The next day, Bokuto knocks at Akaashi's door around 11 in the morning. Akaashi is surprised to see him at his door.
"Bokuto-san?" he asks dumbfounded. He didn't expect to see Bokuto at his doorstep. He should have been at the bakery at this hour of the day.
"Hey, Akaashi. I thought I would walk you to the bakery. If it's alright with you," Bokuto replies nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
Akaashi doesn't know what he was expecting, it is definitely not this. Why does Bokuto want to walk him to the bakery? He doesn't know why, but he likes the idea of spending even more time with him.
"That would be fine, Bokuto-san. Would you like to come in while I get ready?" He gives Bokuto a small smile.
"Sure," Bokuto agrees and steps into Akaashi's home.
"You can wait here while I get ready. Do you want anything to drink while you wait?" Akaashi asks Bokuto.
"I am good Akaashi. It is beautiful here," Bokuto tells him. He is busy taking in his surroundings.
"Thank you. I won't take long Bokuto-san," Akaashi says, feeling bashful at the praise.
He quickly changes into a blue denim jeans and a plain white shirt with sleeves folded up to his elbow. He tries to get his curls to settle down but in vain. His hair would just not cooperate today. He huffs and let it be. He has more important things to do right now.
"Bokuto-san, I am ready to go," he says as he steps into the living room. He finds Bokuto looking out the balcony doors.
"Let's go Akaashi…" Bokuto trails off looking at him. Akaashi feels self-conscious about the way Bokuto is looking at him. He can't quite put a finger on the expression on the older boy's face.
"Let's go." Bokuto seems to have recovered himself and leads Akaashi out.
They are walking towards the bakery when Akaashi finally asks what he has been wondering ever since Bokuto showed up at his apartment "Bokuto-san, why did you come to pick me up? I could have come there by myself."
He can see the tips of Bokuto's ears turning red. "We are best friends, right? And you are new in the city, I didn't want you to get lost," Bokuto tells him.
Akaashi can feel that Bokuto is lying to him. He isn't telling him the real reason he came to pick him up. He can also see the way Bokuto is getting flustered with each second. He decides whatever the real reason is, it's too embarrassing for Bokuto, so he decides to let the matter go for the time being. He will ask him at a later date when they both are comfortable enough with each other to not be embarrassed anymore.
"We are here," Bokuto announces. Akaashi, lost in his thoughts, didn't even notice that their short walk was over.
He looks up to see 'Fukurodani Bakes,' written in bold letters on the shop front. He notices the bakery is named after owls just like the man beside him.
Inside the bakery, there are more owl-themed decorations all around. There are shelves full of owl figurines. A large owl sticker is present on one of the walls. Even the menu over the serving counter has hundreds of tiny owls on its border.
"Bokuto-san, Do you like owls by any chance?" he asks, deadpan.
"They are my absolute favourite thing in the world after baked goods," Bokuto sheepishly tells him.
"I like owls, too. They are supposed to be wise creatures," he says. Bokuto beams at him.
Before they could continue their conversation, they were interrupted by a loud voice. "Bokuto don't just run off like that without a warning. You are the owner. Behave like one."
Akaashi looks towards the voice only to find Daichi there, glaring daggers at Bokuto.
"I didn't run off Daichi," Bokuto insists, turning red.
"Let him be Dai, you know why he ran off," Suga elbows his fiancee, giving Bokuto and him a knowing smile.
"Suga," Daichi protests, turning to the man beside him.
Akaashi isn't paying attention to what he says next. His mind is busy processing the new information he just obtained. Bokuto had been working at the bakery when he ran off without telling anyone to pick him up. He feels butterflies dancing in his stomach at the thought. Bokuto really just want to be his best friend if he decided to ditch the work if it's supposed to be an off day.
"While watching you flirt with each other is fun. We have a guest here," a voice brings him back. Akaashi didn't even notice that there was a third man behind the counter.
The man has ash-blonde hair with dark tips. Sharp, dark eyes framed by black eyebrows stare at him. He has a large build and a serious-looking face.
"Ah right. Can you call the others out, Semi?" Bokuto says, seemingly recovered from Daichi's scolding.
The guy named Semi walks inside what Akaashi presumes is the kitchen and returns with three people, two men and a woman.
"Right, Akaashi you already know Daichi and Suga here. That man next to them is Semi Eita. He is our barista."
"The lady over here is Suzumeda Kaori. She works with Suga on the savoury dishes." The woman has tan coloured hair that's tied up in a ponytail, grey-blue eyes and freckles across her face.
"Next to her is her boyfriend Konoha Akinori. He is my Assistant and partner," The said man has dirty blond hair, narrow eyes and an average build.
"And that's Yamaguchi Tadashi. He is the youngest among us. He is still a trainee so he helps out both in the kitchen and Semi with the drinks," the youngest man here has dark, greyish-green hair and an average build, with freckles covering his face.
