Anchor

Written by: RinoaDestiny

#28 – Day 1 (Tokyo Trip)

Shin-Osaka Station was bustling, people departing and boarding trains to all destinations clearly marked on the digital displays. The railway intercom announced all arrivals and departures, occasionally interrupted by a service call regarding some incident elsewhere in the station. Tokyo was always a popular destination, so Kyo was glad he'd reserved seats. Sitting on the floor or standing for three hours wouldn't be relaxing or fun.

Right now, he leaned against a column, reserving their place in their designated car line. After meeting up and entering through the ticket gates together into the platform zone, Iori left to buy their railway bento boxes. Since Kyo paid for their tickets, Iori had decided to contribute by purchasing their food. While the train would carry selections as well, they had more choices among the booths and small bento shops here. Kyo entrusted Iori with whatever he chose, since they were familiar with each other by now.

As he browsed through sports websites on his phone, Kyo began planning their first evening together. Tokyo was a myriad of districts and they had three full days and one night. Upon arrival there, it all depended on their energy and mood as to where they'd want to be.

The question was: Which district to visit first?

He didn't want to be in the Marunouchi business district and nearby Ginza was expensive. Maybe they could start with Roppongi?

Roppongi was young and trendy and the middle-range hotels were affordable. There was plenty of entertainment there, too. Kyo hadn't discussed any of these possibilities with Iori, relying on making up their schedule depending on their mood. He didn't like being locked down to a strict itinerary. Iori hadn't disagreed when he suggested it, so he was in the clear.

The intercom's calm voice intoned the next train arrival. Kyo glanced at the time on his phone. Two forty-five. Fifteen minutes left – enough time to finish reading his favorite sports team's stats. Enough time for Iori to join him here, bento boxes in hand or bag. He traveled light – most of their necessities would be covered by the hotels or convenience stores – and Iori did the same.

He continued scrolling through the team's players, listening to the shuffle and noises of other travelers around him.

Five minutes later, Iori showed up, plastic bag looped around his wrist.

"Grilled fish is yours. Chicken's mine." His lover still looked cool and comfortable in a plain T-shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers despite having been among a crowd. "Would've gone for the pork sandwich if yours sold out." The ring around his finger glinted in the afternoon light. Like him, Iori wore a traveler's pouch and carried no additional baggage. "Busy here today."

"Train's gonna be full," Kyo said, pocketing his phone now that Iori was here. His favorite sports team had decent numbers so far. "You want the window seat?"

Iori shrugged. "Sure."

"Was thinking about staying in Roppongi tonight."

"Roppongi, huh?" The cord to Iori's headphones poked out of his jeans pocket. "Not Ginza?"

"Maybe you can afford it, but if we're gonna jump around, we need to save."

"Could do worse than Roppongi."

"You want to go to Ginza?"

"Might have some stuff I'm looking for. It's not urgent." Iori shifted his standing stance, rolled his shoulders back and tucked his hands into his pockets. The bag dangled from his wrist. "We can do it later."

Ginza was high-end, boasting the latest in fashion and sophisticated food trends. Kyo always found it outside his price range despite his tournament earnings. The fact Iori apparently could afford stuff there surprised him. He didn't think a bassist made that much, or that Iori's tournament sponsorships surpassed his. Then again, it wasn't like anything in Ginza appealed to him, right?

He made a mental note to sightsee Ginza at the tail end of the trip.

"Train will be here soon."

"Yeah." Iori stepped forward, still behind the painted yellow line. "I'll be taking a nap. You can start without me." Iori's wrist lifted a bit, indicating the railway bentos. "I'll eat after I wake up."

"Bad night?"

"Writing some music. Hits out of nowhere sometimes."

"Ah."

All the expectant passengers for the Hikari train bound for Tokyo were in organized lines. Kyo straightened against the column, turning his body towards the tracks, while Iori's chin rose, as if sensing a change in the air. The intercom spoke, detailing the arrival of the three o'clock Tokyo-bound Hikari train on the Tokaido Shinkansen line. If anyone was rushing here, they'd need to run quick.

Sleek and swift, the bullet train slid into the station. While they waited for the recent arrivals to leave the train and the platform, Kyo dug his phone from his pocket and quickly observed the time. Two fifty-nine. Precise, as most timetables in Japan were. They'd likely reach Tokyo a little after six if they were allowed to board soon. With the bento, would they need dinner?

"What are you thinking about?"

Kyo glanced at Iori, whose curious expression softened his face's scowl lines. "Dinner. Hotel at Roppongi first? Or should we eat something beforehand?"

