Chapter Text
“And you’ll be at the airport at 12:00 right?”
Naruko Io looked at the darkening sky through the window. He resisted the urge to snort. Atsushi always double checked. At least he did now that he was a parent. “Kinugawa-san, when have you ever known me to waste time?”
There was a chuckle on the end of the line and Io could hear Atsushi rummaging through the kitchen. Likely already preparing dinner for him, En and their little one.
“I will see you tomorrow. I’ve got to get off the train.” Io said wincing when he heard something drop followed by what was definitely a wailing toddler.
“See you tomorrow, gotta go!” Atsushi shouted before hanging up.
Io had made himself a fortune over the years. Plenty would call him impressive.
Io found what Atsushi was doing far more remarkable. Working, child rearing and managing a household was unending yet clearly rewarding.
Not to mention Atsushi put himself in charge of the first ever Earth Defense Club reunion. Yes this included the former student council as well. They were, in Yumoto’s words, honorary battle lovers after all.
This wasn’t the first time the group attempted to all meet up in the past years, but something had always come up. Especially with so many of them settled in different parts of the country or even outside of it.
Arima was the only one of Binan High’s former student council to have stayed in the close to him. He returned to Binan after a short time at college in Tokyo. Not for lack of trying on his family’s part. Io hadn’t been too involved at the time, but he could tell the other was much happier using his business degree to open his own flower shop than by working for his family.
He wasn’t the only one who defied his family’s wishes. Kusatsu-san had indeed become a lawyer like he was set out to do. A criminal defense one. Offering aid to everyone who’d need a lawyer.
Then there was Akoya who after finishing college decided to stay in Paris. He’d released his first Line of Pearlite perfume three years ago, the brand kept expanding ever since.
In that sense, caerula addams had indeed set out to change their own worlds and succeeded.
It was hard not to be envious.
Io shivered as he exited the strain station. Around him the streets were buzzing, still full of people despite the temperature. Couples holding hands or people doing holiday shopping.
Pretty Christmas lights glowed softly above him, somehow it made Io feel… grey.
A dull businessman among the people rushing to homes where they likely had people waiting for them.
Once again Io had to remind himself why he bothered going to the office.
It was kind of pathetic, but going to the office had simply become an excuse to be among people.
Not that the meaningless chit chat at the coffee machine was particularly enlightening. It was better than spending all day at home, working in his work room, surrounded by a wall of screens until suddenly remembering it was 20:00 and he’d forgotten both lunch and dinner nor had he spoken to a single person all day.
In the past two weeks leading up to this reunion, Io had had more meaningful interactions when talking to his senior than in the past two months. What did that say about his social life?
Things had seemed so clear in high school. Io had followed his set out plan. He’d studied abroad as had always been the plan Had even spent a few years working at wall street until deciding he simply couldn’t settle there permanently.
He’d gotten… bored? Not bored. Restless, listless.
Homesick.
There wasn’t anything in America that home didn’t have too.
At least that was what Io thought. Home had changed to. Or perhaps he had changed too little.
Gods he really missed-
Io stopped walking, the huge billboard hanging from the building catching his attention.
Loose pink hair framing a face with that same, somehow unchanged grin. A bit of skin showed past the white blouse which was slipping past the model’s shoulder. Ryuu held up a glass as an invitation.
The words ‘ you look lonely’ written underneath in pretty pink cursive.
Harsh.
Io gazed at the poster, looking into those warm brown eyes as if waiting to be consumed himself. It was ridiculous, for his heart to be pounding like this. It wasn’t like he and Ryuu didn’t talk anymore.
In fact, Io snapped a photo of the billboard and sent it to his friend.
He got a reply not even a minute later.
‘It’s already hanging in Japan?! OMG I look awesome!’
Io paused, he calculated the time difference between Japan and New York then shook his head.
‘Shouldn’t you be asleep?’
‘Some last minute work came up. So excited to be back tomorrow!’
Some days, Io really regretted encouraging Ryuu to take that modeling offer. It was a great opportunity for his friend, something Ryuu had worked for. Only a fool would have turned it down.
Yet Ryuu had asked his opinion first.
Somehow in that moment, Io knew Ryuu would reject the offer if Io said no.
He hadn’t considered saying no till he had already answered. Already told Ryuu to go take this chance. Even if it meant Ryuu would have to move abroad.
Not once had he considered asking his friend to stay. Not until he watched the plane take off.
A fourteen hour time difference was nearly impossible to work around with, but they’d made it work while Io went to America.
Turns out modeling was a lot different from sitting behind a desk all day. Ryuu worked odd hours. There was hardly any time for video calls.
They texted though.
At least twice a week Io received a text from his best friend. A far cry from their daily talks from before. But they were managing.
Everything was fine.
He was fine.
Tomorrow would be the first time in years that they’d see each other face to face again.
