Even though Imayoshi wasn't a student at the Mikata Institute of Astronomy, he'd become a regular at the evening viewing parties during his first year at the University of Tokyo when he'd signed up for a basic astronomy class to fill an elective. Unlike the Department of Social Psychology, he didn't have a bad reputation among the faculty and students. Mostly, he kept his mouth shut and waited until the majors had had their turn with the telescopes.
When he'd gotten the email about the Perseids meteor party on the peak night of viewing, he'd attended along with a small group of other students, silently craning their necks in the relative darkness surrounding the Einstein Tower. As the party broke up, just before 3:30 in the morning, he turned and took one last look into the sky, four meteors streaked across the velvet sky and an idea began to form in the back of Imayoshi's mind.
"Is everyone in place?" Imayoshi asked into his Bluetooth earpiece. He didn't like the device – as it hurt his ear during long insertions – but it was essential to have his hands free as he made his way from the Einstein building and to the little patch of ground he'd picked out yesterday when there'd been more light.
"Not yet," Kasamatsu complained. "I'm still walking. This had better be worth it, Saint." The other three heard the sound of the warning bells as he waited for the train to pass at the train crossing.
"It will be," he assured. "Chatterbox?"
A single tap of the microphone indicated Mitobe was with them, but not in a location yet. The silent quarter of their friendship drove Imayoshi's father's golf cart out across the empty race track and headed for the darkest part of the oval. As he turned, the gravel spun from beneath the tires kicking up a plume of dust. It was quiet enough to hear the horse snuffling to themselves in their stalls.
"I've been sitting in front of this computer for ten minutes," came the last voice on the conference call. "What's this all about, Saint?"
"What do we call ya now?" Imayoshi asked, deflecting the question. He was panting slightly, but he made sure to modulate his voice so as not to let the others know he wasn't in position yet either.
"What you always have. Just because I got married doesn't mean you can't call me Bat anymore. In fact, if you try to make up something new…" Takao warned.
"But what do other people call ya? You aren't 'Takao' anymore," Imayoshi pressed.
"Oh, well, over here they don't refer to anyone by their surnames. Everyone calls me Kazu because that's what Shin-chan does."
"Do they call him Shin-chan?" Imayoshi asked, chuckling. His attention split, he tripped and spilled across the uneven ground with an undignified grunt.
"Saint? You okay?" Kazu asked.
"Yeah, just dandy," he said, brushing the dirt off his abraded hands. He resettled his messenger bag across his back and hoped he hadn't damaged his tablet. Even though it was a two-year-old refurbished model, he couldn't afford to replace it now. "Anyway, back ta your story about how there's a double-standard about your name and your husband's."
"Well, no," he admitted, "no one calls him Shin-chan, but I'm careful not to call him that in front of people who don't know us." Kazu squirmed in his desk chair, swiveling it back and forth. He closed his eyes and put his hand over the microphone for a second as he sighed. "Mostly the only people who refer to him on a day-in-day-out basis are other basketball players and our neighbors. They call him Midorima, even if they can't pronounce it."
"Socialite is as good at makin' friends as always," Imayoshi joked. As he stood he had to stifle a groan. His knee ached but he ignored the stickiness making its way down his pant leg from his ripped up knee.
"Doesn't it bother you to lose your identity?" Kasamatsu asked as the train finally cleared the gate. He continued on toward the river and the coordinated Imayoshi had given him by text.
"I don't understand your question," Kazu said.
"I can't even imagine losing my name," Kasamatsu elaborated.
"I didn't lose anything," Kazu explained. "I just became more fully who I've always been." Kazu sipped his cappuccino coffee. No matter how far apart he was from the others, a Point Guard Poker Player meeting wasn't the same unless he was sipping something to hide those awkward moments when words became too honest.
[I love the way you put that] the text came from Mitobe.
"Chatterbox, you've been so quiet, I'd forgotten you were there," Kazu said.
[Sorry, I don't like to drive and text. I'm in position now and waiting for instruction, Saint.]
"Does anyone else notice that the only one who trusts me is Chatterbox?" Imayoshi asked, finally getting into his own position. He opened his bag and took out the tablet, thumbing the button. As he did, he sent up a silent prayer to any deity listening that it would start.
"That's because you've mellowed over the years and haven't tortured us as much as you did before Chatterbox joined the group," Kazu said.
"Don't give him any ideas," Kasamatsu hissed.
Mitobe turned off the cart's head lights, then moved over to the passenger seat of the cart and propped his feet up on the dashboard. From the cup holder, he retrieved the thermos full of creamy hot chocolate.
Kasamatsu stopped at the vending machine on the corner and threw in a handful of coins. The machine hummed anemically, vibrating until it spat out the Boss coffee he'd purchased. He turned toward the building and began the long walk up to the top floor. "I'm almost there; give me a few minutes."
