Chpt 8: Carry On
"How much of life could he spend aching? Aching is not a stable condition; it must resolve into something."― Arthur Phillips, The Song Is You
No matter what his sister insisted, Tooru refused to admit that his crush on his best friend had existed before the start of his third year. Sure, there were potential signs earlier, but Tooru refused to acknowledge them. It was cute when friendship turned into love, when two people fell in love without their realizing over a lifetime of small exchanges that blossomed into something more. It would be adorable to tell house guests that you realized it was meant to be because the universe brought you together to hunt bugs before you even knew what loving someone meant. Since Tooru was not a part of that sort of affair, he perfected his feigned innocence over the years. He responded with an exaggerated roll of his eyes when his mother reminisced about grade school Tooru being exceptionally tactile with Iwa-chan. When she reminded him that he had insisted, with a dramatic stomp of his foot, that there wasn't any point getting married if he couldn't marry his best friend. Tooru implied that she may be misremembering (perhaps it was his brother she was thinking of). Tooru put on his best clueless expression when Matsun reminded him that first year Tooru had identified Iwa-chan's coat by scent alone.
"And your face was weird," Matsun added.
"His face is always weird," Makki offered, providing Tooru the perfect excuse to leave for the bathroom in a huff and escape the interrogation.
Everyone loved a couple with tales of their pining that was finally, finally, finally answered in the rain with well crafted exclamation. It was practically romance novel material to have accidental kisses turn to realizations, but to be hung up on someone for more than a decade, especially if that someone was a person you knew liked girls and had no interest in you as anything more than a friend (be it a close one or otherwise)? That was too pathetic to speak into existence. Tooru refused to be a part of it. The problem with Tooru (if he had to identify a problem at all) was that his mind knew all his secrets and flipped through them at the most inopportune times. Sometimes he found himself thinking about such moments (and there were plenty to consider) and these thoughts made him feel like he was more pathetic than he was willing to admit.
He woke up Sunday morning to his mind turning over one such memory. He stared at the ceiling trying his best to think about anything, anything, anything else! However, he knew his mind wouldn't budge once it had picked a fixation. He admitted defeat, allowing himself to dwell on the interaction it had summoned.
It was the year before high school, after Tooru had earned his award but before they took the entrance exams to Shiratorizawa (Tooru passed, Iwa-chan didn't). They were laying across Iwa-chan's room, end of the year homework and study materials scattered around them. He could remember Iwa-chan squinting at his math homework like his glare would cause the problem to solve itself. Tooru had gotten bored or finished early (he couldn't remember which and didn't want to remember any of it at all, if his brain was taking recommendations). To occupy himself, he stood and stretched, then moved to the mirror nearby. He made a surprised face, noticing how his eyebrows raised as his mouth opened wide in a silent screaming shape. He frowned, watching the scowl settle, scrunching his eyebrows. It still seemed more like a pout than any type of intimidation. He glanced at Iwa-chan, trying to turn his lips into the straight line his best friend so often wore. He'd have to come back to that one later. Tooru smiled at the mirror instead, teeth dazzling as his cheeks pushed up, but the eyes didn't match. Tooru tried again, this time trying to think of a funny joke. It was a little better, but still pretty fake. He leaned closer, raising one eyebrow (in what he hoped was a suave manner) and winked but it turned into more of a blink at the last second.
"What are you doing," Iwa-chan sighed, as if this silent rehearsal was a personal inconvenience to him and his math homework. Tooru, who knew he was being exceptionally well behaved, didn't turn to Iwa-chan as he replied, attempting to wink a second time.
"Practicing."
"Practicing what? Being a normal human?"
"No, practicing flirting faces."
"Flirting faces," Iwa-chan repeated, his eyebrows knitting as if he weren't sure if he should be concerned or amused. The in-between expression made him look slightly constipated.
"Miko was watching a drama and she thought the main character was very dashing. We should make sure to be like that next year."
Iwa-chan rolled his eyes. "I don't want to be on an afternoon drama."