"And, guys, this is Akaashi Keiji, our new neighbour and friend," Bokuto introduces them.
"Nice to meet you all," Akaashi says. He gets similar responses from them.
"So, you are the guy Bokuto won't shut up about since yesterday," Konoha comments.
Akaashi turns red at the comment. Bokuto has been talking about him? Then again, he has been thinking about Bokuto since their dinner, so it might be the same case with Bokuto. When you meet new people you do tend to talk about them for a while, especially since you want to be friends with them, and Bokuto said they are going to be best friends. It's only logical that Bokuto will talk about him.
"Konoha, I am allowed to talk about my best friend," Bokuto defends himself.
"Yeah, sure, best friend," Suzumeda teases him.
"Guys, please leave them alone. You have met Akaashi, now go back to your work. No need to overwhelm him on his very first visit," Daichi intervenes before Bokuto can get any more defensive.
All of them reluctantly go back to what they were doing before Bokuto and Akaashi entered the bakery.
"Come on, we should get you something to eat. I am sure you must be hungry," Bokuto says as he leads him to the counter. "Do you have anything specific in mind that you might want?" he asks.
"I would like a coffee, but about food, what would you recommend Bokuto-san?"
"Do you mind if I get you a few items each from our desert and savoury selections? They are our Sunday-special. We do a different menu every day," Bokuto asks him.
"Sure, I don't mind," he replies. He is excited to try out every single item on the menu, even if it takes him multiple visits.
"Great, go take a seat. I will be with you in a moment," Bokuto directs him to a table near the big owl sticker. "Semi—" He then addresses his barista.
"One coffee coming in a minute," Semi says from his spot at the coffee machine.
Within minutes, Bokuto is back at the table with a few dishes and his cup of coffee with him. "I figured I could serve you the speciality dishes today. You can taste the rest of them on your next visit," Bokuto tells him.
"Sounds perfect to me. So where should I start," Akaashi says as he eyes multiple food items in front of him.
"Here, this is my speciality. The daifuku has coconut in it with red beans. The Dango is strawberry, matcha and vanilla, and the yokan is chestnuts and sweet potato," Bokuto says as he pushes a plate of Wagashi towards him.
Akaashi eats a piece, and the flavour just bursts into his mouth. He has never tasted anything so fresh and delicious in his life. It has just the right amount of sweetness to it.
"I have never tasted such a delicious Daifuku in my life," Akaashi honestly tells Bokuto.
"Thank you. You should try the Dango and yokan next," Bokuto replies with a pleasing smile.
Akaashi does as he is told and he thoroughly enjoys both.
"This is Suga's speciality," Bokuto points at a plate of Gyutan. "That is Kaori's speciality," he then points at a plate of Karaage chicken. "The cake is castella. It's Konoha's speciality. He is from Nagoya. The cake is a family recipe of his," Bokuto finally points at the last plate on the table.
Akaashi tries every dish on the table and is delighted with the taste of each. He decides then and there that he is going to get takeouts from here itself. He thinks he can never get enough of Bokuto's desserts or Suga's cooking if everything they make tastes just as delicious as the ones he just tasted.
"The food is delicious. I am glad you asked me to come to visit," he tells Bokuto while sipping on his coffee. He thinks the coffee is just the way he likes it. Maybe he will get his daily coffee made by Semi from now onwards.
"Thank you. I am glad you agreed to come too," Bokuto says and gives him one of his signature smiles. "Akaashi, what are your plans for the week?" he then asks him curiously.
"I am going to set up the studio with the help of my manager and then make arrangements for the auditions on Thursday," Akaashi tells him.
"Auditions?" Bokuto prompts.
"I need dancers to join my dance crew. I will be hosting on-the-spot auditions for the coming Thursday," he explains.
"That's so cool. Is there any way I can help you?" Bokuto asks, he looks eager to help his friend.
"Well, maybe you can provide some simple refreshments from your menu? If it's not too much to ask for." Akaashi hesitates a little. While he does need the catering, he doesn't want to impose on his new friends.
"Sure Akaashi, Suga and I can definitely cater for your auditions," Bokuto readily agrees.
"Then we can discuss the prices later?" he asks and Bokuto nods his head.
"How much do I owe you for this meal?" Akaashi asks, his hand going to his wallet when Bokuto stops him.
"It's my treat," Bokuto firmly tells him. When Akaashi goes to protest, he stops him. "I asked you to visit so it's on the house this time. You can pay from your next visits onwards. I won't stop you," he assures him.
Akaashi gives up seeing no point in arguing with Bokuto he can see he won't take no for an answer.
The rest of the visit is a pleasant experience for them as they engage in mundane conversations.
Thursday comes, and it's time to hold the auditions for his dance crew. He has spent the last two months advertising everywhere in Japan about his dance crew and how they aim to take on the world.
