I want to be your secret (9-10/26)
Title: I want to be your secret
Pairing: Ryopi
Genre: AU / Drama / Friendship / Romance
Rating: PG-13 (swearing)
Summary: Pi is a Johnny's idol and Ryo is a salaryman living in the same apartment building. Despite coming from different worlds, they form a friendship that ends up being a pillar of support through the various trials they encounter. After a certain event, they find that what they have might just be something even better.
Word count: 3403
Disclaimer: I heard them speak these exact words, I swear.
A/N: Not much action, yet big steps are taken.
Chapter Nine - A Good Friend
It’s swim bladder. Looking at Uchi attempt to gobble up his food, Ryo can’t help feeling a little pang in his heart, but it comes with deep relief. The vet, Morita-sensei, had informed Pi that Uchi would be back to normal in no time as long as he followed what he termed “a radical pea diet”. Morita would have informed Ryo, but he had been too busy facing the wall and pretending to be incredibly interested in the mating cycles of guinea pigs, while trying to inconspicuously wipe away his tears of joy. At the moment Ryo can’t tell if the diet is working yet, but he’s committed himself for the long haul.
“After this Uchi,” Ryo murmurs to his small friend, “you’ll wish you’d never set eyes on a pea before.”
To be honest, Ryo is still a bit worried. Nakai had called him into the office the other day with Hikaru (who hadn’t looked half as nervous as Ryo had felt), and had informed them that he had been impressed with their initiative concerning the request to the French railway organisations, the RFF and SNCF, regarding the upcoming conference. Alas, before Ryo could breathe a shaky sigh of relief he had continued to express that it was now imperative for both Ryo and Hikaru to attend the Sendai conference and greet the international guests personally. Ryo wondered if he had imagined the sinister glint in Nakai’s toothy smile as he told them to brush up on their non-existent French. Either way, whether he liked it or not, Ryo had no choice but to agree to go to Sendai. All he had to do was find someone who was willing to take in his poor baby for a few days and make sure that he followed his special diet. He wonders if Pi is available.
But when he opens the door to go upstairs to ask, he’s greeted with Pi’s hand, raised mid-air and ready to knock.
*
Pi had been standing outside Ryo’s door for a few moments and wondering how this had become habit - this instinctive urge that had developed within the few weeks they had come to know each other. He would have thought about how this actually happened earlier, but it’s been such a natural progression that he hasn’t even really noticed it. It’s kind of like Ryo’s just been around forever and ever and ever - like an old childhood friend really.
Ryo, standing slightly dishevelled in his doorway or collapsing on the couch in his living room; Ryo, snarling at the television during an exhaustive Wii session (they collaborate nowadays, and are currently conquering Blizzeta in Zelda), or having a nonsensical conversation with Uchi while sprinkling fish food into his bowl. He’s become more than just a regular fixture in Pi’s life. Or, rather, seeing Ryo there acting like he’s become one with the throw pillows after a long day at work, has come to mean more to Pi than he could have ever imagined.
And now, once again, he finds himself standing there, just wanting to talk. More than anything really, he wonders why Ryo hasn’t seemed to mind in the least.
*
Earlier that day, for the first time in nearly a month, Pi and Shige had entered Mary and Julie’s office and had been directed by bony, crooked fingers to take a seat on the cool white leather chairs. Pi had tried to avoid looking at his picture hanging on the wall and how Toma’s stare now seemed to hold an accusation. While he can still remember the time and place, everything else about the feelings and excitement of the moment now seems blurred and alien. Even he seems alien, with his streaked blond hair and stick-like arms.
The Kitagawa women had let out polite grainy coughs, and once again the nervous accountant had held up some charts, that slipped only slightly in his sweating palms.
“Are you serious?” Pi had exclaimed, and Shige had grabbed his arm, although he could no longer feel it. “The film is out tomorrow! You can’t pull it; think of how much money you would lose!”
Do you honestly think we will make money from that movie even if we did go ahead with the release?
The question had hung in the air like yperite, as Mary and Julie had peered up at him under their severe dark fringes, hands steepled in front of them.
Pi had shaken Shige off and stood up, slamming his fists down on the desk, and causing a slight tremor to rake itself up the mother and daughter’s bones.
“It doesn’t make sense,” Pi had said through gritted teeth. “After all the promotions and build up, why now?”
What did I do? Pi had wanted to shout. What did I do wrong?
Mary had narrowed her eyes. After so many warnings, you still don’t understand, Yamashita?
