How We Began

Once back in Tokyo, they had a hard time letting go. They wouldn’t know when they’d see each other again, and that was what they hated most of all. Texts were one thing, at least they’d still have that connection. Calls were only in case of dire emergencies, although, if they were honest, just hearing the voice of their lover was an emergency in itself. They had to promise each other not to use that excuse too much.

So, they passed the time walking slowly through the station, visiting shops and just being with each other. If they did separate, it wasn’t for long. Tetsu bought the phones they were going to use, going in to buy them himself. At a coffee shop, Kei went in with Tetsu’s laptop and set up a single email address for them both to use, and programmed the phones so that they had each other’s new number in their contacts, and could read text codes without any random emojis or symbols to screw up messages. While he did that, Tetsu ran an errand of his own, and went to a nearby fast food place to buy them lunch.

They didn’t even have to coordinate; they were a team.

“Kei, eat something,” Tetsu urged quietly, holding a ham and cheese croquette out for him to take. “You barely ate breakfast.”
“I’m not hungry,” Kei replied, taking the food anyway, but putting it down. “I don’t think I could eat it anyway.”
“Nervous?”
“Yeah, sort of. I’ll be fine once I get moving, but I can’t stand not knowing…”
“Stay. Just a little while longer?”
“Tetsu, I really can’t take the chance.”
“I hate this.”
“I hate it, too, but we really have no choice.”
“Where are you going?”
“I can’t tell you. The less you know, the less you can tell them if the worst happens and they use you to get to me. It’s already way too risky to have our phones and shared email address, but I want to at least try to stay in touch.”

They were silent for a time, just sitting at the picnic table they’d commandeered, staring at each other, and holding hands. Two pairs of eyes, golden brown and gray, flitted over features, memorizing everything, burning them into their brains.

“I think I told you I travel part time for my job,” Tetsu said suddenly. “I give motivational speeches to middle and high school volleyball teams all over the country.”
“You did,” Kei replied fondly. “I think it’s amazing what you do. I almost wish you’d have come to Karasuno when I was a student.”
“I might have if I hadn’t been in school, and university, myself,” Tetsu reminded him, smiling gently. “But hear me out,” he got back to what he was saying. “Do you think we could arrange meetings when I’m sent out to speak?”
Kei shrugged. “We might be able to make it work,” he gave it some thought. “But depending on where we both are, travel could be difficult. Time might also work against us, especially if we’re on opposite ends of the country.”
“You think you’ll be moving around that much?”
“If Grandmother is putting in more effort to find me, yeah.”
“I don’t think I can go without being able to see you or touch you for too long.”
“Yeah. Same.”
"Surely one of those travel apps makes it easy to send tickets," Tetsu muttered thoughtfully. "Once I find out where I'm going, I can send you an email or link or something for the ticket."
"That's too expensive."
"I'm not worried about the expense, Moonshine. I just want to know you're safe and unhurt."
Kei smirked and raised a brow. "Your own personal inspection, huh?"
"Not like you wouldn't return the favor."
"Obviously."
“Think we could make it happen?”
“It’s definitely worth trying. But, we’d have to really make sure it’s safe.”
“Right.”

Kei took a moment to look at the time. It was getting late. He needed to get moving for real. He didn’t want to give up the shop, and he had an idea who he wanted to be the caretaker until he was able to return. When he looked back at Tetsu, he noticed the concern in his eyes, and chuckled. He picked up the now cold croquette and took a small bite, to at least ease that concern. It tasted good, but he couldn’t eat any more, else he’d really get sick.

Tetsu stood up and came around the table to sit down next to him. He pushed what was left of their food to the other side (he didn’t eat much, either), and leaned over so that he was almost in front of Kei, but without actually being in his lap. He wrapped one arm around Kei’s middle, and with his free hand, he lightly brushed his fingers through his hair. Kei slowly leaned toward him, and rested his forehead against Tetsu’s.

“I know you need to leave, but I just can’t let you go. Not yet,” Tetsu whispered.
“Did you save the code somewhere safe?”
“Secure folder with password.”
“Try to memorize it, okay?”
“Yeah.”
“I know it’ll be hard, but try to keep Aunt Yui from knowing too much.”
“I doubt I could hide it from her too long, Moonshine.”
“I know. Just try, okay?”
“Okay. But I won’t lie to her. She practically raised me.”
Kei smiled. “I’m not even surprised.” He opened his eyes and found Tetsu looking back at him.
“I got something for you,” Tetsu said softly. He leaned away from Kei, and reached into his pocket, bringing out a little black velvet pouch. “Here.”
“What is it?” Kei asked, untying the drawstring, and then looking at Tetsu.
“Only one way to find out.”

Kei upended the pouch, and out fell two pairs of earrings; both pairs were about an inch long, with one pair being little golden crescent moons, and the other a pair of little black cats.