The manager he hired for the crew has helped him set up everything during the days leading up to today. She is already at the studio going over the final preparations while Akaashi is here at him too nervous to function properly.
The thought that he has to hold in the auditions in a little less than an hour makes him nauseous. It's the first time he is attempting something this big in his life, and he needs it to go right for him. If the audition today isn't successful, he can lose another chance at taking the first few steps towards his goals.
It's not like he is worried that dancers won't show up, there have to be at least ten dancers who want to compete at the world level, too. He will take them all in his crew. It's just the sheer scale of the journey that is going to start with this audition that is hitting him now, and that's making him nervous and scared.
As he is trying to finish eating his breakfast, he receives a video call request from Tobio. He immediately answers it, only to see that Tobio isn't alone. Kei is with him.
"Keiji-nii," Tobio greets him.
"Tobio, Kei. It's nice to see you," he greets them.
"Akaashi-san," Tsukishima nods at him.
"Kei, how many times do I need to tell you to call me Keiji or Keiji-nii like Tobio? We are family," he chides him.
"Sorry, Keiji-san," Tsukishima apologises.
"All the best for the auditions today," Tobio wishes him.
"What he said," Tsukishima awkwardly says.
Akaashi smiles at their support. "Thank you," he tells them.
"Are you nervous?"Tobio asks him.
"I am beyond nervous," he admits.
"You don't have to be. You are good at your job Keiji-san. Any dancer would like to work with you. Don't forget who you are," Tsukishima reminds him.
Of course, he remembers who he is. He is Akaashi Keiji who has won the nationals for dance competitions 6 times in a row before flunking it so badly after his break up with Kuroo. He hasn't competed in any competition ever since then. World of Dance will be his first competition since that debacle.
"Keiji- nii, are you thinking about that incident again?" Tobio asks worriedly.
"No, Tobio. I am just wondering how many people will show up today," he lies.
"Enough that you will have a hard time deciding who to select," Tobio reassures him.
Akaashi smiles at the reassurance. Tobio being this open in reassuring him never fails to make him happy.
"I need to leave for the studio now. I will talk to your guys later," he tells them.
"Alright. Call us tonight and tell us all about the auditions," Tobio says.
Akaashi promises them he will call them later before hanging up the call. He is about to put his phone in his pocket when notices a message notification.
"All the best for the auditions, Akaashi!"
It's Bokuto who has sent him the message. They had exchanged numbers after their brunch on Sunday and have been chatting on and off since then.
The message and the insane number of exclamation points bring a smile to his face, and he sends his reply to the message.
"Thank you, Bokuto-san."
Between his call with Tobio and Kei and Bokuto's message, it makes him feel oddly motivated, and with that, he leaves for the studio with a new spring in his step.
"Yachi-san, Are we set for today?" he asks once he reaches the studio and sees his manager hanging up pamphlets on the notice board.
"Yes, Akaashi-san. We are all ready to start whenever you give the go-ahead. Everyone is waiting in the reception area," his manager, Yachi Hitoka, tells him.
Yachi is a short petite woman with medium-blonde hair. She may have a small frame, but the way she works and holds up everything together is commendable.
"Let's get this show on the road then," he declares as he leads her inside.
Around 50 people are waiting for the auditions to start. Honestly, he didn't expect that many people to show up. He hopes he can find seven people to make them his crewmates.
He takes a deep breath and addresses the people waiting for the audition to start "Thank you for showing your interest in dancing with me and hoping to take on the world. We are going to start the auditions now. It's an open-style audition so you are free to dance in any dance form you want. I just want to see your passion in your dance. My manager here will guide you on the audition line up."
He then goes to the rehearsal room he has set up for the audition and waits for the first person to begin.
The auditions go on smoothly. It takes him almost the whole day to get through all the people that are present. It is just like Tobio had said, they are all so good at what they do that he is having a hard time deciding on who to choose.
During Lunchtime, Konoha, Suzumeda and Yamaguchi had shown up from Fukurodani Bakes with the refreshments that they had finalised. They have decided that they will leave the refreshment counter open throughout the day so that the dancers can eat whenever they feel comfortable either before or after their auditions.
After the end of the audition, Akaashi goes through his shortlisted dancers and reviews their profile. There are around 15 dancers whose profile he likes the most. He selects the seven people that he thinks would work well together.
After making his decision, he goes and debriefs the dancers present over there. "Thank you for coming today. I have made my decision. The list of people selected is posted on the notice board outside. I will see the selected people tomorrow for our first rehearsals. Good job today!"
He lets them go after that. Soon, everyone is making their way out to see the list while he and Yachi stay to clean up the studio. They can hear the excited screams and disappointed groans from where they are working together.
Akaashi is relieved that the auditions are now over. With his team finalized, he can feel his excitement increasing. He has taken the first step towards the world stage. The next step is for them to rehearse and make do well at the qualifiers. He can't wait for the rehearsals to start soon.