#basashichigo

The rush of adrenaline runs through his veins when he looks out from behind the curtains and see the gathering crowds in the small performance hall. It’s not as big as the arenas and domes he used to be a part of but this is his new beginning and Ryutaro feels an odd sense of achievement.

His bandmate, Kento, slaps him in the back bringing him to reality once again. “Penny for your thoughts?” 

He shakes his head with a small smile, “just overwhelmed.” In which Kento snorts in his face (god he needs to stop doing that so close to his face).

“Come on, we’re starting soon,” he motions for him to follow.

Ryutaro looks out into the crowd one last time and thinks he’s seeing things when there’s a familiar figure appeared.

—-

“Thank you! We are ZERO!” they bow one last time to the loudly cheering crowd. Ryutaro can feel his eyes stinging with tears and quickly shakes it off before facing the audience again. The adrenaline rush still thrumming in his ears and whole being and he scans the view trying to commit it to memory.

This is it, he worked hard for this and will continue–

His breath hitched a little when he sees a face he hasn’t seen in months.

Wearing a really bad disguise of black sweater over a band shirt with a hat that barely covers his light hair. Ryutaro holds back a chuckle while give their final goodbyes to the audience.

He’s so cute, he thinks. Not that Ryutaro will ever say it to his face.

—-

The second they packed up the place, Ryutaro fishes out his phone out of his bag and quickly calls a number he knows by heart.

After the third ring, someone picks up, “Hello?”

Ryutaro frowns a little. The voice sounds very clear and too close for it to be just a phone call. A beat later he hears footsteps behind him and turns.

“Oh, you--” he’s stopped mid-sentence by a surprise hug from the new presence.

“You were great tonight,” he mumbles into his hair, one hand softly caressing his back.

Ryutaro softens at the words. “Keito,” his voice low and soft, “I thought you couldn’t make it.”

“Well, I just happen to be in the neighbourhood and,” Keito pulls himself away from the hug, “I wouldn’t miss it.”

Ryutaro hits him lightly in the chest. “You’re a stupid shit, you know that. Trying to make me angry like this.” he chastises, no real malice in it.

Keito laughs, pretending the punches hurt him. Ryutaro can’t help but laughs along.

“You really did great, I’m so proud of you,” Keito says once again.

He knows that, Ryutaro does but to hear it from someone who’s opinion matters to you feels different.

He chuckles. “I know, I know. It’s-- it’s a start but,” he left his words hanging. “I’m proud of myself too,” he says finally.

“Will I get a free signed CD then?” Keito teases.

“I saw your tweets.”

  “You’re supposed to, idiot. I linked them to you for a reason.”

  Chuckles. “There’s a lot of English going on.”

  Sounds of sheets being ruffled can be heard through the phone. “Yeah, well…”

  “Are you trying to tell me something?”

  A pause. “What are you implying by that?”

  “You said you linked them to me for a reason. I’m just trying to figure out what that reason could be.”

  “You’re not being as subtle as you think, you know.”

  “Nor you.”

  There’s some giggling going on in the other line and he seethes silently in his room, his other hand stopped petting his dog. He’s thankful for the lack of visual input at that moment because of the heat creeping up his face.

  “Ryuu?” The voice sounds a little unsure, a little concerned. He must’ve been quiet for a while.

  “Asshole.” He finally says, in English.

  “Oh, so I’m the asshole here—“

  He cuts him off mid-sentence. “I was thinking!” he says it a little too loud, surprising both of them and sends his dog running towards the door.

  He’s not saying anything, the silent way of urging him to continue. “Well, I was thinking, maybe, if you’re free, we can… take a trip to… England,” even putting together the sentence in his head feels embarrassing, mentioning something from years ago. “I mean, if you want to, of course,” he quickly adds.

  This time, it’s his turn to stay quiet.

  “Keito? Say something!” He never said he’s a patient person.

  “I can’t believe you would ask me that,” he can feel his face heating up again and was about to say something before Keito continues, “We’ll see when our schedules match. I won’t let you forget this promise.”

  He’s ready to throw the phone on the wall because, “you’re cheesy in both languages,” he replies.

  This time his laughter is unrestrained. It’s a nice sound, he notes. “I’m going to blame it on it’s being late in Japan right now.”

  “Not buying it for a second.” He thinks he heard a yawn and feels a little guilty for keeping him up.

  There’s a comfortable silence that follows afterwards.

  “You… you should go to bed. Isn’t it late?”

  “Hmm, yeah. Have to wake up early tomorrow.”

  “D-don’t forget your promise, okay?!” he blurts out.

  “I won’t if you don’t. Goodnight, Ryuu.”

  “Night… Keito,” it feels a little cathartic, finally.