Chapter Text
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It's been a while.
A year.
Two years
It's 2011 now.
Every day feels… normal. It's a conformity to normalcy that you didn't want to comply with, but here you are. You have… well, a few months until graduation. You moved here for a better education… It doesn't falter your progress in your studies, so need not fret! I am the God of convenience~
It has been 2 years since you have seen Tanaka. You would think you guys would keep in touch. Texting… emailing… talking on the phone… As much as you secretly dislike calls with everyone else, it was different with Tanaka. Those are all things you miss dearly. You figure he’s too busy for you now. He reads your messages every once in a while. But it's the same response all the time.
“I miss you too.”
“I love you.”
“I want to see you again.”
Never real enquiries about your life anymore. I guess that's what business does to a man…
You still think about him every day. You expected your grades to take a toll, but that wasn't the case.
If anything, Tanaka leaving for Inaba made you work even harder. You strive to be better instead of someone who dwells on the same old.
You’d think, even through distance, there would still be something to… love. Or someone.
And there still is, but it's not the same when you are both far apart. You presume Tanaka's business is booming more than ever now, maybe selling better quality products for a reasonable price… nah. That can't happen. Once a scammer always a scammer am i rite??
But either way, it's still like he's with you every second of the day. It makes you miss him terribly, more and more every moment.
You also came here in hope… just a slither of hope that you can find Tanaka.
You asked your parents for an apartment here, and they didn't seem to mind. At least you don't have to clean up after their work of leaving dishes piling up left and right or the endless dust bunnies that appear around the place.
As of now, you’re in your room. You miss your professor… Your new one doesn't let you off so easily. You never took your past professor's kindness for granted; you always did your work before and will continue to do so. Except now, your deadlines are more clear-cut. Sucks, I know, but you’re a good student. Every once in a while, he does let you off. I really do love the reader don't I??
You are encouraged to work harder; encouragement from your parents, your professors, and… Tanaka. He will send you the occasional message for you to do well in school. That's very sweet. Even with short-formed responses, you always take the time to appreciate it.
You sulk in your bed, the same as always. Except you actually have to be responsible for yourself now. It's okay; you’re pretty low maintenance living wise. You cook and clean for yourself like any other person would! As if you weren't already doing that when you were back in Tatsumi Port Island, but it's better now. Thankfully, your parents paid for the place because you’re broke as hell.
Today is a Sunday. The sun is shining, the birds are singing… Tanaka's show would air every morning on the final day of the week. For the last 2 weeks of living here, you think you may have missed the show, or Tanaka doesn't air it anymore. He may have conformed to the dark web… But you will go to the internet's butt crack just to see his face – so there's no problem in that!!
Let's turn on the small TV… It's seen better days, but it still works!
No luck. It's just the weather and the news reporting about… God knows what. Man who the hell is Mayumi Yamano?
You switch the channel one more time.
…
Anata no, terebii ni, jika netto tanaka
Mi, n, na, no, yoku no tomo!
OH MY GAWWWWWD
“Helloooo everyone! Today I have a live presentation of my amazing commodities! Ohhh you wouldnt wanna touch that dial-”
And he went on about some fishing rods. He’s the only man in the world that could make fishing rods interesting.
But holy mackerel!!!
He still looks the same… Maybe the hair is a bit more… slightly grey? Still dark. But now, instead of a red tie, he has one of a muted yellow. He looks good in anything, for pete's sake! He has no business being so handsome. Is that a pun? I can't tell. He has a dark bluish suit now… It's a good look. Even better!
But anywho. You know Tanaka is still doing his show… the questions begs… Do you buy the bogus products?
You pick up your phone from your bedside table.
You ponder.
….
No.
I have taught you better than that. YOU know better than that. So don't be a brute to yourself.
You could go out into the city. The big big city known as Okina City… instead of being cooped up in your hidey hole.
Well, you put that phone away and close the TV. Alright, what's the plan for today? You live in the city, so you have a plethora of activities at your fingertips.
Or would you rather plaster yourself to that bed all day?
…
That's what I thought. You’re going out!
–
Okina City was and always will be a place of life.
It's midsummer. Despite the sweat clinging to your skin, it was always refreshing to walk into a store that had the air con running. Whew...
You take your time looking at the flower shop and checking out the movies for today. Unfortunately, none of it is to your taste. But hey, they have Chagall cafe here! Wanna check it out?