The tablet's screen flickered to life and Imayoshi opened the Skype app. He logged in and made the call to connect to Kazu's computer. "There ya are, Bat," he said, smiling broadly as Kazu's face filled the screen.
"What's going on?" Kasamatsu asked. "Is Bat in Tokyo?"
"Nothin' ya need ta worry 'bout, Pacifist. Just get inta position so we can begin."
Kazu yawned loudly.
"Oh, are we keepin' ya up?" Isn't it noon there, Bat? You livin' the soft life?"
"It's eleven, but Shin-chan's game went late last night. With the post-game party, we didn't get until about three this morning."
Imayoshi cupped a hand over the Bluetooth microphone and said into the tablet's camera. "It's good ta see your face again."
"Thanks," Kazu said, blushing.
"Do me a favor and pull your curtains and turn off the lights so we can get started."
Kazu nodded and did what he was asked.
"Alright," Kasamatsu said, huffing and out of breath. "I'm here. What next?"
He turned the tablet away from him and leaned it against his crossed legs. "Gentlemen, get comfortable and look half-way up into the sky to the northeast."
[How do I tell which way is northeast?]
Everyone laughed, then Imayoshi said, "Look toward Tokyo."
[Ok]
"What are we looking for?"
"Shh," Imayoshi hushed them. "Just wait. Tell me when you see it."
In their four different locations, each stared silently at the sky. Kasamatsu stood and put his hands on his hips, waiting for something horrible to jump out at him. Kazu squinted at the screen, searching for anything. Mitobe got out of the car and walked out into the grass, his eyes swiveling back and forth across the sky. Imayoshi waited, holding his breath, and then the first meteor appeared in the sky, followed by a stream of soft lights across the heavens.
[It's gorgeous, Saint!]
"It's too bad the moon's so close ta bein' full, but I wanted ta share this with ya'll."
"Okay, the walk was definitely worth it," Kasamatsu whispered. "I take back all the curses I aimed at you on the way here."
"I've been takin' an Astronomy class," Imayoshi said, ignoring Kasamatsu. "It's an elective, mind ya, but we watched the shower together as a class last night and I immediately thought I wanted ta share it with ya'll."
"Awesome, Saint," Kazu said from the other side of the world. "I'm so glad I've got you guys."
"Alright," Imayoshi said, clearing his throat. "Since we can't play cards tonight, I propose a different kind of game."
"Oh, no," Kasamatsu muttered. "I take back my earlier comments. You suck."
"Now, Pacifist, this isn't one of my usual games. Each one of us is goin' ta make a completely selfish wish."
"That's it?" Kazu asked.
"That's it, but like I said, it has ta be completely, one hundred percent, selfish. No makin' wishes for Shin-chan and passin' it off as for you."
There was silence in the four locations for about a minute. Then Kazu cleared his throat and sunk down a little lower in his chair. "I've got one," he said. "We haven't told anyone outside our family, but my super selfish wish will sound not selfish until I tell you the whole thing, so don't judge too quickly."
"Of course, Pacifist will judge ya immediately, but that's just the way our friend is."
"Hey, I –"
[So what's your wish?] Mitobe cut him off unintentionally in an attempt to mediate from a distance.
"My wish is that my sister will get pregnant and have a healthy baby," he said quickly. He'd sunk so low in his chair that if he went any lower, he'd fall off.
[Yukina's trying to get pregnant?]
"With our baby," Kazu clarified, forcing himself to sit up. "She knew Shin-chan and I wanted a baby and offered to be our surrogate so that he or she would be half-Takao, half-Midorima. She was artificially inseminated yesterday."
"That's amazin', Bat, and ya picked a wonderful example of a completely selfish wish. I couldn'ta done better."
[Congratulations!]
"You'll make a great dad," Kasamatsu agreed. Kazu put his head down on the desk, exhausted by the confession.
"Do me a favor and don't tell anyone. I don't want to jinx this. This is the second time we've tried."
"Who would I tell, Humble Pie?" Imayoshi chuckled.
"Or The Professor?" Kasamatsu chimed in. "Who's next?"
[We've got your back] came in out of sequence, then was followed by another. [I'll go]
Mitobe turned his phone sideways to expand the keyboard and began typing. [I am going to contact The Cauldron – the online Sports Illustrated magazine. You have to be approved before you can submit articles, but I'm terrified I'll mess it up and they'll reject me. So my wish is that my letter will be accepted so I can write for SI.]
"Awesome!" Kazu squealed. "That's like your dream come true, isn't it?"
Mitobe took another long drink from his thermos and contemplated the correct answer to the question. [Yes, but that makes it more stressful.]
"Are you doing it in English?" he asked. "I can make sure your translation is right. Would that help?"
[Would you? Will you have time with your classes?] He put down his drink and held his phone two handed. Please don't change your mind.
"Of course, I'd be happy to help. I wouldn't offer if I couldn't do it. I love translating, besides, classes haven't started yet. You've finished writing it?"