Pi hadn’t known what to say. Staring into those cold, black eyes, he could only think of how insignificant he was to them. Just a pawn that was no longer of any use, and so easily sacrificed.
It’s been a while since you’ve had a break, hasn’t it, Yamashita? Julie had commented in brittle monotone, in response to his silence. Why don’t you see this as a long-awaited vacation?
Like how Hasegawa has taken a break before suddenly disappearing? Like how Toma had taken a break and never returned? Yeah, Pi knew enough to recognise that there were no breaks in Johnny’s world worth cheering about.
Pi had heard Shige arguing earnestly with them even after he had slammed shut the door of their office and made his way unsteadily towards the elevator, but somehow he knew they weren’t going to change their minds.
*
Looking at Pi standing there wide-eyed and slightly surprised, Ryo is attacked with the sudden urge to take Pi in and cook him that curry that he’s promised him.
The waves in his brown hair are pointing in different directions like duck tails, and his shirt is wrinkled at the edges. As his hand drops from the air to his side, Ryo wonders how he’s never noticed how small his wrists are, bones angled outwards and blue veins dipping and weaving under the surface of pale skin. He thinks he sees sharks swimming through those veins, poisoning plasma.
Ryo opens the door wider, giving Pi a slight nod and motioning for him to come inside.
“You were about to head out?” Pi asks after a hesitant pause, seating himself on the couch. He notices there’s a new book on the coffee table entitled French for Beginners.
The corner of Ryo’s mouth quirks upwards, and he slumps down next to Pi. “I was going to see you, actually.”
“Oh?” Pi says, curious and momentarily distracted. “What for?”
Ryo opens his mouth to answer, but Pi’s mobile cuts in, a tinny rendition of Tomorrow Never Knows by Mr. Children.
“Sorry,” Pi says, getting up and fumbling for his phone and Ryo gestures towards his bedroom so Pi can have some privacy.
“Piiiii,” Jin’s voice comes through slightly muffled, once Pi has closed the bedroom door behind him. Pi can hear voices and laughter and music in the background.
“Jin? What’s up?”
“Piiiii,” Jin repeats, and this time he’s a little clearer, like he’s moved away from the crowd. “Come out and have a drink with us.”
“Us?” Pi asks.
“Koki and Maru. And Kame,” Jin adds after a pause so tiny that you could almost miss it. Except Pi doesn’t. He knows where this is heading and he doesn’t know if he’s ready to go there yet.
“Please please please?” Jin begs, when Pi doesn’t offer a response.
Pi stays silent.
He can hear Jin trying to breathe steadily.
“Okay,” Jin says finally. “I’m not going to, you know, force you to come. You don’t have to. But I would like you to. You’re my best friend, Pi.”
He says it softly, but Pi is his best friend, and he can tell when Jin is trying to pull something over him.
“Come on, Pi,” Jin pleads, sounding like Pi’s about to kill Pin the dog instead of refusing to join him for drinks.
“Don’t you use that voice on me, Akanishi,” Pi says, forehead furrowing. Jin really did know all his weak points.
“Pi, just come,” Jin says in the same wheedling tone. “I miss you,” he adds hopefully.
“I am made of stone, Jin,” Pi deadpans. “Your words have absolutely zero affect on me.”
He knows he’s being unreasonably stubborn, but he can’t seem to help himself.
“Pi,” Jin says slowly, changing tactics. “Look, you’re going to have to accept it sometime, okay? You can’t just keep on pretending he’s not there, because he is and I hate to break it to you, but he’s not going anywhere any time soon. You’re my best friend. I just want you guys to try and get along, okay? Okay?”
Pi sighs and runs his hand through his hair. He wonders when everything got so heavy, because the air seems to be beginning to press down on him with added weight.
“Okay,” he finally replies, giving in to the pressure. He thinks it might be easier to go along with it than to have to endure Jin’s wrath later on. He can almost hear Jin grinning down the connection.
“Alright! See you soon!” Jin exclaims happily, hanging up before Pi can change his mind.
Looking at the phone in his hands, Pi wonders what he’s relented to.
He’s been standing there some time before Ryo knocks on his bedroom door, letting himself in.
“Well that was weird, I don’t think I’ve ever knocked on my own door before,” Ryo says, sitting down on his bed.
Pi stares at Ryo and then at his phone. Then he turns back to Ryo again.
“What’s wrong with you?” Ryo asks, before Pi suddenly grabs his hand and drags him to his feet, leading him towards the door.
