I never expected…
Murisakibara suggests a celebratory dinner for end of the year festivities – that including the whole Rainbow group before they head off to wherever they need to be for the short holiday. At first I fear that the titan might suggest holding the 'thing' at my apartment as it had somehow grown to be the central gathering post for most parties these days. It's putting a mighty dent in my food budget and not to mention the mess the place seems to be in permanently. But, to my joy and horror, Akashi suggests we go to his place – Rakuzan is only an hour train ride out of Teiko – he has kitchen staff to prepare the food and décor in advance and all we need do is show up and be merry.
The train ride is made perfect merely because Kuroko snuggles against my side and falls asleep in no time flat. Trains, I've found, put the artist to sleep like nothing else could.
Midorima and Takao sit opposite us, Takao doing most of the talking with the green haired man correcting his speech or facts every so often. Kise, Ahomine and Momoi left the day before and stayed by Akashi for the night – Furihata apparently having left with Akashi at the beginning of the week. I have yet to hear after Murisakibara, something about going to Yósen before meeting up with us at Rakuzan.
We arrive and disembark – me carrying Kuroko's bag as he's still rubbing his eyes and yawning, clinging to my arm so as not to get lost in the small crowed present at the station.
I nearly expect to see a balding butler in a fancy suit waiting to take us to the Akashi residence, but I'm pleasantly surprised to say we come across Akashi Seijurou and Furihata in – what can only be described as – an embarrassing discussion judging by the colour of Furihata's face.
Moments later they join us, Furihata still the colour of Akashi's hair and their fingers entwined. "We are still waiting for Atsushi and his date,"
My brows sky rocket, the titan has a date? I don't question it, I've learned that the rainbow nation is not to be underestimated nor questioned. Instead I lead Kuroko to the side and set him in a chair along with our belongings before I rush to a nearby vending machine in order to fetch him an unhealthy dose of caffeine.
When I return I notice a head of purple hair poking out above the crowed close to where I'd left Kuroko and a small smile graces my lips as I near him. "Hey, I didn't know you-" The words die on my lips as Murasakibara and his 'date' turn to face me. When I meet a silver eye it feels like someone's sucker punched me in the gut, I'm not sure whether I want to scream or run away. Maybe both. "Tatsuya…" The name catches on my lips and my hand curls dangerously tight around the can of coffee.
My childhood friend blinks back at me, his gaze then swinging to Murasakibara and back, his voice following just as nonchalantly, "Taiga, I didn't know you were in Japan,"
My stomach churns in on itself, feeling uncomfortably hot.
Murasakibara makes a sound of confusion, "Heh, but I told Muro-chin about Kaga-chin, Kuro-chin's boyfriend,"
"Oh," Tatsuya turns back to look at me, face impassive, "I never expected it to be you. But it's good to see you again, Taiga."
It's a good thing Munchies is as fast as he is, otherwise his 'date' would have a blue eye or two instead of me.
