Toya returned it.
“Oi lovebirds!!” A cheerful voice called out from outside (Akito inwardly rolled his eyes at that calling), “Are you done? We are going to Weekend Garage for an after party!! Come out now or we’re ditching you here!!”
“An-chan…” Kohane’s helpless voice was heard alongside her.
“Got it!” Akito yelled back before shaking his head. “Really… that An.”
Toya lightly chuckled at this sight. Nothing in the world could ever compare to this moment. He couldn’t believe he once wanted to let all of this go at one point.
His gaze landed on the shorter ginger man. Had Akito not pulled him by the collar and talked some senses into him a year ago, he would have missed out on all of this. No words would be enough to express his gratitude to Akito. So…
“Alright Toya. Shall we get going?”
…how could he express his gratitude?
“Toya? Are you o—uh?”
Akito’s words quickly died down abruptly as he felt a gentle hand brush through his hair. He flinched at Toya’s touch. Between the two, it was always Akito who initiated the physical touch.
They were trespassing new territory — Akito could feel it.
“Akito,” Toya started as he gently intertwined his fingers with the orange strands, “Thank you. I can’t express how much I’m thankful with just words.”
A flush of pink hue quickly spread across Akito’s face as he averted his gaze away from Toya. “Got it man,” he muttered bashfully underneath his breath, “I’m glad to be your partner too.”
“That’s why…” Toya’s hand trailed the orange locks of hair to cup his cheeks. The distance between their lips narrowed with Akito’s sweet breath against his, “…allow me to repay you, Akito.”
If Akito thought the cheers and shouts from their event just now were loud, he was gravely mistaken. Because he swore the way his heart pounded now was loud enough to rival the most deafening sound he had heard today.
Dazedly, Akito blurted, “Uh… alright.”
At that, the taller man leaned in and placed a light peck on the lips of the shorter. He quickly pulled away, admiring the astounded look on his partner’s face.
Toya dropped his hand and prepared to stand up, “We should go. The others are waiting—”
Two strong arms tightly grasped Toya’s side to prevent his escape. Before Toya could mutter another word, he felt the soft lips he just kissed less than a moment ago crash into his. Their kiss deepened as they grew accustomed to this newly discovered intimacy.
Toya gently closed his eyes to indulge in this touch. If only time could stop on this day, or this moment. He would—
“Akito!! Toya!! We’re seriously leaving without you!!”
“Owner-san wants to close this place so…”
The shouts from their teammates from outside the green room broke their trance. Akito finally pulled away while sluggishly wiping the corners of his mouth, “Sorry dude but you… really can’t expect me to not react at all after you do that…”
Toya let out a small smile, “It’s alright. I initiated it, after all.”
The ginger quickly recollected himself and sprung up from the couch, “We really should go before An drags us out of here.”
Even if unspoken, Toya knows that their partnership was stepping into uncharted territories. Just like figuring out their team’s new direction after surpassing RAD Weekend, they were about to discover new boundaries within their own partnership.
But were they both ready for that next step?
Akito awkwardly scratched the back of his neck while motioning a finger between himself and Toya. “Let’s talk about this after the party…”
Toya hummed in agreement. The party most likely will go on until the sun rises. And he foresaw neither of them will get much sleep. So it’ll take a while before they can really sit down to talk about it.
Their partnership was slowly blooming into something new and unknown, after all. They were going to overstep every boundary they had known from the last 3 years. And the two boys know this.
As the two reached the door of the green room, Akito grabbed Toya’s arm before staring into him with a gaze filled with determination.
“Until we talk about it… wait for me, ok?”
Toya grinned, “Alright. I’ll wait.”
He trusted his partner, after all.