“Pi, what the fuck??” Ryo manages to get out, as Pi shoves his shoes in his face.
“You’re coming to meet my friends,” is all Pi says, before pushing Ryo out the door.
Chapter Ten - Revelations
Ryo looks at Pi and then he looks at Jin. His eyebrows furrow and he wonders if his eyes are playing tricks on him. This isn't what he expected to see when he met Pi's best friend. But more than that, he didn't expect the look in Pi's eyes as they flick back and forth between Jin and some other skeletal guy called Kamenashi Kazuya, or Kame, who is standing back a bit and trying to pretend things aren’t awkward. He’s beginning to think that Pi uses the term “friend” rather loosely.
Ryo shoots Kame a curious look, but Kame just shrugs, turning back to his beer. The other two guys, Koki and Maru, seem to have isolated themselves in a corner away from the tension, caught up in their own heated conversation in their own little universe. No one had seemed too concerned when Pi had shown up with Ryo in tow, like it should have been a wholly normal gathering.
Ryo can feel something burning up inside of him and he doesn’t know if it’s anger at Pi for dragging him out here so he can make small talk with people he doesn’t know (which he’s never pretended he was any good at), or whether it’s because he can’t help feeling there is something weird going on between Pi and Jin. It’s creepy and it’s strange, and Ryo feels like he’s going to go cross-eyed if he thinks about it too deeply.
He downs his beer for a last burst of Dutch courage.
“So,” he says, aiming his attention towards Jin, and it comes out more aggressive than he anticipated. “You’re a Johnny’s too, right?”
*
As the night wears on, the tension seems to slowly drain away, although Pi and Kame have yet to look each other in the eye and continue to aim their words solely towards Ryo and Jin. Ryo learns quickly that Akanishi Jin is, well, not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he somehow seems to make up for it with a truckload of charisma, a crazy infectious laugh, and the weirdest, most twisted use of logic. He’s excitable and obviously thinks a lot of himself, but Ryo finds it easier to talk to him than he expected. By the end of the night Ryo’s snapping back sharp comments when Jin’s intelligence seems to dip too low, and Jin’s grinning wickedly because Ryo is quick to fire up and easy to read. Jin only ever hits below the belt, but that’s fine with Ryo because he’s never played it any other way.
“Slow down, Fat Jin,” Ryo smirks as Jin reaches once more for the plate of fries they have in the middle of their table. “Save some for the poor starving children,” he adds, nodding towards Kame, who immediately tries to arrange himself in a way so that his shirt doesn’t drape over his lanky form like a bed sheet.
“Skinny little monkeys shouldn’t talk about other people’s weight,” Jin bites back.
“Skinny and little,” Kame emphasises with a hiss, grabbing a fry and stuffing it in his mouth.
“Whatever Jin,” Pi grins. “Stop talking about skinny monkeys and lose some weight!”
“I guess the only thing that can stop him eating is talking,” Ryo says, full of snark, slamming down another drink.
Jin huffs, lower lip sneaking out. “At least I still look like a guy, unlike some people, Yamashita Tomohisa.”
Pi glowers at Jin, his grin fading.
“I haven’t been confused for a girl in years, Bakanishi!”
Ryo chokes on his drink, his eyes widening. “People actually thought you were a girl?”
Inside he thinks, And I thought that was only me.
“Dude, I stood up for you!” Pi exclaims, glaring at Ryo.
Ryo looks suitably shameful as he pats Pi’s shoulder. “Sorry, I crossed a line.”
Turning to Jin and Kame, Ryo says, “Come on Jin, stop teasing Pi. Girls are sensitive creatures-”
Pi pushes Ryo off the chair and onto the floor and Jin and Kame burst into hysterical laughter.
Ryo stands up and brushes himself off, trying to look pissed off but failing miserably. His lower lip is caught between his teeth as he tries to hold back a laugh, but the wicked look in his eyes tell Pi that he’s going to get it later. Pi can’t help grinning back, rolling his eyes.
“I’m sure you would all love for me to stay, but I actually have work tomorrow,” Ryo suddenly announces after throwing a brief glance at his watch, and Pi stands up too.
“Yeah, I should head back as well,” he says, reaching for his wallet. Kame puts a hand on his arm so unexpectedly that Pi freezes.
“Don’t worry about it, we’ll get the bill,” Kame mumbles, not quite meeting Pi’s eyes.
