Chapter Text
Comiket is always a bad decision. Not because of any actually real reason, but the (real) sweat buildup from waiting in lineups truly cannot otherwise be produced, and is always a big factor in regret. Clearly, Itaru isn’t the only feeling the effects of the blazing heat today, seeing as Banri was chugging his cola like it was his only lifeline. Unlike him however, Itaru was equipped with heat res up equips (a skill he acquired from having to wear suits to work even in the worst summer heat), so it wasn’t nearly as obvious that he was being cooked from the inside out.
Due to the sheer weeb-ness of this event however, Itaru deemed the necessity of a disguise to be important, vital even. No matter what, his coworker could not spot him. That. Is. Why! He, against his better judgment, has adopted the guise of a cosplayer; but it’s not like he hasn’t worn a costume with Mankai before. Somehow, Yuki found time (and he must reiterate somehow, seeing as Yuki always seemed so swamped) to make the outfits, and for that, he is eternally grateful. Well, Yuki was a bit forceful about it when Itaru and Banri we’re talking about trying to attempt full-fledged cosplay. (Something about his dignity or something along those lines…)
Speaking of Banri, if he thought about it, in reality, Banri was the first one to bring up this subject when Itaru was worrying about hiding his gamer nature. Kind of him really, what a sweet kid.
In retrospect, they probably could’ve recycled the KniRound outfits, just had to resize Gawain’s to fit for Banri, but hindsight is 20/20. Unfortunately, despite Banri’s insistence that crossplaying as his waifu would be fine, he was not so sure about his own confidence. Once again, don’t get him wrong, he’s done this sort of thing before, but an idol with a short skirt? Maybe not today.
Regardless, that is how he ended up in an outfit pulled straight from his third worse financial investment: FGO. Unlike him however, Banri had no fears, thus somehow or another, they ended up having somewhat matching outfits, being master and servant and all. Grateful for the mask his Prince of Lanling costume gave him, not only to fully hide his identity but also to hide the subtle red that’s been crawling up his face as Banri got out of the change rooms as Hinako. He wasn’t prepared for the super effective attack! His HP is treading on some of the lowest bars! Isn’t it illegal to look that good?
– Yo? You good? His company’s deeper voice pulled him out of his, well, simping.
– Haha, yeah… He answered, refusing to meet the younger’s eyes.
There was always something about that franchise that made Itaru hope for more for himself, seeing as the summoning of heroic spirits and their masters always seemed to have such a nice connection. Not quite a soulmate, but close enough, and Itaru has never denied that having something so precious was a dream of his. Needless to say, seeing them dressed like this really did a number on him. Could Banri be there for him through the thick and thin? Can he finally fill the player 2 on his party comp? There’s no way, right?
– C’mon then, we’d better get going before the lines on the other end of the hall get too long! He hears, before getting pulled to his feet and dragged away.
– Dude, why are you fooling yourself? You must be as sweaty as I am, why are you speedrunning? He answers, shaking his arm a bit to loosen the hold.
– Well, there’s stuff to see, and it’s all only here for today! We gotta make the best of it, right? His friend answered, casually, not letting up on his grip.
But something about the grip his friend had on him didn’t scream normal. It was nice in a sense, comforting. But even more than that, it felt warm, but not uncomfortable? Not at all like the sweat he’s been feeling. It felt like he belonged somewhere; like he was supposed to grip onto the other, and never let go. Seriously, with all these shoujou-cliche moments he’s been experiencing with Banri, one would think that they were either dating, liked each other, or at least something in that vein.
Maybe he was at fault for thinking something so casual could be interpreted as such. Bad Itaru. Just because he was socially inept and touch starved, doesn’t mean everyone is.
Despite the mess in his head, they were able to accomplish all they wanted: get the doujins, go through the comercial booths, even take a few pictures. All in all, success.
As they returned to Mankai however, Banri was adamant about bringing him somewhere else. A little reluctant, seeing as after taking off his wig, his hair was sticking in every which way, he allowed himself to be pulled to a single one of Banri’s whims seeing as he dragged Banri to comiket. What he failed to notice though was that despite being the one to invite him out, Banri’s been doing the most dragging around that day.
The sun was already starting to set by the time they reached their destination, a secluded park relatively close to the outskirts of Tokyo. If he was none the wiser, he would have thought Banri wanted to mug him or something. Since arriving, Banri still hasn’t spoken a word. Only staring into his eyes, which he has to admit, was starting to get him a bit antsy.
– H-hey, you good man? He forced himself to ask his unsually quiet friend.
– Yeah, was the only reply he got, a whisper that Itaru wouldn’t have been able to hear if not for how utterly quiet their surroundings were.
– You were the one who wanted to come here, but you don’t seem so sure of it? Itaru continued, trying to prompt the other into talking normally, but also feeling like he shouldn’t antagonize him right now.
– Yeah, It’s just– I swear I practiced this earlier! Just– Just give me another minute man! The almost angry sounding outburst quickly shut him up, leaving only a tense silence in return.
He went back to staring at Banri, seeing how he too was jittery, now mumbling something under his breath. He seemed so scared of something, which was adding to his own nerves. Quickly glancing behind him to make sure there were no wild animals or assassins (how could he have known why Banri brought him to the middle of nowhere in the city!!), he somehow ended up taking a step away from where he was initially standing rather close to Banri.
In an urgent move, Banri’s arm came to grab his own in a grip so tight Itaru’s sure his weak arms will be bruised by tomorrow.