"Don't you want to be popular with girls, Iwa-chan?"
"With a nickname like that I've already lost hope."
"Be serious, Iwa-chan," Tooru whined, drawing his eyes from the mirror to his best friend completely. He got an idea, a brilliant, genius, wonderful idea. "We should practice together!"
Iwa-chan must have seen the idea forming in Tooru's face because he was already shaking his head before Tooru finished. Tooru pouted again, his eyes darting quickly to the mirror to see if his puppy dog eyes were at their full capacity. He could do better, so he increased his puppy look by about fifty percent.
"Come on, it'll be good for us and easier to practice with a real person," Tooru pleaded.
Iwa-chan was staring at his math homework again, but now his stare had a murderous intent. Either he really hated math or Tooru's look was working.
"Will you help me with this problem," Iwa-chan asked, but Tooru knew that tone. It was a tone of defeat whenever Tooru convinced him to do something he thought was against his better judgement, like to climb just a little higher in the tree or to stay outside in the rain just a little longer.
"Of course," Tooru beamed. Iwa-chan sighed, looking resigned as he pushed himself up to face Tooru. They were the same height now, but Tooru was hoping he'd end up tallest. For now, he kept the thought to himself, pleased to have seduced Iwa-chan away from homework so easily.
"What do I do," Iwa-chan asked in a flat tone. Tooru grabbed his shoulders, moving him to stand next to the door so he was facing Tooru.
"I'll go first, okay? Pretend we're in between classes, got it?"
"Fine."
Tooru leaned forward slightly, his hands in his pockets as he scrunched his face in an imitation of the suave character he'd seen the day before. He tried to raise his eyebrow and quirk the corner of his lip. Whatever expression he was going for wasn't exactly coming off the way he attempted because Iwa-chan let out a snort.
"Shh," scolded Tooru, re-focusing on arranging his face. He glanced quickly at the mirror. Satisfied, he looked over Iwa-chan slowly from feet to head, before resting his eyes directly on Iwa-chan's scowling face. He tried to deepen his voice just slightly, like the man on tv's purr. "Did you make this bento for me?"
"No," Iwa-chan answered flatly, crossing his arms. "I hope you starve."
Tooru's flirting face collapsed as he whined, "Iwwwaaa-cchhaann! You're ruining my practice!"
"This is stupid. Just be yourself."
"That's not what girls like when they flirt."
"Says who?"
"Says everyone, dummy."
"You're the one being a dumbass, stupid. Who wants to be with someone who doesn't really know who they are?"
"Flirting isn't just about being with someone. It's about being popular with people."
"Just tell her you cry every time we watch E.T."
"I do not!"
Iwa-chan scrunched his face and brought his hands together to his chest, providing a poor imitation of Tooru's voice, "He's going home to his family and friends! Isn't that so nice, Iwa-chan?"
"I hate you," Tooru pouted. "You don't appreciate it because our heart is frozen like an iceberg."
"I just know the difference between a movie and real life."
"Can you focus? I'm never going to help you with your homework at this rate!"
This brought Iwa-chan back to the situation and he refocused with a determined look. Tooru resumed his position: hands in pockets, body leaning slightly forward, face in a would-be charming look. He tried again.
"Did you make this bento for me?"
"Yes," Iwa-chan replied in a monotone. Tooru figured that was the best he was going to get, so he took a small step forward, trying to look at his best friend through his long eyelashes. "Are you always so sweet or is it just for me?"
"Girls do not like this," Iwa-chan snapped.
"Your ears are pink, Iwa-chan," Tooru observed. "You like it." He leaped out of arms length just as Iwa-chan swung.
"I'm embarrassed on your behalf," Iwa-chan snapped.
"Fine," Tooru replied, crossing his own arms. "You try then if you have so many opinions on it!"