Pi slowly puts his wallet back in his pocket and gives a stiff nod. Ryo can see Jin sucking in his bottom lip as he looks between the two of them - Pi, his best friend, and Kame, who Ryo can see now, is well beyond the “just friends” status.
Ryo takes Pi by the elbow and begins to steer him towards the door.
“Nice meeting you!” Ryo calls and Pi manages to throw a wave over his shoulder, just catching the wide grin on Jin’s face.
Outside Ryo’s breath rushes out of him like a sigh, and he can feel Pi relax beside him as the door closes behind them and they make their way home. They walk along in silence for a while, tracing the cracks on the sidewalk, and shying away from the shadows. Ryo’s so lost in thought, wondering whether or not he should ask the question that has been bothering him all night, that he doesn’t take in Pi’s hand on his elbow and the murmured words.
“Huh?” Ryo asks when Pi tugs him to a stop in the middle of the pavement.
“I said thanks for coming down here with me tonight,” Pi says, shoving his hands deep inside his pockets and staring intently up at the street lights that hide the stars. “I’m sorry for dragging you out here with no warning,”
“Well,” Ryo says after a beat, the corner of his mouth quirking up, “you didn’t exactly give me much choice.”
Pi winces and looks down. “Sorry.” A small pause, like he’s working up the courage; “Sorry you had to witness that, too.”
“Oh, you mean the fact that you’re in love with Jin?” Ryo asks, a little sharper than intended.
“I’m not in love with Jin,” Pi states firmly, looking down at Ryo through his bangs with narrowed eyes.
Ryo raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms.
“Okay, I’m not in love with him anymore,” Pi amends, but his steady gaze doesn’t waver.
Ryo can feel his head beginning to pound, because Pi actually looks like he’s telling the truth.
“Then you’re in love with Kame?” Ryo hazards.
Pi snorts. “Were you even in the same room as us tonight?”
“Alright,” Ryo says slowly, feeling like he’s trying to piece together the parts of two different puzzles. “So you don’t like Kame and you don’t like Jin anymore. Then...what’s your problem?”
Pi continues to look Ryo in the eye, momentary confusion crossing his features. “The problem is…there is no problem.”
The pounding in Ryo’s head reaches a new level, but worse is the feeling of relief that seems to be spreading through his veins like comforting heat, like someone’s set fire to the ethanol in his blood. He tells himself it’s just relief that he’s not going to have to listen to Pi wax lyrical from now on about his unrequited love for his idiotic best friend.
Rubbing his temples Ryo lets out a low groan, resolving not to think anymore about this tonight. “Fine, whatever, we’re going home now.”
Pi nods and matches his stride to Ryo’s steady gait as they make their way through the night. His foot kicks a rock, which comes to life, chasing the dirt down the road. The wind has picked up and there’s an edge to it, a convenient reminder that winter is right around the corner and that soon the frost will settle in.
He ponders over the words that had slipped from his mouth, and thinks maybe it isn’t just a convenient lie. Perhaps there really is no problem. Seasons are changing so why would it be so surprising if he was too?
He looks over at Ryo who glances up and gives him a questioning smile, eyes a tad wary.
Pi feels a rush of warmth and he smiles back. Yeah, maybe there is no problem.
*
“Hey,” Ryo yawns, as the elevator dings open to the 29th floor and he steps out, keeping one foot in the door to prevent them closing, “I didn’t get a chance to ask you earlier.”
“Yeah?” Pi answers, trying to stifle a yawn of his own. Yawns were always infectious.
“I’m going to Sendai next week for a conference for a few days,” Ryo continues slowly, words weary.
“Sendai?” Pi repeats. “I haven’t been there in ages. How are you getting there?”
Ryo rubs his palms into his eyes, trying to clear the fuzz out of his head. The alcohol and lack of sleep appear to be catching up unexpectedly.
“Don’t know. Why, you want to come?”
Pi blinks, and surprises himself by answering straight away with “Yeah, okay.”
Ryo squints at Pi but his brain has decided that it doesn’t want to function properly anymore, slowly shutting down each section like it’s closing up shop for the night. A part of him begins to intercept, reminding him that he wanted to ask a different question, but he can no longer remember what that question is.
“Yeah, alright,” he says, yawning again. Then, “ ‘Night Pi,” he grunts, pulling his foot away and letting the doors finally close.
Entering his apartment and stumbling into the room, Ryo’s eyes are drawn to Uchi’s fish tank.
“Fuck,” he mutters as a final half-thought fires through his muddled mind, before collapsing on the couch in an exhausted heap.