"Have to see. We might not need it."

With their section of the platform clear and the awaiting train's car doors open, it was time for them to board. Staying at the head of the line, Kyo stepped into their train car and headed for their two seaters. Iori was right behind him, but the window seat was his, so Kyo let him sit first. Framed against the window, Iori seemed aflame, crimson hair bright. Not an original poetic thought, yet suitable for his lover.

"You look nice."

Iori turned a mild shade of red. "Not here, Kyo."

Iori Yagami was one of the most fearsome fighters in tourney circles and yet…just a mere compliment in public embarrassed him. "What? I mean it."

"You can say it somewhere else. Just not…here."

Kyo fished his own headphones from his traveler's pouch, plugging it into his phone. "You want me to hold the bentos?"

"I'll put my table down."

He'd prepared several playlists of music and could continue browsing websites until they reached Tokyo. Three hours was relatively short and whiling away the time wouldn't be difficult. Next to him, Iori unlatched his table, setting it down and then placing the bag on top of it. His lover didn't look tired, but once the train doors closed and they were on their way, Iori fell asleep.

Kyo resisted the urge to touch him. Instead, he turned on his first playlist.

During one of the few stops the train had, Kyo reached for his bento box. Earlier, he'd ordered a beer and with hunger setting in, now was a good time to eat. The grilled fish bento was one of the better brands – Iori had discernment and taste – and Yagami's own box had a self-heating mechanism. It made sense when he read the label, for it also contained chicken stew.

Beside him, Iori slept on, the nap stretching past the one hour mark.

As Kyo worked on his meal with his disposable chopsticks, he wondered what song Iori wrote. Was it simply music notes or did it have lyrics? Was it complete or just the beginning of an idea? Poetry was like that, too – only, Kyo didn't share his poems with many people. The few times he did, he always got the impression it wasn't as good as he'd thought.

His friends were polite, sure, but still…

He took a swallow of beer, glanced at the changing landscape outside and turned the second playlist on.

An hour later, Iori awoke, rubbing grit from his eyes. Kyo had moved onto playlist number three and a second can of beer. Once Iori finished stretching – looking alert now – Kyo addressed him. "We're an hour away. Want a drink? Think they might be coming around again soon."

"You finished eating?"

"Yeah. Are you saving yours for later?"

Iori shook his head, already opening the bag on his table. "Don't need dinner with this."

"So… Roppongi? Hotel? Or should we do something first?"

Slight hissing from Iori's bento box as the self-heating mechanism was activated. Hot chicken stew at this time – a little after five o'clock – would be the perfect dinner. "We have three days. Don't mind a bit of downtime." The sound of chopsticks being separated. "If we're hitting the countryside, we should figure out which districts we can see along the way."

"Or make it a day trip and come back to the city later."

Iori nodded, already shoveling food in his mouth. "You said no schedule, so…" The other man chewed and swallowed. "We'll figure it out."

"Yeah. Oh hey – the drink cart's here. You want anything?"

Iori, surprisingly, ordered a beer. Kyo opted for a soft drink. Two beers were enough.

Tokyo Station – arrival a minute or two after six – came and went, for they immediately headed for the first subway train on route to Roppongi. From there, they had to make a stop and transfer, so wasting time wasn't preferred. It was still early – the nightlife yet to come – but settling down in a hotel after a three hour train ride was sensible. Also, Iori wasn't up for barhopping and Kyo wanted a shower.

Between the two of them, they decided on the hotel and Iori paid the taxi fee for the trip there. By the time they booked the room – drawing several curious stares from those around them – Kyo was ready to retire for the night.

Iori, walking alongside him, stayed quiet.

The decent-sized room boasted a desk with a lamp, nightstand with affixed light and a digital clock, a flat-screen television, and a single king-sized bed. Kyo started charging his phone, grabbed a towel, and headed for the bathroom. Iori, lying down on the bed, glanced at him before picking up the remote control. A game show droned on in the background before being covered by the soothing sound of running water.

Now that there was no urgency, Kyo took his time.

The hot water relaxed his muscles, sweeping away travel-worn tension. Beneath it lingered exhaustion, which surprised him. He didn't think he was tired.

When he finished and exited, their room was silent. The television screen was dark and Iori had curled up, fast asleep. It was five after nine according to the clock. Without rousing Iori, Kyo stripped the bedspread and sheets from beneath him. Climbing in, he covered them both against the air-conditioned chill. Reached out to turn off the light. "Good night, Yagami," he said, voice soft against Iori's measured breaths.

Darkness. Faint sounds of the city outside.

Then, silence.