I just had this lying in my folder... I don't even remember writing it

...

The next few days Tetsuya does not visit the pub. Kagami kept pestering him for his contrite behavior in sometimes mellow and other times in not so subtle ways. It's not like he promised a specific tomorrow. It could be any day in the future. At least, that's how he placated Kagami and to an extent himself. The more he delayed the inevitable, the more neurotic he became. It was like Akashi was sending him distress signals to make him feel guilty. Or maybe that was just his lack of vanilla trying to warn him of the symptoms. Because of all this ordeal, he hadn't been able to set one foot outside the motel when he should be searching for possible apartment options. Kagami had been kind enough to heed his request and ask around. It was more authentic with Kagami knowing English but Tetsuya needed to see the apartments himself if he had any hope of saving his money.

So, today, Kagami apparently has had enough as he forces him out of his cocoon on the bed amongst blankets and books. He dresess him in a very motherly fashion, making Tetsuya look like borderline obese. Tetsuya will be scarred when he leaves.

It's a little early when he arrives at the club, but thanks to Kagami's maternal foresight, he easily finds a vacant barstool.

"Tetsuya!" The barmaid all but climbs over the counter to hog him if her mate hadn't held her by the scarf to restrain her. "Seijuro was so sad when you didn't come. Sulking all by himself. You got to understand that he gets lonely. Keep him company more often!"

Tetsuya understands not a scintilla of what she has just exclaimed but he could tell it was about Akashi. He knew his name.

The guy pulls her back, flailing, and unduly shoves her into the rear store to get glasses. Tetsuya nods at him when he shortly spares him a glance and disappears inside, as well. This was going to be a long wait.

Akashi had been waiting on him, patiently expecting him. Because when he makes it onto the stage, the first place he looks at is the bar. His eyes rover a few seconds and extract Tetsuya out as if by nature. Only his parents were able to do that. Thankfully, Akashi stops himself short of waving at him or he'd have the hordes of women hunting after him already. Akashi's amicability embarrassed him of his childishness. They could have just met without him making the other wait for days on end. In retrospect, people didn't usually smile like Akashi did if he was late. A part of him had been expecting Akashi to ignore him and willing for him to bash on himself. He knew Akashi is was going to ask him to collaborate with him and that was the last thing Tetsuya wanted to do when he came here. Who'd have thought that the world was so small? Certainly not Tetsuya.

His clairvoyance, however, liked to call it his destiny.