–
You arrive at the Okina station front, where Chagall cafe is just ahead.
The chatter is as loud as ever, yet you’re being stared down by a security guard. Are you suspicious? Of course not, they’re just doing their job.
Ignoring the heavy stare of the officer, you head into Chagall Café.
You open the doors and are hit with the heavy scent of nostalgia.
It felt like Tatsumi Port Island. But the only difference is that you aren't the blushing patron who was head over heels when they first met their favourite TV star.
Will Chagall Cafe be the same without Tanaka? No, it can never be. And it's also not the same if you can't volunteer. So, that's that, I guess.
You head for one of the tables, covered in a white and teal checked tablecloth. It was the same as before. You seat yourself in the comfy blue chairs, waiting for a server.
You think about it more and more. You guys would have been inseparable if it weren't for his “oh so amazing commodities." You just want him to do well, though. Even at his age, it feels like he only started living this life so little ago.
But a man his age, he must have seen it all. It's the essential lifestyle of the rich and famous.
You still wonder about Tanaka, where he comes from… and more about himself. You have yet to have more of that figured out. Only fleeting glimpses of his past.
You don't even know his first name.
While you are sulking, a server comes to you; you order pheromone coffee. Sound familiar?
That's the coffee Tanaka asked of you when you used to volunteer.
You can never get over the dumb name, but whatever. You didn't realise it until after you made the order. Yikes.
You wait. And wait…
You fiddle with the loose threads of the tablecloth seams; what else are you supposed to do? You look at the lights… the servers behind the counter. The walls… chairs… the flooring… the same floor you would look at when Tanaka made you so flustered. Everything is about Tanaka, isn't it? You’re still head over heels. That will never change.
The cafe isn't even that busy, yet they are still so slow. What, are they just letting their workers slack off now?
You shouldn't be one to point fingers… you did the exact same and still got high pay. But it's annoying experiencing it as a customer! The day you get your pheromone coffee will probably be a mystery.
Oh, never mind, some waiter is coming up to you with your coffee. And left. Okay, that's nice.
You take a sip… tasted… blegh! But whatever, you spent your money on this coffee and won't complain. Is this how Tanaka releases his bearomones?
Be sure to leave some complaints to the manager. It's only okay if you do it.
Anywho, what else are you supposed to do now? Since you're the swaggiest person ever, you plug in your headphones and switch the songs on your MP3 player. You gaze out to the wide windows, seeing the world outside the small cafe.
You are so immersed; you didn't see the time pass! You have nowhere to be, but being in the same cafe for so long leaves you congested.
But that's when…
A deep voice echoes from behind.
“...y/n?”
Hey, why does this voice sound familiar?
Wait.
You turn around.
KYAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Tanaka!?
Your face is... is definitely something! Eyes wide, you feel your eyebrows raise practically to your hairline. A dear in headlights, if i may.
He is the same man, he may have aged like… 2 years, obviously, but he looks just the same. His tie was different, a slash of golden yellow against the blue of his suit. His hair looks just as good as ever, and so are those shoes. Speaking of which, he hasn't licked your shoes clean yet. Hm…
You can't find the right words. What are you supposed to say? And holy mackeral does he look good in a blue suit. ohhhhhhhhh
“T…Tanaka?”
You couldn't help yourself; you leap out of your seat, latching yourself onto Tanaka, where you both stumble backwards but don't crash completely to the floor. Ohhh… you get a whiff of that real good cologne. Expensive. Enough to win anyone's trust.
He sputters, arms flailing everywhere in the air. This is not the way you greet your beautiful, handsome boyfriend after being 2 years apart. Or is it? Author hasn't been up to speed lately, she doesnt know the new fad.
He hisses. “HEYHEYHEY! There are people around! I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea.”
Well, you guys did get some strange looks. You just look like a crazed fan. Nothing out of the ordinary.
You detach yourself. Tanaka only smooths out the wrinkles on his suit… wrinkles YOU caused.
What do you say?! IT'S BEEN 2 YEARS!
You squeal, practically bouncing in your spot while Tanaka merely stares, arms crossed.
“I missed you so much!”
Even more strange looks. You're not making this any better for yourself. Well, this must be the most convenient universe ever because no one seems to care.
He whispers fat, eyes darting around the cafe and the strange looks. “Hey, you can say you miss me, but don't announce it to the whole cafe! Gee, do you know how fast word spreads?”