Iwa-chan's face steeled at the sound of challenge in Tooru's voice. "Trade spots with me," he said and Tooru obeyed. He watched as Iwa-chan turned away, his finger tapping his chin in thought. Tooru was already plotting his own reaction. He would act the same way Iwa-chan had, but even worse. He'd be the most difficult flirting partner anyone could have nightmares about. That would teach Iwa-chan to ruin his practice! He wasn't going to lose.
When Iwa-chan turned back to face Tooru, he had a slight smile on his face. Tooru felt his smile faltering slightly as Iwa-chan raised one arm and leaned it against the door next to him, invading his personal space more than usually. How did he manage to look down at Tooru when they were the same height? Tooru didn't have time to ponder it. He found himself shrinking, peering up at Iwa-chan with a questioning look. Iwa-chan had his eyes locked on Tooru's. Tooru froze in place, all his plans slipping away.
"Iwa-chan?" His voice came out with a bit of a squeak. His best friend didn't seem to hear as he moved slightly closer, peering into his eyes in a way that made heat flood every limb of Tooru's body while his heartbeat pounded so loudly in his ears that he felt sure Iwa-chan must hear it. Iwa-chan's smile softened, a rare and pleasant look as his eyes traced down Tooru's face, across his chest and then back to his eyes again. They were impossibly close and Tooru could smell the sweat from their pre-homework practice wafting off of his friend, a musky outdoor smell that was familiar. Had it always been so... overwhelming?
Tooru gulped as his eyes darted from Iwa-chan's face to his hand. It was moving. What was he doing? Why hadn't he spoken? Why was it so warm in this room? Iwa-chan reached forward, his free hand coming up to touch Tooru's chin, thumb resting on his cheek. The contact sent a tingling sensation from Tooru's cheek through his spine. Tooru's lips parted slightly on their own accord. He could barely breathe.
"You have an eyelash," Iwa-chan whispered, glancing down at his thumb as he pulled it away. Tooru intended to speak, but his mouth was completely dry, so he closed it again to try once more. Before he could say anything though, Iwa-chan was pulling farther away, holding out his thumb for Tooru to see. Tooru glanced down. An eyelash sat on the thumb.
"Well," Iwa-chan said, his stubborn scowl returned to its usual position. "Are you going to make a wish or can I get rid of it without you whining for the next three days?"
"T-that was for an eyelash," Tooru asked, annoyed by the stutter and the way it matched his heart. "You were supposed to be flirting!"
Iwa-chan shrugged. "I got distracted. Will you help me with the homework now?"
Tooru groaned and pulled a pillow onto his face, trying to erase the memory entirely. He wanted to forget how his heart had kept pounding even minutes after they had parted to focus on Iwa-chan's homework. He didn't want to recall how he had quickly sent himself home after they finished the problem because he couldn't stop smelling the sweaty musk and feeling something he didn't yet have words for. Tooru rolled over with a sigh, dropping the pillow to the floor. That had to be part of the recovery program, right? Admit how bad you've got it so you can start to get better, like an addiction?
"I might have started to love you all the way back then," Tooru whispered to the corner of the room. "That's," he paused, turning over the memory in his mind. "That's okay. Desperately pathetic and makes me want to crawl into a hole and live my whole life underground, but it's okay."
Maybe it was a placebo effect, the distance from Iwa-chan, or the fact that he'd slept most of Saturday. Maybe it was a combination of the three. Whatever it was, the confession made his chest feel a little lighter. A fresh determination swept through him as he rolled completely off the futon. He could probably do more! He made his way to the shower, the best place (outside the volleyball court) for plotting. He considered his predicament. What he needed was a goal. Easy! Get over your best friend. Now he needed steps. Something easy to start with.
"How to get over Iwa-chan," Tooru hummed softly to himself as he ran Miko's shampoo through his hair, it smelled like lavender. "Maybe start by not calling him Iwa-chan?" Tooru hummed in agreement with himself, turning to allow more water through his hair as he reached for the bar of soap. He tried out other names.
