Chapter Text
Akiyama didn’t attend class the day after the cultural festival.
Toya couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed. He was looking forward to congratulating them on the success of their escape room. The final puzzle was all the class seemed to be talking about the next day. Akiyama’s contributions to it were ingenious, and they deserve to hear such words in person.
But they weren’t here.
Toya shrugged it off. Akiyama skips class quite frequently, especially after big social events. Maybe they get tired in crowds quickly like he does, and are taking a day to recover? He can’t say he supports skipping like this, but he does understand.
Still, Akiyama usually texts him with some half-baked excuse even he can tell is a lie, asking for notes for the day. He’d express his disapproval, but always send the notes along with it. He’s even gotten Akiyama to stay late every once in a while to go over the notes in person when they come back.
He… really enjoys those moments. Akiyama is smart, and picks concepts up much quicker than people usually give them credit for. They rewrite notes in their own handwriting in a way that is simultaneously comprehensive and undeniably cute. Akiyama even taught him how to use a highlighter, to, quote, “make things nice to look at while you’re studying! It’s so much more fun with color, isn’t it?”.
Toya opened up his messages. Nothing from Akiyama.
Maybe they just forgot to text today.
3:02pm
Good afternoon, Akiyama. Here are the notes from today’s class. Pay particular attention to the section from math; the negative sign on the fourth equation is a common source of error. Please let me know if you have any questions.
[Image ID: A series of handwritten notes. The writing is very neat and formal. Light blue highlighter covers select formulas and key points. /end ID]
Akiyama missed class the next day, too.
Toya can’t help but start to worry a bit. Usually, Akiyama’s at least good at responding in a timely manner, even if they don’t attend class. Akiyama usually responds with multiple back-to-back messages, too; Toya has mistaken them writing back for an incoming phone call on more than one occasion. The silence is highly uncharacteristic.
He hopes they didn’t fall ill. It is the time of year, with the weather growing colder and days growing shorter, that sicknesses go around. He wonders if Akiyama’s sitting with a hot bowl of soup and an anime on right now, resting and recovering. No, but wait- Akiyama has mentioned preferring to put ice cubes in their ramen, so likely a lukewarm bowl of soup instead.
If Akiyama is sick, then he should take extra-detailed notes today. Toya uncapped his blue highlighter, his favorite pen, and got to work.
Toya hadn’t even realized the lunch bell had rung until a familiar voice approached from behind. “Oi, Toya, put that pen down. Can’t have ya workin’ yourself into the ground during lunch, can we now?” Akito laughed, dragging a chair from an empty desk to sit on the opposite side of him. He set his own lunchbox on the desk and tapped the paper a few times, suggesting Toya hurry up.
“One second,” Toya muttered, finishing up the last few characters of the sentence before capping his pen. “Sorry about that. I’m trying to take extra-detailed notes today, so I was just writing in some clarifications on the side.”
Akito rolled his eyes and laughed. “What, like your notes aren’t detailed enough? I’m pretty sure you have more information in there than the textbook does.”
“These notes aren’t just for me. I’m taking notes for Akiyama as well, since they haven’t been here recently.”
If Toya hadn’t known his partner for so long, he would have missed the way Akito’s shoulders tensed ever so slightly at the mention of their friend’s name, nor the subtle flick of his gaze. “Do you know where they are today, Akito? I hope they aren’t sick…”
Akito hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “Nah, I haven’t got a clue.” He sighed, leaning into his hand. “I don’t think anyone does. Ena’s seemed pretty stressed recently. I think something happened.”
Toya felt a small chill run down his spine. He didn’t think it was that big of a reaction, but just as he can read Akito like a book, his partner can read him twice as well.
Akito leaned towards his partner. “Hey, don’t fret about it, Toya. I’m sure, whatever it is, things will be fine. Ena’s a pretty reactive person, so they probably just got in a little fight or something and are both being dramatic. I’m sure things will fix themselves up soon. Besides, it’s only been what, two days? Akiyama’s skipped longer than that because an anime they liked ended and they needed ‘time to emotionally recover from such a tragic loss to the universe’.”
Toya knew Akito was just trying to reassure him. Still, what Akito did say made sense. He’s… he’s probably stressing over nothing. Toya looked at his partner and nodded.
Akito smiled. “Good. Now, lunchtime. Get your food out.” Toya didn’t miss the way Akito’s eyes glanced over his notes as he looked for his lunchbox, smirking as he pulled out one of his snacks. “You want some of my cookies?” he asked.
“You’re not getting my notes, Akito.”
“Darn. Worth a try.”
3:04pm
Good afternoon, Akiyama. Here are today’s notes as well. I hope all is well. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to support you at this time. We hope to see you soon.
[Image ID: A series of handwritten notes, this one longer than the last. More of the page is colored with the blue highlighter, and significantly more annotations are present. A small cookie crumb is seen stuck to one of the middle pages. /end ID]
Despite what Akito had said, things were not looking to be resolving anytime soon. It’s been five days now, and Mizuki has not responded to a single one of Toya’s texts.
