#tough.

He pregames way more than he intended to, and by the time your ride drops you off at the bar, he’s struggling to guide you towards the VIP booth he had booked. The place is crowded and musty, service is slow, and that stupid DJ seemed to have canceled his gig at the last minute. Leaving Hikaru to look the part of the fool after talking the night up. “Um…it could be worse, I guess?” 

He spoke far too soon, because it does, in fact, get worse. From the sea of people, a familiar face emerges: our Reluctant!Yandere Kokkai. Grinning and waving his arms like a right idiot as he waltzes up to your table, another girl on his tail. She’s as tall as his shoulder and twice as pretty, with red tips highlighting her dark coils. Awkwardly, Hikaru offers the girl a side hug and an unsubtle glare at his friend while Kokkai throws his arms around you as a greeting. 

His attire is severely out of place, black from head to toe in a compression shirt and long skirt. Likely only having gotten in due to the messy dabs of glittery silver across his eyelids. “This is Lola, Hika’ and I both know her from middle school.” He introduces her after she and Hikaru part ways. Her hand extends easily, though her palms are a little clammy when you meet them. “It’s so nice to put a face to your name. I’ve heard a lot about you, pretty.”

“Don’t call them that.” Hikaru bites, fisting at the edge of your table. Neither she nor Kokkai seems to take his bark very seriously. Pursing their lips his way as they nudge at you further. “What, you don’t think they’re pretty? God, Hika’, tell me how you really feel.”

“That isn’t-” He scoffs, turning to you for guidance. His brows are tightly knitted, and he looks genuinely upset by their interruption, but you shrug, reaching over to squeeze his hand for a gentle reassurance. It doesn’t pass by you; all parties fixated gazes on the small movement. “...well, it doesn’t matter. I thought you guys didn’t even come to this side of town.” Hikaru redirects, shaking the tension off. “What about that goth club on Third Street? Isn’t your brother in with the owner, Lo’?”

“Kokkai said we might run into you two if we came here tonight. Why would I pass that opportunity up?” She earnestly replies. “And we did! Lucky me, I knew it.” Kokkai fist pumps. “My intuition is never wrong.”

“Your intuition, was it?” 

“Uh-huh,” The tall boy drawls, refusing to take the bait. He then turns, bumping his hip against yours. “Hey, did you request a song yet? The queue is getting pretty long.” And like that, he manages to drag you away from the other two and back onto the dance floor. Passively, you two fight your way into line, though Kokkai seems much more preoccupied with stepping along to the music than rushing. His hand finds yours, spinning you around twice off beat for fun. Is he wearing cologne? Huh…out of the corner of your eye, you can see the start of an argument between Lola and Hikaru.

“I haven’t been to this place before, have you?” Kokkai hums, drawing your attention back onto him. He’s smiling that easy grin he usually does, and you can never tell if it’s because he’s always happy to see you or if he’s compensating. “That other club Hika’ was talking about isn’t really my scene either. When I go out, it’s usually a friend of a friend's house party, but I guess we’re getting too old for those.”

He pays for the small fee for your requests, and when you make it back to your table, the bleach head is nowhere to be found. “Oh, he’s just being whiny like he always is.” Lola waves off, now sipping on something orange and murky. “Said something about waiting outside? Pretty sure he just texted you, though.” Before you can check your phone, another song fades in, and it’s a fan favorite. The two before you are all too eager to rejoin the crowd on the floor. There’s something just as relieving as it is nerve-wracking to watch a swarm of people move as they feel the need to. Heads bob and shake, sending hair of all lengths flying. In the air, hands shine with painted nails and jewelled accessories. To each individual, personalized and worn with assumed pride.

For all his lankiness and limp ankle, Kokkai’s a pretty decent dancer. He sways with a relaxed confidence, guiding his arms around him like parting water. Lola is a bit more rowdy with her moves. Her thick figure rolling this way and that against whatever stranger was closest. You find a balance between singing along to what you know and humming to the rest. It’s fun until you remember who’s not there, and you murmur your departure before you wander off to find Hikaru. Ignoring the unimpressed stare Kokkai sends your way the second your back is turned.

‘Srry, wanted a break. Out back 4 a smoke’ - sent @ 11: 49 PM

Is the original text he sent you, followed up by a few more across the last hour.

‘U didnt invite them did u?’

‘U know I don’t like him. Lolas okay, but we’re not friends.’

‘Seriously, what is his deal? Does he have to butt into verything?’

‘*everything’

And then, 

‘Sorry. I don’t know why I’m acting like this. I won’t leave without you, just let me know whenever you’re done.’

Though, despite his messages, you don’t spot Hikaru anywhere outside the building. This general side of the city is perfumed with the scent of weed, piss, and cigarettes, so smelling around for Hikaru isn’t a useful direction either. He doesn’t pick up the call you shoot him, and you’re ready to head back inside when the man of the hour steps back outside, with Kokkai gently shoving behind him. 

Curiosity takes the best of you, and you casually hide yourself behind the corner to eavesdrop. “Don’t worry so much, they’re around. They’re not the type to ditch you all hopeless and alone when you’ve been drinking.” You hear Kokkai start, carrying on whatever conversation they had inside. Surprisingly passive, Hikaru nods, sighing deeply when he brushes back his front bangs. He seems defeated, with his slumped shoulders and lack of usual scowl. “Yeah.”

Wordlessly, Kokkai fishes for a pack of cigarettes, and Hikaru retrieves his lighter. They only light one, with the taller boy scoring the first puff. He smokes three times before handing it off. Hikaru inhales once before giving it back again, and the cycle repeats. It’s jarring to observe the two not jumping for the other's neck. 

“How's your ankle?” Hikaru murmurs, and for once, it seems to be out of genuine curiosity and slight concern rather than a shallow dig. Kokkai hums something noncommittal and lifts his long skirt to flash a brace you’ve never actually been able to see before. “Fine, think I ought to get a new one soon, though. Velcro's wearing off.”

“Gonna get the same brand? I don’t know which ones my parents' insurance will cover for you off the top of my head.”

“Me neither.”

Hold on, in what world was Kokkai on Hikaru's parents' health insurance? To them, it’s old news, and a topic they brush over for the next without much thought.

“You really suck, you know? Coming here, with Lo'.” Hikaru huffs.

“Please, when was the last time you’ve even been to a club? I’d figure Mr. Germaphobe-Freak-Sora stayed clear of them. Too many risks, eh?” Kokkai muses.

His joke goes virtually ignored as Hikaru shifts, reclaiming some of his sternness. “How’d you even know? I didn’t post it anywhere, and when I invited [name], it was over call.”

Kokkai rolls his eyes and scoffs at the very notion. “God, who even cares?”

“I do.”

“Yeah, like I said, who cares?” 

Hikaru’s hands go up, “Why do I even bother with you?” He spits, before turning on his heel to retreat back inside. Kokkai remains in place until his cigarette shrinks to a stub, and tosses it under his shoe to be crushed. He, too, turns as if to head back, only pausing to glance in your direction for a long moment before heading off. You catch him murmuring something to the bouncer as he cuts the line.

Man, what a weird group of guys.

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⋆˚꩜｡ Kokkai Fuaka Official Design!!