"Hajime?" The bar of soap nearly slipped from his hand. No, no. It was somehow even more intimate and he couldn't help imagining the small ten year old Iwa-chan telling him, "don't call me Hajime-chan, it sounds like we're babies." Tooru had dubbed him Iwa-chan within the next hour and it had stuck. After that they only used each others first names for serious conversations (which was only once every five to ten years, as far as Tooru could tell). Now, calling him Hajime had the connotation of lovers and that was not what Tooru's new goal was.
"Iwaizumi," tried Tooru, rinsing the soap away. He tried it again as he turned off the water. "Iwaizumi." Okay. He would call Iwaizumi by his name. That was one step accomplished. Tooru made a pleased sound to himself. He was on a roll!
He moved to the sink, opening a few drawers until he found an unopened toothbrush. He brushed his teeth thinking of what was next. He had been putting some physical distance between them already and that had worked enough to make Iwaizumi notice, but not enough to prevent Tooru from having to leave Tokyo all together. He had woken up today feeling better, though, so maybe the amount of distance was helpful. Tooru paused in his brushing, blinking at his reflection.
Was he going to be able to stay friends with Iwaizumi while he got over this? Tooru seriously pondered this. He'd known Iwaizumi for so long and now he was trying to divorce himself of the Tooru who was in love with his best friend. He had told Iwaizumi that this (distance, silence, unspoken words) is how they acted now, as if he had made a firm decision and it was going to stick, but Tooru wasn't sure he could trust himself. After all, he had tried to get over this crush multiple times since his first realization and he always found himself back in the same predicament. What would a Tooru who wasn't in love with Iwaizumi even look and act like, he wondered.
Tooru rubbed his chest at the slight ache that responded to the contemplation. He placed the toothbrush to the side, rinsing his mouth. He tried to imagine his life without Iwaizumi. It was surprisingly easy: He was a famous setter on a national team, he was being interviewed all the time, he had fans flocking to get an autograph, he had a partner of his own who was faceless right now (once he forced his mind to wipe Iwaizumi's face off of him). He could probably be happy without Iwaizumi, but he didn't really want to lose his friend. The friend who would go to doctors appointments with him and knock sense into him when he was being overdramatic and reckless. Iwaizumi was a great friend. It was Tooru who hadn't been a very good one.
He shuffled around for the air dryer (he knew Miko had one someplace). Friends or not, Tooru knew he should probably look for a new apartment. He could manage that by getting a listing from the convenience store. Something small, but close to campus or at least by a train or bus stop. He needed some place to go and not think about Iwaizumi crouched over his desk in concentration. A couch without any indents of their time together. No Godzilla merchandise. Tooru's reflection nodded in agreement.
He should probably talk to Iwaizumi as well. That thought nearly made Tooru keel over on the counter, hair dryer in his hand. That was obviously too soon to deal with. Maybe after he moved out and had some space? That seemed reasonable and not at all like he was avoiding the situation. No, completely reasonable. Tooru leaned forward inspecting himself in the mirror. He wondered if Miko had any of his spare clothes from last time he'd visited.
Now that he had a plan, he needed to keep to it. He needed to find a way to keep his mind and heart away from their favorite topic of fixation. He could distract himself for a bit, perhaps? Volleyball in Miyagi may be too familiar, but perhaps a run? If he could dig Makki's number up from the depths of his memory he could also see if he was free for lunch. Tooru changed his clothes, a more upbeat spirit now that he was driven to complete his new set of goals.
As it turned out, he didn't need to remember anything because just as Miko and Tooru finished their second puzzle (and their third movie) there was a knock at the door. Tooru jogged over, opening it to find Makki and Matsun standing there, looking as if they had expected Tooru to appear and any other person would have been the surprise.
"How'd you know I was here," Tooru asked.
"Where are your manners," scolded Makki, a smirk pulling his face.
"Your mother sent us," Matsun replied in a flat tone.
"I didn't think she knew I was here," Tooru admitted, rubbing his neck. "I guess I'll have to stop by."