– You see it, don’t you? Banri pulled him back where he was, staring directly into his eyes.
A little (lot) startled by the aggressive behaviour, Itaru tries to take a few steps back, on purpose this time. However, the arm holding his own meant that no matter how far he’d move, Banri moved with him. He was no longer sure that Banri wouldn’t mug him, but in his fear, he ended up walking into a wall. Banri took this opportunity to corner him, slamming the arm that once held his next to his face. Itaru’s heart started beating faster, so the fear really was starting to make the adrenaline start going, hunh? Itaru knew this was a kabedon, and he wasn’t living for it. It’s freaky for real for real! Now, more than ever, he wants to be in his dorm, Chikage there to out-creep Banri. Or protect him. You know how it is.
– Can’t you just tell me if you don’t want me? He hears Banri speak in a voice so thin he could swear his friend is crying.
– Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on, shh don’t cry…
Clearly, he was not equipped for his party member to suddenly have the tears debuff.
– What are you even talking about, seeing something? He asked, choosing to ignore that bit about not wanting the other, because what was that even supposed to mean?
Wasn’t there a silent agreement between them that they were best friends? If Banri needs him to say it out loud, well, as much as it would make him cringe, he could do it. This was the closest relationship he’s had with anyone since he was a teen, Itaru’s not sure if he could speak to humans again if this one suddenly fell through.
– You obviously see it! You’re always looking at them!
– Looking at what? You’re seriously not making sense you know! No longer able to keep his voice down, Itaru shouted back.
– The goddamned strings! I see how much you care about other people’s strings, but why don’t you care about your own!
At those words, the fear he was feeling turned into rage. He knew he didn’t have his own strings, Banri knew it too, experienced it himself, but here he is sounding like it wasn’t one of the most important factors in Itaru’s reclusiveness. Maybe if it were going to be like this, maybe he shouldn’t have trusted the kid so much.
– The fuck you mean I don’t care about my own?! You think I enjoy waking up everyday reminded that there’s no one out there for me? That I never get a happy ending? That there is no ending CG where I get married? You’re the same too right?! That’s why you approached me in the first place!
– What are you talking about?! Your string’s right here! Banri yells, pulling the air near his own finger.
– There’s nothing there! There hasn’t been anything there my whole life, and it certainly isn’t suddenly going to appear now!
– God, and here I thought I was being stupid! But apparently it’s you who’s seeing things; or well, not seeing things. It’s been there this whole time! I would hope so, because not only can I see it, it’s been attached to my finger my whole life!
At those words, Itaru once again stilled. His string. Exists. And, it’s attached to Banri? No, this can’t be happening.
No.
No.
No.
He can’t be here right now. He– He– He can’t breathe. Where is he? What time is it? Is the train coming soon? How can he get home ? Fuck. Fuck. Breathe Itaru . Breathe.
– …Shit, says a voice far away from him.
Or close? He can’t tell. But it continues, closer to his ear this time.
– This isn’t what I– Fuck. This isn’t the time for a Banri pity party. Hey, Itaru, breathe okay? Follow me. Inhale. Exhale. That’s it. Keep going.
Oh, Banri’s still here. He’s way better at this calming down thing than Itaru is. His friend(?) continues:
– C’mon, you’re okay… Shhh… You’re okay, ‘kay? I’m not mad. Well, not anymore. I– well, I didn’t know you couldn’t see it. I still like you, ‘kay?
– Like? Me? were the first and only words he could formulate after his breakdown.
– Well, duh. At first I was interested in you purely on you being Taruchi and well, my soulmate, so I wanted to know more about you. But we’ve been hanging out lots, right? Somewhere during then, I realised you mean a lot more to me than just a friend. Plus, you’re like, really hot. Like, I shouldn’t think you’re cute right now, but fuck, man.
– Can’t you stay serious for one conversation? Geez, a lighthearted chuckle followed, Itaru finally getting back to his senses.
– Coming from you? That’s rich. But um– I was wondering– If well, you felt the same. It doesn’t have to do with the soulmate thing, I promise! Wouldn’t you give it a try? Wouldn’t you give me a try?
And, now that Itaru thinks about it, maybe the homie thoughts he had weren’t so platonic after all. Like– There’s no way you simp for your best friend without some sort of love in there, somewhere. It should have been much clearer to him, in retrospect, but for his emotionally repressed self, this is good enough.
– Y-yeah, s-sure… he replied to the confession.
– Yeah, sure? That’s all you have to say to me? Banri answered, playful lilt to his voice, wanting more but if this was all he got, he’d still take it.
– F-fine! Urgh, you’re really going to make me say it! I– like you too… he finished, whisper quiet.
The smile he got in return was unmatched. If all it took was this to make Banri that happy, then a hit to his pride is fine every now and then.
Banri stepped even closer than they already were, asking:
– Hey, is it okay if I…
Understanding what he was going at, he nodded slightly, though it was enough for his now boyfriend to understand.
The kiss felt better than he expected, considering how he was now hyper aware of how sweaty he’s been all day. It was… warm. It left a tingly feeling down his spine. It wasn’t anything more than a peck, but their touching lips left him breathless.
But what he saw in the next moments left him even moreso. In the corner of his eyes, a red string appeared on his pinky. Connected to Banri. As if it were there all along. For the hundredth time that evening, tears burst from his eyes, but the deafening laughter coming from him was all Banri needed to know that this time, Itaru was crying tears of joy.
Finally, he had somewhere he belonged. Finally, he had someone who belonged to him. Finally, he belonged to someone.