Chapters 11-12
Pairing: Ryopi
Genre: AU / Drama / Friendship / Romance
Rating: PG-13 (swearing)
Summary: Pi is a Johnny's idol and Ryo is a salaryman living in the same apartment building. Despite coming from different worlds, they form a friendship that ends up being a pillar of support through the various trials they encounter. After a certain event, they find that what they have might just be something even better.
Word count: 3403
Disclaimer: I heard them speak these exact words, I swear.
A/N: Not much action, yet big steps are taken.
Chapter Nine - A Good Friend
It’s swim bladder. Looking at Uchi attempt to gobble up his food, Ryo can’t help feeling a little pang in his heart, but it comes with deep relief. The vet, Morita-sensei, had informed Pi that Uchi would be back to normal in no time as long as he followed what he termed “a radical pea diet”. Morita would have informed Ryo, but he had been too busy facing the wall and pretending to be incredibly interested in the mating cycles of guinea pigs, while trying to inconspicuously wipe away his tears of joy. At the moment Ryo can’t tell if the diet is working yet, but he’s committed himself for the long haul.
“After this Uchi,” Ryo murmurs to his small friend, “you’ll wish you’d never set eyes on a pea before.”
To be honest, Ryo is still a bit worried. Nakai had called him into the office the other day with Hikaru (who hadn’t looked half as nervous as Ryo had felt), and had informed them that he had been impressed with their initiative concerning the request to the French railway organisations, the RFF and SNCF, regarding the upcoming conference. Alas, before Ryo could breathe a shaky sigh of relief he had continued to express that it was now imperative for both Ryo and Hikaru to attend the Sendai conference and greet the international guests personally. Ryo wondered if he had imagined the sinister glint in Nakai’s toothy smile as he told them to brush up on their non-existent French. Either way, whether he liked it or not, Ryo had no choice but to agree to go to Sendai. All he had to do was find someone who was willing to take in his poor baby for a few days and make sure that he followed his special diet. He wonders if Pi is available.
But when he opens the door to go upstairs to ask, he’s greeted with Pi’s hand, raised mid-air and ready to knock.
*
Pi had been standing outside Ryo’s door for a few moments and wondering how this had become habit - this instinctive urge that had developed within the few weeks they had come to know each other. He would have thought about how this actually happened earlier, but it’s been such a natural progression that he hasn’t even really noticed it. It’s kind of like Ryo’s just been around forever and ever and ever - like an old childhood friend really.
Ryo, standing slightly dishevelled in his doorway or collapsing on the couch in his living room; Ryo, snarling at the television during an exhaustive Wii session (they collaborate nowadays, and are currently conquering Blizzeta in Zelda), or having a nonsensical conversation with Uchi while sprinkling fish food into his bowl. He’s become more than just a regular fixture in Pi’s life. Or, rather, seeing Ryo there acting like he’s become one with the throw pillows after a long day at work, has come to mean more to Pi than he could have ever imagined.
And now, once again, he finds himself standing there, just wanting to talk. More than anything really, he wonders why Ryo hasn’t seemed to mind in the least.
*
Earlier that day, for the first time in nearly a month, Pi and Shige had entered Mary and Julie’s office and had been directed by bony, crooked fingers to take a seat on the cool white leather chairs. Pi had tried to avoid looking at his picture hanging on the wall and how Toma’s stare now seemed to hold an accusation. While he can still remember the time and place, everything else about the feelings and excitement of the moment now seems blurred and alien. Even he seems alien, with his streaked blond hair and stick-like arms.
The Kitagawa women had let out polite grainy coughs, and once again the nervous accountant had held up some charts, that slipped only slightly in his sweating palms.
“Are you serious?” Pi had exclaimed, and Shige had grabbed his arm, although he could no longer feel it. “The film is out tomorrow! You can’t pull it; think of how much money you would lose!”
Do you honestly think we will make money from that movie even if we did go ahead with the release?
The question had hung in the air like yperite, as Mary and Julie had peered up at him under their severe dark fringes, hands steepled in front of them.
Pi had shaken Shige off and stood up, slamming his fists down on the desk, and causing a slight tremor to rake itself up the mother and daughter’s bones.
“It doesn’t make sense,” Pi had said through gritted teeth. “After all the promotions and build up, why now?”
What did I do? Pi had wanted to shout. What did I do wrong?
Mary had narrowed her eyes. After so many warnings, you still don’t understand, Yamashita?
