He was living in a fucking box, for God’s (Fuku-chan’s) sake.

So he sucks on a slurry of foul words that suggest exactly where the would-be matchmaker could shove their proposition, and he arrives at the cafe with a characteristic lack of promptness.

Arakita might have summarily turned right around and left if he’d spotted Toudou - would have fled through the streets with embarrassment coloring his cheekbones - but instead he feels a pinch, not unlike a bug bite. His mouth curls into the word, “FUCK.” And when he looks up, all of the breath rushes from his lungs.

Swallowing with a subtle gulp, the climber attempts to reclaim his composure, sitting straight, making and breaking eye contact with the male across the table. The blush dusted on his cheeks was too foreign to look at directly.

"A-Ah!? Of course you would, who wouldn't be!" The laugh is more nervous than he intended. The whole situation is more than shocking, but he can't deny the ease that flows in his heart upon knowing another friend is among him. With a small exhale, Toudou smiles something genuine, eyelids flutter close with a heartily laugh. 

1: Hot, Steamy kiss

2: Cheek Kiss

3: Nose Kiss

4: Forehead Kiss

5: Firm Kiss

6: Gentle Peck

7: Romantic Kiss

8: Eyelid Kiss

9: Jawline Kiss

10: Neck Kiss

11: Collarbone Kiss

12: Chest Kiss

13: Stomach Kiss

14: Kiss Along the Hips

15: Kiss in the Rain

16: Upside-Down Kiss

17: Goofy Kiss

18: Underwater Kiss

19: Forceful Kiss

20: Any of the Above

Like a kid in a candy store who’s earned way too much allowance. Sun bounced in his place, though didn’t stay in one spot for long. He continued on to circle around the little red tractor the boy had, tail curling and twitching out of sheer excitement.

"Hah! Man, that’s so cool! Do you mind if I try it out for myself?"

For now, Toudou bites his tongue.

"Um." He looks, anywhere that isn't the tail, really, eyeing the red tractor.

And Usakichi seemed to follow right along with that. The small rabbit had been restless since their arrival and food was the most obvious first step, Shinkai had mused out loud to himself. As if hearing him, the animal’s ears perked and he grew more attentive, tilting his head up at his owner’s words. A similar constant appetite — of course, it made total sense. What kind of owner would he be if he ignored the sincere wish of his beloved pet? The very thought alone was what resulted in his finding the nearest grocery store, unsure but silently glad that he managed to find it as quickly as he did. What luck.

Things really weren’t so bad starting out, here… not like the strangers he had already encountered made it seem. It was just another city, really, a bit more busy than his home but a city nonetheless. The only thing that remained different, of course, was the apparent lack of friends, familiarity, and of course, the cycling team. These things held him together and a very slow sadness had begun in realizing they were now gone. A classic case of realizing the worth of something when it was perhaps too late… ah, at least Usakichi was with him, right? For now, that would have to be enough.

Such heavy thoughts hardly had time to weigh on him before he had found the desired section, anyway — vegetables. Some carrots and lettuce would be a nice treat for his beloved, maybe a bit of celery, as well… his eyes scanned the many offered greens and other veggies before realizing a figure stood in his way of reaching them. They probably wouldn’t mind moving, right? 

"Excuse me, could—" That headband… he blinked, a disbelieving but pleased smirk crossing his face. It could be no other — nobody else had hair that shiny. 

Or at least that’s what Toudou liked to say.

Though such intricate meals hurt his wallet, it served as a decent distraction. Since he'd first been transported to this mechanical city staying still was never an option. Leaving himself to his thoughts lead only to glassy eyes and once hopeful memories turned sour--he'd take any alternative rather than face how lonely he'd become.

So it turns out, cooking was one resort.  

Of course, no method was absolute. In more recent instances, Toudou would find his thoughts drawing back towards the days reunited with his team: offering testers to the first years, complaining about his teammates regrettable diet (never gained results, but he'd always try). The teen exhales, placing another cabbage in his bag, eyes fluttering in exhaustion.

Shoulders tense at the request he hears behind him, Toudou quickly ducking his head down in apology, about to make way before he makes the connection.

His head turns around so fast he must have gotten whiplash. Violet eyes meet blues and Toudou has to be in shock for about thirty seconds before he can utter out a hushed response.

"....Hayato?"

Cue the lip quiver, eyes immediately welling up at the sight of his once thought lost friend. Dropping his bags without a care, Toudou threw his arms around the male's neck, no care for their surroundings.

"Hayaaatooooo!" He practically shrieks, no shame possessed in his body.

  Actually, he was absolutely positive if he had met the stranger behind this picture he’d remember them without a doubt. Even if he was blind drunk during whatever encounter they may have had in the past—but, that’s debatable. It didn’t really take long for him to click the difference between last night’s, and the panicked morning texts. He understood better than anyone when it came to drinking too much and sending out provocative messages, pictures, voice mails… although he’d wind up making quite a couple trips to and from the bathroom the following morning with excruciating hangovers and you can guess what else, swearing up and down he’ll never drink again. 

  Anyway, mixups just leave more room for opportunity, right? 

To: h.w.a.b.  From: hakutaku ♪ Subject: RE: oh my god oh my g

[msg.] well..the texts make a lot more sense now!  [msg.] anyway it’s fine!! TBH it feels more like a blessing on my end ♪ [msg.] so what do you do all day besides looking good?

After careful and somewhat painful maneuvers, the climber finds himself at his bathroom, stark white, everything aligned and in perfect condition--just how Toudou kept things. He partakes in the usual routine: stare at himself, brush his teeth, stare at himself, brush his gorgeous hair for 20 minutes, stare at himself, and shower. Honestly, Toudou was coming to believe he was his own hangover remedy, the once straining headache melting away under hot water. Drying soaked skin, he forgets--practically denies--all previous events: no one had to know, and the picture wasn't the most revealing .

All feeling of relaxation is seized in a breath, instead replaced with a stilling panic. His pale blue flip phone rests atop the covers of matching bedsheets, buzzes indicating new messages. In any normal situation, Toudou would jump at any chance to check his cell phone, whether it meant contacting fans or his beloved rival. However, this situation was anything but normal, small device glaring holes into his stomach. It takes several deep inhales to stumble across to the beds surface, eyes squeezed shut until he flips open the phone, forcing himself to read the incoming response:

"?!"

Is he--was this happening? How bold was this guy? Not that Toudou hasn't gotten his fair share of compliments on the numerous photos he posts to his blog, or to friends(and admirers alike, if they were so lucky)--but to be so blunt...to be truthful, had his heart racing.

The atmosphere changing in it's entirety, the climber crossing his legs with the sudden shift in situation. Sweeping hair behind his ears, the boy giggles tapping out a response.

TO: ??? ??? ???? SUBJECT: re: oh my god oh my g