Makki looked up at the gutter as if it had the secrets to the universe, his mouth wobbling. Matsun's cough sounded a lot like a snicker, but Tooru didn't have time to ask because Miko appeared at the door behind him, giving her brother a soft nudge out the door.
"Perfect timing, boys. I can't do any more puzzles or watch any more alien documentaries. Take him."
Tooru turned, an offended look on his face. "Sorry for exposing you to the truth!"
In response, she closed the door in their faces. Tooru turned to his friends, an expectant smile breaking across his face.
"Put that away, sir," Makki said seriously. "Save it for the bar so we can use it for free drinks."
"You're not here to cheer me up," Tooru whined, falling into step with the others. "You're just here to use my good looks and charm to free-load."
"Always. Finally you understand the foundation of this relationship," Matsun agreed, holding the gate open, motioning for them to pass through. Makki gave an elaborate bow in thanks.
"That's no way to treat the matchmaker who-" Tooru began but Makki groaned before he could finish.
"You did not!"
"I did," Tooru gloated, falling into step with them. "You were just too shy to admit how much you adored our Matsun."
"Shy," Matsun asked Makki. "You're shy? Why haven't I seen this?"
"Is it a turn on?"
"Practically a kink."
"I'll remember that," Makki said, pretending to write down a note in an imaginary notebook. He turned back to Tooru. "And you didn't do anything except force us to play truth or dare, the most juvenile of match-making techniques."
"We'd already kissed before that," Matsun agreed.
Tooru looked scandalized. "You had already kissed?!"
Makki glanced over at Matsun. "He makes it sound weird."
"He's a prude."
"Innocent like a white lily."
"You've kept this a secret from me our whole friendship," Tooru snapped, turning his head quickly from one to the other as they entered a small yakatori spot, the smoke greeting them at the same time as the host. Matsun dealt with their reservation as Makki turned back to Tooru, crossing his arms.
"It was for the best. I didn't want to ruin your image as cupid."
"I'm a great matchmaker," Tooru pouted as they were led to their table.
"You are a great matchmaker," Makki agreed. "For couples who have already matched and kissed and banged."
"How vulgar," Tooru said, scrunching his face scooting into the booth.
"He's right," Matsun agreed. "The proper term is sexed up."
"Sorry," Makki said earnestly. "For couples who have already matched, kissed, banged, and sexed up."
Tooru turned instinctively to the spot next to him in exasperation, but it was empty. He turned hurriedly back again, hoping his friends hadn't seen his slip. "What about Tobio-chan and Chibi-chan?"
"Didn't you give him setting advice," Matsun asked, ordering three rounds of sake before he even opened the menu.
"Setting was obviously the way to Chibi-chan's heart," Tooru replied haughtily. "Anyone could see that."
"Setters and aces. Predictable," Makki rolled his eyes in an exaggerated fashion, but Tooru felt like he'd been slapped. He ducked behind his menu, pushing up his glasses to look at the options. He wished he'd brought contacts. His eyes fell again to the empty space that Iwaizumi normally filled. Maybe seeing Makki and Matsun wasn't the distraction he had hoped for.
"Let's not talk about...volleyball," Matsun offered, his voice as cheerful as it ever was (considering he didn't usually move from his monotone). "Let's talk about how Oikawa has miraculously appeared in Miyagi just in time for this, my new favorite restaurant, to officially open!"
"We went to the soft opening and they accidentally sent us three extra orders of everything," Makki muttered.
"Happy accidents are fate smiling down upon us," Matsun replied, closing his menu. He rested his chin on his folded hands, his eyes moving from Makki to Tooru. "Let's get into some trouble, shall we?"
Tooru's head peaked over the menu to find Makki and Matsun watching him with identically devious expressions. Damn it. Why did his friends know him so well? He closed the menus and placed it next to him, folding his hands before him. "What could you be thinking, Matsun?"
"Tell our son how we plan to corrupt him this afternoon," Matsun told Makki. "I need to use the restroom." He pointed to three options on the menu, staring at Makki as if this were the most crucial information he would ever silently share before moving away from their table.