Pi hadn’t known what to say. Staring into those cold, black eyes, he could only think of how insignificant he was to them. Just a pawn that was no longer of any use, and so easily sacrificed.
It’s been a while since you’ve had a break, hasn’t it, Yamashita? Julie had commented in brittle monotone, in response to his silence. Why don’t you see this as a long-awaited vacation?
Like how Hasegawa has taken a break before suddenly disappearing? Like how Toma had taken a break and never returned? Yeah, Pi knew enough to recognise that there were no breaks in Johnny’s world worth cheering about.
Pi had heard Shige arguing earnestly with them even after he had slammed shut the door of their office and made his way unsteadily towards the elevator, but somehow he knew they weren’t going to change their minds.
*
Looking at Pi standing there wide-eyed and slightly surprised, Ryo is attacked with the sudden urge to take Pi in and cook him that curry that he’s promised him.
The waves in his brown hair are pointing in different directions like duck tails, and his shirt is wrinkled at the edges. As his hand drops from the air to his side, Ryo wonders how he’s never noticed how small his wrists are, bones angled outwards and blue veins dipping and weaving under the surface of pale skin. He thinks he sees sharks swimming through those veins, poisoning plasma.
Ryo opens the door wider, giving Pi a slight nod and motioning for him to come inside.
“You were about to head out?” Pi asks after a hesitant pause, seating himself on the couch. He notices there’s a new book on the coffee table entitled French for Beginners.
The corner of Ryo’s mouth quirks upwards, and he slumps down next to Pi. “I was going to see you, actually.”
“Oh?” Pi says, curious and momentarily distracted. “What for?”
Ryo opens his mouth to answer, but Pi’s mobile cuts in, a tinny rendition of Tomorrow Never Knows by Mr. Children.
“Sorry,” Pi says, getting up and fumbling for his phone and Ryo gestures towards his bedroom so Pi can have some privacy.
“Piiiii,” Jin’s voice comes through slightly muffled, once Pi has closed the bedroom door behind him. Pi can hear voices and laughter and music in the background.
“Jin? What’s up?”
“Piiiii,” Jin repeats, and this time he’s a little clearer, like he’s moved away from the crowd. “Come out and have a drink with us.”
“Us?” Pi asks.
“Koki and Maru. And Kame,” Jin adds after a pause so tiny that you could almost miss it. Except Pi doesn’t. He knows where this is heading and he doesn’t know if he’s ready to go there yet.
“Please please please?” Jin begs, when Pi doesn’t offer a response.
Pi stays silent.
He can hear Jin trying to breathe steadily.
“Okay,” Jin says finally. “I’m not going to, you know, force you to come. You don’t have to. But I would like you to. You’re my best friend, Pi.”
He says it softly, but Pi is his best friend, and he can tell when Jin is trying to pull something over him.
“Come on, Pi,” Jin pleads, sounding like Pi’s about to kill Pin the dog instead of refusing to join him for drinks.
“Don’t you use that voice on me, Akanishi,” Pi says, forehead furrowing. Jin really did know all his weak points.
“Pi, just come,” Jin says in the same wheedling tone. “I miss you,” he adds hopefully.
“I am made of stone, Jin,” Pi deadpans. “Your words have absolutely zero affect on me.”
He knows he’s being unreasonably stubborn, but he can’t seem to help himself.
“Pi,” Jin says slowly, changing tactics. “Look, you’re going to have to accept it sometime, okay? You can’t just keep on pretending he’s not there, because he is and I hate to break it to you, but he’s not going anywhere any time soon. You’re my best friend. I just want you guys to try and get along, okay? Okay?”
Pi sighs and runs his hand through his hair. He wonders when everything got so heavy, because the air seems to be beginning to press down on him with added weight.
“Okay,” he finally replies, giving in to the pressure. He thinks it might be easier to go along with it than to have to endure Jin’s wrath later on. He can almost hear Jin grinning down the connection.
“Alright! See you soon!” Jin exclaims happily, hanging up before Pi can change his mind.
Looking at the phone in his hands, Pi wonders what he’s relented to.
He’s been standing there some time before Ryo knocks on his bedroom door, letting himself in.
“Well that was weird, I don’t think I’ve ever knocked on my own door before,” Ryo says, sitting down on his bed.
Pi stares at Ryo and then at his phone. Then he turns back to Ryo again.
“What’s wrong with you?” Ryo asks, before Pi suddenly grabs his hand and drags him to his feet, leading him towards the door.