“Tetsu,” he whispered, looking back up at him.
“We get one pair each,” his lover explained quietly, taking a moon and a cat.
“But…”
Tetsu pointed to his left ear, where there were two little studs in the lobe. “Got it done while you were in the coffee shop. Once they heal up, I’ll wear both earrings.”
Kei carefully put the little black cat earring in his ear. “I’ll get another piercing.” He grinned. “I’m gonna copy you.”
“You do that.”

Neither knew who started the kiss, nor did they care. It started slow, easy, as if they’d known each other for far longer than two and a half weeks. Then it deepened, became hotter, more passionate. As they kissed, their hands sought the warmth of skin; Kei’s hands gently caressed Tetsu’s neck, his fingers playing lightly with his hair. Tetsu’s hands slid under Kei’s shirt to rest at his waist.

“I love you,” Kei said as soon as they came up for air.
“I love you, too,” Tetsu replied. “I hate knowing I won’t see you for a while.”
“Me too. I don't want to go.”

Their next kiss was desperate, filled with longing, knowing this one was the last for the time being. When they finally stopped, panting and recovering from their kisses, they slowly eased apart.

“I’ll go first,” Kei said. “I have to make a call and get to my shop.”
“I have to go to my Aunt’s house. She’s expecting both of us, but I’ll come up with something for your absence.”
“Tell her I said hi.”
“Right. Let me know you made it safely, okay?”
“I planned to.”
“Right.”

Rising from the table, they held hands for a little while longer, and then slowly backed away from each other. Then, they turned and walked in opposite directions, fighting the urge to look back. Because looking back would tempt them to return to the other, and Kei needed to run away.

~*~

“Hey Yachi,” Tsuki said as soon as his friend answered the phone.
“Oh, hi, Tsuki! How are you? How was your vacation?”

Tsuki grinned. Yachi was incurably curious.

“I’m doing well, and my vacation was awesome. I’m hoping to go back soon.”
“Wonderful! You’ll have to tell me all about it.”
“Sure! Once I get the chance. Look, I can’t talk for too long, I have to head out of town again. Family emergency.”

Well, sort of. It did involve family, after all. And his ‘emergency’ was leaving Tokyo to avoid premature death by order of the matriarch of said family. But she didn’t need to know that.

“Oh? I hope everyone is okay?”
“I hope so, too. I need to ask a favor of you.”
“Sure! Happy to help! What do you need?”
“I’m going to be gone for a while, and it’s not clear when I’ll be back. I need someone to watch the shop for me. Would you mind doing that?”
“I don’t mind at all! When do you want me to start?”
“Tomorrow, if you can. If not, later in the week is fine.”
“Tomorrow will work. Do I need to come get the key?”
“No, I’ll drop it off on my way out of town. Which will be in the next hour, give or take.”
“Okay. Look forward to seeing you!”
“Yeah, same. Thanks a lot, Yachi. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem, Tsuki. I’ll see you when you get back.”

They hung up, and Tsuki hailed a cab. Loading his bags in the back seat, he climbed in, gave directions, and paid the fare, plus tip. When he was dropped off a block away from the shop, he went on high alert. There was no telling if any of Grandmother’s goons had made it here yet, but he couldn’t take any chances.

Walking to his shop like it was any other day, he went up to the door of his shop, unlocked it, and went inside, locking it behind him. Nothing appeared to be out of place. There was even a fine layer of dust covering everything, but that was typical. No one had been here since he left, which was a relief. Tsuki inhaled deeply. It smelled of dust and books. He was going to miss this shop.

Without further delay, he went to the back, and up the narrow staircase, to his tiny apartment above the shop. It was as spartan as anyone could imagine; just a bed, table and chair, tiny desk, and a dresser. Most of his stuff would stay behind; he’d only take what he could fit in his backpack and carry on.

He crossed the room and picked up his laptop and charging cord, putting both into its carrying case, and stuffing that into his backpack. He went to the dresser and took out more clothes, putting them into his carry on. From the closet, he grabbed his favorite ballcap, bucket hat, and the small, over the shoulder bag he used for important things.

Taking a final glance around the little apartment, he found himself wishing he could just fall into the bed and fall asleep. This little place was cute and cozy, and he loved it. He hoped he could come back.

Making sure everything was turned off, Tsuki made his way back downstairs, and out of the shop, locking it up tight. He’d almost made it halfway down the block, when he felt it; that uncomfortable feeling of being watched. He kept his pace normal, kept facing forward, acting like he hadn’t felt that peculiarly nasty corkscrew feeling up his spine.

He hailed a cab, gave directions (convoluted ones that would hopefully shake whoever was watching off), and went to go meet Yachi.

~*~

“Hey, Aunt Yui!” Tetsu called from the entryway. He’d dropped his backpack next to his carry on, and sat down to take off his shoes and put on slippers. “I’m back!”
“Welcome back, you two… oh!” She’d come out to meet them, and paused when she saw Tetsu. Alone. “But where’s Tsukishima-san?”
“He had to leave again. Family emergency."
“I hope it’s nothing terrible.”
“He doesn’t know, just that he had to leave as soon as possible.”
“Well, hopefully he can come back soon.”
“He’ll let me know. What’s for dinner?”