‘I look forward to it too. But get some rest first.’
‘Worrywort :P but will do!’
Io was in the process of putting his phone away when there was another text.
‘See you tomorrow Io! ♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎’
Try as he might, Io couldn’t stop himself from smiling at his phone. “See you tomorrow Ryuu.”
He couldn’t sleep.
It was 2 in the morning, Io had gone to bed hours ago and was still just laying there. Mind going back to that poster.
Warm brown eyes.
The soft pink hair framing his face.
That somehow delicate looking exposed shoulder…
Are you lonely?
Io groaned and turned around smashing his face against his pillow. This was ridiculous. He would literally be seeing Ryuu tomorrow. There was no reason to overthink or be plagued by… posters.
Yes, he missed Ryuu.
Yes, his life wasn’t turning out the way he had envisioned when he was 17.
And yes, he was lonely.
He didn’t need a poster to tell him that.
Io sighed once again thinking back to when Ryuu asked him if he should leave. Io had only been back to Japan for a few few weeks at the time.
"It's an amazing opportunity. Why are you asking me?"
"Because your opinion matters to me jerk." Ryuu grumbled, crossing his arms and turning his face away, lips twisted in a pout.
They were at the park close to their old high school, Ryuu had called him over. They were supposed to have dinner together, but Ryuu wanted to get the news out first. He was never good at keeping things to himself. That wasn't true, Io could tell when there was something bothering his friend. Io hummed thinking Ryuu's words over. "Why?"
Ryuu had been trying to start of his modeling career for a while now, this was a huge chance. Why wasn't he jumping and rushing in like Io expected?
"What do you mean why?" Ryuu grimaced, out of habit his hand went up to tug at his earring. "Your thoughts matter... you just got back."
Io frowned. "Don't put your dreams on hold on my account."
"I'm not! It's just..." Ryuu shook his head. "Never mind, you think I should accept?"
"Yes." Io smiled. "I'll be rooting for you."
It seemed so simple at the time. Now Io couldn't help but wonder if Ryuu expected something else from him.
“Do you think it’s big enough? What if they don’t see it?”
“Yumoto, you could see that sign from space.” En took another step back to avoid accidentally being smacked by Yumoto’s giant ‘Battle lover Reunion!’ sign. Indeed the cardboard sign was the size of a grown man, the letters painted in bright bold colors impossible to miss.
Atsushi, Io, Kinshirou and Arima followed En’s idea and took a step back giving Yumoto space to move the sign.
Atsushi couldn’t help but chuckle. “He might be as tall as Gora-san, but he's still the same Yumoto.”
“Some things never change.” Kinshirou nodded pensively. Io wondered if the man meant it as something good or not.
Soon enough two familiar figures walked out of the building, somehow the familiar sight made Io release tension he hadn’t known he was holding.
Akoya with his long hair in a loose bun and pastel outfit, loose frilly pants and long coat, Ryuu with the sunglasses and odd poofy hat. Bickering back and forth which they’d clearly had been doing since they’d run into each other at the terminal.
The two pink haired men stopped walking when they saw Yumoto’s giant sign. For at least five seconds they stood there and stared. Then the both promptly turned around heading back into the airport.
“No! Senpais you’re going the wrong way!” Yumoto dropped the sign and after the two.
Five minutes later Yumoto returned carrying his friend’s suitcases, Akoya and Ryuu a little behind him.
Akoya wasted no time and walked straight to Arima who immediately held out the large bouquet he brought. “It’s been a long time.”
“Too long.” Akoya smiled looking at the flowers. It was a beautiful arrangement, bold colors yet still elegant. Akoya plucked a red carnation from the bouquet and tucked it behind his ear. “That will do.”
“Agreed.”
Ryuu grinned and bound over to the group, eyes briefly trailing Yumoto who easily carried his and Akoya’s luggage. He whistled. “You weren’t kidding when you said Yumoto grew tall.”
“Still not as tall as An-chan though.” Yumoto supplied, gravely acknowledging the one centimeter height difference between him and his brother.
Ryuu hummed, removed his sunglasses and looked at his friends. “What’s up? Did you miss me?”
For a moment Io was reminded of warm brown eyes and a glass raised. Are you lonely? A poster couldn’t compare to the real deal. “You’ve got bags under your eyes, you didn’t go to bed when I told you too.”
“Ah yes,” Ryuu grinned, stepping closer into Io’s space. Bold as always “I totally missed your gentle opinions on my life choices.”
“Good.” Io swallowed, suddenly becoming aware of something new. Something that wasn’t as apparent before Ryuu had left for the US. He had to lower his gaze to meet his friend’s eyes. Io felt himself smirking. “You shrunk.”
The outraged look on Ryuu’s face only made that warm feeling in Io’s chest intensify. Ryuu came back, yet somehow Io knew this was what coming home actually felt like.