“Pi, what the fuck??” Ryo manages to get out, as Pi shoves his shoes in his face.
“You’re coming to meet my friends,” is all Pi says, before pushing Ryo out the door.
Chapter Ten - Revelations
Ryo looks at Pi and then he looks at Jin. His eyebrows furrow and he wonders if his eyes are playing tricks on him. This isn't what he expected to see when he met Pi's best friend. But more than that, he didn't expect the look in Pi's eyes as they flick back and forth between Jin and some other skeletal guy called Kamenashi Kazuya, or Kame, who is standing back a bit and trying to pretend things aren’t awkward. He’s beginning to think that Pi uses the term “friend” rather loosely.
Ryo shoots Kame a curious look, but Kame just shrugs, turning back to his beer. The other two guys, Koki and Maru, seem to have isolated themselves in a corner away from the tension, caught up in their own heated conversation in their own little universe. No one had seemed too concerned when Pi had shown up with Ryo in tow, like it should have been a wholly normal gathering.
Ryo can feel something burning up inside of him and he doesn’t know if it’s anger at Pi for dragging him out here so he can make small talk with people he doesn’t know (which he’s never pretended he was any good at), or whether it’s because he can’t help feeling there is something weird going on between Pi and Jin. It’s creepy and it’s strange, and Ryo feels like he’s going to go cross-eyed if he thinks about it too deeply.
He downs his beer for a last burst of Dutch courage.
“So,” he says, aiming his attention towards Jin, and it comes out more aggressive than he anticipated. “You’re a Johnny’s too, right?”
*
As the night wears on, the tension seems to slowly drain away, although Pi and Kame have yet to look each other in the eye and continue to aim their words solely towards Ryo and Jin. Ryo learns quickly that Akanishi Jin is, well, not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he somehow seems to make up for it with a truckload of charisma, a crazy infectious laugh, and the weirdest, most twisted use of logic. He’s excitable and obviously thinks a lot of himself, but Ryo finds it easier to talk to him than he expected. By the end of the night Ryo’s snapping back sharp comments when Jin’s intelligence seems to dip too low, and Jin’s grinning wickedly because Ryo is quick to fire up and easy to read. Jin only ever hits below the belt, but that’s fine with Ryo because he’s never played it any other way.
“Slow down, Fat Jin,” Ryo smirks as Jin reaches once more for the plate of fries they have in the middle of their table. “Save some for the poor starving children,” he adds, nodding towards Kame, who immediately tries to arrange himself in a way so that his shirt doesn’t drape over his lanky form like a bed sheet.
“Skinny little monkeys shouldn’t talk about other people’s weight,” Jin bites back.
“Skinny and little,” Kame emphasises with a hiss, grabbing a fry and stuffing it in his mouth.
“Whatever Jin,” Pi grins. “Stop talking about skinny monkeys and lose some weight!”
“I guess the only thing that can stop him eating is talking,” Ryo says, full of snark, slamming down another drink.
Jin huffs, lower lip sneaking out. “At least I still look like a guy, unlike some people, Yamashita Tomohisa.”
Pi glowers at Jin, his grin fading.
“I haven’t been confused for a girl in years, Bakanishi!”
Ryo chokes on his drink, his eyes widening. “People actually thought you were a girl?”
Inside he thinks, And I thought that was only me.
“Dude, I stood up for you!” Pi exclaims, glaring at Ryo.
Ryo looks suitably shameful as he pats Pi’s shoulder. “Sorry, I crossed a line.”
Turning to Jin and Kame, Ryo says, “Come on Jin, stop teasing Pi. Girls are sensitive creatures-”
Pi pushes Ryo off the chair and onto the floor and Jin and Kame burst into hysterical laughter.
Ryo stands up and brushes himself off, trying to look pissed off but failing miserably. His lower lip is caught between his teeth as he tries to hold back a laugh, but the wicked look in his eyes tell Pi that he’s going to get it later. Pi can’t help grinning back, rolling his eyes.
“I’m sure you would all love for me to stay, but I actually have work tomorrow,” Ryo suddenly announces after throwing a brief glance at his watch, and Pi stands up too.
“Yeah, I should head back as well,” he says, reaching for his wallet. Kame puts a hand on his arm so unexpectedly that Pi freezes.
“Don’t worry about it, we’ll get the bill,” Kame mumbles, not quite meeting Pi’s eyes.
Pi slowly puts his wallet back in his pocket and gives a stiff nod. Ryo can see Jin sucking in his bottom lip as he looks between the two of them - Pi, his best friend, and Kame, who Ryo can see now, is well beyond the “just friends” status.