Makki's eyes followed Matsun as he walked away before looking down at the menu. "I'm not getting him that one. It's too spicy. If he asks, let's say we forgot."
"I'll take your secret to the grave."
"If," Makki offered, his expression neutral.
"If we also get some dessert on his tab."
"You should be arrested for this hostage situation." He folded his hands. "I agree to your terms."
"Too kind," Tooru nodded.
"I get told that a lot. By the way," Makki paused here, his eyes darting to the restroom. Tooru had the distinct feeling that Makki was about to ask something he'd been told not to. Makki (never one to listen to directions) continued on. "How are you, having fled to the country and all?"
"I have a plan," Tooru said, waving his hand in the air lightly, swatting away Makki's question and the many feelings that might come with it.
"What's the plan?"
"Get over Iwaizumi."
"Iwaizumi, huh?" Makki's eyebrows raised slightly, though the rest of his face remained neutral. "Isn't that the same plan as before?"
"Now it has steps!"
"So the same plan, but a different name and more complicated."
"I'm actually only accepting compliments and positive feedback today," Tooru informed him as the server returned. Makki pointed to the items hurriedly before turning back to Tooru.
"I don't know how to do that."
"Compliments?"
"Or positive feedback. I can provide you with sarcastic side comments and judgmental looks."
"How about side comments related to other people and snarky banter?"
Makki considered this before holding out his hand for Tooru to shake. "For twenty four hours, but then I'm afraid the trial period is over."
"Careful or I'll tell your lover about your deceit," Tooru said, rolling his eyes as he took back his hand. Makki looked scandalized.
"We prefer bed bros, thank you very much. Respect the code."
"Of course."
"Speaking of the code," Makki said nodding thanks as their sake arrived. He put a bottle before each of their places and Tooru was sure he could hear his liver crying already. He downed the rest of his water as an apology. Makki continued, "Does this plan to get over Iwaizumi mean you're cutting him off completely or just moving on to a different love interest?"
"Part of the reason I'm doing this is to stay friends," Tooru said, tapping his feet under the table, eye moving away from Makki to the empty spot again. "I'm not being a good friend if I can't be happy for Iwaizumi when he finally gets to go on a date, instead of spending every night with his lovesick best friend."
"You're a good friend, Captain," Makki assured him and Tooru's eyes snapped back at the rare compliment. A smirk twitched on Makki's face as he added, "But, you're just so damn stupid."
Tooru squawked in response as Matsun arrived at the same time as the appetizers. He looked over the food before pointing accusingly between them. "There is one missing!"
Makki pointed to Tooru. "Oikawa said no."
Tooru couldn't help it, the laughter that bubbled up within him filled him like a cup until it overflowed out of him. This was exactly the distraction he needed after all. By the end of lunch, he was satisfied enough to stop by the convenience store and get a listing of apartments, marking it up as he walked to his mother's house for an obligatory visit.
...
Monday found Tooru waking up for a jog at the reasonable lazy time of noon. He was pleased to admit that he only thought about Iwaizumi twenty or so times as he jogged through Miyagi (which was about twenty or so less than usual) and that seemed like a celebratory bit of information. He slowed to a walk at the park. The sun was perfectly angled and the breeze delightfully cool as it brushed past Tooru's hair, so he sat down on the grass. He threw up his arms before allowing his back to flop back against the grass. There was no getting around the fact that tomorrow he would need to go back to Tokyo and start looking for a new apartment, perhaps even explain himself (a little) to Iwaizumi. For now, though, Tooru allowed himself the briefest reprieve from his own consciousness as he stared up at the clouds moving slowly overhead.
He woke up a few hours later (if the sun's position were any hint), feeling a bit lighter in his steps than he had in the last few weeks. He hummed lightly as he moved, nodding and smiling at a few passing people. Miko's phone rang in his pocket.
"Oikawa shared sibling telephone, handsome younger brother speaking. How can I help you?"