He followed her into the kitchen, and tried not to let it show how much he already missed Kei. Not that looking at three place settings helped. On the flip side, at least he wouldn’t be peppered with too many questions. Well, not any more than normal, anyhow. He hoped.

“So how was your vacation?”
Tetsu smiled. “Didn’t want to come back, to be honest.”
“Did you get any pictures?”
“Of course! Lots of torii gates.” He laughed and dodged an oven mit. “Seriously, though, I do have lots of pictures to show you.”
“Can’t wait to see them!”

They sat down at the table, and she served him a plate of curry. Tetsu took a few bites, and then leaned back a bit. The food was good, but he just wasn’t terribly hungry. He probably wouldn’t be until he heard from Kei. Naturally, Aunt Yui picked up on this immediately, as he generally ate like a horse otherwise.

“Are you going to tell me, or do I have to pry it out of you?”
“Auntie…”
“Did you honestly think I wouldn’t notice your strange mood?”
“No, I suppose not.” He grinned wryly. She might as well be his mother. He stalled by pulling out his phone, bringing up his gallery, and tapping the first photo. Then, he handed the phone to her. “Diversion number one.”

Auntie snorted, but she took the phone eagerly enough. Tetsu took another bite of his food while watching her. This is how he knew the moment she hit pictures of them together. Her gaze went from eager and amused, to tender and fond. And he knew when she finally found the pictures Kei had taken at the villa.

“I’m going to guess you want a copy, right?”
She nodded. “You two look so adorable together. So happy.” She scrolled a little more slowly now, looking for the gems among the torii gates. “The moment I met him, I knew he would be so good for you. I’m glad to see I was right.”
“How did you know?”
Auntie looked up at him and smiled. “Just a hunch, to be honest.”
“Oh, come on! A hunch.”
Her smile grew, and she gave a tiny shrug. “Call it… Auntie’s intuition, or whatever.” Then, she got that look in her eyes that meant she was about to say something outrageous. “Maybe I saw the two of you together in my head and thought, ‘what a beautiful pair!’” She looked down at his phone, smiled, and handed it back to him. The picture she’d stopped on was one he’d asked someone to take for them. “I was right.”
“You’re a mess.”
“That’s Auntie Mess, to you bub.”
“Whatever.” As always, she had a way of brightening his mood. He managed to eat another few bites of his cooling dinner.
She waited until he took a drink before speaking again. “So, are you going to tell me what’s really going on, or are you going to start Diversion Number Two?”
Tetsu looked at her, seeing she wasn’t about to be distracted again. “I don’t have a second diversion. I thought the first would be enough.”
“You thought wrong.”
“Yeah, I got that.”
“Well?”
He took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. “I can’t tell you too much, as I’m not entirely sure what’s going on, myself,” he said seriously.
“Okay, fair enough. Though, you’ve just made me even more curious.”
“Try to tuck it back in, Auntie. Please?”
She nodded. “Fine. But what can you tell me?”
“The family emergency part is accurate enough. It’s just, he’s running away from said family, and not to them.”
“Oh. Oh no,” she looked so concerned. “How can we help him?”
“We?”
“You don’t honestly think I’m going to sit back and watch, do you?”
“In order to keep you safe, yeah.”
“No. Absolutely not.”
“Even if it’s what Tsuki and I want?”
“Has that ever stopped me before?”
Tetsu sighed. “No. Still, I’m going to let him know as soon as he contacts me. Whatever he decides is final, okay?”
“Hmph.”
“Auntie?”
“Fine. I’ll just figure out what I can from the sidelines.”
“Good grief, Auntie,” Tetsu said through his hands. He tried to think of something he could let her help with. Then, he remembered...
“All the ladies in the quilting club have been there forever, right?”
“Most of them, yeah. Why?”
“How many are new?”
“I wouldn’t say they’re new, per se, but maybe a few? And they’ve been with us for just over a year.”
“Are any of them from Miyagi originally?”
She was silent for a few minutes, thinking. Then, “Keiko Kojima. She’s from Miyagi, if I recall correctly.”
“She might be the one who kick started this whole thing,” he muttered. “I should tell Kei.”
“Tetsuro?”
“This is one thing I can’t get into with you. Not yet. Okay?”
“Fine. But as soon as you get the green light to talk, I want to know everything you know.”
“I can’t promise anything.”
“I understand.”
“Good.”

They sat at the table for hours after, all because Tetsu finally found a way to divert his aunt: he told her almost everything about spending a long weekend in Kyoto with Kei. She was ecstatic, and Tetsu loved seeing her so happy. Telling her about his vacation also helped him; he didn’t have time to worry too much about Kei.

However, it wasn’t until later that night, as he laid awake in bed, that he worried endlessly about his love, and wondered if he’d hear from him again soon.


Fin - "Book One"
To Be Continued...