Ryo takes Pi by the elbow and begins to steer him towards the door.
“Nice meeting you!” Ryo calls and Pi manages to throw a wave over his shoulder, just catching the wide grin on Jin’s face.
Outside Ryo’s breath rushes out of him like a sigh, and he can feel Pi relax beside him as the door closes behind them and they make their way home. They walk along in silence for a while, tracing the cracks on the sidewalk, and shying away from the shadows. Ryo’s so lost in thought, wondering whether or not he should ask the question that has been bothering him all night, that he doesn’t take in Pi’s hand on his elbow and the murmured words.
“Huh?” Ryo asks when Pi tugs him to a stop in the middle of the pavement.
“I said thanks for coming down here with me tonight,” Pi says, shoving his hands deep inside his pockets and staring intently up at the street lights that hide the stars. “I’m sorry for dragging you out here with no warning,”
“Well,” Ryo says after a beat, the corner of his mouth quirking up, “you didn’t exactly give me much choice.”
Pi winces and looks down. “Sorry.” A small pause, like he’s working up the courage; “Sorry you had to witness that, too.”
“Oh, you mean the fact that you’re in love with Jin?” Ryo asks, a little sharper than intended.
“I’m not in love with Jin,” Pi states firmly, looking down at Ryo through his bangs with narrowed eyes.
Ryo raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms.
“Okay, I’m not in love with him anymore,” Pi amends, but his steady gaze doesn’t waver.
Ryo can feel his head beginning to pound, because Pi actually looks like he’s telling the truth.
“Then you’re in love with Kame?” Ryo hazards.
Pi snorts. “Were you even in the same room as us tonight?”
“Alright,” Ryo says slowly, feeling like he’s trying to piece together the parts of two different puzzles. “So you don’t like Kame and you don’t like Jin anymore. Then...what’s your problem?”
Pi continues to look Ryo in the eye, momentary confusion crossing his features. “The problem is…there is no problem.”
The pounding in Ryo’s head reaches a new level, but worse is the feeling of relief that seems to be spreading through his veins like comforting heat, like someone’s set fire to the ethanol in his blood. He tells himself it’s just relief that he’s not going to have to listen to Pi wax lyrical from now on about his unrequited love for his idiotic best friend.
Rubbing his temples Ryo lets out a low groan, resolving not to think anymore about this tonight. “Fine, whatever, we’re going home now.”
Pi nods and matches his stride to Ryo’s steady gait as they make their way through the night. His foot kicks a rock, which comes to life, chasing the dirt down the road. The wind has picked up and there’s an edge to it, a convenient reminder that winter is right around the corner and that soon the frost will settle in.
He ponders over the words that had slipped from his mouth, and thinks maybe it isn’t just a convenient lie. Perhaps there really is no problem. Seasons are changing so why would it be so surprising if he was too?
He looks over at Ryo who glances up and gives him a questioning smile, eyes a tad wary.
Pi feels a rush of warmth and he smiles back. Yeah, maybe there is no problem.
*
“Hey,” Ryo yawns, as the elevator dings open to the 29th floor and he steps out, keeping one foot in the door to prevent them closing, “I didn’t get a chance to ask you earlier.”
“Yeah?” Pi answers, trying to stifle a yawn of his own. Yawns were always infectious.
“I’m going to Sendai next week for a conference for a few days,” Ryo continues slowly, words weary.
“Sendai?” Pi repeats. “I haven’t been there in ages. How are you getting there?”
Ryo rubs his palms into his eyes, trying to clear the fuzz out of his head. The alcohol and lack of sleep appear to be catching up unexpectedly.
“Don’t know. Why, you want to come?”
Pi blinks, and surprises himself by answering straight away with “Yeah, okay.”
Ryo squints at Pi but his brain has decided that it doesn’t want to function properly anymore, slowly shutting down each section like it’s closing up shop for the night. A part of him begins to intercept, reminding him that he wanted to ask a different question, but he can no longer remember what that question is.
“Yeah, alright,” he says, yawning again. Then, “ ‘Night Pi,” he grunts, pulling his foot away and letting the doors finally close.
Entering his apartment and stumbling into the room, Ryo’s eyes are drawn to Uchi’s fish tank.
“Fuck,” he mutters as a final half-thought fires through his muddled mind, before collapsing on the couch in an exhausted heap.
Chapters 11-12