"Oh, sorry..."
Tanaka bites his lip. “Did you already finish your coffee? Or whatever you’re drinking?”
You look to your little mug on the table, getting colder by the second. You're not done with it yet, though. So maybe you and Tanaka dearest can sit down together and catch up?
Tanaka takes his respective seat, which was your place with the coffee. It's okay; you always let this greedy scum do anything. He did take your noodles in your Junior years of college… You wonder if it was a mere coinicidink.
You stare at the handsome hunk of a businessman in front of you. Why does he look hotter than before? He's ageing gracefully… like fine wine. Gosh those eyebags do him justice!!!!!! You are Tanaka's biggest fan so of course you need to take in every feature…
Your face flushes, not from the mere presence of Tanaka but more from the embarrassment of bumping into him again… not a bad thing, of course. As much as you thought about the millions of ways to start a conversation with Tanaka, your mouth fails to prevail.
"S…so…" You're off to a miserable start. "How's business?”
Just from the simple. mention, Tanaka's face lights up. It contorts to the flashy grin.
"It's been GREAT! You see, We have our stocks skyrocketing and shareholders…”
Buzzwordbuzzword who gives a hash about business talk?
Seeing Tanaka with a smile on his face after the long distance apart was utmost refreshing. You can't help but feel yourself smiling aswell. Even though you highkey dont understand business talk.
~
After a few minutes of random business babble...
“But anywho, that's how I have been lately. Business has been great.” He takes a sip of YOUR coffee. “Enough about me, how have you been?”
You snap out of your trance. You were only admiring Tanaka's smile while talking about his oh so amazing business… Can you not do that?
Well… what about you? You are a boring person. A normie, if you will. How Tanaka fell in love with a normie such as yourself will always be a mystery. You must have a good personality. And good looks of course! We also can't forget your stunning looks. Adds more to the charm huh? Wink wink nudge nudge
Now… what do you say?
“Uh. Not much.”
Was that the best you could do?
“You haven't seen me in 2 years. I'm sure you would have had some idea… How's college?”
About that..
“I came to study here! I got a scholarship.”
That, and you also wanted to find Tanaka.
“Really now?”
Tanaka sounds almost doubtful. Of course you are smart! Because the author says so!!! Don't prove me wrong.
“What do you mean ‘really now!?’ Were you doubting me?”
Tanaka purses his lip. “No, I always believed you’d succeed.”
…
Rooooight.
"Anywho... I must get going no-”
“NO!” you shout. Well, some people bat an eye. But… they look away after.
“Whaddaya mean no? I have a business to run! I could stay here longer if I WASN'T so hung up in work. Gee, business is booming more than ever now! Gimme a break.”
You grumble and curse. There should have been something more meaningful to that. It's like the exchanges with Tanaka you have over text. Gosh, what kind of fate is this?!
You think about it…
You can attach yourself to his leg. Be dramatic and all that.. It was always in your nature!
So?
As Tanaka begins to stand up, you rush out of your chair to latch onto that beautiful leg of his. The expensive leg, might I add. A guy like Tanaka must be worth BILLIONS of yen! How much would President Tanaka's leg go for on the black market!? Ohhh………
You wail and cry, “TANAKAAAA DON'T LEAVE ME!!!”
“WHAT THE HELL!?? GET– GET OFF ME!”
And then he looks down at his leg… and there you are, tears streaming down your face as you purposely get all that salty eye water into his pants.
‘Stop getting snot all over my pants!! It's worth more than you!!!!!”
He tries to shake the weight of your arms, but your determination is undeterred!
Eventually, Tanaka had to drag you on concrete.
“GEE! What's your problem!? This is worse than the usual fans I get!!"
“I'M YOUR PARTNER OF 2 YEARS! THINK OF HOW IT FEELS FOR ME!!!!!”
“BUZZ OFF!! STOP GETTING TEARS IN MY PANTS YOU TWAT!”
Is this British lingo in your Tanaka?
Twat? Is he British? Is he learning from British politicians? Oh god. You hope to god he doesn't become one. He might as well turn Japan into an amazing commodity itself.
Your face sours, retracting from Tanaka's knee, now left to die on the concrete pavement outside of the cafe.
“EW YOU'RE BRITISH!?” You shake off his legs, now becoming one with the concrete. “GET AWAY FROM ME!!”
Tanaka stares.
You flee.
…
+3 charm
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