"Tooru," his mother gasped scandalized. "What if Miko was getting a call for a promotion or an interview?"
"They'd find out that they called the right phone and had chosen to hire or promote the second or third best Oikawa sibling," Tooru replied lightly. He turned the corner and started up the hill to Miko's place as his mother scolded him, though her tone was too light-hearted to be taken seriously. She remembered her business as Tooru took the final turn to Miko's.
"Miko says you are returning to Tokyo tomorrow? You really should have just stayed here."
"It was just a short trip, Mom. I'll stay with you next time."
"It would have made everything much easier, I felt so ashamed having to explain that you were at your sister's."
"Well Makki and Matsun made it to me fine, so thank you," Tooru laughed. "I appreciate it, wven if it was embarrassing."
"Hanamaki and Matsukawa? I didn't talk to them," his mother quipped. "I meant Hajime."
"What?" Tooru paused in his walk, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Hajime stopped by to return your phone. Did you leave it in Tokyo? Another detail you and Miko forgot to tell me, by the way. You can imagine my embarrassment having to explain to him that you didn't think it reasonable to stay with me."
"You told him I was at Miko's." Tooru repeated. All the feelings he'd attempted to leave in Tokyo came flooding back, like rain clouds gathering suddenly before an unexpected storm.
"Well of course, Tooru, he's doing you a favor by bringing your phone all this way," his mother scolded. "Most people would have just waited until you returned, you know. He's such a good young man. He'll make some woman very happy one day."
Tooru hummed in response, only half listening as his mind began racing much faster than his feet were moving. Iwaizumi came to Miyagi, but why? Just to deliver Tooru's phone? That seemed unlikely. It's not like Tooru owned Miyagi. Iwaizumi grew up here as well, so he could easily be here to see family. Iwaizumi has a class Mondays, Tooru thought. He looked at the phone for the time. If he had already seen Tooru's mother then Iwaizumi must have skipped his afternoon class, but that brought Tooru back to his initial question: why? Was he here to yell at Tooru for making him worry or disappearing without any call or note? He could yell at Tooru any time. Maybe Matsun and Makki had told him about his plan to move out? Tooru shook his head. They wouldn't do that. Iwaizumi probably had no idea Tooru was planning to move out, unless he had recently acquired psychic powers. What if Iwaizumi had lost his memories but gained psychic abilities and was just now realizing how to use them? He had sensed Tooru was going to move out and came all the way to Miyagi!
Normally the idea would have made Tooru jealous beyond belief (imagine the adventures you could have with psychic abilities). This time, Tooru tried to reel in his own imagination. No, no, he reasoned. Even if it seemed that Iwaizumi had psychic powers at times, there was no way Iwaizumi could know where Tooru was or what he was thinking. He'd gone to the wrong house looking for Tooru to prove it. Tooru chewed his lip anxiously. What could he possibly want? What would bring him all the way here during a class that he never ever skipped? Before he could ponder further, he stopped at the small, slightly crooked fence outside Miko's house as his mind went completely silent, his thoughts freezing in place.
There, standing on the doorstep with one hand raised as if he had been or was about to knock, was Iwaizumi Hajime. Tooru felt his mouth go dry, a swell of emotions he hadn't been expecting until tomorrow rushing over him like a tsunami. Tooru licked his lips, trying to restart his mind once more. It didn't work.
"I have to go," Tooru mumbled, hanging up before his mother could respond. He watched as Iwaizumi turned slowly, his hand lowering as his eyes met Tooru's. His heart stuttered in his chest.
"Iwa-c," Tooru started, but he cleared his throat and tried again. "Iwaizumi? What are you doing here?"
Iwaizumi flinched slightly at the name before looking at Tooru sheepishly, one hand scratching the back of his head. He didn't move his eyes away from Tooru's surprised expression.
"Not the best start, but I'll take what I can."
A/N: Thanks for reading! Review and favorite if you like and thanks again to all those who have! I love reading your reviews and comments :)