[Yes] he responded without pause.
"Send it. I'll do it today."
[Thank you, thank you, thank you!]
"See, I knew this was a good idea," Imayoshi said. He popped a coffee-flavored candy in his mouth and leaned back on his elbows. "What'cha got, Pacifist?"
Kasamatsu leaned against the green metal chain link fence, his fingers spread to grip the thin wire. Wind blew around the trash leaking over the garbage can by the door leading back to the staircase. His eyes weren't fixed on the meteors, but the twinkling lights of the city.
"I'm not a selfish person," he began.
"Don't be that guy," Imayoshi moan. "There's gotta be somethin' you want."
"Everybody does, but mostly I try to put others ahead of me."
"That's what we love about you," Kazu comforted. "But think of yourself for this time."
"Alright then," he decided, letting go of the fence and turning his back to it. He looked up into the sky and shouted at the top of his lungs, "I want a girlfriend."
His voice evaporated into the sky and as he thought about it, he laughed out loud.
"Poor girl," Imayoshi chided, cackling. "Who knew your selfish wish would be so hurtful ta 'nother human bein'?"
"Fuck you, Saint," Kasamatsu snapped. "I'm twenty-five years old and the closest thing I've had to a date is the four of you. That's pathetic – "
"At least you're finally facin' the truth."
" – and I'm just done being alone. And Saint, you asshole, you don't get to talk. When was the last time you went out on a date?" he bit back.
"I'm not that one in question, Pacifist, but if ya really want ta feel bad 'bout yourself. I've been datin' the same person for almost three years now."
"Don't lie, Saint," Kazu admonished.
"Why would I lie?" he said, faking hurt. "The truth will hurt Pacifist more."
"Why have we never seen a picture of her?" Kazu asked.
"I'm a very private person," Imayoshi said, dismissing the intrusion. "Ya'll know that."
"Chatterbox, you're too quiet," Kazu accused. "You know who he's dating, don't you. Living with his parents, you probably get more dirt than anyone."
[I know more about Saint than is probably safe for my sanity] came a slow reply.
"You poor thing, Chatterbox," Kasamatsu consoled.
[Alright, Saint. You never do anything without a purpose, despite trying to sound like you've got nothing but a game in mind, so tell us your wish so we can understand what's really going on here.]
Imayoshi fell back onto the grass, laughing. "Chatterbox, what would I ever do without ya?" he asked. He disconnected the tablet without warning, then crossed his long legs out.
"What I want more than anythin' else is ta be in New York ta celebrate earnin' my Master's Degree with my three best friends. What do ya say, Pacifist, Chatterbox? Ya up ta spending Christmas in New York this year with Bat?"
The silence between the four friends stretched and doubt crept into Imayoshi's smile, turning the corner of his lips down almost as fast as they usually spread into a smile. He held his breath.
Mitobe took a picture of the four of them out of his wallet and touched the faces of his three friends before taking up his phone and typing his response.
[How much would it cost?]
Imayoshi swallowed and pulled a sticky note from his back pocket. "If we left right after graduation on the eighteenth and came back on New Year's Day, we're lookin' at a flight for about ¥100,000."
Kasamatsu whistled. "That's a lot of money to come up within four months."
[I have it. I'm in. I've been saving to get my own apartment, but that just means I have to get picked up by SI.] As Mitobe hit send, he smiled and took out the steno pad he always kept nearby. He flipped to the last page with writing on it. I'll type this up for Bat before going to bed. He nodded as it felt righter and righter in his gut.
"What about hotels and food and all that crap. After that –"
"You're staying with me, Pacifist, duh," Kazu teased. "We'll get extra futons. One of you can sleep in the spare room, another in the office, and the last on the convertible sofa."
"Socialite is going to be okay with that?"
"Yes, because it will make me happy. That's all the Christmas present I need."
[Please, Pacifist!] Mitobe encouraged.
"You can afford this, Saint?" Kasamatsu asked.
"No, but that's what loans are for. It's not a matter of affordin' it, it's takin' care of myself. I need ta be a little selfish, just this once."
"But why?" Kasamatsu asked. "What's changed?"
Imayoshi took off his glasses and put drops in each eye as he stalled for time. "I…," he began. "I'm lonely," he admitted, holding back the emotion by tightening his mouth. "Bat in New York, Chatterbox in Osaka, Pacifist and I – despite being in the same city – are in two different programs. I… I miss my brothers, my friends. No one else understands me as well as ya'll and next year… I have ta start my internship. If not now, I'm afraid it'll be 'nother four years before we'll all be together again."
Instead of putting his glasses back on, he folded an arm above his eyes, soaking up the tears with his long-sleeve t-shirt.
"I'm in," Kasamatsu replied.
"Well, I'm in for sure," Kazu confirmed. "After all, you're going to show up on my doorstep. I'd better get ready."
[I'm in.]
"Thank ya," Imayoshi said, his voice husky and wet.