Something was definitely wrong.
The problem was, nobody seemed to know what it was that happened. He’d gone and asked their teacher if Akiyama had mentioned anything to her, but she hadn’t the faintest idea why Akiyama was gone. Akito’s still guessing something happened between them and Ena, but hasn’t been able to find out anything past that. He’s noticed Shiraishi on edge more at school, but can’t be certain it’s related to this at all, and he doesn’t think Kusanagi and Tsukasa-senpai are close enough to know anything, either.
Does he even know Akiyama enough to find out?
He doesn’t want to treat their personal life like it’s one of his mystery novels. Akiyama is a person, a classmate, and a friend. They don’t deserve people meddling in their business. He should be offering support where he can, and letting them respond at their own pace.
Toya sighed and capped his pen. His wrist was starting to hurt from writing so much recently. Library committee duty today will be a good break.
Toya stepped out into the hallway, not really paying attention to anything, and nearly rammed right into- “Ah, Kamishiro-senpai! I didn’t see you there. What are you doing here?”
Kamishiro didn’t seem to hear him, though. He was staring intently through the window, right at one of the empty desks. A deep sense of worry lined his expression, and Toya could see him absently fiddling with the volume buttons on his phone.
It took Toya a second to realize he was probably looking for Akiyama.
Kamishiro sighed and turned away, finally realizing his company. “Ah, hello there, Aoyagi-kun. Sorry, I didn’t notice you were there,” he said. Toya knows Kamishiro is a talented actor, but not even he could hide the worry and stress underlying his tone.
“If you were looking for Akiyama, they haven’t come to class yet today.”
“I… figured. I thought it would still be good to check, though. Just in case.”
“Do you know where they might be, Kamishiro-senpai? I haven’t seen them in a while.”
Kamishiro shook his head. Toya doesn’t think he’s ever seen Kamishiro look this visibly distressed. Kamishiro is the type of person to face problems directly with a level head and practical rationality. Kamishiro is reliable, intelligent, and passionate. For something to be affecting him this much, it must be important. And very bad.
Akiyama must mean a lot to him. He’s not sure what their history is, but it seems to have given them a strong, indescribable connection.
“Something happened to Akiyama, didn’t it?” Toya asked.
Kamishiro froze, tension and shock taking over his entire body. He stared at Toya, unmoving, for a moment before forcing himself to relax with an empty laugh. “You’re quite perceptive, aren’t you?” Kamishiro sighed. “I’m afraid something did. I can’t say with certainty what exactly, but I have… a theory. I’m sorry, I wish I could tell you more, but this is not my story to share.”
Toya felt himself frown. “That’s certainly unfortunate. I hope they’ll be alright…” He met Kamishiro’s gaze with full sincerity. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Kamishiro shook his head. “I’m afraid not. They haven’t been responding to my messages, so I fear there isn’t much else we could do.”
“I’ve noticed. I’ve been sending them the notes during their absence, but I’m not even sure they've been reading them. I have yet to receive a response.”
That made Kamishiro smile, for some reason. He smiled and said, “I’m glad they have friends like you now, Aoyagi-kun.”
Toya tilted his head, confused. “I’m just doing what anybody else would in this situation, though?”
That only made Kamishiro laugh more. It was a genuine one this time, much more natural than before. “Here,” he said, digging through his backpack before holding up a light pink highlighter. “A gift to aid you in your quest. Mizuki loves all things cute, and notes are no exception. A little burst of pink might be the highlight of their day. Use it well,” he offered, placing the highlighter in Toya’s palm.
“Thank you, Kamishiro-senpai. Though, I already have a highlighter to use, so I don’t know if this is necessary…” Toya reached into his backpack to pull out the blue highlighter he’d gotten from Mizuki before, holding it in the other hand.
Some emotion crossed Kamishiro’s face Toya wasn’t able to name. Recognition, maybe? Mild amusement? Whatever it was, Toya was pretty sure it was positive. Still, Kamishiro spun around and wandered off somewhere before Toya realized he still had both highlighters. He shrugged, put them in his pencil pouch, and continued on to the library.
He hopes Mizuki is okay. He might not know how to help, but he can take good notes in the meantime. At least Mizuki won’t be behind in school, when they eventually return to class.
They will return to class.
They will.
3:07pm
Good afternoon, Akiyama. Here are the notes from today. We’ve moved on to chapter 4 in mathematics and chapter 6 in history. We’ve been learning about a new system in biology as well, so I’ve attached a helpful video link that will explain the moving parts in more detail.
By the way, Kamishiro-senpai stopped by today and lent me a highlighter. He hopes you enjoy the extra color. I do as well.
[Image ID: extremely detailed handwritten notes. They are annotated in both blue and pink highlighter. /end ID]